Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

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Don’t forget that construction is: messy, memorable, and makes a difference.

Day 1: Read John 13;34-35. How can community-building relationships be messy? How might “loving like Jesus” move through the mess? Where might you need to take that first step to clean up the mess today?

Day 2: Read Acts 2:44-45. American Christians fear that the early Christian church was a bunch of communists when they read this verse. In reality, they were committed to meeting needs in practical ways. They lived out the love Jesus describes in John 13. How might God have blessed you to meet the need of another?

Day 3: Read Acts 2:43. When you think of your relationship with Jesus, what have been some memorable moments? How do they still impact your life today?

Day 4: Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. When do you feel connected to the body of Christ? When do you feel disconnected? How might God be calling you to strengthen your relationship with Him, with others, and with His  church – the body of Christ?

Day 5: Read Acts 2:46-47. When have you been part of something where you look back and realize God used you to make a difference? How is that difference making you strong in serving together with others?

Day 6: Read 1 Corinthians 12:26-27.  An old proverb says, “Shared sorrow is half-sorrow. Shared joy is double joy.” How has that been true for your life experience? When can others share their sorrow and joy with you? Along with God, whom do you share your sorrow and joy with on a regular basis?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Disciple Making Homes by Melissa Spoelestra.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

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How to be love:

• Worship. Make an effort to be here Saturday at 5:00, or Sunday at 8:00, or 10:30. It’s not always easy – but it is so necessary! (Hebrews 10:24-25) Come to hear God’s Word and receive His grace and love in the words of absolution/forgiveness, in Communion, and in the remembrance of Baptism.
• Connect. Join a Life Group to do life with others and make an impact together!
• Learn. Be in the Word of God daily! God’s Word will IMPACT you as you see how much God loves you, and it will change the way you interact with others. (Psalm 119:105)
• Serve. Look others in your community. Talk with them. Grieve with them. Be joyful with them. (Romans 12:15) How can you ever share your faith, hope, and love if you only hang around other Christians?

Monday: Read Hebrews 6:13-20. Paul talks about how Christ is a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”. How has God been an “anchor” for you? Have you ever had other “anchors” in your life that didn’t end up working like you thought they would? How does the hope of Jesus Christ lead to “inner peace”?

Tuesday: Read Ephesians 5:1-2. Being imitators of God can be a bit “daunting”. God is perfect. He created the world! Though it’s good to be imitators of God, who else can you imitate in your life that has been a spiritual figure for you? How does following God change the way you want to present yourself?

Wednesday: Read Colossians 3:16. Paul tells us to “let the Word of God dwell in your richly.” What is a way that you can ensure you are in the Word of God each day? Try meditating on Scripture or having a “verse of the day” that you think about all day long.

Thursday: Read Mark 9:50. Christ calls us to be “salty.” Not in a “pirate” kind of way—but in a way that makes us “taste good.” How can your words serve as “salt” to others? To whom do you need to be “extra salty” this week?

Friday: Read Romans 12:9-13. Being hospitable is something we don’t always think of. How can you show love through your hospitality to: (1) your family, (2) your co-workers, and (3) your friends?

Saturday: Read 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. What makes a great servant of God? Ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in working on the areas of “servant hood” with which you struggle.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

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Monday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. When you think of giving back to God, what thoughts come to mind? Is there guilt or grace or some combination of both in why you give? Take time in prayer today to thank God for all He has given and ask Him to give you a generous heart for the day ahead.

Tuesday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. In what ways are the Macedonians examples of how to best give one’s resources to serve God and others? Is there a specific way they demonstrate you would like to see growth in your own life of giving and generosity?

Wednesday: Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. How have you experienced such cheerful (literally, “hilarious”) giving in your life? What motivates you to be a cheerful giver?

Thursday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5. On a scale of 1-10, evaluate your level of generosity. What has helped you become more generous? What still causes you to hold back?

Friday: Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. Look at the pathway to excel in giving. Where are you:How have you seen your giving and generosity grow? When did you discover that giving was more than money but all of life? When did you realize giving generously also included money?

Saturday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. Why is it important to God that we not only excel in the grace of giving but also in becoming a cheerful giver? Where do you need to pray for wisdom and courage to excel in the grace of giving? Where do you need to pray to be more cheerful in your giving?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading this book I LIKE GIVING by Brad Formsma, and The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step Toward Financial Peace by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Hanson.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

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Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Day 1: Read Luke 10:38-42. Think of a time when you have been a Mary and think of a time when you have been a Martha. What was your frame of mind and where were you in the rest cycle?

Day 2: Read Psalm 23. What does God require from us in Psalm 23?  What does He offer in return?

Day 3: Read Luke 5:1-11. What lesson do the fishermen learn about work here?

Day 4: Read Genesis 2:2-3. Did God need to rest after the work of creation? Why do you think He rested?

Day 5: Read Mark 2:27. What exactly is the Sabbath as described here? How do we often get this backwards?

Day 6: Read Philippians 4:6-7. What kind of rest is described here? How do we get that kind of rest?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading this book Total Family Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

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Day 1: Read Matthew 15:1-20. Conversations require dialogue. Jesus disciplined his followers through constant dialogue. How did Jesus use questions with both the Pharisees and the disciples to teach them spiritual truth? What can you do to open  more dialogue with your child or the people you mentor?

Day 2: Read Luke 9:1-6. How are you giving your child/mentee opportunities to try things on his or her own?

Day 3: Read Matthew 18:1-5 and Luke 22:24-26. How did Jesus turn his disciples’ argument into a teachable moment?  What is one small change you can make to approach your child’s failures as opportunities?

Day 4: Read 1 Kings 19:19-21 and 2 Kings 2. What did you learn about mentoring from the relationship between Elijah and Elisha?

Day 5: Read Acts 16:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-19; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; and 1 Timothy 4:12-16. As you look at Paul and Timothy’s interactions, what practical truth can you apply to pursue a Paul and train a Timothy?

Day 6: Brainstorm people that are in your sphere of influence. Who could you be mentoring? Take the next step to put your brainstorm into practice!

You can GO DEEPER this week by watching this 25 minute interview of Tony Dungy and by reading this book Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids: Dr. Kara E. Powell and Dr. Chap Clark.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

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Day 1: Read John 13:1. Serving becomes easy when you serve someone you love. Whom do you find easy to serve? Who is a bit more challenging? Who has shown you such loving service in the past week? What do they do? Why would you consider it loving?

Day 2: Read John 13:2. It’s tough enough washing the feet of people you love. How about stretching one’s love capacity to wash the feet of the guy about to betray you that leads to your crucifixion? When do you find yourself called to serve someone you don’t love? How do you find a way still to serve? Whom do you love at that point? Why?

Day 3: Read John 13:3-5. Jesus knew the crucifixion was coming. He knew he would be dead in less than 24 hours, brutally crucified, betrayed by one disciple, denied three times by another, and ultimately abandoned by all. Yet he still makes time to wash feet. Why was this such a priority to Him? How did His stepping down to wash their feet, lift us up? Where is a place where you “step down” to serve? How does such service keep you humble and guard you from pride?

Day 4: Read Philippians 2:3. Why do you serve? What keeps you serving?

Day 5: Read John 13:12, 17. Jesus didn’t wash in silence. He took the opportunity to train his disciples to develop such a habit in their life. We see Him:

1. He asks a question -- “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
2. He issues a command -- “Do as I have done for you”
3. He gives the benefit that God will bless you for doing them.

Look at a recent act of serving. How can you use that time as an opportunity to teach someone else to serve? Who has been your serve role model? Why? To whom can you be a ‘serve’ role model? Where are/will you serve in the year ahead?

Day 6: Read John 13:34-35. Such a life of love is not to earn your way to heaven, but to embrace the heavenly life Jesus gives to all who believe in Him. How does Jesus define love in this verse? When have you experienced such a serving kind of love? Where can you share such love that sacrifices?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution through Serving by Dino Rizzo.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Day 1: Read Luke 11:2-4. How does this prayer teach you to pray? Here’s one hint: this prayer is not merely words to say, but each petition is designed to be a launching pad to come to God in prayer. Go through the prayer, pausing to pray at each comma and period. The best way to learn to pray is to pray!

Day 2: Read Luke 11:11-13. One of Jesus’ great principles is the ‘how much more’ principle. He compares something earthly that works (like a father caring for a child), and ‘how much more’ God demonstrates such a quality among us. How does ‘how much more’ influence your prayer life? If God loves you much more than anyone else you know, what do you want to pray for today?

Day 3: Read 2 Kings 19:15-19. The key words in Hezekiah’s prayer are “so that”. He seeks God’s purpose to be accomplished in the prayer request he makes. Think of some of your prayer requests to God. How might praying for God to be glorified, people to come to know Him, His kingdom to advance add some “so that” focus to prayers for healing, finances, relationships, and everyday life?

Day 4: Read Ephesians 3:16-19. What sticks out to you about what Paul prays for the Ephesians? Pick a person for whom to pray this prayer from Ephesians today. Pray that God gives deep roots and a strong faith foundation, and for them to become like Christ.

Day 5: Read Luke 11:9-11. When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He not only gives the words to model their prayers, but also the attitude to bring to prayer. Where do you need to pray with persistent faith? What petition has dropped off your prayer time that perhaps God is nudging you to pray some more?

Day 6: Read Ephesians 3:20-21. These verses lead me to pray – “God, stretch my imagination!” Our God can do immeasurably more! Where do you need God to stretch your imagination? What lessons have you learned praying this week that you hope to continue to use in the weeks ahead?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book - A Praying Life: Connecting to God in a Distracting World by Paul Miller.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction. For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Bethany Laird on Unsplash

Day 1: Read 2 Timothy 3:16. God’s Word draws out the truth of who God is and what He has done to save us in Jesus, and what it means to live as a child of God. In God’s Word, the path to heaven is revealed, but so is the way to build a life that matters with God and with one another. How has God’s Word inspired you this past week in worshiping Him and following His ways?

Day 2: Read Matthew 7:24. Why did God include this in the Bible? What Biblical principle is found here? How does this fit in with the whole story of the Bible? What application does this truth have for my life?

Day 3: Read 2 Timothy 3:14-15. The Bible is an unfolding story of who God is and what it means to know Him. The story of God’s great love is that He created the world, died for our sins, rose again, and longs to be in a living and loving relationship with us. If someone asked you to give the 30 second summary of the Bible’s story, what would you say? Why?

Day 4: Read Psalm 78:4-6. Who introduced you to the Bible? Take time to give God thanks (and if still alive to give that person a word of thanks!). Who are you introducing to read, learn, and live God’s Word? Who might you begin to introduce to God’s amazing story of His Word?

Day 5: Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  Typically, when people focus on these verses and the Bible, they quote verse 16, but not 17. How has God thoroughly equipped you through His Word in this new year? Where would you like to see God equip you, shape you for His purpose for your life through His Word?

Day 6: Read James 1:22-25. Turns out in everyday life, you only believe the part of the Bible you actually do. What parts of God’s Word do you find challenging to do? Why? How have you discovered His way is the best way to live in the past week?The

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the Story: The Bible As One Continuing Story Of God And His People.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

 AS PRAY THIS WEEK FOR CREATE FOR COMMUNITY: For patience with parking challenges during construction. For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.