Are You Kidding Me?! - Living the Dream

Genesis 37:1–14

Joseph had a dream from God about what his life's calling would be.

A phrase you may have heard before is, "I'm doing what God put me on this Earth to do" or "I was made to _______." People often equate their passions, profession, or skills to God's will and purpose for their lives. Do you have a "dream" (AKA purpose, calling, destiny) for your life?

How do you know it's from God and not just a desire of yours? How can you tell the difference between a God-dream and man's dreams?

(Let anyone answer, discuss and brainstorm. You don't have to have the "right" answer yet.)

Many times, people believe that since they are a Christian, that means that God will bless their business, their family, their decisions, and their finances out of obligation. They believe that God will (or at least should) bless the dreams of Christians. Is that really what the Bible says God will do? Explain.

Here are 4 ways that the dream from Joseph helps us to see what a dream (calling, purpose, destiny) from God looks like:

#1 - A dream from God will always bring glory to God. A dream of yours usually only focuses around making YOU look better.

What's a calling you have that is meant to bring glory to God?

What is a dream you are pursuing that has left God's purpose out of it?

(Joseph's dream was about elevating Joseph to a position of power because God wanted a powerful person to proclaim to the people the truth about God. Joseph's elevation wasn't about him at all, but about God giving him a platform designed to give God glory.)

#2 - A dream from God benefits others. A dream of yours is focused on benefiting you and your life. God may bless you in the process, but it's not designed to simply be for you.

What's one of your personal missions that is centered around the benefit of others?

What dream of yours needs to be readjusted so that it includes others?

(Joseph was elevated so that people would be provided for during a famine, so that Pharaoh could tie the success to God through Joseph, and so that many people would know God. It wasn't about giving Joseph money and power just for his sake.)

#3 - A dream from God won't go away (it will resonate and even intensify over time). A dream of yours changes with your stage of life, circumstances, economy, and surroundings.

What passion has God put in your heart that has never gone away? And what are you doing with it?

What's a temporal pursuit that you know is from yourself and will fade away soon? What are you going to do about it?

(Joseph's dream came to him multiple times. It wasn't a one-and-done.)

#4 - A dream from God will be completed by God. God will do the work, make the way, provide the means, and work in people's hearts. A dream of yours means it's all up to you. God doesn't promise to bless OUR dreams, He promises to bless HIS dream for our life.

How have you seen God provide you with everything necessary to complete His dream for your life?

(There is no way that Joseph could have orchestrated his story. Because his purpose was given by God, God took care of all the details. If it's God's will, it's God's bill.)

Next Steps:

So, how does your "dream" line up? Is it a persona desire, or is it your purpose and destiny from God? Remember, there's nothing wrong with personal desires. We just need to make sure we don't miss the purpose that God has for our lives because we are busy chasing our version of a dream for our lives.

What do you need to confess to God and repent of? What do you need to ask God's help for? What's one step you can take towards God's dream this week?

Easter Sunday 2018

Luke 24:13–31

Read Luke 24:13-16

Why, of all the disciples to visit on this first day of His resurrection, would Jesus come alongside these two discouraged believers, and for it to be recorded for us?
(This could be a lesson for strong believers to take time, and come alongside those who are weak in their faith, building them up and encouraging one another by explaining the scriptures that our God is never far from us, even when we are low in faith.)

Why do you think the men did not recognize Jesus? How do we not recognize Jesus today?

Read Luke 24:17-24

How did the men "miss" Jesus in verse 21? How do we miss Jesus today? How do we miss the gospel today?

How does the reality of Christ fuel our mission?

What helps you recognize that it is Jesus who is walking alongside you when you are discouraged or confused?

If Jesus were to walk a few miles with you today, what would you talk with Him about?

Read Luke 24:24-31

What value do you see in Jesus doing a Bible study with them instead of just telling them who He was?

Why do you think Jesus disappeared once they recognized Him?
(We are to walk by faith and not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7. His disciples had been relying on His visible presence, some of them for three years now, but now it is time to lean on His invisible presence.)

Does God want our faith to be built on experience alone? What is the relationship between faith and truth?

If an unbeliever asked you, "What practical difference does Jesus make in your life?", what would you tell them?

Next Step / Prayer:

Jesus, I invite your presence and ask you to walk beside me in what I am going through. Help me to recognize that you are with me. Reveal yourself to me, and make me aware of your master plan for my life.

Easter 2018: Palm Sunday

John 12:12–19

What are some modern cultural perceptions of Jesus? God? The church? Spirituality?

People were celebrating Jesus without really knowing why. If you had to describe what there is to celebrate about Jesus, what would you say?

What were the people of Israel looking for in a Messiah? How did this prevent many of them from placing faith in Jesus?

What do people in our culture look for in a Messiah? How does this prevent many of us from placing faith in Jesus?

Share some times when you have wanted Jesus to be a conqueror over your circumstances. Is that why he came? Explain.

Jesus revealed that He was a King, but a different kind from what the people wanted. Are there areas in your life where you need to accept Jesus' rule? Share at least one of those areas with our group.

Verses 17–18 suggest that it was because of the testimony of those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead that such a huge crowd came to celebrate Jesus during His entry into Jerusalem. What does this mean to us today as followers of Jesus?

What is your testimony of Christ? Why is sharing of our stories so important?

What would happen if we stopped testifying?

Where do you see yourself in this story? What is an applicable takeaway for you, personally?

Next Steps:

How does an understanding of this Triumphal Entry event change who you are or how you live today?

Celebrating is a response to something. To live a life in celebration of Jesus, you must first recognize what it is you have to celebrate. Take the time to search and understand what it is you have to celebrate in Jesus.

You don't simply have the opportunity to celebrate Jesus; you have the obligation to celebrate him. It's our mission. This week, commit yourself to sharing with someone what Jesus has done in your life.

Don't forget...

Night of Worship: Good Friday, March 30th, 7pm at South Fork Campus
Childcare is provided for ages 6 weeks – Pre-K.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1st. Who are you bringing to church with you? When/how are you going to invite them?

Communion: Social Night

This Week: We encourage all of the rGroups to take that week off from your Bible discussion, and instead do one of the following:

• Serve together as a group
• Host a party (with food) and invite others to come hang out with you.
• As a group, go be a part of something else going on in the city.

If you do decide to have a deep discussion, ask people to share their personal stories of how or why they decided to become a follower of Jesus, and what God's done in their life since then. Share your journeys.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Night of Worship: Good Friday, March 30th, 7pm at South Fork Campus

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1st. Who are you bringing to church with you?

Messed Up Church: Life & Relationship on Mission

Acts 18:1-4, 18-26

Do you wish you could do something that would change the world? If so, what do you have in mind?

Sometimes we think we're not meant for anything special. But there is no such thing as an unimportant life. How/why are you tempted to think that your little life is not meant to leave a mark on the world?

What Bible verses or stories come to mind God used "little" to accomplish much?

Read Acts 18:1-4

Priscilla and Aquilla have been kicked out of their country under religious persecution and arrived in Corinth as refugees. They're at a dead end, but this is where God begins. Do you happen to be in any "dead end" situations right now?

Do you believe that God can take your dead end to start something great?

Perhaps you're in a place where you don't think God can use anything that you have. We know that's not true! Are you willing to open up your hand and let God have control? What can you offer up to God?

Read Acts 18:11, 18-21

Paul stays in Corinth for 1.5 years, then leaves to go start another church in another city. Notice that Aquila and Priscilla went with him. What if God showed you a need right now, would you be like Priscilla and Aquilla and say, "Let's go, we're in!"?

What if God presents problems to you so that you can be a part of the solution?

Are you willing to make yourself available to go and do work that needs to be done?

Priscilla and Aquilla could have easily passed off this need to plant a church. They could have easily given dozens of reasons why this is NOT for them. Sound familiar? What are some of your go-to excuses when you don't want to be a solution to a problem or need?

Read Acts 18:24-26

Priscilla and Aquilla took time to help Apollos understand the way of God better. What person in your life needs you to spend time and invest in them so they can grow closer to God?

What experiences do you have that others could glean from?

Next Steps:

The world doesn't need any more superstars, it needs Jesus. How will you use the situation God has you in to help people meet Jesus?

What "dead end" or "little" scenario do you need to give to God so He can use it?

God wants to use your relationship status to impact the world right now. How will you let Him use yours?

Announcements:

Communion: Sunday, March 18th.
We encourage all of the rGroups to take that week off from your Bible discussion, and instead do one of the following:
• Serve together as a group
• Host a party (with food) and invite others to come hang out with you.
• As a group, go be a part of something else going on in the city.

Night of Worship: Good Friday, March 30th, 7pm at South Fork Campus

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1st. Who are you bringing to church with you?

State of the Church Address (North Campus)

Ephesians 1:22, 4:15–16; Colossians 1:18, 2:10

Why is easier to submit to some authorities than others?

Why is it often difficult for you to personally submit to Christ's authority?

What does it mean when we say that Jesus is the Head of the Church?

How does He exercise His headship?

What are the practical implications of those teachings when it comes to holding your leaders accountable or deciding where to be a member of a local church?

Based on the texts you have reviewed, why is it incorrect for someone to claim to be part of the church (the body of Christ) but not recognize Christ as the authority in his life?

What are the implications of the church's authority in Christ on...
• completing the Great Commission?
• the believer who thinks he has no need for the church?
• the idea that "church" is a place, a social organization, or a hobby?

From the stories shared on Sunday, we can see that obeying Jesus' Words to His church results in her flourishing. This is also true in the lives of individual members of Jesus' Church. Does anyone have stories of Jesus doing incredible things through your obedience to Him?

If we struggle to identify those stories, it may mean that we aren't walking in obedience. What areas of your life do you struggle in submission to King Jesus?

Announcements:

Communion: Sunday, March 18th.
We encourage all of the rGroups to take that week off from your Bible discussion, and instead do one of the following:
• Serve together as a group
• Host a party (with food) and invite others to come hang out with you.
• As a group, go be a part of something else going on in the city.

Night of Worship: Good Friday, March 30th, 7pm at South Fork Campus

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1st. Who are you bringing to church with you?

This Week's Prayer Topic: Women and Mothers
The role of women in the home and in society is indispensable. We feel the pains of womanhood left undone in our society. Let's ask God to make our church a city on a hill in this regard. May our women be examples that set the standard for the women around them.

Party Like Jesus (REVO South Fork's 1-Year Birthday)

Luke 14:7–24

What's the best party you've ever been to? Why was it so great?


Read Luke 14:7–11

What did Jesus notice in Luke 14:7?

How did Jesus respond to that situation, and what do you think this means for you? (v 8–10)

What are the two important principles in Luke 14:11?

What does it mean to exalt yourself? Give an example of how you can do this.

What does it mean to humble yourself? Give an example of how you can do this.


Read Luke 14:12–14

These words were not only for those in that room, but for us today. Why might you need to hear Jesus say this?

Why is the hope of the "resurrection of the righteous" so crucial to right living?

Do you give to be rewarded by others or by God in the future? Give evidence for your answer.


Read Luke 14:15–24

Jesus does not seem to praise the blessing given in verse 15. What did the man miss?

What do the excuses of the guests reveal about them and their hearts?

What does the invitation to the poor and others reveal about the heart of God?

Do the hurt and needy find a comforting place in your life, our church, or our rGroup? Why or why not?

What excuses are you giving from following Jesus with your whole life?

How does this picture speak to the urgency with which we share the invitation?

Next Steps:

Acknowledge your desire to be liked, accepted, served, and even admired. Confess where you have allowed these desires to blind you to meeting the needs of others. Commit yourself to serving even if others don't notice you.

Commit to trusting God to care for and reward yourself so that you are no longer preoccupied with yourself but in serving others.

Pray that we would have God's heart toward those in need of the gospel and an invitation to the party.

Pray for opportunities to invite our neighbors and friends into our community.

Announcements:

Communion: Sunday, March 18th.
We encourage all of the rGroups to take that week off from your Bible discussion, and instead do one of the following:
• Serve together as a group
• Host a party (with food) and invite others to come hang out with you.
• As a group, go be a part of something else going on in the city.

Night of Worship: Good Friday, March 30th, 7pm at South Fork Campus

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1st. Who are you bringing to church with you?

This Week's Prayer Topic: Women and Mothers
The role of women in the home and in society is indispensable. We feel the pains of womanhood left undone in our society. Let's ask God to make our church a city on a hill in this regard. May our women be examples that set the standard for the women around them.