Lay Down Your Doubt — a start

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Our anxiety expresses itself through doubt. And our doubt expresses itself by taking things into our own hands. Whether we say it or even consciously think it, trying to make things happen on our own says, at best, “God’s not giving me what I want when I want it, so I’d better make it happen myself.” And despite what 75 percent of Christians believe (Barna, 2005), “God helps those who help themselves” does not come from the Bible.

And in this season of my life, God has been confronting my tendency to live out of my doubt. Ask anyone: I’m good at coming up with a plan, pulling things together and making them happen. I am, to use a human complement, resourceful.  Heck, I like calling myself “tenacious.” And yet, in this season all my efforts have come to nothing. Instead, God says, “Depend on Me. Let Me handle it.”

I try every idea at my disposal, thinking one of them will work. And then they don’t. And then something that wasn’t my idea shows up and accomplishes what all my bright ideas and efforts couldn’t. And again, God repeats, “Depend on Me. Let Me handle it.”

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Failure IS an Option—Just Not the Final One

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Since there’s more reading than usual today, let’s ease you in with a nice movie clip, from the movie October Sky. There’ll be another clip later on, but for now, think about this: 

• What relation do you see between the boys’ failures and the adjustments they make?
• How do you usually respond when your plans don’t go… well, as planned? Give up, try harder, slog through it, turn negative, blame others, blame God?

For the last several Wednesdays, we’ve focused on how to develop and share a God-given vision, and how to stay focused on the great things God wants to do through us and those with us. For the next few weeks, though, we’re going to shift the focus and talk about the tough stuff. Because once this all gets real, things don’t follow the plans you had in your head. Things go wrong, or at least look wrong. Even when we’ve done our best, we might begin to wonder if we’ve disobeyed God somehow, or feel like we’ve done everything right but failed God anyway.

“I have discovered that it is so much harder than you think to create something out of nothing. Things happen that you never imagined would happen to you,” says Ruth Haley Barton in her book Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. “[Y]our own foibles [are] so much more real, more deeply ingrained and more obvious to others than you ever knew.”

In fact, there might well be a point in time—if not a long stretch of it—where you’ll stop and ask yet again, “God, was that really You?” It’s always OK to ask God that question. We need to keep talking with God, especially when we don’t understand. But once God answers “yes,” it’s our job to keep walking, even if we’re not sure where God’s leading us. Even if things aren’t going the way we planned. Even when our feelings fail us and we think we’re not good enough to do what God’s called us to do. God knows better. He called us to this. God’s plan is always better than ours, and we need to trust God so we can discover more about what His plan is.

We’ve already stepped out in faith. That’s what this latest Wednesday series—really, our entire Christian walk—has been about. Now, we start learning how to keep walking, even when we have trouble seeing the details of God’s plan, and why it’s worth it.

Our case study for today comes from the life of Jacob—who God changed into Israel. And that transformation was something only God could bring about. You’re probably familiar with much of his story, but this session will hopefully shed some new light on it. On your own time, read Genesis 25-50 in that new light, and find out what else God might want to show you through Jacob’s life. As a bonus, you’ll also read about his son Joseph, whose own vision from God didn’t exactly go according to what he’d have planned either.

For now, we’re going to look at a few key passages, then look at what changes God might have to make in us and our plans—and maybe already has. So tab up, and let’s start with Genesis 28:10-22.

• What does God promise Jacob here? How would you have reacted to all this?
• Look at verses 16-17 and 20-22 again. How could Jacob’s fear and amazement of the night before have changed so quickly into “If you do this, this, and this, God, then I’ll do this for you?”
• How are we guilty of trying to negotiate God’s blessings with him, especially when we’re in over our heads? Is it always wrong? Why or why not?

Now, let’s jump more than 20 years into Jacob’s future. To give a brief summary of what’s happened in between: Jacob runs away to uncle Laban’s; falls in love with Laban’s daughter Rachel, and agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage; gets tricked by Laban on his wedding night into marrying Rachel’s older sister Leah; works another seven years for Rachel, and then another seven years after that in which his wages are changed 10 times (presumably not for the better), before he finally escapes with his family and all the blessings he’s tricked Laban out of.

And now, Jacob’s about to meet his brother Esau—the same brother he ran away from in fear for his life just prior to our last passage. So now, look at Genesis 32:1-12, 32:21-32, and 33:1-9,  then reflect on these questions:

• What different responses does Jacob have to his circumstances?
• What do those responses reveal about Jacob? God? Us?

Jacob wrestled with “the Man,” who obviously had better things in mind for the man who became Israel. Clearly, though, Jacob still had difficulty believing that. Maybe you’re in the same situation right now. More than anything, what you need to know is that God is still in this vision.

Whether you’ve reached this point yet or not, we always need to remember which parts of this vision are truly God’s, so we can keep trusting him even when we can’t understand why things are going the way they are. Several weeks ago, we gave ourselves a reality check, to determine whether this “vision thing” was really a God thing or not. So let’s step back and give ourselves another reality check. We’re going to look at the same questions, but in terms of what that looks like now. Then, just as you did the first time, come up with one action point—one thing you’re going to do in response to what God’s showing you now. Here we go—again:

• As I’m pursuing this vision, am I sensing God revealing more about the things he truly cares about?
• Will this vision, once it’s realized, reveal more about God to others, or just more about me?
• Which parts of this vision were clearly not my idea (even if I’m excited about the idea now)?
• Have I tried letting go of this idea, only to find God bringing it up again?
• Would I still want this to happen even if someone else did it—or even if I did it and someone else got the credit?

Now, whether you did this exercise back here or not (and if so, review your answers from back then), think about this:

• What’s changed about this vision so far? What’s changed about you?
• As specifically as you can share, what have you been wrestling with as this vision has unfolded?
• What do you need to hear from God right now, to be reminded that this is still God’s idea? 

Jacob had an incredible vision of God’s plan for his life. But he also saw a lot of failure and frustration before that plan was fulfilled. Again, read Jacob’s full story on your own time. Take the time to appreciate what God did in Jacob’s life, and the far-reaching results of that.But for now, let’s jump ahead another 40-plus years and look at how God fulfilled his promises to Jacob—and fulfilled the promise He saw and created in Jacob.

Read Genesis 47:7-10, 48:2-4, and 49:28–50:9. Then think about this: One moment Jacob’s years are “few and painful”; the next he’s talking about God’s blessings; and then he’s passing those blessings onto his sons—the nations God promised him. Think also about our first scene here: Jacob walks in, blesses the most powerful man in the world at that time, and then just leaves.

• If the Jacob of our earlier passages had met Pharaoh, what do you think would have happened?
• What point of your strength do you think God may be trying to break, so He can use you to truly be a blessing to others?

OK, back to October Sky we go. Watch this. Then: Think about the first scene you watched (and go back and watch it now if haven’t already). Think about Homer’s brother and everyone else watching. Think about what’s going through the boys’ heads just before the launch.

• How does success tend to erase all of the fears and concerns we have, once we’re on the other side of a challenge?
• What help do you need right now in “keeping your eyes on the prize”?

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this session, and there’s always more to go. We never see the whole picture. We want to. We think it would be easier. We think that if we controlled the circumstances, things would be better. But God shows us what He needs to show us, when He needs to show it to us. We’re blessed when we have visions like Jacob’s ladder, but we’re also blessed when God allows us to go through things that are painful but which enable us to become the blessings He wants us to be to others.

Take a minute to silently reflect on this—especially if you’re already in that place where you’re asking God, “Why is this happening? Why this way? Why me?” Remember: Anyone doing anything useful for God isn’t qualified for the job—if we were, we wouldn’t need, or make room for, God. So give God some room right now to work. Shut your eyes and reflect for a minute, and I’ll close us in prayer.

Lord, thank you for stretching us and challenging us, so we can become the blessings you want us to be. We acknowledge that we’re often our own biggest enemies, even when we’re sincerely following you. Get us out of our own way. Help us become the people you want us to be, so we not only overcome the problems and failures we experience, but so we can experience your joy on the other side of those struggles. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Sharing the Gift

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Carl Simmons

When have you felt “left out”? Choose any kind of situation you like. What could you have offered that you felt wasn’t being asked for or wanted?

On the other hand, when have you been the one who kept your gifts or abilities to yourself? What could you have offered that really was needed, and why didn’t you?           

We all have something to offer one another. God has created each of us uniquely, so we can fit together perfectly to accomplish whatever God wants to accomplish through us. And yet, it usually takes some effort to discover what each person’s real contributions are, or can be. It’d be great if we all instantly liked and understood each other, but the fact is, it takes time.

The good news is: It’s worth your time. So let’s reflect on why it’s so important to be connected to each other, especially as Christians, and how we can encourage each other and help make those connections happen. Open up a new tab, check out the following list of passages, and then think about the questions that follow:

• Romans 15:13-14
• 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• 1 Peter 4:7-11

• Why should we encourage each other, and what should that encouragement look like? Try to come up with some personal examples to go with the biblical ones above.
• How are the examples you came up with we described different when God’s involved, rather than when it’s just us?
• When have you seen people join together for a bigger purpose? How did your examples  come into play?

You’ve just reflected on the importance—and the joy—of working together, and bringing all our different gifts to the table. So let’s consider another couple questions:

• What keeps these moments from happening more often in our lives?
• What do you think of Paul’s statement in Romans 15:14, that your “brothers and sisters… are full of goodness”? How would (or does) believing it change the way you approach and work together with them?

We need each other. There’s no way around it. God built us not only to serve him, but to serve him together. Encouragement—openly recognizing that God built the person next to you the way he wanted, and for his good purposes—is a lot of the glue that holds that together. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Life Together, puts it even more strongly:  “It is the fellowship of the Cross to experience the burden of the other. If one does not experience it, the fellowship he belongs to is not Christian. If any member refuses to bear that burden, he denies the law of Christ.”

So let’s consider some ways to walk it out. Pick one of these options—or better yet, if God’s putting something else on your heart, do that!

• Spend some more time this week with this week’s Bible passages. Meditate on them. Pray about them. How do they impact you? Will it mean getting out of your shell and “putting yourself out there”? Or does it mean letting go of control so others can bring their unique gifts alongside to help you? Or does it mean something else? Spend time using God’s Word as a catalyst to finding (and pursuing) the answers God is offering you.

• Find ways to support others in your church or group who are in need—as you would a member of your own family. Taking a pot of soup to someone who’s sick. Make a phone call to encourage someone who’s hurting. Take a couple of bags of groceries or a gift card to someone who’s struggling financially. Or… what unique way might God be showing you?

• Is there a friend or co-worker facing a difficult choice or circumstance? Commit to praying for that person specifically about those choices, and let him or her know you’re praying. If it’s appropriate, put that person in touch with members of your group or church who have the gifts and talents to help your friend. It would build both sides up, and probably be a pleasant surprise for both, too.

• Think about how you could stretch your boundaries this week. Is there a leadership role you could help fill, either in church or elsewhere? Is there some service project you could get involved in? Is there a ministry in your church where you could give someone a much-needed break this week? Commit to taking that step and how you could join with others to support the gifts they’re already exercising—even if they don’t yet know Jesus.

• Become an ally to an organization or cause in town that really needs support. It doesn’t have to be a Christian organization—in fact, it may prove to be more powerful if it isn’t. How can you support your police or fire departments, or an organization that specializes in showing mercy and compassion to the more “marginalized” members of your community? Be creative, and then be involved.

[W]e may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Ephesians 4:14-16, ESV).

Ask God to help you see new ways they you help other Christians, “so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” And ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to build up others who don’t know Jesus, and that God would use you to show those people how Jesus wants to build them, too.

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So Simple, Even a Small-Group Leader Can Do It

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Carl Simmons

…and for that matter, so concise that small-group leaders will actually read it. And if they do, they’ll come away with a framework that can be easily transferred within any small-group ministry.

Jim Egli and Dwight Marable. Small Groups, Big Impact: Connecting People to God and One Another in Thriving Groups. Softcover, 112p., $15.00. ChurchSmart Resources.

Egli (a small-group pastor and author of a dozen books on the subject) and Marable (director of Missions International, which has equipped leaders in more than 50 countries) surveyed more than 3,000 small-group leaders in more than 200 churches to find out what’s working and what isn’t. And while some things might not come as a surprise to many leaders, some things will. (Just one example: One’s giftedness in leadership is not an indicator of a successful group.)

Egli and Marable break it all down into easy-to-digest but meaningful pieces. First, there are the three basic group dynamics—conversion growth, assimilation and group multiplication. And again, a group that’s strong in two dynamics but not the third has a very good chance of stalling. Thus, the need to invest in all four main factors that grow small groups: pray, reach, care and empower.

You might notice a parallel sequence between the two groups; so did the authors. Thus, a chapter is devoted to developing each factor, along with some take-and-use principles and ideas at the end of each chapter.

The authors also place a huge emphasis on empowering leaders, both from inside the group and from outside. In other words, small-group leaders are strongly encouraged to share the load with other emerging leaders in the group, thus growing them in the process; and churches are just as strongly encouraged to have a strong coaching system in place to help both existing and emerging leaders develop.

But above all, Egli and Marable stress, “[T]he one most critical factor to having a vibrant small group is relationship—relationship with God and relationship with others. Growing groups have leaders that are connected to God and empowering others. Their members are giving themselves to one another and to those who don’t yet know Jesus.”

If this sounds like the kind of small-group ministry you’ve been trying to create (and if not, why not?), then pick this book up. To find out more about this book and ministry, go to smallgroupsbigimpact.com, or visit the good people at ChurchSmart Resources.

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Follow ME?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Think about a time when you had to do something brand-new that you thought you already understood—for instance, a move to a new town, a new job, or a new church. What skills and experiences were you able to use in your new situation? What “great ideas” from your past just didn’t work? What did you learn from that time of transition?

We continue our Wednesday series today, by beginning to think through how to invite and transition others into the work God’s called us to. For many, this is even more important than the ability to cast vision with a bigger group, because this is where you’ll identify the people who’ll walk most closely with you as you follow God’s vision together.

Rick Rusaw, in The Externally Focused Church, observes, “I used to teach that vision is a clear, compelling magnetic image of a preferable future…. Then I got involved in actual leading. Since then I’ve discovered that vision is more like a compass than a roadmap. It provides direction; it guides; it motivates toward a desirable future.”

Thus, this is also the stage where you’ll be able to identify what the real issues are—the fears, the gaps in your plans, the old things people need to let go of to embrace this new thing. It’s an opportunity to invite others to help you think things through—even if they don’t join you.

So let’s start by looking at how Jesus invited the disciples to join Him. Open a new tab, look at Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 9:9, and John 1:35-50, then think about this:

• What common threads do you find in Jesus’ invitations? How do you see Jesus “tweaking” his invitation, depending on who He was giving it to?
• There’s a lot of things Jesus doesn’t say here. Why do you think He doesn’t say them?
• Is inviting others to join in God’s work really as simple as Jesus makes it look? Are we the ones who make it complicated? Why do you think that?

OK, so we’re not recruiting disciples, at least not in the same sense Jesus was. But as you’ve been developing the vision God’s put on your heart, you’ve likely been thinking of people you want to say “follow me” to. So let’s begin to really process this.

First, take 10 minutes to write down the names of those people you want to talk to. Afterward, then think through and write your answers to these questions:

• What gets each of these people excited about Jesus?
• How will I need to change my approach for each person—or do I just say it?
• How can I invite them into helping me think this vision through, whether they “join the team” or not?

Then do it. Get with the people you’ve written down. Talk things through with them, taking into consideration not only what God’s showing you but how God’s built them. And as you do, may He continue to grow and shape His vision within you—and those you speak with.

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But What Does God WANT Me to Do?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;
    trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
   and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
   over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:3-7, ESV)

“Love God, and do whatever you please.”—Saint Augustine, “Sermon on 1 John 7, 8″

Wait. Read those again. How can both statements be right? What helps us know whether our desires are really God’s, too? And for that matter, if our desires really are God’s desires, what reasons might God have for not fulfilling them?

Hold the thoughts you’ve just had. You’ll need them later on.

We’ve spent the last several Mondays exploring how God’s built each of us—our gifts, our passions, our desires, and the things God wants to accomplish through us. Today, we look at all those pieces God’s given us and start figuring out how they all fit together.

One great indication of how it all comes together is from Frederick Buechner’s book Wishful Thinking: “The kind of work God usually calls you to do is work (a) that you need most to do and (b) that the world needs most to have done. The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

So, think about the gifts you know God’s given you—or that others say they’ve seen in you. Where are others confirming what you’re seeing? Or, what are they consistently noticing that you haven’t, but now you’re starting to wonder if they’re on to something?

Then think about this: What gets you excited? Who’s God given you the biggest heart for? What can’t you imagine not being able to do?

So, then: What are some ways your gifts and your passions could come together for God’s glory?

It might be something you’re already doing. It might be something you’ve thought about but haven’t yet taken the next step with. For that matter, it might be something you’ve thought of just now. And you might think of something that seems totally off-the-wall at first—but don’t throw it out just yet. Don’t feel you have to come up with the perfect answer; just start throwing ideas out there. You never know what God might use you to bring out.

Now, let’s come back for a reality check—not that God isn’t revealing something huge that He’s already prepared you to do, but to realize that God’s work isn’t a magic formula but… well, work:

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:23-27, ESV).

• Why is it important to have both desire and discipline when running a race of any kind? How do—or should—the two work together?
• Reflecting on today, which do you need more in your own race—whatever that looks like—desire or discipline? Or is it something else?
• What could most help you in training for your race right now?

We’ve considered some big things. Some of you are ready to jump right into something new and exciting. Some of you might be feeling recharged after thinking about things that matter to you and you’re already involved with. Yet others of you might be thinking, “All this is great, but I still don’t have a clue what to do next.” And that’s OK, too.

The only wrong answer here is, “God doesn’t care about where I’m at.” God wants to use every good thing in our lives to reveal His goodness to others. So take the time to share with others what God is doing in your life,  and to pray for your situation. Invite God into the process. After all, He’s the one stirring all this up within you to begin with. As Dallas Willard said in The Divine Conspiracy, “To trust the real person Jesus is to have confidence in him in every dimension of our real life, to believe that he is right about and adequate to everything.” May God bless what He wants to do through each of you!

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Sharing the Vision

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Think about a time when you couldn’t “see the big picture”—a painful time that something positive came out of, or a promise you had to wait for, for example. How did you handle the waiting? And what was it like trying to explain to others what you were going through? What was it like when the pieces finally fell into place? And what or who helped you while you waited?

“If it is that difficult to describe something perceived through the senses, imagine how much harder it is to put words around what does not come through the senses!” said St. John of the Cross in Dark Night of the Soul. “The language of God is like this.”

Last Wednesday, we discussed the importance of finding others we can be open with—others who can support us in prayer, and by doing whatever God puts on their hearts to do as a result of those prayers. Now we take this one step further. It’s time to bring this vision out in the open where even more people can see it—and hopefully become a part of it in some way.

This is a big and often tricky step. By putting ourselves out there, we’re opening ourselves up to people who we pretty much can guarantee won’t catch the vision right away. But as we share what’s really moving us—Who’s really moving us—we also develop new relationships. People get the opportunity to see where they fit into this new thing. Real needs get revealed. And as relationships develop, others begin to get excited about what God wants to do—maybe even to the point where they can let go of whatever fears or established ways of doing things might be holding them back.

It’s not easy for others to understand what God’s showing us. It probably hasn’t been easy for us to get what God’s showing us, and we’ve probably been at it a lot longer. So let’s look at an example of someone else about to “go public” with what God showed him, and then explore what that struggle might look like for us. Open a new tab,  read Exodus 3:7-14, 4:1-14, and 4:28-31, and then think about this:

• Truthfully, how much does Moses’ experience feel like where you’re at right now? Why?
• How does God reassure Moses that his message will be heard?
• How might our anticipation of people’s reactions affect what, and how, we share? Think of both positive and negative examples.
• What parts of this vision are you sure are God’s, too? How can keeping the focus there, rather than on your own ideas, help you share more effectively?

It’s important that we don’t just share the plans in our heads, but that we share the burden God’s put on our hearts. Plans will change. The people around you will change. Maybe even the focus of what you think this vision was about will shift. But whatever truly comes from God will survive all those changes. Keep that the center as you share, and don’t ever leave that center. Let God sort out the details. And let’s move on.

If you’ve ever seen the movie Field of Dreams, you know it’s not just about baseball. This pair of scenes (go here and here) gives a great illustration of a skeptic finally getting the vision — and what kind of sacrifice from others it took for him to get there. Check it out, then think it over:

• What “realities” did Ray have to look past to keep sight of his vision?
• What did it take for the vision to become real to Mark?
• What risks or sacrifices might you need to make to show how much you believe in God’s vision, so others can, too?

He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better’ (Luke 5:36-39, NIV).

• What specific resistance do you expect from others as you share this new thing? What’s “just fine” about the old things that might get defended as you share?
• How can you validate what others have already done while showing them the need for change?
• How willing are you to change, so that you can walk others through this vision in a way that they can see it? What will that look like?

We’ve talked a lot about talking a lot about vision. So let’s wrap up by putting some of our talk into practice. Come up with a no-more-than-one-minute statement. Be as clear and simple as possible. Then, find someone to share it with, and let that person give you feedback. What helped him or her understand the vision? What got in the way of understanding? What didn’t that person say that needed to be said?

Ask God to show you how to make His vision real to the people you need to share it with. And may God break down resistance, so that both you and those you speak to would be able to open your hearts further to this new thing God wants to do in your midst.

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Letting God Unwrap Your Gifts

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Some of us have known what we wanted to be since we were very young. For most of us, however, our dreams have been changed over the years, maybe even much later in life than we expected. And for many of us, coming to know Jesus changed our dreams, too. As we’ve handed over things we’ve wanted or that we’ve done and relied upon, the Spirit has given us new desires and dreams. Some things you may already be putting into practice; others we’re still figuring out; and yet others the Spirit has yet to reveal to us because God knows we’re not ready yet.

Neil Cole makes a great observation in his book Search & Rescue: Becoming a Disciple Who Makes a Difference: “If we get to thinking that it is our best assets that make us most valued to the Lord, we are close to being useless. We must become acquainted with our weaknesses if we are to see him use us for great purposes.”

So, what are the next steps God might be preparing us for? What does God need to change in us first so these things can happen? And, how we can help clear the way to let God do that in our lives? Let’s dig into that today. Let’s start by looking at a couple different passages, including my favorite (first passage, second verse):

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Romans 12:1-8, NIV).

• Practically speaking, what does it mean to be a “living and holy sacrifice”? How does it enable us to know God’s “good and pleasing and perfect” will—and actually do it?
• Look at verses 4 through 8 again. How does having a sacrificial attitude help us deal with those who are built differently from us?

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, NIV).

• How does it help for you to know that it’s God who makes us “qualified”? What, if anything, bugs you about that idea?
• Does that mean we do nothing and just wait until God’s ready give us our next task? Why or why not?

A great illustration of someone discovering their gifts occurs in the movie Walk the Line. Watch Johnny Cash (OK, Joaquin Phoenix) here, then think through these questions:

• What different emotions do you see Johnny go through during this scene?
• In one sense, Johnny was using his gift throughout this scene, but something changed. What was it, and what helped it to change?
• “All right, let’s bring it home”: Why is it easier to play “that same… tune”—at your job, with your friends, in your church, wherever—than to do “something different… something real”?
• What are the rewards to discovering and singing your “one song”? What are the risks? And in each case, what might that look like?

Here’s something else to think about, courtesy of Mark Driscoll (The Radical Reformission): “The trick to uncovering people’s values is to assess how they invest their time, energy, money, and passion…. Ideals are what you want; values are what you do. Ideals become values only if they are lived out.”

So let’s get down to the bottom lines here:

• What’s something you know God’s gifted you with—again, spiritually, materially, or both—that you wish God would tell you what he wants done with it?
• If there was one thing at all you could do for God right now, and knew for sure it’d work, what would you do?
• Be honest, then: Why aren’t you already doing it?
• What do you need to grab hold of—or let go of—so God can turn your “ideals” into “values”?

What ideal or dream have you been talking about—and doing nothing about—for way too long? Address it this week. Figure out who you need to talk to, or what other actions you need to take, and begin to make it happen. Don’t go in expecting you have to know everything—or maybe even anything—but expect that as you move forward, God will honor your steps of faith and guide you in the way you need to go. And may God give you the wisdom and courage to take the next steps He wants  you to take.

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Pieces of Pick Up Your New Life

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Carl Simmons

(Not to fear: This is the standard Friday Lay It Down feature. However, in this case it’s rudimentary thoughts for the final week/chapter…. because we’re not just called to lay things down, after all….)

Just as we’re here because we’ve recognized Christ as our eternal Savior, we need to recognize Him as our Savior, and our life, from moment to moment. Paul David Tripp, in his book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, says: “Remember, it is impossible to celebrate God’s work of transformation without confessing your need for more. No one is more ready to communicate God’s grace that someone who has faced his own desperate need for it.”

Let’s face it, some of these things can sound pretty abstract. But we need for these things to become as real to us as our salvation has become real to us… just as God Himself has become real to us. It’s OK if you nod your head in agreement right now—as long as you promise to pursue it with God later on. OK?

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People sometimes think walking in the Spirit invites abuse. The fact is, it’s the counterfeits of walking in the Spirit that invite the abuse, not the real thing. If we are truly in Christ, it will be impossible to go out into left field. Christ takes care of us.

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Our natural experience is life and death, and it extends to everything else in this life. The resurrection life is life and life only.

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Josh Hunt: All About Making Groups Grow

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Here’s another Other Voice I should’ve gotten to sooner….

Josh Hunt is a prolific author, speaker, and overall enthusiast of  growing small-groups and Sunday School classes, and it’s not hard to catch his enthusiasm once you’ve been around him. Trust me, I know. We worked together on his most recent book, Make Your Group Grow: Simple Stuff That Really Works (2010), and in it you’ll find… well, simple stuff that really works. We do make small groups more complicated than they need to be, after all.

Josh surveyed more than 1,000 small-group leaders, and shares those findings here, as well as how to implement them. (Did I mention that implementing them is pretty simple, too?)

And you like this book, there’s more where that came from. You can learn and read more about Josh at his blog, here (and to the lower right). Read him. Enjoy him. Hire him for your next small-group seminar, in fact. And we’ll meet up again tomorrow.

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