Key Points:

• Stuff happens. Walking through suffering, trials, and pain is an unavoidable part of being human.
• Salvation happens. Walking through the hard stuff of life with God cultivates fear (humility) and trust (intimacy / connection).

Reflection Questions:

1. Where is there evidence of God’s presence and action?
2. What might God be trying to teach me about himself?
3. How is this situation revealing sin, unresolved pain/wounds, weakness or needs in me?
4. How is my frustration or discouragement revealing the gap between what I say I believe and what I actually believe?
5. How is God speaking through His Word, His people or His Spirit?
6. How is God inviting me to trust Him in new ways?
7. What step could I take to demonstrate my trust in God?

Scriptures:

• Exodus 14:10-14, 21-22, 26-31, 15:19

Key Points:

• The destination for heavenly creatures is the Kingdom of God. The destination for hellish creatures is the Kingdom of Satan.

Reflection Questions:

1. Am I walking toward bondage or freedom? Self-indulgence or self-surrender?
2. Am I walking toward earning or grace? Self-righteous rule-following or righteousness by grace through faith?
3. Am I walking toward fear or love? Self-protection or vulnerability?
4. Am I walking toward acts of the flesh or fruit of the Spirit? Gratifying the flesh or walking by the Spirit?
5. If this decision became the pattern of my life, would it make me more or less like Jesus? If I kept walking in this direction consistently, would it lead me to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan?

Scriptures:

• Galatians 5:1, 4-6
• Galatians 5:13-26

The Gospel in 3 Parts:

1. For God so loved, that He gave His one and only Son
2. And this is eternal life, that they know You
3. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters

Scriptures:

• Psalm 63
• Matthew 13:44
• John 3:16
• John 17:3
• 1 John 3:16
• John 1:12
• Romans 8:14, 17
• Matthew 3:16
• Matthew 4:1-4
• John 13:1-5
• Matthew 11:25-30
• Philippians 3
• Matthew 7:21-23
• 1 Chronicles 28:9
• John 15:1-17

Key Points:

• "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows." - Bill Gaither
• Equipment for walking with God --> trekking poles, shoes, backpack, thermos, first aid kit, nourishment
• The Body of Christ helps us "look alive."
• Pray always. Walk within limits. Expect heaven.
• The "Walking with Jesus" Guidebook: Jude
  • 6 Images of the Weakened Church:
    • Unreasoning animals
    • Hidden reef
    • Clouds without rain --> No fruit & uprooted
    • Autumn trees
    • Wild waves
    • Wandering stars
  • 3 Examples:
    • The Way of Cain - Jealousy
    • The Error of Balaam - Disobedience
    • The Rebellion of Korah - Power struggles in the body of Christ
• He is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy.

Scriptures:

• Matthew 8
• Matthew 7:13-14
• Ephesians 6:15
• Jude

Key Points:

• I have fought the good fight. - Persevere in your Purpose.
• I have finished the race. - Stay on your Path for the Prize.
• I have kept the faith. - Proclaim the truth of God's Promises.

Reflection Questions:

1. What prizes am I over-valuing that will have greater value the minute I die?
2. What pain am I avoiding or under-valuing that will have greater value the minute I die?

Scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Key Points:

• Team One (Winning): "The Lord's servants." This team is pursuing God.
  • "Good Team Player" qualities: sincere faith, love, peace, righteousness, purity of heart, kindness, knowledge, gentleness, selflessness
• Team Two (Losing): "Opposers of truth." This team is pursuing pleasure.
  • "Bad Team Player" qualities: lovers of self & money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, etc
  • "Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim. 3:4-5)
• "Be what you need"
• Accountable Discipleship: Christian formation where believers join small groups to mutually encourage, support, and hold one another accountable to living out their faith in daily life
• Mothers are "Generation Shapers."

Reflection Questions:

• Is your home team pursuing God, or pursuing pleasure?
• Are the people in your life pursuing God, or pursuing pleasure?

Scriptures:

• 2 Timothy 1:3-5
• 2 Timothy 2:22 - 3:9
• Proverbs 22:6

Key Points: - Build on the solid foundation of knowing God's Word and knowing God.

- Avoid quarreling words, godless chatter, wicked behaviors and unholy work.

Reflection Question:

- Is my desire to spend time with God and in God's Word increasing? If no, what do I desire more than I desire God?

Scriptures: - 2 Timothy 2:14-21

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Bible - Believer Affirmation:

This is my Bible. I am who it says I am. (Matthew 5:16) I can do what it says I can do. (Philippians 4:13) I am going where it says I will go. (John 14:3) God’s Word is milk for my soul. (1 Peter 2:2) God’s Word is seed for my faith. (Luke 8:11) God’s Word is light for my path. (Psalm 119:105) God’s Word is power for my victory. (Hebrews 4:12) God’s Word is freedom for my life. (John 8:32) When I read God’s Word, it brings me joy. (Jeremiah 15:16) When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. (2 Timothy 2:15)

When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. (Psalm 119:11)

When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. (Ephesians 6:10, 17)

When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. (Joshua 1:8) When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. (John 15:7) I am a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ!