ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
- What are some things in life that give you the greatest sense of accomplishment?
- What is your favorite movie genre?
- What sounds make you cringe?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
This weekend, Pastor Ryan shared with us 4 reasons why we might be stopping short of God’s best for our lives.
The reason it’s so important to experience God’s best for your life is because of what God wants to do through your life to impact other people!
Genesis 11:31–32 (NIV)
Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur . . . to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.
Terah, Abraham's father, was on a journey to a place God had in mind for him (Canaan), but he stopped before he got there.
We all have a Canaan, a place God has for us beyond where we are now.
Are you stopping short of all God has for you?
4 Reasons Why People Stop Short of God’s Best:
1. Family Dynamics
Family dynamics are cover anything from the thinking we’ve grown up with to the habits we’ve learned.
2. Discouragement
Have you ever stopped short, because you were discouraged by your own past failures?
3. Condemnation
Maybe you haven’t handled all of your opportunities well. You’re either feeling the condemnation and accusation from other people or from your own self talk.
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . .
Romans 8:1–2 (MSG)
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
4. Helplessness
Limiting beliefs will hold you back, and you won’t try to change if you’ve been conditioned to think things can’t change!
Gaining Ground
Next week, we are starting a church-wide campaign in our Life Groups called Gaining Ground. It's about more than just finances. It’s about getting to where God wants you to go.
So here’s what we’re asking, we’re asking for everyone in our church family to participate with us in a Life Group for Gaining Ground over the next 4 weeks. We’re asking for 100% participation.
Make a commitment today to not stop short.
TALK-IT-OUT
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.
- Can you recall a time when you settled short of God's best for your life?
- What kind of family dynamics have helped you or hindered you?
- What are some things you do to fight against discouragement?
- What condemnation is holding you back?
- What is your "Canaan?"
- Many times we cannot get to God's best, because there is something we are holding onto that we need to let go. What are you willing to let go of in order to pursue your "Canaan"?
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to start writing things down. In a journal or on paper, do the following exercises.
- Draw a small circle, and inside of it, write down what your "Canaan" is.
- Draw a larger circle around the smaller one, and inside of that circle, write down the things that are within your power to control that can help you reach your "Canaan."
- Write down a prayer asking God to help you with the things that are outside of your control as it pertains to reaching your "Canaan."
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Read Proverbs 8 and memorize 2 verses from it.
- PARTICIPATE in a Gaining Ground Life Group, which starts February 25/26.
- Complete Growth Track. Every Sunday at all of our campuses. Bellevue 9:45am & Tacoma 11:30am.
- Serve together as a group. To view serving opportunities with Champions Foundation, click HERE.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources are always available here: Group Resources.