Series: Dating in the 21st Century

Title: Dating Destination

Main Scripture: Proverbs 4:7, 31:10-31

Supporting Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-2, Ephesians 5:33

 

Proverbs 4:7 NLT: Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

 

Proverbs 1:1-2 NLT: 1These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. 2Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

 

Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT: 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

 

Psalms 111:1-10 NLT: 1Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. 2How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. 3Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. 4He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! 5He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant. 6He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. 7All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. 8They are forever true,

to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. 9He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! 10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

 

Wisdom guides us to being cherished. (31:10)

 

Proverbs 31: NLT: 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

 

Wisdom guides us to competence. (31:16-18)

 

Proverbs 31:16-18 NLT: 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

 

Wisdom guides us to compassion. (31:20)

 

Proverbs 31:20 NLT: 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

 

Wisdom guides us to courage. (31:25)

 

Proverbs 31:25 NLT: 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

 

Wisdom guides us to compensation. (31:31)

 

Proverbs 31:31 NLT: 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

 

Wisdom guides us to Christ. (31:30)

 

Prover

Week Two: 02/12/23

Series: Dating in the 21st Century

Title: “Dating Dress up”

Bible: Proverbs 4:7, Genesis 1:27, Romans 9:20&21, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 11:18&19, Galatians 5:22 - 26

WORDS/Conversation -

Personal Comparison -

 

Proverbs 4:7 (NLT) 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

 

“Created to Care not Compare, because to Compare is not to Care.”

 

Comparison puts CREATION over CREATOR.

Genesis 1:27 (NLT) 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

 

Comparison removes the ARTIST from the ART.

Romans 9:20 – 21 (NLT) 20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Comparison seeks the ORIGINAL to become IDENTICAL.

Matthew 11: 18 – 19 (NLT) 18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

 

Comparison kills CARE and the ability to be CARED FOR.

Galatians 5:22 – 26 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

 

Three Clarifying Questions:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

Dating Study about Generations

Gen Z is the least picky online daters.

Millennials are the most meticulous online daters.

Gen X daters have the deepest convos.

Baby Boomers are the conversation sparkers when dating online.

Holding doors open is considered a romantic gesture.

Proverbs 4:7 (NLT) 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

“God is the #1 leading you to a #3 who is making God their #1.”

James 1:5 – 8 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

 

Love God as #1

1 John 4:8 - 10 (NLT) 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

 

Romans 5:7 – 8 (NLT) 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

 

Love Yourself as #2

Mark 12:30 – 31 (NLT) 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

 

Seek a #3 that is making God #1

1 Corinthians 7:39 (NLT) 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.

 

Qualifying Questions to Answer:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

Philippians 2:2 (NLT) 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

“A Kingdom Expanding life is AMAZINGLY Inconvenient & Uncomfortable.”

 

“What must our Lord think of us if His work and His witness depend upon the convenience of His people? The truth is that every advance that we make for God and for His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it! If we have been able to reduce spirituality to a smooth pattern and it costs us nothing—no disturbance, no bother and no element of sacrifice in it—we are not getting anywhere with God. We have stopped and pitched our unworthy tent halfway between the swamp and the peak.  We are mediocre Christians!  Was there ever a cross that was convenient? Was there ever a convenient way to die? I have never heard of any, and judgment is not going to be a matter of convenience, either! Yet we look around for convenience, thinking we can reach the mountain peak conveniently and without trouble or danger to ourselves.  Actually, mountain climbers are always in peril and they are always advancing at their inconvenience.” A.W. Tozer

 

2 Corinthians 11:24 – 28 (NLT) 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.

 

Jesus Cares and Wants us to Care

Matthew 9:35 – 38 (NLT) 35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

 

Beyond the Building and Beyond Borders

Acts 1:6 – 8 (NLT) 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

“The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home

 

Sent people Seek the Unsaved

Romans 10:13 – 17 (NLT) 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

 

Three Clarifying Questions:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do

Philippians 2:2 (NLT) 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 

“Working as one gives us a purpose and passion to push through the pain.”

 

“Engaging people so they can experience life change in Jesus.”

 

 “EQUIP teammates to EXPAND the Kingdom of Jesus.”

 

Ephesians 4:11 – 16 (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

 

Start with YOU

Galatians 6:4 – 5 (NLT) 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

 

Find a Place to Play

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

 

Get EXCITED!

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT) 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

 

Know the WHO not just the DO

Colossians 3:23 (NLT) 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

 

Three questions for practical understanding:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? (Answers – Raise your Hand)

A FOLLOWER OF JESUS/Disciple is:

One who is following Jesus.

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NLT)

 

One who is being changed by Jesus.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

 

One who is committed to the mission of Jesus.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

https://youtu.be/Ymfh6RJezQ4

 

Why are we supposed to share the gospel?

Because we are committed to the mission of Jesus.

 

Matthew 28:19 – 20 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Romans 10:15 (NLT) 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

CHURCH PULSE WEEKLY (podcast) on Evangelism

Data from Reviving Evangelism, noting the sobering finding that nearly half of Christian Millennial respondents in 2019 (47%) believed that sharing their faith with a non-Christian was WRONG. However, 94 percent of these same Millennials also said that the best thing that could ever happen as a result of a spiritual conversation would be that the non-believer would come to know JESUS.

“When it comes to embracing the new dynamic of evangelism, the most important shift is the shift from proclamation (telling or yelling) alone to conversation,” notes Mark Springer. “There are so many different avenues that this wisdom is illuminated through. One is through the life and ministry of Jesus. [In the gospels,] he asked 307 questions, he was asked 183 questions and he only directly answered eight questions. He created space for conversations in his interactions.”

“Create space for conversation about your evangelism strategies in your churches. Train your people to be like Jesus, to be 40 times more likely to listen during an interaction with someone than to drive home a proclamation (telling). Create cultures of listening both in and around your churches and in your congregations.”

Share about the first time sharing my faith on the 16th Street Mall

 

How can we share the gospel? – Personally and Conversationally

 

ASK: Get to know people. Listen to them and learn their story. Ask questions about their background and spirituality.

ADMIRE: As a person shares their faith background, point out things about their religion you admire (i.e., dedication, missions). 

ADMIT: Emphasize that as a follower of Jesus, you are a messed-up human who needs a relationship with Jesus. Transition into your life change story and then the story of the Gospel. 

 

God – created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our – sins separate us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins – cannot be removed by good deeds. (Genesis 4 - Malachi 4) (Bad News)

Paying – the price for our sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew - Luke) (Good News)

Everyone – who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. (John)

Life – with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. (Acts - Revelation)

 

Tools for sharing your faith and growing in understanding of your neighbor:

USING THE LIFE IN 6 WORDS APP: https://li6w.com/

Inside of the Life in 6

Week TWO: 1/15/2023

Series: New Year, Same Mission, Many Methods!

Title: “Mission Motion is Beyond just Words” (Encourage)

Bible: Philippians 2:2, John 13:35, Acts 2:46, Acts 5:42, Hebrews 10:24-25, Titus 2:1 – 7

 

Philippians 2:2 (NLT) 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 

“Engaging people so they can experience life change in Jesus.”

 

“EQUIP teammates to EXPAND the Kingdom of Jesus.”

 

John 13:35 (NLT) 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

Acts 2:46 (NLT) 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

 

Acts 5:42 (NLT) 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

 

“There is only so much one anothering you can do in large groups”

 

Titus 2:1 – 7 (NLT) As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT) 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

 

Chicago Style

Luke 11:28 (NLT) 28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

 

New York Style

Galatians 6:2 - 3 (NLT) 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

 

Colossians 3:13 (NLT) 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

 

Detroit Style

Matthew 13:36 (NLT) 36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

 

“Pizza is a great opportunity to bond with someone, exchange confidences, have fun, and even seduce or fight with each other.”

 

Weekly Three Questions:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

Week One: 1/08/2023

Series: New Year, Same Mission, Many Methods!

Title: “You Don’t Get to Choose” (Engage)

Bible:  Jonah 1:1 – 4:11, 2 Peter 3:9

Big Idea: “We don’t get to CHOOSE who, JESUS died for ALL.”

 

Mission Statement: “Engage people so they experience life change in Jesus.”

 

Vision Statement: “EQUIP teammates to EXPAND the Kingdom of Jesus.”

 

“Marry the Mission, Fall in love with the Vision, and Date the Model” by Andy Stanley

 

Philippians 2:2 (NLT) 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 

Jonah 1:1-2 (NLT) The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

 

Jonah 1:3 (NLT) 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

 

Jonah 1:17 (NLT) 17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

 

Jonah 1:16 (NLT) 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

 

Jonah 3: (NLT) 4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

 

Matthew 28:19 – 20 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Close to 2 in 3 unchurched Americans say they have multiple Christian friends

Only 3 in 10 unchurched Americans (29%) say a Christian has ever shared with them

For 4 in 10 unchurched Americans (40%), they’ve never had a Christian explain

 

 “We don’t get to CHOOSE who, JESUS died for ALL.”

Romans 10:15 (NLT) 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

 

Questions to Answer:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

Week Three: 12/18/2022

Title: Why waiting?

Bible: Matthew 1:20-23, Isaiah 9:6, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Galatians 4:4 – 5, Isaiah 64:4, 2 Peter 3:9

 

Matthew 1:20-23 (NLT) 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in adream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”

 

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Genesis 3:15 (NLT) 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

 

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

 

Just because He is quiet, doesn’t mean He quit!

 

Galatians 4:4 – 5 (NLT) 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

 

Genesis 3:15 (NLT) 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

 

“Why WANDER while waiting, when we should live in WONDER.”

 

Just because He is quiet, doesn’t mean He quit! Which probably means you aren’t QUITE ready!

 

Isaiah 64:4 (NLT) 4 For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!

 

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

 

What if the God you are waiting for is waiting for you?

 

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?

Week Two: 12/11/2022

Title: “UGH! I am done dealing with PEOPLE!

Bible: Isaiah 9:6, John 16:33, Romans 12:14 – 18, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 4:2, Proverbs 19:11

 

 “If you are always searching to be offended, you will always find it!”

 

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

John 16:33 (NLT) 33 ”I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

 

 “The Counselor is NOT about correctism, but about LIFE care”.

 

Romans 12:14 – 18 (NLT) 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

 

Romans 12:1 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

 

Galatians 2:20 (NLT) 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

Ephesians 4:2 - 3 (NLT) 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

 

“If you are unable to see another’s perspective then your impact will always be limited.” Craig Groeschel

 

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

 

Proverbs 19:11 (NLT) 11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

 

 “Love doesn’t seek to win the argument. Love seeks to care for the relationship.”

Romans 12: 18 (NLT) 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

 

 

Questions to Answer:

Head: What do I know now?

 

Heart: How does this change me?

 

Hands: What do I do now?