Finding Hope - When You mess up

When someone messes up your life, do you seek revenge? If so, what kind of revenge do you seek, or wish for? If you have gotten the revenge, did it fully satisfy you? Did the revenge allow you to “let go” of the hurt?

What is the worst mess-up someone has caused in your life? Are you still holding on to it, or have you let it go? In other words, are you free? If not, what’s it going to take? You’re the only one that can let it go. You’re the only one that can forgive the other person. What will it take? 

Some of us will only forgive someone if they say they’re sorry. The key to forgiveness isn’t the other person saying they’re sorry….it’s you not allowing that mess-up to continue to control you, to allow it to continue to mess up YOUR life. Is there someone you need to forgive, even though they haven’t said they’re sorry? When is that going to take place?

Read Psalms 57 and 59 to see two more examples of how David sought hope from the Lord when someone who was once close to him (Saul) turned on him. 

Read Luke 23:32-34. Here we read how Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. Wow! Wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to ask God to forgive like Jesus did? You can. Think of someone you have trouble forgiving, and ask God to forgive them and to give you the power to forgive as well. 

Finding Hope - When I mess up

King David is one example of many, many people in the Bible who messed up big time, yet were the very ones God chose to be leaders of His people. Why do you think God chooses flawed individuals to do His work?

What is the worst mess-up of your life? How about your most embarrassing? Where did you look for hope when this thing (these things) happened? Were you able to find hope? Were you made whole once again? Have you been able to move on?

Is there anything in your life right now that you need to confess to God in order to begin the process of making things right? If so, why don’t you do that now? 

When you hear the word “hope,” what does it mean to you. Where do you look for hope in your life? Do you find hope when you look for it? 

Blood usually stains, and yet we say that the blood of Jesus washes away the stain of our sins. How does this work? Has this happened in your life? If so, when? If not, would you like it to happen? If so, why not open the door for Jesus to enter your life. Invite Him in. Tell him what’s on your mind. Allow Him to wash away your mess-ups.

One Prayer - God make us Relevant

What does the term irrelevant mean to you? Are you ever irrelevant to those around you? What is the most irrelevant part of your life? What could you do to make that part more relevant?

Have you ever been in a church that was not relevant to you? What made it not relevant? How could church be more relevant to you and the people you know? 

When you talk to other people about church, Jesus, your faith, etc., do you use language that they will understand? In other words, do you talk “church language” or a language that makes sense to people who are outside of church? If you talk “church language” what adjustments do you need to make when talking about church to those outside the church?

What is meant by a “biblical world view?” Is your world view biblical? If you’re not sure, perhaps you should talk to someone about it. If your world view is biblical, how can you maintain that? If it is not, what can you do to change that? Do you want to change that?

In order to have a biblical world view, it would be important to read the Bible. How often do you read Scripture? What would happen if you made a decision to read the Bible every day, even if it was only for 10 or 15 minutes? Here’s your challenge…..read the bible everyday this week. See how you feel at the end of the week. Consider doing it again next week? What should you read? Start with one of the books of the Bible….perhaps one of the Gospels…Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Pick it, Read it.  

One Prayer - God make us Unified

Are there times in your life when being unified was important, maybe even crucial? When were those times? What did you do to stay unified? 

Have you ever experienced great DIS-unity? When was that? What was the cause of the disunity? What could have been done to change that situation?

Unfortunately, the local church at times is less than unified. Have you experienced that at one time or another? What caused the lack of unity? In addition to prayer, is there anything else that could have been done to bring unity? 

In 1^st Corinthians, chapter 12, Paul compares the body of Christ (the church) to the human body. What part of the body of Christ are you? If you’re not sure, would you consider taking a class (Network is the one we offer at Connection) in order to better understand what God has you wired for? If you’re aware of how God has wired you, and where you fit into the body of Christ, are you participating to your full potential? 

Our mission at Connection Community Church is Connecting People with Jesus and the Life He Offers. What does that mission mean to you? As a part of this community of faith, are you helping to bring unity as we pursue this mission? In addition to prayer, what else could you do? If there is any disunity, what could you do to help alleviate that? 

One Prayer - God make us Courageous

Of all the courageous characters in the Bible, who is your favorite? Why? How does he/she express their courage? What is the source of their courage?

What was your most courageous moment in terms of being a follower of Jesus Christ? Is this type of courage unusual for you? If so, what could you do to make it happen more frequently? Will you do that? 

What was your least courageous moment in terms of being a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you regret that moment? If so, could you go to the Lord in prayer, ask forgiveness, and let it go? Do you feel that you have more times when you don’t show courage than when you do, in terms of being a Christ-follower? What can you do to change that? 

What do you find to be your biggest challenge when it comes to living out your faith in the culture we live in? Do you often have to make choices between Jesus and what’s going on around you? Which usually wins? What would it take for Jesus to win more often? 

Read Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22-33. Pastor/writer John Ortberg has a book title that shares an interesting insight from this story: If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Getting out of the boat takes a great deal of courage. Are you willing to get out of the boat? If you’re hesitant, what’s it going to take? Just think of the possibilities once you take that first step. Incredible.