Posture Patterns – Part 2

Scripture Reference: John 13:1-17

Introductory thought: “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” (Psalm 113:2)

Question 1: Pastor Josh talked about how Jesus’ love for us is more qualitative than quantitative.  How have you expressed love to someone in quantity? … in quality?  Jesus loves to the end (John 13:1).

Question 2: Pastor Josh said that everything that exists and has existed was made by Him; nothing is foreign to Him!  Name something that confounds you – it may be something in nature, a problem you’re facing, a person whose actions don’t make sense, etc.  As you think about it, remember the One who created the whole universe understands every detail.

Question 3: Pastor Josh read the Scripture passage telling how Jesus washed His disciples’ feet after their last supper together (John 13).  Pastor Josh emphasized how Jesus knew who would betray Him, and Jesus still washed his feet anyway.  Have you experienced someone being kind to you even though you may or may not have been good to him/her?  Have you expressed kindness to someone who from your point of view did not deserve it?

Question 4: Pastor Josh stated that we are okay with Jesus as Savior, but we are uncomfortable with seeing Him as Teacher, Lord, and Master.  He continued this line of thinking with, “If you hold any unforgiveness and treasure that more than Him, He is NOT your Lord.”  Have you deeply held feelings about a person who has wronged you?  Consider the possibility of how you may be carrying unforgiveness in your heart along with these feelings.

Question 5: Pastor Josh said that we are commissioned to love the world in a way that doesn’t make sense.  We are to posture ourselves with a heart of servitude rather than bitterness.  What ways can you bless rather than curse?

Question 6: Following Jesus’ example of selfless servitude, identify a way that you will serve someone this week.

Wrap-Up Thought: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).

Posture Patterns – Part 1

Question 1: The passage for this week is Luke 10:38-41.  Take a moment to read aloud in your group or to yourself.

Question 2: Pastor Josh contrasted inviting Jesus into your life generally vs. sitting at his feet specifically.  Describe or discuss what you think the key differences between the two postures?

Question 3: What are some things that are not necessarily bad that turn into spiritual distractions?  What is your top distraction right now that is not necessarily bad?

Question 4: The word distracted could be described as having a “dragged off mind.”  What are some things we can do to be more intentional with our thought processes so that we don’t become so easily distracted from Jesus?

Question 5: Think of time in your life when you were very focused on Jesus presence and not distracted.  What were you doing then that you could duplicate now?

Posture Patterns

How’s your posture? To have good posture means you need to be aware of always holding yourself in a way that puts the least strain on your back, whatever you are doing. But what patterns put you in the right posture spiritually?

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Place Yourself

Introductory thought:  The enemy’s job is to distract us, but he has no authority to take from us what Jesus has already paid for us.

Question 1:   Pastor Josh drew three concentric circles and said that lifestyle transformation is greater than goal setting.  He wrote words in the circles: identity in the center, process in the middle, and outcome in the outside one. Where we belong defines our identity.  Name three places where you feel you truly belong.

Question 2:  Read Matthew 6:16-18.  Consider the words, “your Father who is in the secret place.”  Where is a secret place for you?

Question 3:  Pastor Josh cautioned us not to look miserable when we are doing spiritual disciplines.  He warned us about the temptation to tout our spirituality.  While impressing others has its reward, there is greater reward in what is done in private.  Let us grow in our secret moments with God!  What is a discipline you can practice to plant yourself in His presence?

Question 4:  Pastor Josh listed outcomes resulting from personal decrease: 

  1. Clarity
  2. Victory in spiritual battles
  3. ­­Deeper delight in God’s presence 
  4. Confidence
  5. Divine deliverance
  6. Natural cravings kept in check 

What outcome do you hope to gain through intentional decrease?

Wrap-Up Thought:  God cares deeply about what’s going on in your life.

Decrease to Increase

Introductory thought:  Every moment of every day àGod sees heart; He sees soul.

Question 1:   Pastor Josh reviewed some highlights for our church from 2019:

  • Ready, Set, Grow
  • New name and six distinct values:
    1. God’s Word
    2. Intentional Presence
    3. Goodness & Kindness
    4. Joy & Laughter
    5. Humble Confidence
    6. Unending Pursuit
  • Rebuild, Restore, Repair

After hearing Pastor Josh go over these highlights, which one(s) are most memorable for you?  If you are new to GrowPoint and did not share in these experiences, which one(s) pique your interest? 

Question 2:  Looking back at 2019, how did God reveal Himself to you?

Question 3:  How have you grown in your relationship with God in 2019?

Question 4:  In 2019, when was God’s presence most obviously recognizable to you?

Question 5:  Pastor Josh shared from Isaiah 58:1-7.  He noted that in the book of Isaiah, God’s people were called Israel 86 times and called Jacob 39 times.  Israel means God prevails; whereas, Jacob means deceiver.  Pastor Josh stated that we all excel in deception to some extent.  The word façade is defined as “outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant reality.”  If comfortable, share an unpleasant reality you conceal to maintain a particular outward appearance.

Question 6:  Pastor Josh commented that we live a dual Israel-Jacob life.  We need to fixate on our relationship with God so He can prevail.  Pastor Josh listed several things over which God prevails, including our identity, heart, relationships, temptations, uncertainties, etc.  Over what area in your life would you like to see God prevail?

Question 7:  Pastor Josh noted that when God prevails over an area of our lives, we experience freedom from one thing and freedom to another. From what would you like freedom?  To what would you like freedom? If easier, complete the following sentence:

I would like freedom from ____________ so I may be free to ____________ .

Question 8:  Pastor Josh encouraged appropriate fasting – intentional, mindful, and wholehearted decrease to gain Him.  We practice fasting for the purpose of seeing God reveal Himself, growing in our relationship with God, and recognizing His presence (see questions 2, 3, and 4).  In the months ahead, our church will be called to fast in one-week intervals.  All are invited to participate, but not required to do so.  If you should sense a drawing to fast with us, consider what soaks up a lot of your time (and no, we are not telling people to stop working).  Perhaps it is watching a favorite television show each night.  Maybe you enjoy social media to the point of not allowing yourself alone time with God.  There are so many types of fasts.  Think about what you may let go for a week at a time to fast and pray.

Wrap-Up Thought:  As we decrease, God increases.

Decrease to Increase

You’ve likely heard the phrase “less is more”. The originator of this simple phrase is unknown. I would argue that the principle of “less is more” can be traced back to God. Cover to cover the Bible is chalked full of examples where God invites His creation to detach from what is temporary in order to gain what is eternal. Jesus put it this way: “If you want to be my follower (aka, if you want me), he must deny himself…What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?” Embracing a life of wholehearted decrease will add health to your soul and depth to your relationship with Jesus. Now is the time to decrease in order to increase.

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