Life Changing Questions: Part 3 - Story Time
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
April 23, 2023
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Sermon Page
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
IF Gathering: A Women’s Event, April 29
Ladies, you’re invited to a weekend event called the IF Gathering. There will be a time of worship, incredible teaching from some of the top speakers in the country, and time to share and connect with other ladies. The event will take place from 8am to 3:30pm on Saturday, April 29 at our North Campus. The cost is $25 per person and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Today is the last day to register, so click here to get registered.
Rising 6th Grade Parent Zoom Call, May 7
As the school year is coming to a close, our 5th graders in Kid City are only a few months away from moving up into OneLife Students. So, on Sunday, May 7 we will have a zoom call at 7pm for parents of rising 6th graders where we’ll discuss the transition, share our summer calendar, and give you a chance to ask questions. For more information or to let us know you’re coming, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
Child Dedications, May 21
The partnership between the Church and the family is vital! For families with younger children, we're having a special Child Dedication service to commit to this partnership publicly. It'll take place Sunday, May 21 at 12:15pm after the second service. We will have a parent meeting via zoom on Sunday, May 7th. For more information or to sign up, mark the Child Dedications box on your Connection Card.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off, May 24
Our middle and high school students from both campuses will be joining together on Wednesday night, May 24 at 6pm at our North Campus for a Summer Kick-off night! We’ll have games, food, a challenging message, and we’ll be revealing our 2023 summer theme. Mark your calendars and don’t miss it!
____________________
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: What story do I want to tell?
Genesis 39:8 NLT
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.
Genesis 39:9 NLT
9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
1. When emotion is high, press pause not play.
Genesis 39:19-20 NLT
19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.
2. My current event will soon just be a chapter in the story.
Genesis 41:38 NLT
38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”
Genesis 41:39 NLT
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.
Genesis 41:40 NLT
40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
3. God can write my story far better than I can.
START TALKING
What is a story that you loved to hear when you were younger? Maybe it is a story that your family or your friends still talk about and reminisce when you are together! Share that story with us!
What is a story that you get asked to tell by your kids or old friends or that you find yourself repeating? Why do you think that story keeps coming up?
START THINKING
Read Genesis 39:1-2 and 39:20-21.
What do you notice is the same about each of these experiences for Joseph? Why does that detail matter? What do we need to remember from this when we are at our rock bottom? How does that change the questions you ask in those moments?
Read Genesis 39:8-9.
As Joseph recites the story God has already written and also recites how the story could be told, who are the four characters he identifies in the story and what are each of the attributes connected to them? How do you think this helps Joseph make a life-changing decision in this moment?
START SHARING
Read Psalm 46:10 and Proverbs 21:5.
How do these verses line up with the idea of "pressing pause and not play" when emotion is high? Share about a time that you made an emotional, hasty decision rather than taking time to ask God what story you want to have written. What might have been different had you taken more time to seek God's plan?
Now share about a time that you made the right choice, even if you knew it may have come with challenges or consequences, but you knew it was the story God was writing. What gave you confidence to do the right thing? How did you experience that God was with you, like Joseph did each time he was thrown into slavery and prison?
Read Hebrews 12:2.
When Joseph was at rock bottom in the the pit and in prison, this may have been hard to see. But what eventually came from his obedience was the nation of Israel and ultimately the birth of Jesus. When have you been at rock bottom but looking back you see that it was only a chapter of the story? How was God writing the next chapter?
START DOING
When you are faced with a decision or a crisis, how can you build in systems and tools to press pause and remind yourself that your story is still being written and this is only a chapter?
What is something you are facing - a decision, an uncertainty, a challenge - and you are asking God what story He is writing to help you determine your direction? What do you sense the Holy Spirit is telling you to do and what are you going to do about it?
Read Revelation 12:11.
How does every decision you make impact the story you have to tell that can be the difference in someone else overcoming and following Jesus? Who comes to mind that you want to ?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person's examples they shared above. Pray that we would hold each other accountable to following the story that God is writing, and allowing Him to be the author, the King, and my Lord. Pray
_____________________
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 disciple-able 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)?
April 23, 2023
YouVersion
Sermon Page
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
IF Gathering: A Women’s Event, April 29
Ladies, you’re invited to a weekend event called the IF Gathering. There will be a time of worship, incredible teaching from some of the top speakers in the country, and time to share and connect with other ladies. The event will take place from 8am to 3:30pm on Saturday, April 29 at our North Campus. The cost is $25 per person and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Today is the last day to register, so click here to get registered.
Rising 6th Grade Parent Zoom Call, May 7
As the school year is coming to a close, our 5th graders in Kid City are only a few months away from moving up into OneLife Students. So, on Sunday, May 7 we will have a zoom call at 7pm for parents of rising 6th graders where we’ll discuss the transition, share our summer calendar, and give you a chance to ask questions. For more information or to let us know you’re coming, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
Child Dedications, May 21
The partnership between the Church and the family is vital! For families with younger children, we're having a special Child Dedication service to commit to this partnership publicly. It'll take place Sunday, May 21 at 12:15pm after the second service. We will have a parent meeting via zoom on Sunday, May 7th. For more information or to sign up, mark the Child Dedications box on your Connection Card.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off, May 24
Our middle and high school students from both campuses will be joining together on Wednesday night, May 24 at 6pm at our North Campus for a Summer Kick-off night! We’ll have games, food, a challenging message, and we’ll be revealing our 2023 summer theme. Mark your calendars and don’t miss it!
____________________
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: What story do I want to tell?
Genesis 39:8 NLT
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.
Genesis 39:9 NLT
9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
1. When emotion is high, press pause not play.
Genesis 39:19-20 NLT
19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.
2. My current event will soon just be a chapter in the story.
Genesis 41:38 NLT
38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”
Genesis 41:39 NLT
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.
Genesis 41:40 NLT
40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
3. God can write my story far better than I can.
START TALKING
What is a story that you loved to hear when you were younger? Maybe it is a story that your family or your friends still talk about and reminisce when you are together! Share that story with us!
What is a story that you get asked to tell by your kids or old friends or that you find yourself repeating? Why do you think that story keeps coming up?
START THINKING
Read Genesis 39:1-2 and 39:20-21.
What do you notice is the same about each of these experiences for Joseph? Why does that detail matter? What do we need to remember from this when we are at our rock bottom? How does that change the questions you ask in those moments?
Read Genesis 39:8-9.
As Joseph recites the story God has already written and also recites how the story could be told, who are the four characters he identifies in the story and what are each of the attributes connected to them? How do you think this helps Joseph make a life-changing decision in this moment?
START SHARING
Read Psalm 46:10 and Proverbs 21:5.
How do these verses line up with the idea of "pressing pause and not play" when emotion is high? Share about a time that you made an emotional, hasty decision rather than taking time to ask God what story you want to have written. What might have been different had you taken more time to seek God's plan?
Now share about a time that you made the right choice, even if you knew it may have come with challenges or consequences, but you knew it was the story God was writing. What gave you confidence to do the right thing? How did you experience that God was with you, like Joseph did each time he was thrown into slavery and prison?
Read Hebrews 12:2.
When Joseph was at rock bottom in the the pit and in prison, this may have been hard to see. But what eventually came from his obedience was the nation of Israel and ultimately the birth of Jesus. When have you been at rock bottom but looking back you see that it was only a chapter of the story? How was God writing the next chapter?
START DOING
When you are faced with a decision or a crisis, how can you build in systems and tools to press pause and remind yourself that your story is still being written and this is only a chapter?
What is something you are facing - a decision, an uncertainty, a challenge - and you are asking God what story He is writing to help you determine your direction? What do you sense the Holy Spirit is telling you to do and what are you going to do about it?
Read Revelation 12:11.
How does every decision you make impact the story you have to tell that can be the difference in someone else overcoming and following Jesus? Who comes to mind that you want to ?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person's examples they shared above. Pray that we would hold each other accountable to following the story that God is writing, and allowing Him to be the author, the King, and my Lord. Pray
_____________________
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 disciple-able 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)?
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