WEEK 1
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ICEBREAKERS
- If you were a potato, what way would you like to be cooked?
- What’s your middle name?
- Where did you grow up?
OPEN IN PRAYER
MESSAGE REVIEW
We now live in a world where the images we see daily on social media are the driving force to project “highlights” of lives we will never be able to live up to. People tend to create an image that others will be disappointed when they meet them in person or really get to know them. Pastor Ron speaks of the importance of character and what we do when no one is looking. It has become easy for someone to compartmentalize their lives and fail to integrate it. They may separate private lives with ministry, for example, and think nothing has to do with the other. Having character is not the absence of mistakes, it is owning your mistakes and being quick to repent. God is in the process of integrating the mind, body and spirit of His children, by the renewing of our minds and maturing in the things of God. People do not read our words, they read our lives.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!
- Read Isaiah 6:1-4. The Bible says that the angels have permission to travel between the earth and the heavenly realms. The angels called the Lord “Holy, Holy, Holy.” They said it three times for emphasis. God is Holy, that is, He is separate or distinct. God is light and this is absolutely no darkness in Him. And God is perfect, pure and righteous. God’s holiness is the center of His character and all of His other attributes flow from it. Since the word says that we were created in His image, when you look in the mirror do you see God’s image in yourself? Do you think it is possible to live a holy life?
- Read 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. The passage states that our lives are a written letter, a letter written on our hearts and read by everyone. As a result of our ministry, we are living letters written by Christ, not with ink but by the Spirit of God, not carved onto stone but on the tables of tender hearts. What does your letter say about you? Can people say that Christ has written a letter on your heart?
- Read Psalms 51:10-11. David cries out to God in this scripture, asking Him to create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit in him. He asked Him never to remove His presence or take away the Holy Spirit. We know that David was a murderer and an adulterer, but his heart for God and ability to humble himself and repent for his sins is what changed him. Ask yourself, do you truly have a heart of repentance when asking God to forgive you? Think about the changes you may need to make, what do those changes look like?
PRAYER FOCUS & REQUESTS
Ask your members if they have any prayer requests or praise reports. Write a list out for yourself this week focusing on your character. Ask Holy Spirit to show you your strengths and weaknesses. As a group pray for one another to receive powerful revelation from this exercise.