Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Monday – Read Jonah 4:1-10. God has shown grace and mercy to Jonah several times up to this point. He has also shown Jonah that He is the Creator. Why do you think Jonah is still so focused on getting his own way?

Tuesday – Read Psalm 22. Psalm 22 was referenced by Jesus on the cross. Many people feel as though they could have written the same words David did in the Psalms. How does this Psalm speak to your life and faith right now?

Wednesday – Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18. What are some circumstances sin your life that you struggle “giving thanks” for? How can that change as you realize that God has you in the palm of His hand, and is going to be there no matter what?

Thursday – Read Luke 9:23. Hans Urs Von Balthasar (1905-1987) said “Faith is a movement of the entire person away from himself, through the gift of grace.” Where do you need to move away from your own desires and cling to Jesus?

Friday – Read Proverbs 3:5-6. When we lean on our own understanding, we are left with more questions than answers. When we lean on Christ, we may not have all the answers, but we know that we are leaning on the one who knows how eternity is going to pan out. How is that comforting to you?

Saturday (As you prepare for weekend worship) – Watch “I Can Only Imagine”. We are starting our new series “God’s Epic Story in Movies.” Take Saturday to watch the first movie “I Can Only Imagine,” and jot down some points of interest as you watch. 

On August 1st (Thursday Night Commons) we’ll begin our series “God’s Epic Story in Movies.” We’ll be looking at:

• I Can Only Imagine
• The Incredibles 2
• The Green Book
• Mary Poppins Returns

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

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Werner Sevenster on Unsplash

Monday – Read Jonah 3:1-10. God gave Jonah a message of judgment intended to save a great city. God has given you the message of Jesus Christ intended to save the world. How does the story of Jonah embolden your evangelism? Take time to write down the names of those people in your life who don’t know that salvation of Jesus Christ. Pray for them, and pray for yourself as you bring His love to them, knowing that God hears you.

Tuesday – Read 1 Peter 1:3. God has given each person a new birth through the waters of Holy Baptism. How does remembering that Baptism change the way you live daily?

Wednesday – Read Ephesians 4:22-24. Though Baptism gives us a new birth, we still struggle with the things of our past. We exist as a paradox: saint and sinner. What are the things of your old self that need to be put away?

Thursday – Read Psalm 121:1-2. It’s easy to think that life transformation is something we have to do on our own. This is why self-help books fly off the shelves. But as Christians, we know our help comes from the Lord! What is it from your old-life that you want to ask the Holy Spirit to help you put away and be done with?

Friday – Read Mark 16:15. Christ wants us to join Him on His mission of reaching the nations. What are some unique talents or skills that you have that can help in proclaiming the Gospel?

Saturday (As you prepare for weekend worship) – Read Jonah 4. Is there any area of your life where you have been disappointed with God? Have you ever been upset that God is gracious with EVERYONE (including people you really don’t like)? Explore those feelings as you prepare your heart for worship.

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

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Marian May on Unsplash

Day 1: Read Jonah 1:17-2:3. Why do you think we sometimes have to sink so low before we remember God?

Day 2: Read Jonah 2:4-7. When have you felt like you were in a deep, dark pit, either physically, emotionally or spiritually? What did you do? What did God do? How does that still influence your life today?

Day 3: Read Jonah 2:8. Why do you think Jonah does not confess his sin, but the sins of others? When are you tempted to be more focused on others’ sins and not your own?

Day 4: Read 1 John 1:8-9. God is faithful and just. Take time to come clean with your sin before Him, and ask forgiveness.

Day 5: Read Jonah 2:9. Where is God moving you to give thanks today? 

Day 6: Read Jonah 2:10. Jonah doesn’t know when living in the belly of a great fish is going to end, yet He trusts in God to act in God’s time. Where do you need to trust God today to act in His time in your life? Like Jonah, take time in prayer to lay out your heart to God in prayer.

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book The Prodigal Prophet: The Mystery of Jonah and God’s Mercy by Tim Keller.

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

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Matt Hardy on Unsplash

One great take-a-ways from this week's message on Jonah 1:1-17 is:

"In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we as Christians have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds." - Father Henri Nouwen (1932-1996).

Monday - Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. How does the Word of God confront your "God-amnesia"?  What are the areas of your life that need to be conformed to God's will instead of your will?

Tuesday - Read Psalm 51:10. It is clear that Jonah is guilty of many sins (i.e. running from God, disobeying God, living to self, etc.). Sin is a heart problem. David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Ask yourself: what is your heart pursing right now? Pray for forgiveness, and relish in God's grace.

Wednesday - Read Psalm 107:23-32. It says in Jonah that sailors "cried out, each to their own god." As Christians, we believe in one true God, who listens to our prayers, who hears our cries for mercy.  Take today and write down your prayer requests. Reflect on them throughout the rest of the week."

Thursday - Read 1 Timothy 2:3-4. In the passage you just read, we hear about what God's will is.  How can we join Jesus on His mission of salvation of all people in your everyday life?

Friday - Read Luke 9:23. "Taking up your cross" and following Jesus is a daily activity. Where are you struggling to take up your cross and deny yourself? Take time to ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

Saturday (As you prepare for weekend worship) - Read Jonah 2. Jonah hits rock bottom and cries out to God. When have you felt as though you're at rock bottom? How has God helped you through that time?

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

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.