Thankfulness

Paul reminds us to make thanksgiving a way of life.

Ephesians 5:20

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He loves you, He provides for you... Let Him know you're grateful.


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Living A Nightmare

Have you ever had a nightmare that you think about for days? Like, you're afraid to sleep because you don't want to have it again? Well, Daniel understood. The only difference was that his nightmare was something that would actually happen. Daniel was freaking out, but listen:

Daniel 10:4-6, 12

4 On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

...

12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.'"

God gives peace even when you are living a nightmare. You just have to ask.


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YDHWIT 04: You Can't Control The Future Follow Up

You Can’t Control the Future — Week 4 
Objective: To stop trying to control our future and experience the peace that comes from trusting God

• What do the people around you seem to worry about the most concerning their future?

• How have you seen others try to control their future? 

Read together:

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. “So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” 

Matthew 6:32-34 (NLT)

• Describe a time when things felt out of control and God met your needs.

• How does God meeting your needs in the past affect your view of the future?

Read the following verses: Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

In this passage Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.”


• Describe issue(s) you are facing where Jesus is saying, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me."




Read together:

Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. 

Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

For Further Study

Mark 5:21-40 Open

What are some common fears people have?

Explore

Who was Jairus, and why did he want to see Jesus? (5:22-23)
What was Jairus' attitude toward Jesus? (5:23)
What did Jesus do for Jairus? (5:24)
What happened when the woman touched Jesus' cloak? (5:29)
How did Jesus' reply give the woman comfort and reassurance? (5:34)
What happened while Jesus was still speaking to the woman? (5:35)
Whom did Jesus tell not to be afraid and to "just believe"? Why? (5:35-36)
Who were the only people who went with Jesus to Jairus' home? Why? (5:37-38)
How did people react when Jesus expressed confidence that the dead girl would be all right? (5:40)

Reflect

How does Jesus' treatment of the sick woman and Jairus offer comfort to us today? 
What does this passage tell us about Jesus' character?
In what situation in your life do you need to heed Jesus' words, "Don't be afraid, just believe"?

How do you hope God will work in the situations that cause you fear?

Apply

What is one fear that you can ask the Lord to help you face this week? With what concrete action can you show your faith in the Lord this week? 


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Don't Fear The Future

You don't have to be afraid of the future when God's in control.

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

So when you're feeling a little worried today, take it to God and experience His peace.


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YDHWIT 03: You Can't Handle It All Follow Up

You Can’t Handle It All - Week 3

Objective: To admit we can’t do it all alone and to experience freedom by giving our burdens to God. 

Describe a time when you needed help but didn’t ask for it or didn’t accept it.

Why is it difficult for us to accept help from others?

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Why is it sometimes difficult for us to ask for or accept help from God?

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

What burdens are you carrying that are heavy and exhausting? 

In what practical ways can you give these burdens to God?

Read this verse:
“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

Lord I admit my need for you in every area of my life. Please help me to give my burdens completely to you and experience the freedom of leaving them in your hands.

For Further Study

Matthew 11:25-30

Open

What sorts of activities absolutely drain the life out of you? 

Why are many Christians frazzled and burned out?

Explore

When did Jesus pray? (11:25)
How did Jesus address God? (11:25)
Why did Jesus say He was praising God? (11:25)
What did Jesus say God had entrusted or committed to Him? (11:27)
Who alone did Jesus say knew Him? (11:27)
Besides himself, who did Jesus say could know God? (11:27)
Who claimed to reveal God to the world? (11:27)
What general invitation did Christ make at this time? (11:28)
What kind of people was Jesus addressing? (11:28)
What promise did Jesus make to those who would accept His offer? (11:28) 

How did Jesus describe Himself? (11:29)
How is walking with Christ described? (11:30)

Reflect

In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now?
What aspects of the Christian life do you find especially taxing or burdensome? 

What is it like to experience the promised "rest" of Christ?
How would you describe your walk with Christ right now?

Apply

What are two specific ways you can work with Christ tomorrow instead of going in your own direction?
Besides praying, what are some ways you can get to know your Father in heaven more intimately this week?

What burdens will you entrust to Christ today?

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YDHWIT 02: You Can't Please Everyone Follow Up

You Can’t Please Everyone - Week 2 

Objective: To live for God by choosing to find our validation and acceptance in Him rather than people.

• Name the people in your life you often feel pressured to please.

Read:

Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

• What motives do you have for trying to please people?


• What do you fear would happen if you failed to please them?




Read: 

He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

• What needs you are expecting others to meet that can only be met by God?

• What choices or changes do you need to make in order to have those needs met only by God?

Read:

He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Pray together: God, help us to believe you will give us all we need from day to day. Help us choose to live only for you and make your Kingdom our primary concern. 

For Further Study

Matthew 7: 1-5 

Open

What kinds of things do people criticize you for the most?

How do you tend to respond when someone criticizes you?

What would your friends say is your biggest fault?

Explore

What happens to those who are judgmental or critical? (7:1)

In what way will we be judged? (7:2)

By what measure will we be judged? (7:2)

What kind of faults do we notice in others? (7:3)

How did Jesus illustrate the foolishness of the way we find fault with others? (7:3)
What figure of speech did Jesus use to illustrate how blind we are to the shortcomings in our own lives? (7:4)
That did Jesus call those who ignore their own imperfections and focus on the flaws of others? Why? (7:5)
When is it good to confront others with their faults? (7:5)
Why is it necessary to deal with one's own sins first? (7:5)

Reflect

When, if ever, should we criticize or judge someone else?

Why is it that the traits of others that irritate us most are often the very faults that are present in our own lives?

What happened the last time you criticized someone else or judged another's actions?

What are some of the things that cause us to become critical, judgmental people?

How can we become more merciful and nonjudgmental?

Apply

How will focusing on your relationship with Christ make you less likely to criticize others?

What issue in your life is God drawing your attention to? How can you give Him control in this area of your life? 

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Confession

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

What is our hope from this verse?

Is there something that stops you from sharing it with others?


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Don't Get Mad, Get...

Feeling jealous? Here's James with some advice.

James 3:16-18

16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Instead of getting mad about it, you know what you should do.


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The Gift

More follow up from Sunday.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

What is the promise in this verse?


How can you help others see this promise?


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The Standard

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. (Romans 3:23-24)

What is God’s “glorious standard"?


How does remembering God's "undeserved kindness" help you relate to others?




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YDHWIT 01: You Aren't Good Enough Follow Up

You Aren’t Good Enough - Week 1 


Objective: To reveal the areas in our lives where we feel unworthy and to find confidence in God’s unconditional love.

Read:

When I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's

approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:19 (NLT)

Why do we sometimes feel like we need to earn God’s approval?


What are some things you’ve seen people do in order to try and earn God’s approval?


Read:

Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.

Hebrews 9:15 (The Message)

Are there areas in your life where you have been trying to make yourself feel more acceptable to God? What are they? 


In the previous passage of scripture we are told we have been set free from having to earn God’s love. How does this give you confidence for your daily life?

Does this confidence come from trusting yourself or from trusting God? Why?

Read:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Galatians 2:21 (NLT)

As a group pray and ask God to help you accept His unconditional love in every area of your lives.

In your personal time this week read Galatians 2:17-21 and ask God to give you confidence through His unconditional love.

For Further Study - Week 1 
Philippians 3:7-11

Open

If you were to update your resume today, what recent accomplishment would you want to include?

What do you feel are your most valuable skills and gifts?



Explore
In what sense was Paul not boasting, even though he was calling attention to his accomplishments? (3:7-9)

Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as "rubbish"? (3:8)

What was Paul's status in Christ? (3:9)

What longings did Paul admit to the Philippians? (3:10-11)

Reflect

Why do we tend to base our worth as Christians on our performance?

Why should our identity and confidence be in Christ?

Apply
What do you need to start counting as “rubbish” for the sake of Christ?

Ephesians 2:4-9 

Open

What is the best gift you've ever received?

Explore
Why did God make those who were dead alive with Christ? (2:4-5)
What describes God's action in making us alive? (2:5)
What position has God given Christians in Christ by His divine power? (2:6)
How do we receive salvation? (2:8)
Where does salvation come from? (2:8)
Why can no one boast in his own salvation? (2:8-9)

Reflect
How would you describe God's grace to you?
Why doesn’t anyone deserved God's grace, mercy, or riches?

Apply

Who can you share the news of God's mercy with today? How? 


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High Respect

"Greet Andronicus and Junia...they are highly respected among the apostles."

Romans 16:7

What do other believers say of you?

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