Posture Patterns – Part 4

Scripture Reference: John 15:1-17

Introductory thought:  A pattern will only be as fruitful in your life as you are disciplined to it.

Question 1:  How has the pattern of posturing affected your week?

Question 2:   Read John 15:1-17.  Pastor Josh talked about the word remain.  The condition in which we remainrequires us to be one way and not to become another way in a different setting.  Have you experienced being one way in a particular setting but something different in another?  This way of living is one of duplicity rather than remaining. Be like Christ, not like another.

Question 3:  Pastor Josh spoke of taking time for food preparation as opposed to grabbing what’s available.  While it may be quick and convenient, grabbing some processed snack is not the best way to feed our bodies.  Similarly, grasping at what is near rather than remaining in Him does not offer fulfilling spiritual nourishment.  When suddenly placed in a trial, what is your go-to form of spiritual nourishment?

Question 4:  Pastor Josh quoted Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion – “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  He went on to say that for every action of remaining in Him, there is a reaction of producing fruit.  Pastor Josh said that the fruit coming from your life is meant to be received and devoured by others.  What outflow of fruit is coming from your life?

Question 5:  After sharing about a gathering he attended, Pastor Josh made the statement, “Not everybody likes good fruit.”  Sometimes we can crave sweet morsels of speculation, hearsay, and gossip more than the genuine work of God in our hearts.  Developing the pattern of posturing ourselves to remain in Him will increase our desire for God’s working in our lives. Apart from the Holy Spirit being in us, this is impossible.  Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to move in your life.

Wrap-Up Thoughts:   Spiritual disciplines help us remain in Him and result in profound fruitfulness. Don’t limit how God produces fruit!

Posture Patterns – Part 3

Scripture Reference: John 12:1-8; Mark 14:1-9

Introductory thought:  Having a humble spirit is the beginning of having a true heart of worship.

Question 1: Read John 12:1-8.  Think about the various people in the story.  In addition to Jesus, we read about Lazarus, Martha, Mary, Judas Iscariot, and John (writer of this passage).  With whom do you identify?  Why?

Question 2: Pastor Josh said that when we posture ourselves at Jesus’ feet, we begin to sense how He feels.  Have you experienced an occasion when Jesus may have been prompting you?  How did what you were feeling differ from what you normally feel?

Question 3: Pastor Josh warned, “Arrogance is an axe to your faithfulness.”  Consider this:  Having confidence in moving forward in God’s direction is acting in faith; moving on, using your own devices simply because you have training, can get in the way of God’s greater plan.  When have you allowed your own knowledge and pride to interfere with what might be deemed miraculous? 

Question 4: Pastor Josh also said that our actions are a display of extravagant devotion when we are at Jesus’ feet.  What stories of extravagant devotion will be shared about you?

Question 5: If we want to see transformation, it begins at the feet of Jesus.  Pastor Josh encouraged us to begin and end each day at the feet of Jesus.  What will you use to trigger your mind to begin and end your day kneeling at Jesus’ feet?

Wrap-Up Thought: Let us decrease in mindlessness and increase in mindfulness!

Posture Guide:
Morning Posture: Father, Thank You for waking me to a new day. You are gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and great in faithful love. You are good to everyone; Your compassion rests on all You have made. I know You will help when I fall; You are near when I call out. Today I will be determined to live for You.
Evening Posture: Father, Thank You for being with me today. I give You all my cares and concerns. Right now I lean into Your love and peace. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, God, make me live in safety.

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?