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Tell of a time in your life when you were
unexpected celebrated. How did make you
feel? What impacted you the most?
-
Tell of a time in our life when you went
together with someone from your church or small group to celebrate someone who
was not a believer at the time. What was
the result? Why do you believe God
called you to do this?
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What can you do to bless others instead of
waiting for others to bless you? Where
can you serve where others are presently serving you? How can you invite other people into story,
listening, eating, blessing, celebrating or recreating?
The Story (selections from Exodus 3 and 4)
Send Somebody Else
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How do you relate with Moses when you think
about living out your own missional calling in the community?
o
Important to be ourselves
o
Struggle with some “disabilities”/feeling
unqualified
o
Moses argued with a BURNING BUSH—I argue w that
still small voice, which isn’t as dramatic
o
Question whether my impulse is from God—wish I
had a burning bush
o
Hard to discern true leading of Holy Spirit
o
“Take care of what’s important to God and He’ll
take care of what’s important to you.”
o
We feel inadequate when God calls, but He calls
us because of our uniqueness, because of how He’s created us. Only we can do the things God’s called us to
do.
o
When God called me, I had concerns/objections,
but He dealt with each one.
o
God’s faithfulness in giving exactly what’s
needed to accomplish what He’s calling me/us to do.
o
Song—“Do Something”
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Have you ever felt unqualified to live it out?
o
I didn’t really understand what He was asking me
to do, but as I started to follow it made sense.
o
The early days of learning to play piano, but
now I use it to bless people.
o
I don’t have the “right” degree for my job, but
God’s taught me so much where He put me.
o
I didn’t think I could tithe. I argued with God about whether I could pay
my bills, but God provided financial help.
o
-
What are some excuses that you’ve used with
God? Yourself? Others?
o
I’m not good at ________________.
o
“I don’t deal with dysfunction well.”
o
“I have trouble with new people/new situations.”
o
“I don’t have the time.”
-
Describe a time when you’ve said to God, “Please
send someone else.”
o
Forgiving my ex-husband
o
Helping my ex-husband
3:30 Jars of
Clay & the 6 Currencies Pastor
Angela
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Explain attachment page 2
o
Burning bushes still happen today—and they can
be HOT.
o
There are reasons we feel inadequate: we’re
supposed to!
-
Pass out scripture – 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12
o
A plain old clay pot means my flaws are visible.
o
Our clay pots are so that no one mistakes us for
the one deserving glory. It’s obviously
all about God.
-
When you read this and think about your personal
mission, do you tend to focus on the possibilities of ministry or your own clay
pot?
-
Explain the Colombian communion set story. What are your weaknesses?
-
How does faith enable us to take on
responsibility for God’s mission even while we are fully aware of our
weaknesses?
o
Confidence
o
Maturity/experience
o
Focus on His power over my weaknesses.
§
Is it really that simple? Focus on our weaknesses and we will probably
disobey, but focus on His power and we will follow through?
§
Yes, but we still need the desire to follow
through. We have the confidence, but not
always the desire to endure the experience.
-
What type of burning bush is God using to get
your attention right now?
o
My child
o
A struggling family at school
o
My job
o
A heart and passion for the city
The 6 Currencies – Starting Somewhere – Being faithful with
what we have
-
Pass out Holy Currency Coins.
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It’s normal to feel some tension related to
“living out”. Living on mission can be
challenging. It isn’t always immediately
clear what we’re supposed to do.
-
For some of that tension, it’s important to
remind ourselves that keeping track of the results
is not our job. In fact, our main concern is to live in such a way that the
Good News is clearly expressed through our lives. We trust the work of God to do the rest.
-
We’ve been discussing the 6 Holy Currencies that
God has given us to “give like heroes”. These
are 6 rhythms of life that are happening in every context and culture. In many ways you are already living in these
rhythms and may not have noticed. Now we
want to grow in the ability to express our gospel identity (a family of
missionary servants) through every area of our lives.
-
Take a look and think about each Holy
Currency. How mighty you express your
gospel identity through each one? To
whom? Try to come up with at least two
or three ways you could begin to live through these rhythms as a community
together.
·
Story
·
Listen
·
Eat
·
Bless
·
Celebrate
·
ReCreate
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Is this overwhelming to think about? Why or why not?
§
No.
§
Not overwhelming, but it can still create some
waves.
§
The celebration currency makes Christians
nervous because we have the least control—but we can have focused
intentionality on all 6 currencies, including celebrating.
§
I know what my purpose is, my focus when I’m
celebrating. Even if others around me
don’t know, but I do and that’s enough.
§
If we just went about our lives, doing what we
have to do, giving what we have to give along the way—we would revolutionize
our city!
§
We can have fun and be true to ourselves at the
same time…and people will respond to that.
Even if others are suspect of our celebration, they will still notice, and
noticing will often lead to a conversation.
-
Which of these rhythms would you be the most
likely to excel at doing with greater gospel intentionality?
-
Consider the following ways of connecting with
people. Raise your hand if this is
something that you would be good at and would likely enjoy:
·
Spend an hour with a friend who is having a
tough week.
·
Take your kids to a park or playground where
there are other families to build friendships with.
·
Help a neighbor with a project or chore.
·
Use a hoppy or a personal interest to find a way
to make a new relationship.
·
Invite others to join a personal or family meal.
·
Respond willingly to at least one interruption
that comes along this week.
-
Luke 17
(The Message)
The difference between Attractional and Incarnational
o
We have to lead with relationship
o
Attractional Church: a non-believer is invited
to church, confesses belief (eventually), repeats prayer, joins church, is
discipled through curriculum. This
process could take years. “Believing”
enables “belonging.” They may never
intersect with relationship or Missional opportunities.
o
Incarnational Church: Others are invited to
belong (this may NOT happen at church). People begin to experience the Good
News. Relationships are built. People begin to interact in community. People are engaged in on-the-way
discipleship. The focus is on
transformation, not just further understanding.
Belonging enables believing.
Church is NOT the starting point.
The intersect with relationship and belonging FIRST.
§
Attractional seems to be the “quick fix,” throw
it on the leaders. But incarnational
requires more personal investment.
-
What would happen if you began to view those in
your circles as . . . “spiritually curious God-seekers OR travelers who have
intersected the missional community as they relate to you and perhaps others
within the church?
o
Diminish the “us/them” mentality.
o
It would change our conversation—more loving and
caring, less superficial.
o
We love them MORE.
o
Display that compassion and love MINUS the
disappointment.
o
Just be yourself.
o
Bring church to them.
o
Attractional is like fireworks—big display, but
fizzles out quickly. Incarnational is
more like a forest fire—start small and let the fire build and spread.
o
Live out the Great Commission as-is—go make
disciples, not go build a church.
-
Why would this view make a difference in your
intentionality?
-
In two weeks, we challenge you (and whoever you
choose to partner with) to throw a party for friends and sojourners (fellow
travelers). This is step 1 of the
incarnational approach – “sojourners invited to belong.”
o
How does that make you feel?
o
Who has already been doing this?
o
Do you feel any pressure or tension?
-
How should your excitement, pressure or tension
inform the way you plan for the evening?
-
How might you pray?
-
What are some practical ways you can help to
create an atmosphere of belonging?
-
Dream:
Tell me about the “belonging” parties you’d like to have.
o
Help people feel like they’re a part of things,
not like they’re newcomers
o
Big trips to spend time together
-
Dream:
Tell me how you’d like to be able to bless people daily.
o
Encouraging words, emails, cards, texting
o
Paying attention to needs and responding with some “just because” gift
-
Dream:
Tell me how you’d like to celebrate others.
o
Huge get-togethers
o
Cake and games
-
What is keeping you from living out the mission?
o
Myself
o
Overwhelmed by the number of people I want to
reach
§
Need to remember that while our circles may be
large, God will direct our path, literally, to know where to start.
o
Overthinking and talking myself out of things
o
Judgment/fear of judgment
§
If God is giving us the Missional impulses, it’s
because people are needy for something.
That eclipses the anticipated judgment.
§
Scriptures can help us overcome the fear of
persecution.
4:50 Homework
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Articles:
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What homework will you assign yourself?
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