iServe - Partnering with God

Read Luke 1:26-38. The story of God partnering with Mary to bring Jesus into the world is the greatest example of God partnering with a human being. Other than this one, what is your favorite example from Scripture of God partnering with someone. What makes it your favorite?

What is your favorite example outside of Scripture of God partnering with someone, someone well-known? What makes that your favorite?

What is your favorite example of someone you know personally who God has partnered with? What makes it your favorite?

Is God currently partnering with you? In what area? Are you using your Spiritual Gift(s)? Are you passionate about where you are serving? If not, where could you use your Spiritual Gifts and be passionate about where you are serving?

iServe - Cruise Ship or Battleship

Have you ever been on a cruise ship? If so, what did you like best about it? If not, does the idea of a cruise appeal to you? Why? What is it about cruise ships that is so appealing?

Are there aspects of a cruise ship that make it appealing as a metaphor for church? What are they? What are the aspects that make it not such a good metaphor for the church?

What is the closest you’ve ever been to a battleship? Served on one? Had a tour of one? Seen one on TV or in the movies? What thoughts/images come to mind when you think of a battleship? Are these positive or negative? Is the battleship a good metaphor for the church for you? Why or why not?

On Sunday, we compared the church to a battleship and said the crew members should be equipped to succeed in carrying out their mission. Are you so equipped? If not, who are you going to share that with so that they can help you get equipped?

We also said that crew members should be able to contribute in significant ways to the mission of the ship. Are you able to so contribute? If so, how so? If not, what would it take for you to be able to so contribute? Are you willing to share that with someone?

iServe - Team United vs Team Untied

What does it mean to you to be part of a team? Are you currently part of a team? Where? Is that team “united” or “untied”?

During your lifetime, what is the best team you’ve ever been a part of and what is the worst team you’ve ever been a part of? What made the teams so good or so bad? Can you use this knowledge to make any current teams you are a part of better?

Oftentimes in traditional churches, the term “committee” is used when talking about a group of people working together at the church. At Connection we like to use the word “team” instead. What images come to mind when you hear committee? When you hear team? Is there much difference?

Are you currently part of a team at Connection? Is the team “united” or “untied”? What is it that is making it one or the other? If you feel it is more “untied,” is there anything YOU can do to change that?

How about your home team? Is that team “united” or “untied”? If you answered “untied,” what can you do to change that? If “united,” what is it that makes it united and how can you help that to continue?

iServe - Anatomy of a Servant

If you hear the word “servant” what images come to your mind? Are they positive or negative? In our culture, is being a servant something people would strive for, or something they generally would want to avoid? What about you? Does the idea of being a servant appeal to you?

Read John 13:1-17. Now close your eyes and imagine Jesus washing your feet. How do you feel? Does it make you uncomfortable to think that God’s son is on his knees, washing your feet? How can we serve others sacrificially without making them feel uncomfortable?

When was the last time someone served you, other than a waiter or a waitress in a restaurant? How were you served? Did they do a good job? What was it about the way they served you that made it a good or a not so good experience? What can you learn from that will help you serve better?

Other than Jesus, who do you think is the ultimate servant in the Bible? Why did you choose that person? Do you share any qualities with them? What can you learn from them to make you a better servant?

Where is God calling you to serve? At home? At work? In the church? In the community? Not sure? Keep praying, seeking God’s direction and guidance.

Unbound - Successes

READ Genesis 32 & 33.

When Jacob encounters his brother, Esau, he seems different than he was prior to his wrestling match with God. How is he different?

Have you ever wrestled with God? If so, did your life change as a result? If not, is there anything you need to wrestle with God about now? What’s holding you back?

How would you define success for your life? How would Jesus define success for your life? Are the definitions different? How so?

Are successes in your life getting in the way of you receiving all God has in store for you, getting in the way of fully connecting with Jesus and the life He offer? What can you do to change that?

God blessed Jacob, even though Jacob was a conniver. He blessed David, even though David was an adulterer. He blessed Moses, even though Moses was a murderer. What does this tell you about God? What does it tell you about your relationship with God?