Grace-Snellville - Teachings | gfc.tv

Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the “Man who didn’t finish his.” It goes something like this: This is the story of the man who didn’t finish his. He was called. His personal details show that he was born in. But no doubt that isn’t. Not much is known about. Whether in sentences or in life, ends matter. Without them, things don’t make much sense. And this is precisely the issue at the heart of 2 Peter. In the coming weeks, we will be learning from this short (and often overlooked) letter that contains a powerful but timely reminder: people who follow Jesus well always keep the end in mind. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: End In Mind // Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes How do we live our lives with the end in mind? This is the question we are diving into headfirst with our new series, “End in Mind,” through the book of 2 Peter. From the start, some of Peter’s last words to the church remind the believers what is most important. In a world of complex multicultural community issues, Peter reminds them that it is their faith that places them all in equal standing. This faith, combined with the grace of God and the knowledge of the person of Christ, gives them everything they need for a life of godliness. But there is a challenge: this gift of God comes in the midst of a corrupt world presenting them (us) with a choice to make. Will they (we) be partakers in the divine nature, or will they (we) remain captive to their (our) sinful desires? Far too often, external temptations and internal doubts keep us from God’s best for our lives. So right from the start of 2 Peter, Peter reminds the church to invest our lives in the things that truly matter and in what will truly last—living as a people of promise in our world. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Start with the end in mind SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What do you think it looks like to live with the end in mind? Why is this important? Who was Peter writing to? (People of faith with equal standing) What was the opportunity for these believers? How does living with the promise of Christ’s return impact that opportunity? How is this opportunity potential robbed by external temptations or internal doubt? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What external temptations are you currently facing? What internal doubts do you have? How might these external temptations and internal doubts potentially rob you of God’s best for your life? How might living with the end in mind change the way you deal with temptations and doubt? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Do you really believe that you have everything you need for a life of godliness in Christ? Why or why not? What do you think it would look like to live with the confidence that you do? What would it look like to live as a person of promise in your world?   BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Tombstone Tweet 10 minutes Take a moment this week to invite your community to think with the end in mind. Encourage your group to think about their funeral (Who will attend? What do you hope it includes? What do you hope others say about you?) Then encourage each group member to write a Tombstone Tweet (140 characters or less) which they hope describes the way that they lived their lives. Give your group 6 minutes to write their personal Tombstone Tweet. Then take a few minutes to share your tweets with each other. Change IN // Spin Cycle 5 minutes

Last Sunday was Easter and our church celebrated the resurrection and triumph over death of our Lord Jesus. We witnessed the baptisms of several people and joyfully welcomed them into family of God. After such a momentous day, many of us may be wondering “now what?” The disciples wondered the same thing. They just witnessed the brutal, public execution of their rabbi and were asking themselves, “Jesus is dead; now what?” when the surprising and joyous news came that the tomb was empty and Jesus was risen. Now they found themselves asking the same question with a very different twist: “Jesus is resurrected; now what?” When we have encountered the risen Lord as the disciples did, we too are faced with a “now what?” question: “Jesus is the Lord of all; now what?” “I decided to follow Jesus; now what?” “I was baptized; now what?” This Sunday morning we will be looking at Matthew 28:11-20 where Jesus invites his disciples, and us, to the mountain to answer the pivotal and very important question of “now what?” DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Now What? //Scripture: Matthew 28:11-2 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Last Sunday was Easter and our church celebrated the resurrection and triumph over death of our Lord Jesus. We witnessed the baptisms of several people and joyfully welcomed them into the family of God. After such a momentous day, many of us may be wondering “now what?” The disciples wondered the same thing. They had just witnessed the brutal, public execution of their rabbi and were asking themselves, “Jesus is dead; now what?” when the surprising and joyous news came that the tomb was empty and Jesus was risen. Now they found themselves asking the same question with a very different twist: “Jesus is resurrected; now what?” When we have encountered the risen Lord as the disciples did, we too are faced with a “now what?” question: “Jesus is the Lord of all; now what?”, “I decided to follow Jesus; now what?”, “I was baptized; now what?” The answer that extends to us can be found in the mission Jesus gave the disciples. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. The mission of God is to make himself known and to restore all things SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What two stories were being told when Jesus left the tomb empty? Why is it important that Jesus said all authority had been given to him? Did the disciples have doubts? What charge did Jesus give his disciples? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Is it enough just to answer the call to come to the mountain or do we see ourselves as an essential element in God’s mission of restoration? What can cause us to doubt what we heard from God on the mountain? What are some disciplines that keep us on mission? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Who are our spiritual mothers and fathers? How do we often view those we’d consider outside of the family of God? What are some assumptions about who has heard the gospel? How can we help make disciples of all nations? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Know Your Praise 5 minutes Go to the mountain (the place where you go to spend time with God) this week to intentionally ask God for his direction in understanding your place in his mission of restoration. Psalm 40 is a good prompt for reflection and prayer. Read through this Psalm two or three times taking notice of the things that stand out to you. Where has God brought healing, purpose, and transformation in your life? Respond to God with worship and thanks.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was crucified and buried just before sunset on the Sabbath. The finality of the sealed stone must have been an unimaginable gut-punch of disappointment for everyone who had placed hopes and dreams in the one they called Messiah. Perhaps even the angels–who “long to look into these things” (1 Pet. 1:12)–were on edge as they waited for what was to come. Then, “toward the dawn of the first day of the week” (Matt. 28:1), a handful of Jesus’ disciples entered the empty tomb and encountered their Risen Lord. In the days that followed, many others met Jesus alive; on one occasion, the Apostle Paul says there were “more than 500 at one time” (1 Cor. 15:6). And so out of despair and discouragement came a vibrant movement of people so convinced of Jesus’ resurrection that their faith reverberates through the centuries even to our own day. This Easter, I have been thinking about a very simple question: what if we actually believed in the resurrection? DOWNLOADS

This week brings us to Palm Sunday, where we remember Jesus’ entering into Jerusalem the final week of his earthly life. The crowds were enthusiastically shouting, “Hosanna!” while the religious leaders were nervously trying to calm things down. Jesus’ response was insightful: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Join us Sunday as we consider: what would those stones have said? The answer may surprise you. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Stones // Scripture: Luke 19:28–44 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week brings us to Palm Sunday, where we remember Jesus’ entering into Jerusalem the final week of his earthly life. The crowds were enthusiastically shouting, “Hosanna!” while the religious leaders were nervously trying to calm things down. Jesus’ response was insightful: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Revelation can bring clarity when reason is cloudy. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What were the people gathered in Jerusalem hoping for in a coming Messiah or new king? Jesus deserved the praise! Did those shouting, “Hosanna” understand the kind of king He was proclaiming to be? What revelation had the rocks seen that would make their praise come alive? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Can I shout, “Hosanna” to a king who is lowly and riding on a donkey instead of a warhorse? What are the “stones” that mark God-moments in my life? Is my reason cloudy at times? Do I get swept up in emotion or keep emotions at arms length? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  The way I respond to what God reveals about himself says a lot about my relationship with him. Where can the revelation God has given me bring clarity in how I view myself? My neighbor? The nations or the next generation? What could I give away if I knew I had it? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Know Your Praise 5 minutes Aaron challenged us to remember the revelation God has given us. Take time to write an account of who you have seen God to be in your life—in your story. Write down that revelation. If you don’t have it, ask for it. Change IN //  Grow Your Displays  Where have I misunderstood or mocked Jesus or his kingdom? The stones of condemnation that were dropped when Jesus met the woman accused of adultery remind us that God does not condemn us. Name those things that have accused you and held you in fear and imagine the thud as those stones fall to the ground. In response to forgiveness, step out of a comfort zone this week and take a bodily posture that reflects something you want in your life. If you don’t like raising your hands or don’t feel like worshipping, raise your hands because you want it. Get on your knees if you want humility. Stand with your hands open in a posture of giving or receiving if you want generosity or to believe you can receive forgiveness and blessing. Remain in this posture a few minutes and listen for God to speak. If you don’t hear anything specifically for you, don’t be discouraged. Try it again another day! The Father is delighted in your presence! Change OUT // Show Hallelujah Anyway  Find one way to live out praise to God even in a place that feels clouded by reason alone. In other words, don’t wait on a feeling of confidence but look for a way to show your family, friends or co-workers what reliance on God looks like CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each oth...

Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness led to three years of remarkable clarity and resolve as he taught, healed, and journeyed toward crucifixion in Jerusalem. The principle is clear: fasting fosters focus. What is our focus? And is our view of the world around us in focus? This week, we have the very special privilege of Kenny Schmitt teaching the Scripture. Kenny has spent the better part of the last seven years living with his family in Jerusalem and finishing his PhD dissertation on cities in conflict. Far more than a mere academic, however, Kenny has lived with and loved on people embroiled in a conflict that most commentators call the world’s most complex. In addition, Kenny lived in Buddy’s basement, spent several years as Grace’s high school pastor, and is my close friend. He and his young family will be moving back to Jerusalem in April, and I’m extremely excited for you to hear what God has taught him about finding focus and making peace in the heart of conflict. If you want to read ahead in preparation, Luke 19 would be a good place to start. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: The Working and Weeping of Peace // Scripture: Luke 13:31-34, 19:41-42 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week Kenny Schmitt continued our series Fast by talking with us about the “The Working and Weeping of Peace”. Peace is something everyone wants. But peace usually doesn’t come easy. Peacemaking is rarely peaceful. It sometimes includes pushback. However, peace is possible in every place and in every situation. So how do we become people who weep and work for peace? Peacemaking requires critique and compassion. It takes courage! Peacemaking is costly, but it is worth it. This way of peace we see modeled in Jesus throughout the book of Luke. He speaks not simply out of anger but out of a better way of life. As the architect of peace Jesus speaks prophetic words that disturb the status quo and challenge all those around Him to a different way of life. He gives His life to make peace and invites us not just into peace but also His way of peace. So, where does your life need peace and how might you live with the critique, compassion, and courage of Jesus to bring peace wherever you go? THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Peacemaking is rarely peaceful. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): Why was Jesus weeping in this passage? How did Jesus disturb the status quo? How did Jesus act with both critique and compassion? How did Jesus demonstrate courage? What did bringing peace cost Jesus? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where does your life need peace? Where does your neighborhood or community need peace? What critique and compassion needs to be seen and heard in this place? What would it look like for you to be courageous in making peace? How might pushing and pressing in for peace in this place cost you? How would working through the cost for peace be worth it? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?):  What would it look like to live your life as a continual peacemaker? Where are the places in your work or neighborhood that need to be wept over? What might it look like to be a continual presence of peace in this place? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Peace Time 5 minutes Take some time this week to join God in silence. Spend at least one minute in silence together as you contemplate peace in our world. Invite God to speak as you are silent. In the silence listen for a word or picture from God. Enjoy the peace of the silence. Share anything God might have given you in a word...

In this portion of Matthew, Jesus underwest testing, not so much of his body but of his very soul. His success in the wilderness foreshadowed his victory on the cross because, as Jesus demonstrated, the real battle is won through aligning ourselves with God and his Word in the wilderness of our soul searching and soul keeping. In his baptism, Jesus received the remarkable signs of his identity and calling. But while the assumption would be that his clarity of calling meant everything would be good and easy, the Spirit led Jesus into severe testing in the wilderness. Jesus’ responses to the attacks of the enemy teach us how we can leave the refining tests of the wilderness full of the power of the Spirit just like Jesus did. In the wilderness, Jesus didn’t attempt to dialogue with the devil; he steadfastly depended on the Word of God. In doing so, Jesus shows us the importance of aligning our soul (will, mind and body) to God’s Word, and of integrating a deep longing and dependence on God in our daily lives. As we step into the invitation of fasting this week, may we quiet ourselves before God and direct our soul searching towards Jesus, confident in the fact that He is the one who restores our souls and in whom we can find true rest. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Fast 3: Justice // Scripture: Isaiah 58 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In this portion of Matthew, Jesus underwest testing, not so much of his body but of his very soul. His success in the wilderness foreshadowed his victory on the cross because, as Jesus demonstrated, the real battle is won through aligning ourselves with God and his Word in the wilderness of our soul searching and soul keeping. In his baptism, Jesus received the remarkable signs of his identity and calling. But while the assumption would be that his clarity of calling meant everything would be good and easy, the Spirit led Jesus into severe testing in the wilderness. Jesus’ responses to the attacks of the enemy teach us how we can leave the refining tests of the wilderness full of the power of the Spirit just like Jesus did. In the wilderness, Jesus didn’t attempt to dialogue with the devil; he steadfastly depended on the Word of God. In doing so, Jesus shows us the importance of aligning our soul (will, mind and body) to God’s Word, and of integrating a deep longing and dependence on God in our daily lives. As we step into the invitation of fasting this week, may we quiet ourselves before God and direct our soul searching towards Jesus, confident in the fact that He is the one who restores our souls and in whom we can find true rest. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Soul keeping—the restoration of the soul—comes through integration and alignment of our soul in Christ alone. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What was the outcome of Jesus’ baptism? Why did Jesus need to be baptized in the first place? How did Jesus respond to the enemy in the wilderness? What can we learn about our own soul keeping from Jesus’ example? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): In your soul searching, how has God been inviting you into confirmation of your identity and calling? Where are you recognizing the attacks of the enemy in your own life? In your responses, how can you align your soul to God? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Where do you see a need for restoration of the broken, rebuilding of the downtrodden, and reintegration of the soul in your area of influence? Where is God inviting you to proclaim Jesus as the hope and restorer of our soul...

This week we continued our series on Fasting by looking at the theme of Justice in our fasting. In Isaiah 58, the people of God find themselves in a tenuous position. They are fasting, but not seeing very many results. Their expectation of God’s goodness and their experience of God’s goodness seem to lie in two very different places. Compounded by a cultural current where everyone is believing that every religion leads to the same place, Israel begins to wonder whether following God is worth it. They are fasting, but it isn’t working. And it is into this situation that Isaiah reveals to the people that their motives and practices around their fasting are coming from wrong places. They are seeking God’s blessing on their lives but what they are seeking will produce oppression instead of blessing in others. This week Jon challenged us to become “one just person” by aligning our hearts for fasting with the heart of God—a heart that is moved by injustice and longs to be a blessing to the least in our neighborhoods and communities. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Fast 3: Justice // Scripture: Isaiah 58 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This week we continued our series on Fasting by looking at the theme of Justice in our fasting. In Isaiah 58, the people of God find themselves in a tenuous position. They are fasting, but not seeing very many results. Their expectation of God’s goodness and their experience of God’s goodness seem to lie in two very different places. Compounded by a cultural current where everyone is believing that every religion leads to the same place, Israel begins to wonder whether following God is worth it. They are fasting, but it isn’t working. And it is into this situation that Isaiah reveals to the people that their motives and practices around their fasting are coming from wrong places. They are seeking God’s blessing on their lives but what they are seeking will produce oppression instead of blessing in others. This week Jon challenged us to become “one just person” by aligning our hearts for fasting with the heart of God—a heart that is moved by injustice and longs to be a blessing to the least in our neighborhoods and communities. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Fruitful fasting is motivated by the blessing of others, not the oppression of others. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What is your expectation of God’s goodness in your life (v. 1-10)? What is your experience of God’s goodness in your life? Where does your score place you on the Expectation/Experience Matrix that Jon shared on Sunday? (Steadfast, Seeking, Sad, Straying) What does Isaiah say is the difference between a futile fast (v. 1-5) and a fruitful fast (v. 6-7)? (blessing vs. oppression) Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What part of Jon’s message this week challenged you the most? How do your motives for life and fasting need to change? What is the difference between fasting for the blessing of others and fasting in a way that oppresses others? What one place in your life might you need to consider changing to help bring justice to others? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What yokes or systems might need to be broken in your community? How can you become “one just person” helping to break these yokes? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // One Just Person Jon challenged us this week amid the overwhelming needs and issues in our world to not attempt to solve all the world’s problems, but to simply become “One Just Person.” At Grace, we have tried to embrace this idea for years.

Hey everybody, Benton Cranford here. I have a big announcement if you haven’t heard already, my wife and I are expecting our first child! We couldn’t be more excited… and also afraid. We have been making appointments and signing up for classes, and I have been waiting for the “how to be a dad” class. I have been recently informed that there is no class like that. Well, what do I do? Where do I go? For you, it may not be a baby, but there are sometimes when you have a sense of fear and feel unsure about your situation. This Sunday as we continue our series on fasting we will look a story found in 2 Chronicles 20, to find our remedy. So join us this Sunday… and your unsure situations are welcome too! DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Fast 1: Partnering With God // Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In our second week of learning more about the Biblical discipline of fasting, we turn to a time in the history of the kingdom of Judah when Jehoshaphat was faced with a siege of enemies. Even in his fear he remembered to seek God and called all of Judah to a fast. All the men, women and children came together not only to abstain from food but also to listen to God. He spoke through one of the prophets to tell them they would be delivered without even having to fight. The king reminded everyone to believe everything that God had said and sent the musicians out ahead of the army to give thanks for what God was about to do. Judah took a stand with confidence believing that the Lord their God would bring victory for his glory. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. With faith in Jesus we can walk into unsure difficulty knowing that the victory is the Lord’s. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What was facing Jehoshaphat? What were his choices? What strategy did Jehoshaphat choose? What happened when Judah made room for God? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Where has your family been under siege? Where is the next generation under siege? In times of trouble how do you seek God? How have you or others in your life taken a stand? What did God do? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Are any of your neighbors or friends facing something that feels like a siege is underway? Where is there a need for someone to “stand up” and partner with what God is doing? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Exercise Jehoshaphat sent the singers and musicians out ahead of the army to give thanks before the victory was seen with their own eyes. Take time this week to write down reasons you are grateful to God. Turn that gratitude into fuel for worship by speaking, singing or shouting out your list of thanks! It doesn’t have to sound pretty to be a beautiful expression of worship. Change IN // Group Activity Call your family or a small group to a fast on behalf of a school, people group or neighbor. After the fast, talk about what God is saying about a place to “stand up” and partner with him Change OUT // Life Application Assignment If you are able, commit to fasting at least one meal this week and use that time to pray and seek God about a place in your life where you feel afraid or under siege. Remember the victory Jesus has won on your behalf and listen for assurance of God’s provision for you. CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.

When I was in high school, a friend invited me to participate in an event called “The 30 Hour Famine” where we would raise money for those lacking food by fasting 30 hours. To my 14-year-old stomach, however, the word “fast” was totally misleading since those 30 hours seemed like the slowest moving time of my entire young life. Since then, my appreciation for the spiritual practice of fasting has grown considerably. The word “fasting” actually comes from the idea of being secure or firm. Sometimes we say things like “the ship held fast during the storm” or “the soldiers stood fast during the attack” to suggest a similar idea. And so “fasting” evokes the idea that when we choose to abstain from something that normally would sustain us (food, water, Netflix…) for a period of time, it will demonstrate and develop a certain “firmness” in our lives. This week marks the first Sunday of Lent, which is the Church season leading up to Good Friday and Easter. During Lent, many followers of Jesus choose to fast in various ways. In the coming weeks, we will explore the Bible’s perspective on fasting, which is surprisingly powerful and diverse. The Apostle Paul reminds us that for followers of Jesus, fasting is optional… but it is also available (Col. 2:16). This week, we will catch our first glimpse of what, exactly, fasting makes available as we read Leviticus 16 together. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Fast 1: Atonement // Scripture: Leviticus 16:1-34, 23:26-32 Hebrews 9:11-28 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes We began this year as a church concentrating on prayer, and for the last several weeks we have been focusing on how to Pray Like Jesus. This week we started a new series by doubling down on our commitment to prayer by beginning a new series on fasting. Fasting is about learning to abstain for a period of time from what usually sustains us. While fasting is only commanded once in the Bible, this week Jon showed us the way the practice of fasting opens up to us a different way of life. Fasting helps us reset, respond, and produce profound results in our lives and in our world as we take note of our grievous condition and God’s miraculous atonement. This year as we walk through Lent (a historical season of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Easter), we wanted to practice this spiritual discipline together for our lives, our community, and our world. THE MAIN THOUGHTkeep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Fasting does not produce forgiveness, rather fasting is the response to forgiveness. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What is fasting? Why do we fast? (reset, response, result) What does fasting look like? What creative kinds of fasts have you heard of? What kinds of fasts have you participated in the past? How does fasting connect our body to our mind and spirit? What results have you seen or heard about from fasting? Where in Scripture do you see people fasting? What were the results of this fasting? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What places in your life need to be reset? What places in our culture need to be reset? What places in our community need to be reset? How do these grievous moments encourage us into a response of fasting? Where do these places need atonement (AT-ONE-MENT) from God? What might coming to AT-ONE-MENT with God in these places look like? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How does fasting keep us tender to our own needs, our community’s needs, and the needs of our world? How might living with this tenderness affect your life?

Do you ever find yourself saying things you don’t actually mean? A few examples from my life: “These onions are delicious!” “Don’t worry about it!” “I’m fine, really.” It’s not that I intend to mislead anyone, but rather that in the quick exchanges of my daily conversation I sometimes say things out of habit or expectation that, upon later reflection, do not in fact line up with what I really felt or thought. Maybe you can relate. And if you can, maybe you (like me) will find Jesus’ two prayers from the cross in Luke 23 absolutely stunning in their honesty and intent. I pray that one day I could pray like that. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Pray Like Jesus 6: From the Cross // Scripture: Luke 23:32–49 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In Luke 23, Jesus’ two prayers from the cross are absolutely stunning in their honesty and intent. In a moment when everything seems wrong and everyone is attacking him, Jesus’ response is confident, powerful prayer. Jesus’ reaction is the result of years of cultivating connection to God through prayer in the face of the certainty of suffering. It empowers him to extend forgiveness to the very ones who are causing his suffering. We are warned in scripture that suffering will happen and that persecution is inevitable. Jesus’ example shows that the certainty of suffering doesn’t mean we are resigned to it. He gives up his life to provide for the redemption of injustice and suffering. We can count on the power of prayer to fight against the meaningless and inevitable suffering of this broken world, and trust Jesus to brings true redemption through the suffering. Authentic prayer in the midst of suffering transforms us and restores beauty and hope. Jesus confidently brings the end of suffering by giving his life to ensure that mankind will be redeemed and that everything will be set right—the veil is torn, suffering ends, hope is restored. The promise that God is with us, and will be with us, empowers us to confidently demonstrate forgiveness and redemption through prayer just as Jesus did. THE MAIN THOUGHTkeep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Forgiveness and redemption can be found and extended through confident prayer in the face of certain suffering. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): How did Jesus react to the certainty of suffering? How did Jesus model cultivating a right response to tough times? What does Jesus show is the purpose of suffering? How does Jesus challenge us to bring redemption through suffering? What is the hope of suffering? How does Jesus give us confidence in the hope that suffering will end? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What have you faced or are you facing that felt or feels like suffering? How have you, or are you, responding to those situations? As you consider those trials, how is God inviting you to step into a redemptive role? How does the promise that suffering will end inform the way you enter into those moments of suffering now? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How can we help those around us become aware of the true goodness of God and move from ignorance to understanding? How is God inviting you to enter into the suffering of others to intercede for them and help them find redemption in the midst of suffering? Who is God asking you to help see the hope that all suffering will end? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes Take a few moments to consider the suffering that you or someone in your group is experiencing.

They call it the Super Bowl. It’s the game that many of us have been waiting for since the football season began. This Sunday night millions of people will rearrange their normal schedules to make room to watch this football game together with dozens of friends, family and perfect strangers. Thankfully, no team from Georgia will be in the big game—I say that not because I don’t like the Falcons, but simply because I’m just not sure our state can handle another let down. Some of us will be tuned into every moment of the game. Others of us will only tune in for the commercials. And on Monday the debate will begin. Did the best team win? What commercial stole the show? Are the Patriots the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time)? Or if you’re a little more cynical, How did the Patriots cheat this time? (HA!—pretty sure Chris Roudebush added this line) As Americans, we love these kinds of questions. All of us long to be great. Everyone is looking for a path to greatness. And most of the time, our path to greatness simply involves comparing ourselves with each other. And it is into this kind of conversation that Jesus teaches us to pray in ways that change our understanding of greatness altogether. So come join us Sunday as we continue learning how to “Pray Like Jesus”. Trust me, it’s going to be a GREAT day! DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Pray Like Jesus 5: The Greatest Prayer Ever // Scripture: Luke 22 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes What is greatness? It’s as important what Jesus does not say as what He does say. He doesn’t say that they shouldn’t want to be great. It’s just that his pathway to greatness is different than the world’s. It’s not about your position, it’s about working from the security of your identity. From there, you can lower yourself and serve others. What does prayer have to do with greatness? Prayer of Thanksgiving (Luke 22:14) calls us back to see what we have been given. Prayer of Relinquishment (Luke 22:39) is about the surrendering of what we’ve been given. Jesus is saying to us, “Come to my table, give thanks before the greatness happens, relinquish and surrender your life, because as you do, you will find what it means to be truly human.” THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Prayer creates in us the atmosphere of greatness SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): What is the Prayer of Thanksgiving about? What is the Prayer of Relinquishment about? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): How is Jesus’ pathway to greatness different than that of the world? Do you tend to strive for greatness or find yourself apathetic toward it? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How do you see practicing the Prayer of Thanksgiving changing the way you see what’s around you? Is the Prayer of Relinquishment a part of that, too? How? BE IT – Practice 15 minutes Change UP // Exercise 10 minutes Our desire is that the things that marked Jesus’ life will mark ours. Take one minute of silence and ask the Lord to speak words or give you pictures of what He wants you to know about that right now. Then spend time sharing as you feel led and praying for each other to press into those revelations. Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes Talk about the example Dave gave of the Chinese finger trap. How do you see that as a picture of relinquishment or pressing into Him instead of pulling away from something that doesn’t feel like goodness? Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes As you go into your week,

Have you ever set out to learn something? Perhaps it was a skill like driving a car, knitting a cap, or hitting a good forehand volley in tennis? Or maybe it was how to speak a foreign language? Or how to succeed in your job? What sparked your desire to learn? A need? An opportunity? A delight in the possibility? A vision of what was possible once you’d acquired that particular capability? In Luke 11, Jesus’ disciples see him praying and say to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” What sparked their desire? And what did Jesus teach them? This week, we’ll explore these questions and hopefully learn a greater depth of prayer from Jesus’ words about how we might intimately approach the infinite God who works in our imminent needs. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Pray Like Jesus 4: Jesus Teaches Prayer // Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, 18:1-8 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes This year we have been pressing into prayer through our series “Pray Like Jesus.” Already we have seen the priority and pattern of prayer in Jesus’ life. We have also seen how prayer affects our identity. This week we learned through the Lord’s Prayer how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This is important because we live in a world where all kinds of people are teaching people how to pray. In this week’s passage, the disciples ask Jesus how they can learn to pray like him. Jesus’ answer is astonishing, as he gives them a simplified version of the Lord’s Prayer. In this prayer, the themes of Hallowed Father, the Kingdom come, daily Bread, relational Forgiveness and avoiding Temptation emerge. These 5 themes can guide our own time of prayer with God. Even more, as we learn in verses that follow his teaching on prayer, we can participate in prayer because of our assurance of the goodness of God who wants to give his children good gifts. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Prayer is not about reminding God to be good to us, but instead it is refining us to receive His goodness. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture  (What is the story saying?): Jon talked about how we all come from different traditions regarding how we pray. How have you been taught to pray in the past? What caught your attention most about the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray? What were the 5 themes of Jesus’ prayer in Luke 11? (Hallowed Father, Kingdom, Bread, Forgiveness, Temptation) Which of these 5 themes stood out to you most? Why? Mirror  (Where am I in the story?): Jon challenged us about our desire to pray—to learn to pray like Jesus. How would you characterize your desire to learn to pray? Why? How is your desire to pray affected when it feels like God isn’t answering? How has your passion for prayer turned into perseverance? Or how has it faded when God has answered your request immediately? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): We learned that often the passion of our prayer life is affected by our view of God. What views of God do you have that might be affecting your prayer life? How would believing that God is good change the way that you pray—even when bad things are happening? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Pause to Pray Take a moment this week to pray slowly through the Lord’s Prayer together. Read each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer and pause, inviting the group to grab hold of and pray through the phrase. Invite the group to explore each phrase thinking about who God is (intimate and infinite), what God is doing (where the Kingdom has and needs to come), where they are asking God to provide (their needs),

Jerry Seinfeld jokes that public speaking is the number one fear for the average person. Number two is death. This means, he quips, that for the average person, “If you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.” Why can public speaking be so unsettling? As one who does it fairly often (and still regularly gets nervous butterflies), I think public speaking is frightening because it requires that we take something internal (like our thoughts, feelings, or stories) and make it externally public. In Luke 9 we find the curious story of Jesus’ transfiguration, when his internal reality became externally visible. It was beautiful, glorious, and awe-inspiring. It also drew out aspects of the disciples’ true identities. And it was all linked to prayer. Is it possible that what for many of us is a number one fear might actually be a number one necessity? I’m looking forward to examining this Scripture together and… letting it examine us. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Pray Like Jesus 3: True Identity // Scripture: Luke 9:18–36 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes In Luke 9 we find the curious story of Jesus’ transfiguration, when his internal reality became externally visible; it was beautiful, glorious, and awe-inspiring. It also drew out aspects of the disciples’ true identities, and it was all linked to prayer. Prayer is a journey through ourselves into a recognition of who we are, our true condition, and the God who is ready to transform our lives and reveal our true heart. Above the expectations of the crowd and agendas of His followers, Jesus emerged with a crystal clear understanding of his true identity. As the disciples followed Jesus in this journey of prayer, they encountered Him as both the model for focused discipleship and the master who is fully divine. They imitated Jesus and grew in their understanding of who He is. In the process, Jesus revealed Himself as the one who can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, transforming their greatest failures and smallest gifts into testimonies of His grace and power. Like Peter and the disciples, we can confidently and unashamedly follow Jesus through prayer to a deeper understanding of who God has made us to be, trusting above all fears that if He is for us none can be against us. With this confident understanding of our identities we can live, not to avoid misery, but to go out to those in need. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Prayer is a vehicle for discovering and experiencing God’s crystal clear affirmation of our true self and identity. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture  (What is the story saying?): What was the people’s expectation of Jesus? What was Peter’s agenda for Jesus? How did Jesus ensure He maintained crystal clear focus on His true identity and direction? How can the Prayer of Examen empower us to a deeper understanding of our own true identity and direction? What are some others sources we can also rely on? Mirror  (Where am I in the story?): How has your own expectation and agenda impacted your understanding of Jesus? What are some ways you can be conscious of His presence at work in your daily life? What are some ways you can invite Jesus to examine your conscience and cleanse your brokenness this week? Window  (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How can a heightened consciousness of God at work in your daily life impact the way you interact wi...

Have you ever been distracted? Maybe the very strange word in the subject line of this email was distracting enough that you opened this email sooner than you expected. Simply put, “paraprosexia” is a psychological condition characterized by the inability to pay attention to any one thing. In other words, it is a “state of constant distraction.” Even though “paraprosexia” usually applies to patients suffering from brain injury, I feel like most of my own efforts to pray become something like “prayeraprosexia.” And, based on the research of our culture, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. Consider the impact of our phones, for example. Recent research indicates that the average phone user touches his or her phone 2,617 time each day. Apple recently stated that its iPhone users unlock their phones 80 times per day, which comes out to about six or seven times every hour. Oh, and research out of UC-Irvine found that every time we are interrupted or distracted, it takes us about 25 minutes to reengage in our original task. No wonder it can be challenging to pray! Fortunately, Jesus can help us. No, he didn’t have to deal with iPhones. But he did have thousands of people following him around everywhere. This week, we will learn from Luke 5-6 to pray like Jesus when distractions abound. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Where and When // Scripture: Luke 5:15–16, 6:12–16 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes Last week we saw that the heavens opened when Jesus prayed at the moment of His baptism. This marked Jesus as a person of prayer in his public ministry of teaching, shepherding and healing. Faced with his own distractions, Jesus had a pattern of withdrawing to pray. As his fame grew and the crowds got bigger and pressed in with demand on his time, He sought out a consistent place to pray. He wasn’t simply seeking privacy or down time. He was prioritizing solitude, which Eugene Peterson defines as, “stepping back from the company of others so we can become aware of how to serve them.” He leaned into prayer with a greater capacity because of the habit He’d developed and He came away with an awareness from his Heavenly Father of the twelve men He needed to invest in the most. This was both important and urgent as Jesus saw the need for men who would continue the kingdom work after his departure. THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Choosing a time (when) and place (where) to pray will open a connection with God and He will help with the what and how. SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): In this story we see the potential for Jesus to be overwhelmed with requests from people. What sorts of distractions were present for Jesus? How did Jesus respond to the crowds? What choices did Jesus have about where and how He would spend his time? What seemed urgent and important to Jesus? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Though fame is likely not a factor in the types of distractions we face, we still have things pressing in for our time. Are there things that cause patterns of distraction in your life? Have you had a season in life when you had a clearly defined time and place for prayer? Have you ever had a need for an “all nighter” of prayer to discern God’s heart for something? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Jesus’ awareness of what the crowds needed was defined by what He discerned from prayer, and He balanced his ministry around those needs rather than getting swamped by the urgent. Are there places where you are on the verge of burnout? What could solitude free you to see?

Jesus defined discipleship in two words: “Follow me.” I doubt the first disciples knew everything they were getting into when they left their fishing nets to follow him. But surely they, like many of us, knew enough about the beauty that flowed from Jesus’ life in order to follow Jesus with hopes of becoming like him. They, like us, surely longed to live in truth and freedom like Jesus lived in truth and freedom. They, like us, surely desired to love God and neighbor like Jesus loved God and neighbor. They, like us, surely dreamed of making a difference in the world like Jesus made a difference in the world. But did they–do we?!–understand that none of those other things are possible until they learned to pray like Jesus prayed? This week, we will read from the third chapter of Luke’s Gospel and begin seeing what it means to pray like Jesus. DOWNLOADS SEE IT // BE IT (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE) Title: Prayer is There // Scripture: Luke 3:21-22 ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out. SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes What is the most effective and impactful thing you could do this year? When people answer that question, many things come to mind. Living in a season of New Year resolutions, there are many things we have committed to do. However, one thing might not be on your list of resolutions- prayer. If you look at Jesus’ life and ministry, prayer was at the center of His most impactful work. That’s why this New Year we, at Grace Snellville, have decided to start our year with a series on Prayer— learning to pray the way Jesus prayed. This week Jon kicked off this series by calling our attention to the life and ministry of Jesus and the way it all was inaugurated through prayer. In Luke 3, we see Jesus in the waters of baptism. In this passage we see as Jesus prays the heavens are opened and words are spoken—words that dramatically affect the way Jesus lived. The life of Eden is re-established as Jesus lived with an open heaven throughout His life. The doorway between God and man bursts open through Jesus’ life. Which leaves us with a question—If Jesus opened the door of heaven with God and man, are we living with that door open in our lives or have we closed it? THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion. Prayer is there—God is willing and waiting to work in our lives and in our world . SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes Picture (What is the story saying?): Jon started his sermon this week by talking about the way many people have chosen words for their hopes and dreams this New Year—what word signifies what you are hoping or dreaming for most this year? Why did you choose this word? What’s your reaction to Jon saying our word this year at Grace is prayer? What place did we see in this week’s sermon that prayer had in Jesus’ life and ministry? How did prayer affect the way Jesus lived and worked? Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What place does prayer have in your life? How would you rate your prayer life? Why? What struggles do you have with prayer? What successes have you had in your prayer life? What might it look like to center your life in prayer this year? Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): This week, Jon talked about the way Jesus’ life and ministry was signified by an open heaven— in Christ, God rent the heavens and the space between God and man was re-established. What do you think it looks like to live with an open heaven? How does that change or challenge your view of prayer? What supernatural affect might that have on the way you live? BE IT – Practice Change UP // Prayer Partners