I Am...

This week Dave continues our series looking at truths about who we are to God, with I Am… Flabbergasted.

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Verses for Reflection:

Philippians 4:13
Psalm 28:7
2 Timothy 1:7-8

Discussion Questions:

• • Do you ever feel like a bad Christian? What things are you basing your judgement on? Are these things actually valuable ways to assess God’s work in your heart?
  • How can we assess ourselves in a more helpful way for our own personal encouragement and growth? Do you think the 5 area of security would be more helpful?
  • What sort of person do you think God wants to transform you into? Dave said these Iranian teenage church leaders are a good picture for him. What is your picture?

As we continue to think about the spiritual reality we have in Jesus, today Ruth talks about how we are pleasing to God.

Verses for Reflection:

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you; In his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Discussion Questions:

• • Ruth talked about the Israelites listing to idols to try to please them. What, in our society might people be listing to and trying to please? Which of these are ‘voices’ you hear and are tempted to respond to?
  • The Bible is God’s word. It can be hard to understand and so tempting to ignore. What are ways you’ve found help you ‘feed’ yourself some Bible regularly?
  • This week – what will you do the read the Bible? It may be your normal habit or you may try to do something new or additional

Additional Verses:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5
Hebrews 11:6
Psalm 147:10-11
Galatians 1:10

This week, Adam thinks about how to live the sort of life Jesus modelled for us. He explores what Jesus meant when he said, this:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (The Passion Translation)

Discussion Questions:

• Where do you already have rhythms in your life that are working? Ones that add to your life and feel like they fit naturally into your daily or weekly life. An example would be cleaning your teeth – it’s good for you and it probably feels no effort to do or remember. What other rhythms and practices like this do you have?
• What can you learn from these normal life practices that could help you integrate spiritual rhythms? They don’t need to be profound or feel spiritual. It’s finding ways to push into God and include him in your everyday life that can start to feel natural and helpful.
• Adam talked about making time and space for God. What could you lay down to make space to find a new rhythm for a spiritual practice?
• What thing will you try this week that people can ask how you got on next week?

As we continue to think about the wonderful spiritual realities of what God has done for us, today Dave thinks about how God has chosen each of us.

Ephesians 1:4
He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (NIV)

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (NLT)

He chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence. (Passion Translation)

Verses for Reflection:

1 Peter 2:9
John 6:44
Ephesians 2:10
Romans 8:29

Discussion Questions:

• Thinking over your life, how have you fared in the playground team picking (and later life equivalent situations)? Have you been chosen early or late… or last? How has this effected the way you see yourself and your place in the world? Do you face the future confident or insecure?
• Social studies have shown comparison to be one of the least helpful things for our mental health. Other studies have shown that we almost always compare ‘up’ – against people who seem to be doing better than we feel we are. What areas of your life do you do this in?
• Dave says God doesn’t pick us for our value compared to others, but instead because of what he’s put uniquely inside us. It’s interesting that comparison often tries to make us less unique and more conformed to others. Where do you think your unique and how much do you value this aspect of yourself?

We continue our series on our identity because of God. Today Dave thinks about our open invitation to God’s joy.

Verses for Reflection:

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

Because the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame. Hebrews 12:2

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.  Zephaniah 3:17

Quotes:

Original G.K. Chesterton quote:

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead.

For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon.

It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.

 

Discussion Questions:

• • How do you feel about a God that feels joy? Who laughs and sings with gladness? Who is ‘young’ in the way Chesterton describes above? Does it feel a bit shocking and sacrilegious? Why do you think it feels so strange to think of God like this?
  • What brings you joy? It might be silly, or absolutely boring to others. It may feel unproductive or wasteful. Maybe it’s a bit embarrassing. As a spiritual activity, try doing it with gratitude this week, conscious that God is with you in the joy.
  • What could you do to practice meditation this week as if God, as a person, was with you? Suggestions include having an empty chair with you, or leaving space next to you. Try it this week.

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