Life Changing Questions: Part 5 - Searching
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
May 7, 2023
YouVersion
Sermon Page
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hope For Moms - Giving Back for Mother’s Day
On Mother’s Day, May 14, we’re not only going to honor and celebrate moms at OneLife, but moms all over our city through Knoxville’s Hope Resource Center. On May 14 we’re asking all of our OneLifers to bring newborn diapers, baby wipes, and new infant clothes (up to 12 months) to your campus. These items will be given away to new moms through the Hope Resource Center baby showers and parenting classes. Click here for a full list of items.
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.
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents, May 21
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place Sunday, May 21 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. Mark the Kids Salvation & Baptism box on your Connection Card to sign up.
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: Where is God in this? Because I know He is here.
Daniel 3:1 NLT
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:4-7 NLT
4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
1. God will seem to be invisible in a broken world.
Daniel 3:8-9 NLT
8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king!
Daniel 3:12-18 NLT
12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
2. Bold faith is knowing my God will show up.
Daniel 3:22-27 NLT
22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
3. Jesus is always faithful even in the hottest fire.
Daniel 3:28 NLT
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
4. The result is far bigger than changing just my life.
START TALKING
When have you had a hard time finding something, but once you knew what to look for or where to look it was easy to see? What changed that made it possible for you to see what you hadn't been able to see before?
START THINKING
Read Jeremiah 29:13.
According to this verse and this promise, what does it mean if we can't find God or if he seems invisible? What do you think it means to really "seek" God?
Read Daniel 3:1-7.
What do you think the Jews who followed the one true God must have been thinking and feeling as this was happening? What may have been reasons to feel defeated or like God was absent or invisible?
START SHARING
Read Daniel 3:16-18.
What is the significance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego saying "if he is able" and "even if he doesn't"? What does this show about their faith and what "honest" faith is really about?
What is a situation that you have faced where you trusted God completely with this kind of faith, or what is a situation or decision that you are facing where this kind faith would make a difference if you stand firm knowing your God will show up? How do you stay firm even when he doesn't do it when or how you expect or want it?
Read Daniel 3:24-25. When have you been in a "fire" before and that is when Jesus showed up or when you were finally able to see or experience his presence and work in your life? Why is it in the fire that we are able to better see and experience the presence of Jesus?
"Through The Fire"
If you're up for a good ole fashioned Southern Gospel song, check out the song below and watch the lyrics together as a micro church. There are some powerful lyrics! How does this speak to you? What situations or "valley of decision" came to mind as you saw this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUx7V3Tm2wk
START DOING
How can we help each other pause and ask "Where is God in this?"
Who is someone in your life that would be impacted by this question? How would asking this be different than how you would normally respond to someone's circumstances?
What is part of your story where you saw Jesus walk with you through the fire? Practice sharing your story with the following format:
Before: When I was going through _________ it felt like God was ______.
During: I began to see His presence when ____________.
After: Now I know the next time that I go through something that _____________.
START PRAYING
Pray for the fires that each person in the micro church is going through, coming out of, or heading into. Pray that we each will seek God and know with bold faith that He will show up! Pray that the "Nebuchadnezzars" in our life will see his presence and be changed, too!
_____________________
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)?
May 7, 2023
YouVersion
Sermon Page
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hope For Moms - Giving Back for Mother’s Day
On Mother’s Day, May 14, we’re not only going to honor and celebrate moms at OneLife, but moms all over our city through Knoxville’s Hope Resource Center. On May 14 we’re asking all of our OneLifers to bring newborn diapers, baby wipes, and new infant clothes (up to 12 months) to your campus. These items will be given away to new moms through the Hope Resource Center baby showers and parenting classes. Click here for a full list of items.
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.
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents, May 21
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place Sunday, May 21 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. Mark the Kids Salvation & Baptism box on your Connection Card to sign up.
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: Where is God in this? Because I know He is here.
Daniel 3:1 NLT
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:4-7 NLT
4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
1. God will seem to be invisible in a broken world.
Daniel 3:8-9 NLT
8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king!
Daniel 3:12-18 NLT
12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
2. Bold faith is knowing my God will show up.
Daniel 3:22-27 NLT
22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
3. Jesus is always faithful even in the hottest fire.
Daniel 3:28 NLT
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
4. The result is far bigger than changing just my life.
START TALKING
When have you had a hard time finding something, but once you knew what to look for or where to look it was easy to see? What changed that made it possible for you to see what you hadn't been able to see before?
START THINKING
Read Jeremiah 29:13.
According to this verse and this promise, what does it mean if we can't find God or if he seems invisible? What do you think it means to really "seek" God?
Read Daniel 3:1-7.
What do you think the Jews who followed the one true God must have been thinking and feeling as this was happening? What may have been reasons to feel defeated or like God was absent or invisible?
START SHARING
Read Daniel 3:16-18.
What is the significance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego saying "if he is able" and "even if he doesn't"? What does this show about their faith and what "honest" faith is really about?
What is a situation that you have faced where you trusted God completely with this kind of faith, or what is a situation or decision that you are facing where this kind faith would make a difference if you stand firm knowing your God will show up? How do you stay firm even when he doesn't do it when or how you expect or want it?
Read Daniel 3:24-25. When have you been in a "fire" before and that is when Jesus showed up or when you were finally able to see or experience his presence and work in your life? Why is it in the fire that we are able to better see and experience the presence of Jesus?
"Through The Fire"
If you're up for a good ole fashioned Southern Gospel song, check out the song below and watch the lyrics together as a micro church. There are some powerful lyrics! How does this speak to you? What situations or "valley of decision" came to mind as you saw this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUx7V3Tm2wk
START DOING
How can we help each other pause and ask "Where is God in this?"
Who is someone in your life that would be impacted by this question? How would asking this be different than how you would normally respond to someone's circumstances?
What is part of your story where you saw Jesus walk with you through the fire? Practice sharing your story with the following format:
Before: When I was going through _________ it felt like God was ______.
During: I began to see His presence when ____________.
After: Now I know the next time that I go through something that _____________.
START PRAYING
Pray for the fires that each person in the micro church is going through, coming out of, or heading into. Pray that we each will seek God and know with bold faith that He will show up! Pray that the "Nebuchadnezzars" in our life will see his presence and be changed, too!
_____________________
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)?
Posted in Micro Church Guides
Recent
Past Blogs
2024
February
March
2023
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
2022
January
February
March
April
May
June
July