7/29/2019 Sermon and Devotional Guide - Week Five

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CONNECT (Consider & Share)

1. Read and reflect on the following quote in light of your experience with the GO Initiative. Share your thoughts and

feelings about it. What is your typical answer when challenge, demand and risk come your way?

What really matters when God calls you to do something is not whether or not you feel inadequate. Of course you feel inadequate. Of course you will;

you are inadequate. So am I. Thats why God promises to go with us. What matters is your decision. Only people who say yes to challenge, demand, and

risk are ever fully alive.- John Ortberg

GROW (Discuss and Learn)

Read and Reflect on Joshua 1:1-18

2. Why do you think Joshua and the people of Israel needed to be encouraged by the Lord four times in the first chapter

of the book with the message: Be strong and courageous!? What do you think caused them to feel inadequate and

fearful about what God was asking them to do and where he was sending calling them to go?

3. What assurances and promises did the Lord give the people of Israel when he charged them to go take possession of

the promised land? What expectations and instructions did the Lord give them regarding howthey were suppose to go

take possession?

4. What negative thoughts and feelings are you wrestling with as you prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do

regarding this initiative? What message of encouragement do you really need to hear from the Lord to GO where God

is sending you to GO?

5. What do you think of the peoples response to Joshuas leadership: Whatever you have commanded us, we will do,

and wherever you send us, we will go.? How does one get to a place of making this kind of commitment? Where are

you in the faith journey of making this kind of commitment.

SERVE (Apply and Take Action) (break into groups of 3 or 4 people)

6. How do you sense the Holy Spirit is stirring you to act upon the three main aspects of the GO Initiative? Write youranswers in the blank, share them with one another, and then pray for the strength and courage act on our

commitment.

Move In __________________________________________________________________ Move Out ________________________________________________________________

Move Forward _____________________________________________________________

Dont forget to consider subgrouping!

(groups of 3-4 people)

commit to go ::a sermon discussion guide

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7/29/2019 Sermon and Devotional Guide - Week Five

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commit to go ::a daily devotional guide

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be sure to check out this weeks video atwww.gorichwoods.org !

Sunday, March 17 - Ruth 1:16-18

Ruth was determined to go with her mother-in-law Naomi in the most difficult of circumstances. She willingly chose the

hard road over easy street. When have you followed this example of Ruths in your faith journey? How did God grow you

and bless you? Where do you sense God is moving you to go with him at this time?

Monday, March 18 - Matthew 26:41 (The Message)

How much do you identify with the lazy old dog sleeping by the fire when it comes to following Jesus? In what ways areyou eager, ready for anything in God? How is the Spirit compelling you to commit yourself to God? Write it down, and

share it with someone.

Tuesday, March 19 - Acts 14:21-22

We must go through suffering/hardship to enter and engage in the kingdom of God. What suffering/hardship have you

experienced as a direct result of living out your faith in Christ? What kind of commitment does it take to endure suffering/

hardship for Christs sake?

Wednesday, March 20 - Haggai 1:3-9

The people of Israel were so preoccupied with the condition of their own houses that they neglected the Lords house.

They were more concerned about making their life work well than about making a big deal of God. Where are you too

busy investing in your own kingdom at the expense of investing in Gods kingdom? How is God challenging you to

reallocate your time, energy, talents, and other resources to make big deal of him?

Thursday, March 21 - Haggai 1:3-9

In this passage, the Lord challenged the people of Israel through the prophet Haggai - on two separate occasions - to

give careful thought to their ways. What did the Lord want them to see about how they were living life? When was the

last time you slowed down enough to take an good, honest look at your way of life? Take some time now, and make more

time later this week, to give careful thought to how you are living life.

Friday, March 22 - Acts 5:17-32

When questioned and threatened by the High Priest to stop teaching in the name of Jesus, Peter and the apostles

replied: We must obey God rather than human beings! What kind of commitment did it take for the apostles to be able

to say these words and back them up with their actions? No matter the persecution or pain, suffering or hardship, the

apostles were "all in" for Jesus - on his terms. Take time to reflect on your commitment to following Christ. What holds

you back from going "all in" for Jesus - on his terms? Which is the greater risk: to obey God, or to follow men?

Saturday, March 23 - Acts 5:33-42

After defying the High Priest and before being let go, the apostles wereflogged and ordered not to speak in the name of

Jesus. What is the potential cost of our decision to obey God rather than men? The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing

because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. What blessing did the apostlesfind

in obeying God rather than men? If you were in their shoes, would you be able to rejoice in your suffering and pain? How

does this thought impact your perspective on suffering/hardship in your own life?

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