SIGNS, Seven Miracles of Jesus: Part 7 - Optimism
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
July 17 , 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bring School Supplies To Your Campus by July 24
As a part of Serve The City, our church is supporting a local elementary school, providing school supplies for students that need assistance as they start the new school year. Use the card in your auditorium chair to see the list of supplies and bring them to your campus by next Sunday, July 24. This is an awesome way to give back to our community!
Serve The City, July 23 - August 6
Our church is going out into the community to lead 17 different service projects in an annual initiative we call Serve The City. Our Micro Churches and other OneLifers will be heading up projects at our local schools, senior and community homes, homeless ministries, and much more. To find a project to get involved with, visit onelifeknox.com/servethecity or scan the QR code that’s on the Serve The City card in your seat in the auditorium.
OneLife Students Back To School Bash, August 3
Wednesday night, August 3 at 6:30pm we’ll be having our Back-To-School Bash at the North Campus. It’s going to be a lot of fun as we wrap up our “Survivor Summer” competition and get ready to kick off the new school year. So mark your calendars and make plans to be there! If you’d like more information about OneLife Students, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
Next Gen Sunday, August 7
Get ready, because Sunday, August 7 is OneLife’s Next Gen Sunday! During the service we will feature our next generation of disciples and leaders, hear stories from our family ministry, experience an awesome time of worship featuring our preschoolers and elementary students leading us in one of their worship songs, and much more. Don’t miss this incredible Sunday!
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Skepticism turns into optimism in the Kingdom.
John 11:1-6 NLT
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.
1. The Kingdom sees obstacles as opportunities.
John 11:7-16 NLT
7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” 8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” 9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” 16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
John 11:30-37 NLT
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
John 11:38-44 NLT
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
4. Resurrection is the bottom line in the Kingdom.
_______________________________________
START TALKING
- What are you most skeptical about when it comes to every day life?
- What do you find that you have the most doubts about when you hear a pitch or hear someone talking about something?
- Have you ever missed out on an opportunity because you were skeptical about it? Or have you ever almost missed out because you were skeptical, and looking back you are glad you didn't let skepticism win? In either case, what were you most skeptical about?
START THINKING
Read John 11:1-6.
- What do you think the messengers thought when they heard this?
- What do you think his disciples were thinking? Especially, what do you think Lazarus's family thought when they heard Jesus wasn't coming?
- What do you think their skepticism was?
Read John 11:7-16.
- Can you blame Thomas for saying what he did? What does that say about the difference between seeing through Kingdom eyes and earthly eyes?
- What do you think Jesus is saying about the light of THIS world, and how does that compare to what he says in John 8:12?
- How are they different?
- What do you think he wants them - and us - to realize about the difference between the two?
START SHARING
Read John 16:33 and 1 Peter 4:12-13.
- How have you experienced these truths or even parts of these truths?
- What are examples of when you have had "troubles" or "fiery trials" in your life?
- What did you experience on the other side of those?
- When have you struggled the most with skepticism when it comes to your relationship with Jesus and going "all in" with and for him?
- What are the commands or the promises of Jesus that you struggle the most with trusting Him to follow them?
- Why is that?
- What helps you to have optimism instead?
When have you experienced something that seemed "dead" but then saw Jesus resurrect it? In other words, how have you experienced the truth that "Resurrection is the bottom line in the Kingdom"?
START DOING
- What can you do this week to see obstacles as opportunities?
- How can that affect your prayers this week?
What is a story that you can share with someone this week that will show them your own experience with seeing skepticism turn into optimism?
- Maybe it is a story of something seeming - or being - dead before you really trusted Jesus with it, but once you went "all in" with Jesus you saw it resurrected by Him?
START PRAYING
Pray for each other in the micro church to go all in with Jesus as you completely trust Him, even when it seems that all hope is lost!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
July 17 , 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bring School Supplies To Your Campus by July 24
As a part of Serve The City, our church is supporting a local elementary school, providing school supplies for students that need assistance as they start the new school year. Use the card in your auditorium chair to see the list of supplies and bring them to your campus by next Sunday, July 24. This is an awesome way to give back to our community!
Serve The City, July 23 - August 6
Our church is going out into the community to lead 17 different service projects in an annual initiative we call Serve The City. Our Micro Churches and other OneLifers will be heading up projects at our local schools, senior and community homes, homeless ministries, and much more. To find a project to get involved with, visit onelifeknox.com/servethecity or scan the QR code that’s on the Serve The City card in your seat in the auditorium.
OneLife Students Back To School Bash, August 3
Wednesday night, August 3 at 6:30pm we’ll be having our Back-To-School Bash at the North Campus. It’s going to be a lot of fun as we wrap up our “Survivor Summer” competition and get ready to kick off the new school year. So mark your calendars and make plans to be there! If you’d like more information about OneLife Students, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
Next Gen Sunday, August 7
Get ready, because Sunday, August 7 is OneLife’s Next Gen Sunday! During the service we will feature our next generation of disciples and leaders, hear stories from our family ministry, experience an awesome time of worship featuring our preschoolers and elementary students leading us in one of their worship songs, and much more. Don’t miss this incredible Sunday!
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Skepticism turns into optimism in the Kingdom.
John 11:1-6 NLT
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.
1. The Kingdom sees obstacles as opportunities.
John 11:7-16 NLT
7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” 8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” 9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” 16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
2. Religion sees obstacles as defeat.
John 11:30-37 NLT
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
3. Death seems like the loss of all hope through earthly eyes.
John 11:38-44 NLT
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
4. Resurrection is the bottom line in the Kingdom.
_______________________________________
START TALKING
- What are you most skeptical about when it comes to every day life?
- What do you find that you have the most doubts about when you hear a pitch or hear someone talking about something?
- Have you ever missed out on an opportunity because you were skeptical about it? Or have you ever almost missed out because you were skeptical, and looking back you are glad you didn't let skepticism win? In either case, what were you most skeptical about?
START THINKING
Read John 11:1-6.
- What do you think the messengers thought when they heard this?
- What do you think his disciples were thinking? Especially, what do you think Lazarus's family thought when they heard Jesus wasn't coming?
- What do you think their skepticism was?
Read John 11:7-16.
- Can you blame Thomas for saying what he did? What does that say about the difference between seeing through Kingdom eyes and earthly eyes?
- What do you think Jesus is saying about the light of THIS world, and how does that compare to what he says in John 8:12?
- How are they different?
- What do you think he wants them - and us - to realize about the difference between the two?
START SHARING
Read John 16:33 and 1 Peter 4:12-13.
- How have you experienced these truths or even parts of these truths?
- What are examples of when you have had "troubles" or "fiery trials" in your life?
- What did you experience on the other side of those?
- When have you struggled the most with skepticism when it comes to your relationship with Jesus and going "all in" with and for him?
- What are the commands or the promises of Jesus that you struggle the most with trusting Him to follow them?
- Why is that?
- What helps you to have optimism instead?
When have you experienced something that seemed "dead" but then saw Jesus resurrect it? In other words, how have you experienced the truth that "Resurrection is the bottom line in the Kingdom"?
START DOING
- What can you do this week to see obstacles as opportunities?
- How can that affect your prayers this week?
What is a story that you can share with someone this week that will show them your own experience with seeing skepticism turn into optimism?
- Maybe it is a story of something seeming - or being - dead before you really trusted Jesus with it, but once you went "all in" with Jesus you saw it resurrected by Him?
START PRAYING
Pray for each other in the micro church to go all in with Jesus as you completely trust Him, even when it seems that all hope is lost!
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
Posted in Micro Church Guides
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