“Finding Faith Should Be Fun!”
Philippians 3:1-12
1. Start off this week’s Journey Groups by sharing some examples of legalism that you have experienced?
2. In your opinion, why do you think so many people perceive the church to be an extremely boring place filled with extremely boring people? Why do you think that the whole idea of our, “Faith Being Fun” is so foreign to the bulk of the people in our society?
3. Re-read this week’s passage of scripture (Philippians 3:1-12). Paul talks about his “spiritual pedigree”, and says that he should have all the reason in the world to have confidence in everything that he had done. What are some areas in your life that you may have the tendency to have this same kind of unhealthy confidence?
4. From this passage of scripture we talked about 3 safeguards that we need to establish in our lives to protect the joy in our faith:
A. The Safeguard of RESISTING LEGALISM
B. The Safeguard of REFOCUSING OUR AMBITIONS
C. The Safeguard of REJECTING COMPLACENCY
-Reflect as a group on what each of these “safeguards” represent.
-As you look back over this list, why do you think each of these are so important?
-Which of these safeguards is most challenging to you personally?
5. Read (Philippians 3:9-11). Share some of your thoughts about “really knowing God” and having the power that raised Christ from the dead at work in your life. What does this look like in your life?
6. In preparation for next week read (Philippians 3:12-21).
On Sunday I told you all that I was going to provide a spot for us to talk about some of the legalistic extremes that we have experienced over the years.
I shared a couple of examples this weekend. Here is your chance to share some of yours.
Here are the rules.
NO SPECIFICS about people or places. Keep those details out and remember that there is some of this in all of us!
After you have written your post, sign off with our Skubala verse, Philippians 3:8.
For what it is worth I know that youth sports taught me invaluable lessons as a kid. I have enjoyed watching my kids learn some of these same lessons as they have had opportunity to participate in youth athletics as well. I know that Beth & I have a responsibility to help guide this process and if we aren’t watching we will miss out on these opportunities.
Well, Z-dog’s team lost their Super Bowl game on Saturday but I was very proud of the team for the way they never gave up and kept fighting until the very end. They had a great season and it was a great experience for them all to make it to the big game. The AYL does an excellent job making it a special day for the kids.
I am still wishing they would have won the game, but Zach has already moved on. He had basketball practice yesterday!
Here are a couple of pictures from the big day!
All 4 kids are playing hoops and I am going to help coach Megan’s team this year!
I am getting closer to one of my life goals of helping coach each of my 4 kids’ teams at least once while they are young. If you have any great plays for the 8 year old girls team (besides the “Picket Fence” ~ that one’s already in the play book) let me know!
Later today Z-dog and his team will strap on the pads and head out to the gridiron to play in the Super Bowl.
I am proud of the little guys. This is a real honor to get a chance to play in this game. I hope they play their very best, take care of the ball and ultimately win the big one. That would be so cool to see!
Go Dolphins!
This morning the kids’ school hosted a fun event. They called it Donuts with dad. It was pretty cool to see a bunch of kids with their dads at school early before classes began.
I love hanging out with my kids so it was fun to go to the cafeteria and spend a half hour or so with the troops.
I was reminded of the importance of a dad’s influence and presence in our kids’ lives.
We did have a funny moment when another dad, who is a friend of mine, said to Luke, “You better give your dad a kiss this morning before you head to class“. Luke’s face was priceless. He is way too cool to give his dad a kiss…he did however give me a hug. That was good enough for me! I am blessed with great kids. They make my life fun.
Don’t forget to give your troops a hug tonight!!
Just wanted to give some props to a good friend of mine. I have for years used the services of an accountant that specializes in pastors, tax and law. They have been a serious help to Beth & I and have also been instrumental in helping us at Plum Creek.
If you are a pastor or are part of a non-profit entity these guys are the real deal. Their knowledge is amazing and what they do is a huge blessing! They study all the implications of the annual changes to the tax laws and help churches, non-profits and pastors understand how this impacts what we do.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Steve and his crew!!
Here is their website…be sure to tell them that I sent ya!
http://www.clergysupport.com/
Luke came home from school yesterday and said that he had been given an assignment to write a poem about nature. So being a sunrise fanatic, I used my negotiating skills and Luke decided to get up early to watch the sunrise together.
While we were watching the sunrise he wrote everything down that he was thinking or seeing. It was beautiful.
So without further hesitation, here is the the poem that Luke wrote this morning.
The Sunrise
You have to get up early to see it.
It only lasts for a little bit.
The colors are amazing,
They fill up the whole sky like a painting.
When there are clouds in the sky,
The colors are purple, orange, or even pink to my eye.
When the clouds line up right you can see,
A little beam of blue shining right though.
If you get up too late it will be gone,
But that’s OK just look the other way right before dawn.
Pretty fun to share the sunrise with my son! We should do it more often.
Have a great day!!
This has been the weirdest football season of my life. Between the busyness at church, helping coach Josh’s team, trying to get to as many of Z & Luke’s games, and being gone for nearly a month I haven’t “gotten into” the season as much as I usually do.
Truthfully I couldn’t even name all the guys who are on our team. We (Gary, Stephen & I) participate in a league known as the IGAFFL. The International Global American Fantasy Football League of America. I know that seems a little over the top but we are honored to have a team in the league. Our team is called the MOD Squad. The “Ministers of Defense”.
At the current time I am not sure what we are defending other than our franchise in the league. We currently are in the middle of the pack in our division and have to pick it up to make the playoffs. I hope we can get it done!
By the way…sure wanted Mike Singletary to get his first win last night. He is a good man and was quite a player when he played for the Bears! It will come soon. His passion is contagious.
On another football note, Zach’s Dolphin team made it to the Super Bowl. I am proud of the guys and coaches from his team. I sure hope they get the “W” on Saturday!!
Enough about football…have a great day!
“I Can Impact the World”
Philippians 2:12-18
1. God has been doing some incredible things at Plum Creek. Begin your Journey Group this week sharing your fondest memory in your experience at church. Is there a particular weekend that stands out in your mind? Why does it stand out?
2. In this passage of scripture (Philippians 2:12-18) Paul challenges us as a church to let our lights shine in our community and around the world. How do you think Christ followers are doing in letting our light shine?
3. I talked briefly this week about what it means to be “missional”. This is a personal challenge to you and corporate challenge to us as a church. Talk about this quote, “Although we frequently say, “the church has a mission,” according to missional theology a more correct statement would be ‘the mission has a church’.” What implication does this have for you personally? How about for us at Plum Creek?
4. From this passage of scripture we talked about how we need to aim Five Beams of Light into our world.
The Five Beams we looked at were:
A. The Beam of REVERANT OBEDIENCE (Phil. 2:12)
B. The Beam of RIGHT ATTITUDE (Phil. 2:14-15)
C. The Beam of BLAMELESS LIVING (Phil. 2:15)
D. The Beam of EXTENDED LOVE (Phil. 2:16)
E. The Beam of FAITHFUL SERVICE (Phil. 2:17)
-Reflect as a group on what each of the “beams of light” represent.
-As you look back over this list, why do you think Paul included each of them in his letter to the Philippian church?
-Which of these beams is most challenging to you personally?
-Why do you think living this way stands out so brightly in our culture today?
5. I started off this week talking about the privilege of being part of what God is doing in and through our church.
-What do you think would happen if every one of us that call Plum Creek home would collectively & intentionally aim each of these beams into our city and world?
-Do you think this would be something that would catch the attention of those around us?
-What can you do personally this week to aim these beams into our community?
6. In preparation for next week read Philippians 3:1-11.
One more reminder about this weekend. If you want to be really ready for Sunday you need to read Philippians 2:12-18. It is another great passage and a wonderful challenge to our church.
The NLT says that we should, “let our lives shine brightly” in the world we live in. This is easier said than done. So tomorrow we are going to look more specifically at how we can do this! There is no doubt that it is God’s plan for us to individually allow our lives to be beams of light into our world. I get fired up when I think about the influence of the church doing this collectively.
See you at one of our three services!! (8am, 9:15am or 10:30)
