Month: January 2016

Art of Relationships Wk 2 // Busyness

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Message Recap

One of the healthy relationship requires time. It comes to no surprise then that one of the greatest relationship killers is busyness. In our instant, get it now world, we can quickly find ourselves overcommitted and under connected. The lies and lure of success, meaning and security play on our time and pride to trap us in a perpetual state of hurry and shallowness. What if we could choose better? What if we flipped the script and invested in the things that matter the most? What if we stared with the most vital of all relationships… our relationship with our Heavenly Father. God speaks, restores and wants to teach us a better way.

Guiding Verses

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Discussion Questions

  1. What would you do with and extra 5 hours every day?
  2. What are the lies of busyness and why do people buy into them?
  3. What are the lies of busyness that you’ve bought into?
  4. How are busyness and hurry damaging your relationships?
  5. What choices can you make to combat business?

Moving Forward

Identifying the reality and impact of busyness is half the battle. Take time this week to ask God’s Spirit to illuminate the root causes, the lies even, that you’ve bought into that lead you to excuse or even defend busyness. Pray the truth of Ephesians 2:10 which reminds us that… “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us o do.” Our worth and identity are found in the creative and saving work of our Savior. He wants to teach you a new way that leads to an abundant and full life!

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 1 // Comparison: The Thief

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Message Recap
 
One of the greatest killers to healthy relationships is comparison. No matter your age or season of life, there are traps around every corner luring us into the land of “er and est.” The land of er and est is mark with phrases like, “if I only I were rich-er, funny-er, or the smart-est and pretti-est.”  Or how about these…“Why can’t they be bett-er, friendli-er?” Whether we look up and compare (jealousy), or look down and compare (pride), there is no win in comparison. When I compare… “I sin.”
 
Guiding Verses
 
“Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.” 
1 Corinthians 13:4
 
“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30
 
Discussion Questions
 
1. What were some of the groups in your High School and which ones did you hang out with?
 
2. When was a time you felt “less than” or excluded?
 
3. Where are you currently playing the comparison game?
 
4. Describe how that game is playing out. What are the effects on your emotions and relationships?
 
Moving Forward
 
One of the remedies to comparison is found in understanding where our identity and worth comes from. Galatians 4:4-7 reminds us that while we were “slaves to the law” God sent his son to “adopt us as his very own children.” We have all we will ever need in Christ! Pray in your group for God’s Spirit to speak truth where lies have taken ground and for healing and freedom to break through places of hurt and bondage.
To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Praying Is Cool // Luke 18:1-8

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Art of Relationship Series Groups are launching next week!

Here’s what you need to know…

Get more info here on Art of Relationship Series Groups or contact our team directly.

Lean In // 5 minutes

You just won the 1.5 billon power-ball! What do you do?

Leader Note: People were in a frenzy this past week as the lottery hit an historic high of 1.5 Billion! Have fun with this question. What would you first purchase be? Would you work still. What do you spend, what do yo save?

Transition your group to the passage by saying something like this… “one thing we know for sure is that there were plenty of people praying to win this week! Let’s look at the passage and see what we can learn about prayer.”

Look Down  // 10 minutes

Read Luke 18:1-8

What do you learn about the Judge?

Sample answers may include…

  • He has power
  • People come to him for help
  • He doesn’t know God
  • He is compassionless
  • He is neither just nor does he care for people or what they think about him
  • He is motivated to action by his own selfish desires, he gave justice just to get the widow off his case

What do you learn about the widow?

Sample Answers May Include…

  • She’s in a desperate situation where someone is opposing her
  • She has nowhere else to turn for help
  • She is extremely persistent

Commentary:  Widows are identified throughout scripture as hopeless, vulnerable, and poor.  They stand in isolation without rights, with no advocate or anyone to provide for them. (Exodus 22:2-24, Isaiah 1:17, 1 Timothy 5:3, James 1:27)

Look Out // 20 minutes

What is the difference between this judge and our God? 

Leader Note: The judge has no honor; he is unrighteous and lacks compassion.  He appears to be annoyed with her request, has no time for her.  He finally acts but only to appease himself.  While he has power to “fix” certain things he does so in a disengaged and self-seeking manner. 

God on the other hand is involved with us.  He is compassionate, righteous, kind and full of love.  God is more than a “problem fixer.”  He is someone that we can trust in.  He is quick to act, gracious and just. God doesn’t not view us as desperate, annoying people only out to get something. He see’s us his loved children whom he invites into relationship with himself.

Why is it important to understand the difference?

Leader Note: If we view God as a (this) judge we may conclude that He doesn’t have time for us and that He only answers our request when He has something to gain by it.  We may also come to believe that God can be persuaded by our hopeless begging versus our prayers that our full of faith.  This judge is distant and is viewed as someone that we get something out of while our God is near and is someone we come to know.  God is not a means to an end for us.  He is our creator and sustainer and He desires to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).

Look In // 25 minutes

What in your life are you currently concerned about?

Where are you turning to with those concerns?

How could this passage shape your prays with God?

Live It Out // 10 minutes

How might this passage shape your prays for others?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Acts 2:42-47 // Words With Friends

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some things that just go together?

Sample answers may include… 

  • Super Bowl & commercials
  • The 405 & traffic
  • Pizza and pizza
  • Cookies & milk
  • Babies & puppies
  • Netflix & your couch

Leader Note: The goal of the question is to engage the group, create some energy, and have fun.  As the leader, be prepared to share a few things to get the conversation started.  Allow some space for group members to share stories around their answers.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Acts 2:42-47

What do you learn from this group of believers?

Sample answers may include…

  • Gathered regularly together
  • Devoted to Apostles’ teaching (studying scripture)
  • Committed to doing life together and sharing meals (including communion)
  • Constantly in prayer
  • Experienced miracles, wonders, and awe
  • Faithfully generous
  • Worshiped together
  • Regularly expressed their praise to God and enjoyed favor from people
  • Embodied God’s intention for life in community

Look Out // 10 minutes

When do people look for advice?  And, who do they turn to for it?

Sample answers may include… 

  • Consumer decisions                                → Consumer reports
  • Relationship challenges                          → Friends
  • Picking a career/changing career           → Author/Expert
  • Parenting                                                → Parents/Grandparents
  • Navigating family                                    → Counselor/Therapist
  • Finances                                                 → Financial planner
  • Exercise & Diet                                       → Trainer
  • Faith                                                        → Pastor

Leader note: We often seek direction for our lives through the people in our community.  So, help your group to think about the various crossroads people face—whether funny or serious—and who they turn to for advice.  Although you could answer “parents” to all of these places, draw out the other people that speak into these areas.

Look In // 15 minutes

When was a time you felt God speak to you through community?

Where are you looking for Him to speak today?

How might you tune in to God through community?

Live it Out // 5 minutes 

What would change if you regularly heard God’s Voice through community?

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.