The Gathering

What gets in the way of celebrating others? Easy to feel like God owes me something. Easy to grumble when others are being celebrated. It was the older son's self-righteousness that separated him from the father. Need to celebrate anytime someone who is lost finds a relationship with God. Inability to celebrate others is a warning sign one is drifting from the heart of God.

How can we in the Church relate to the Father? God loves in a prodigal way, a way that is extravagant. Jesus came to change our minds about God. God longs for hurt and broken people to come home. Our heart should align with the Father's and be bent towards the people outside the church.

How much effort do we put into the people who aren't here? The way we care about our possessions is how God cares about his people. God wants us to also care this much about people. The Church exists for those outside the church. Too many approach the church as consumers. The church is not here just to serve us. Pay attention to those around you.

Who is the Church for? As a church we exist for others, not for ourselves. God cares deeply about those who are lost. In some ways all of us are lost. It is easy to feel like the church isn't for me. All of us, at one point, felt far away from God.

What does faithfulness to God look like? Faith should impact how we live our lives. Faithfulness is clumsy willingness, not perfect obedience. Faithfulness is toddler trust instead of blind certainty. Faithfulness is unwavering loyalty over being a fair weather fan. Tend to our relationship with God.

Who or what is the Christian's source of self-control? Self Control comes from the Spirit of God living in us. Spirit come drive so people can see my faith on the outside.

What does it mean to be people of Kindness, Goodness and Gentleness? Kindness is ability to make space for others to be less than perfect. We are to do good, not just avoid doing wrong. Meekness asks us to consider what we do with the power/influence we have.

What does it look like to have Biblical patience in your life? The opposite of patience is giving up hope. Patience is working and trusting.

How do we explain the things that happen in our life? The Bible never said "Everything happens for a reason", people use phrase as a comfort, can lead to human indifference, God is always at work for good in our lives, God has a purpose and plan for our lives

What does the bible say about "God helps those who help themselves"?

What is sin? The Bible never said "love the sinner, hate the sin", sin cannot be separated from the person easily, God loves us while we sin

What is given to us by God? Does God give us more than we can handle? Bible never said "God never gives you more than you can handle", God doesn't give us sin, grief, injustice, etc., We are not meant to handle everything in our lives alone, God can help you through whatever life gives you

What do you do when the roadmap of your life is unclear? Life often seems to look like a roller coaster, making it difficult to get a long term sense of your life. Joseph always had a sense that God was with him and was always faithful in taking the next step that God laid out for him. While we may want the whole road map sometimes all we can see, or handle, is the next best step. Be faithful in t...

Why do bad things happen? "Some things cannot be fixed, they can only be carried", let go of the why and instead look for the hope in the midst of suffering, switch to What instead of why, what can I do now to be faithful in this moment?, grief and joy can co-exist