Living in the Lion's Den: Part 8 - Unthinkable
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
November 5, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Sermon Slides
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Parades are Coming!
This year, OneLife will be in the Powell and Downtown Knoxville Christmas parades December 1st & 2nd. It’s a great way to represent our church out in the community, plus, it’s a lot of fun! Here’s how to get involved: #1 - Parade float construction and decorating. Whether you’re a handyman, crafty decorator, or just want to hang out and get to know people, you’ll love helping out! #2 - Walk in the parades. Come represent our church, help pass out candy, and hand out invite cards to our Christmas services. Sign-ups are available at onelifeknox.com/parade or write “Christmas Parades” on your Connection Card.
OneLife’s Angel Trees
This year OneLife is continuing our partnership with the McNabb Center’s Dear Santa program as well as providing angel tree gifts for children on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. The Angel Trees are up in the lobbies starting today, so check them out! Gifts can be returned to your campus November 19-26.
Jingle Jam - November 26th & December 3rd
Jingle Jam is a Christmas Party big enough for the whole family! It’s an interactive Christmas presentation for kids and parents that’s full of exciting music, fun characters, and a unique perspective of Christmas like you’ve never experienced! Jingle Jam will be held Sunday night November 26th at our North Campus and Sunday Night December 3rd at our East campus. Save the date and we can’t wait to see you there!
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Plus our volunteer Christmas banquet is coming up on December 10th so now is a great time to join a team. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
___________________
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: The unthinkable isn't unbelievable.
Daniel 8:5 NIV
5 As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.
Daniel 8:15-17 NIV
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” 17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
God’s thinking and my thinking are on different levels.
Daniel 8:16-17 NIV
16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” 17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
God’s plan can be terrifying.
Daniel 8:17-19 NIV
17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. 19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.
God wants me to better understand his plan.
Daniel 8:23-25 NIV
23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Jesus wins even when it seems the enemy is winning.
Daniel 8:27 NIV
27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Focus on trusting - not understanding.
____________________
START TALKING
When you were younger, what was something you found unthinkable or simply hard to understand - but yet you still believed it? Even now, what is something that seems unthinkable to you or impossible to understand, but yet you do it or use it or experience it often?
Daniel 8 Synopsis Video
If you weren't present on Sunday, take three minutes to watch this video that illustrates the vision Daniel saw in this chapter and summarizes the chapter. Maybe even take a few moments to watch it again as a micro church.
https://youtu.be/mMYW4fmVrTU?feature=shared
START THINKING
Now that you have a context for everything Daniel saw and the implications of the different elements of his vision, what do you think terrified him the most? What else do you think he was thinking? Can you relate to him saying he doesn't understand?
Read Daniel 8:15-19. How do you think this moment made Daniel feel and what do you think he may have been thinking? What does this part of the story tell you about the character and nature of God, especially when his plan or vision for our lives is so unthinkable?
What words or concepts do you see repeated in this passage? There are at least three. If repetition in the Old Testament acts as a way to emphasis important truths and principles, what do you think these things that are repeated could mean about the character of God and his relationship with those who follow him?
START SHARING
Read Isaiah 55:8-9 and Ephesians 3:1-6. What do these verses teach you or say to you? When have you personally experienced the ways and thoughts of God being higher than your own and/or how have experienced the "mystery of the Gospel"?
Why does what you read above require trusting more than understanding? How do you see Daniel trusting more than understanding in his final response to this vision in Daniel 8:27?
Daniel was terrified when he saw the vision and plan that God had. When have you felt this? What made it hard to understand and what made it "terrifying" or made you feel so unsure? How did you see the "Prince of princes" winning even if seemed that the enemy was winning?
START DOING
What is the vision that God has for you? It may be the starting point of following Jesus and giving Him your life, obeying a specific command or teaching from Scripture, or it may be a prompting or a "word" or "vision" that you believe the Holy Spirit has given you.
What are you going to do next about what you shared above?
How do the people in your life need to see you be a "Daniel" for them? Why do they need to see you resting in the truth that your thinking and God's thinking are on different levels and that you focus on trusting more than understanding? How can they see that through simply having a relationship with you? What do you need to do?
START PRAYING
Pray for what each of you shared in the Start Doing section. Commit to pray for each other through out the week and to hold each other accountable to do what God is telling you to do. Ask God to show you how the Prince of princes has won and is winning each and every day, even when it seems like the enemy is advancing!
____________________
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)?
November 5, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Sermon Slides
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Parades are Coming!
This year, OneLife will be in the Powell and Downtown Knoxville Christmas parades December 1st & 2nd. It’s a great way to represent our church out in the community, plus, it’s a lot of fun! Here’s how to get involved: #1 - Parade float construction and decorating. Whether you’re a handyman, crafty decorator, or just want to hang out and get to know people, you’ll love helping out! #2 - Walk in the parades. Come represent our church, help pass out candy, and hand out invite cards to our Christmas services. Sign-ups are available at onelifeknox.com/parade or write “Christmas Parades” on your Connection Card.
OneLife’s Angel Trees
This year OneLife is continuing our partnership with the McNabb Center’s Dear Santa program as well as providing angel tree gifts for children on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. The Angel Trees are up in the lobbies starting today, so check them out! Gifts can be returned to your campus November 19-26.
Jingle Jam - November 26th & December 3rd
Jingle Jam is a Christmas Party big enough for the whole family! It’s an interactive Christmas presentation for kids and parents that’s full of exciting music, fun characters, and a unique perspective of Christmas like you’ve never experienced! Jingle Jam will be held Sunday night November 26th at our North Campus and Sunday Night December 3rd at our East campus. Save the date and we can’t wait to see you there!
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Plus our volunteer Christmas banquet is coming up on December 10th so now is a great time to join a team. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
___________________
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: The unthinkable isn't unbelievable.
Daniel 8:5 NIV
5 As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.
Daniel 8:15-17 NIV
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” 17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
God’s thinking and my thinking are on different levels.
Daniel 8:16-17 NIV
16 And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” 17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
God’s plan can be terrifying.
Daniel 8:17-19 NIV
17 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. 19 He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.
God wants me to better understand his plan.
Daniel 8:23-25 NIV
23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Jesus wins even when it seems the enemy is winning.
Daniel 8:27 NIV
27 I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Focus on trusting - not understanding.
____________________
START TALKING
When you were younger, what was something you found unthinkable or simply hard to understand - but yet you still believed it? Even now, what is something that seems unthinkable to you or impossible to understand, but yet you do it or use it or experience it often?
Daniel 8 Synopsis Video
If you weren't present on Sunday, take three minutes to watch this video that illustrates the vision Daniel saw in this chapter and summarizes the chapter. Maybe even take a few moments to watch it again as a micro church.
https://youtu.be/mMYW4fmVrTU?feature=shared
START THINKING
Now that you have a context for everything Daniel saw and the implications of the different elements of his vision, what do you think terrified him the most? What else do you think he was thinking? Can you relate to him saying he doesn't understand?
Read Daniel 8:15-19. How do you think this moment made Daniel feel and what do you think he may have been thinking? What does this part of the story tell you about the character and nature of God, especially when his plan or vision for our lives is so unthinkable?
What words or concepts do you see repeated in this passage? There are at least three. If repetition in the Old Testament acts as a way to emphasis important truths and principles, what do you think these things that are repeated could mean about the character of God and his relationship with those who follow him?
START SHARING
Read Isaiah 55:8-9 and Ephesians 3:1-6. What do these verses teach you or say to you? When have you personally experienced the ways and thoughts of God being higher than your own and/or how have experienced the "mystery of the Gospel"?
Why does what you read above require trusting more than understanding? How do you see Daniel trusting more than understanding in his final response to this vision in Daniel 8:27?
Daniel was terrified when he saw the vision and plan that God had. When have you felt this? What made it hard to understand and what made it "terrifying" or made you feel so unsure? How did you see the "Prince of princes" winning even if seemed that the enemy was winning?
START DOING
What is the vision that God has for you? It may be the starting point of following Jesus and giving Him your life, obeying a specific command or teaching from Scripture, or it may be a prompting or a "word" or "vision" that you believe the Holy Spirit has given you.
What are you going to do next about what you shared above?
How do the people in your life need to see you be a "Daniel" for them? Why do they need to see you resting in the truth that your thinking and God's thinking are on different levels and that you focus on trusting more than understanding? How can they see that through simply having a relationship with you? What do you need to do?
START PRAYING
Pray for what each of you shared in the Start Doing section. Commit to pray for each other through out the week and to hold each other accountable to do what God is telling you to do. Ask God to show you how the Prince of princes has won and is winning each and every day, even when it seems like the enemy is advancing!
____________________
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