The Process Toward the Promise

Exodus 2:23-25
Tim Nay

Part of Wanderings & Wonders

Lessons from the Wilderness

June 1, 2025

24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” —Genesis 50:24 

PROMISE: 
God PROMISES us many GOOD things. 

God’s Promises: 
• To give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:1-9) 
• To work things out for good (Romans 8:28) 
• To forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9) 
• To give us eternal life (1 John 2:25) 
• To provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34) 

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. —Exodus 1:8-11 

13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. —Exodus 1:13-14 

22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.” —Exodus 1:22 

PAIN: 
God NEVER promised us the PROCESS would be PAINLESS. 

23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. —Exodus 2:23-25 

PAIN: 
God hears, sees, and UNDERSTANDS what we are going through. 

13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.” —Genesis 15:13 

16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” —Exodus 3:16-17 

PLAN: 
Sometimes God USES pain to help us be READY for His promises. 

1 “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.” —Deuteronomy 8:1-4 

PROVISION: 
God is very AWARE of what we NEED and WHEN we need it. 

TAKEAWAY: View the PROCESS as the way God PREPARES us for His PROMISES.

Watch Your Manners

Ephesians 4:1-7
Tim Nay

Part of The Spirit of God

May 25, 2025

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. —John 14:23But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. —Galatians 5:16I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:1-3There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. —Ephesians 4:4-7

The way in which we walk by the Spirit, matters.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:1-3

We are to be humble, gentle, patient, and loving.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. —Romans 12:18There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. —Ephesians 4:4-7

We understand the Holy Spirit is not divided.

The Holy Spirit ministers individually.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. —Romans 14:1-4

TAKEAWAY: Are my spiritual manners pleasing to God?

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —Ephesians 5:2

Walking By the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26
Tim Nay

Part of The Spirit of God

May 18, 2025

MIRRORING 
GAME

Galatians 5:16-26 (NLT) the Spirit:

5:16 Guides 
5:17 Gives 
5:18 Directs 
5:22 Produces 
5:25 Leads

Understanding HOW the Holy Spirit speaks 
is CRUCIAL to the life of a Jesus follower! 

16 “But I say, WALK by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are LED by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” —Galatians 5:16-18 (ESV) 

25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25 (ESV) 

1. My life is NOT MINE, but God’s. 

19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) 

2. I am to be UNDER the INFLUENCE of the Holy Spirit’s leading. 

18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” —Ephesians 5:18 18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” —Ephesians 5:18 

3. I BETTER understand the Holy Spirit when I LEARN the WORD of God. 

12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12 

17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” —Ephesians 6:17-18 

105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” —Psalm 119:105 

15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” —Colossians 3:15 

4. I must SLOW down to DISCERN the Holy Spirit’s leading. 

5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” —2 Corinthians 10:5 

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —I Kings 19:11-13 

TAKEAWAY: Do what you KNOW God has been asking you to do - TODAY. 

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26
Mike Maglish

Part of The Spirit of God

May 11, 2025

Please submit Holy Spirit questions to [email protected]

22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;” —Galatians 5:22–23 

7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” —Galatians 6:7–8 

Fruit is what we RECEIVE from what we PLANT. 

16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” —Galatians 5:16–17 

15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” —Romans 7:15–20
There is a WAR between our FLESH and the SPIRIT. 

18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” —Galatians 5:18–21 

The SPIRIT transcends the LAW. 

22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22–23 

There is NO LAW against the FRUIT that comes from the SPIRIT. 

24 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” —Galatians 5:24 

We will REAP what we SOW. 

22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;” —Galatians 5:22–23 

1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” —1 Corinthians 13:1–3 

Takeaway: Live by the SPIRIT and reap the FRUIT. 

How do I receive the Holy Spirit?

Various scriptures

Part of The Spirit of God

May 4, 2025

13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” —Ephesians 1:13–14 

22 “and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” —2 Corinthians 1:22 

16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” —Romans 8:16–17 

The Holy Spirit is a SEAL of our SALVATION and INHERITANCE. 

16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” —John 14:16–17 

19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:19–20 

The Holy Spirit is given to BELIEVERS by GOD. 

1 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” —Acts 2:1–4 

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 2:37–38 

41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” —Acts 2:41 

We RECEIVE the Holy Spirit through BELIEF, REPENTANCE, and BAPTISM. 

—Acts 8:14-17 

WHY DID THEY NOT HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT? 
1) They were Samaritans 
2) Demonstrates God’s approval and using the disciples 
3) We don’t know (See John 3:8, Deut 29:29) 

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. —Acts 19:1-6 

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN - Repentance and preparation for the Messiah 
BAPTISM INTO JESUS - Forgiveness of Sin 

Baptism is not a WORK. Baptism is SURRENDER and NEW LIFE in Christ. 

Takeaway: You can not EARN the Holy Spirit. You RECEIVE the Holy Spirit through NEW LIFE in CHRIST. 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

John 14:15-24
Tim Nay

Part of The Spirit of God

April 27, 2025

1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” —Genesis 1:1-2 

 —Genesis 1:26 

Who is the Holy Spirit? 
• He is GOD. He is JESUS. He is SPIRIT. 
• He works TOGETHER with God and Jesus. 
• He CANNOT be fully understood. 
• He is ORDERLY, INTENTIONAL, surprising and SPONTANEOUS. 

In the OLD Testament, the Holy Spirit came UPON people for specific TASKS or purposes. 

 —Judges 14:5-6 

 —Numbers 11:16-17 

—Numbers 11:24-25 

In the NEW Testament, the Holy Spirit DWELLS INSIDE believers. 

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” —John 14:15-26 

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit? 
• To be a HELPER (John 14:15-20) 
• To live WITHIN obedient believers (John 14:23) 
• To TEACH and REMIND (John 14:25-26) 

 —John 16:5-11 

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit? 
• To be a Helper (John 14:15-20) 
• To live within obedient believers (John 14:23) 
• To teach and remind (John 14:25-26) 
• To CONVICT the World (John 16:5-11) 4 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” —1 Corinthians 12:4 
11 “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” —I Corinthians 12:11 

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit? 
• To be a Helper (John 14:15-20) 
• To live within obedient believers (John 14:23) 
• To teach and remind (John 14:25-26) 
• To convict the World (John 16:5-11) 
• To DISTRIBUTE gifts (I Corinthians 12:4; 12:11)26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” —Romans 8:26 

What is the Role of the Holy Spirit? 
• To be a Helper (John 14:15-20) 
• To live within obedient believers (John 14:23) 
• To teach and remind (John 14:25-26) 
• To convict the World (John 16:5-11) 
• To distribute gifts (I Corinthians 12:4; 12:11) 
• To INTERCEDE for us (Romans 8:26) 
• To give us BOLDNESS (2 Tim. 1:7) 
• To declare what TRUTH is. (1 John 5:6-8)> 

4 “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Je

Easter
Tim Nay

April 20, 2025

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16 



“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16 

RELIGIOUS 
• Godly worldview 
• Supernatural & Bible 
• Dedicated to organized religion 
• Holiness - highest quality 
• Accountable 
• Tightly wound

NON-RELIGIOUS 
• Secular worldview 
• Reason & science 
• Avoid organized religion 
• Being a good person - highest quality 
• Independent 
• Relaxed & easy going 

Being UNCOMFORTABLE with being categorized in a CERTAIN group is good. 

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” —John 3:1-2 

Being RELIGIOUS can still feel EMPTY. 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” —John 3:3 

Being BORN again is for the RELIGIOUS and non-religious. 

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” —John 3:4-5 

6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” —John 3:6-8 

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” —Romans 14:17 

Being DEDICATED or INDIFFERENT to religion, NEITHER leads to a life of righteousness, peace, and joy. 

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:9-16 

Being born again means LETTING God’s LIGHT shine on your DARKNESS. 

 —Galatians 5:19-21 

38 “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.” —John 19:38-39 

TAKEAWAY: Today is the day of SALVATION for the religious AND non-religious. 

The Followers Journey: Parent 1 Cor 4:15-17, Ephesians 4:11-16
Mike Maglish

Part of The Follower's Journey

April 13, 2025

15 “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” —1 CORINTHIANS 4:15-17 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRTUAL PARENTS: 
• Coach mindset - intentional, strategic 
• Think multiplication through addition 
• Self-feeding 
• Mission-minded 
• Team-minded 
• Dependable 
• Spirit-filled 
• Aware of false teaching 
• Encouraging 

Parents FEED themselves and OTHERS. 

HABITS OF SPIRITUAL PARENTS: 
• Daily Bible study 
• Pursue biblical teaching regularly 
• Fills their head with Christ-edifying music 
• Active in a Life Group 
• Surrounded with OTHER spiritual parents 
• Find someone to disciple 

Parents FIND someone to DISCIPLE. 

PHRASES OF PARENTS: 
• “This guy at work asked me to explain the Bible to him. We will be starting during the lunch hour Tuesday. Pray for 
me.” 
• “We get to baptize someone from our small group tonight. When is the next Starting Point class? 
I want to get her plugged in ministry somewhere.” 
• “Our small group is going on a mission trip, and I have given each person a different responsibility.” 
• “I realize disciples happens at home, too. Will you hold me accountable to spend time discipling my kids?” 
• “I have a person in my small group who is passionate about children. Can you have the children’s ministry people call me?” 
• “I understand you’re having a rough go leading in your ministry. Would you like some feedback?” 

Parents take INITIATIVE on behalf of OTHERS. 

NEEDS OF PARENTS (COACH): 
• A team 
• An invitation 
• A game plan 
• Opportunity to assess, train, and release disciples 
• Encouragement 

11 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” —EPHESIANS 4:11-16 

SCRIPTURES ABOUT CHURCH LEADERS: 
• 1 Timothy 3 
• 1 Timothy 5:17 
• Hebrews 13:7,17 
• Acts 20:28 
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12 
• Titus 1:5-9 

CALL TO ACTION: 
• Pray 
• Listen 
• Assess but don’t judge 
• Be available 
• Take on a disciple 
• Release others to ministry 

TAKEAWAY: Parents RAISE UP individuals to REPRODUCE mature believers. 

The Followers Journey: Young Adult

Mark 9:14-28
Mike Maglish

Part of The Follower's Journey

April 6, 2025

Douglas Bader 

DEVELOPMENT 
• Has energy and ability 
• May have an unrealistic sense of ability 
• Understands ownership/stewardship 
• Desires purpose 
• Lives beliefs 
• Sees things as black and white 
• Can get in over their heads 
• May have to learn the hard way 

17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” —Mark 9:17-29 

DISCIPLESHIP: 
• Desires to serve others for the glory of God 
• Willing to lead 
• Takes ownership of their own faith 
• Begins to understand biblical stewardship 
• Feels responsible for how others respond to the Gospel 
• Black and white about how things SHOULD happen in the church 
• Still life/faith lessons to learn and shape them 
• Susceptible to attacks that lead to discouragement, cynicism, and isolation 

SPIRITUAL NEEDS: 
• Help finding an appropriate ministry to serve in. 
• A spiritual parent who will debrief with them about ministry experiences 
• Ongoing relationships with other believers that offer encouragement/accountability 
• Help establishing healthy boundaries 
• Guidance regarding appropriate expectations of the people they will serve 
• Assistance in identifying their gifts 
• Help navigating complex ministry situations 
• Someone to not talk AT them but to help them process 
• Prayer 

CALL TO ACTION: 
1) Be bold 
2) Step out in faith 
3) Serve 
4) Lead 
5) Stay humble 
6) Seek wisdom 
7) Invest in others (YOU MAY BE THEIR PARENT) 

29 So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” —Matthew 14:29-31 

TAKEAWAY - Jesus chose YOUNG ADULTS as his APOSTLES. They became CHURCH FATHERS. 

The Follower's Journey: Child Stage

Luke 2:52
Tim Nay

Part of The Follower's Journey

March 30, 2025

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God 
was upon him. —LUKE 2:40 

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. —LUKE 2:52 

11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” —1 CORINTHIANS 13:11 

PHRASES from the PHASES - CHILD: 
“I do not feel the lessons are spiritually feeding ME enough.” 
“No one cares about ME.” 
“I wonder if the lead pastor is going to acknowledge ME today.” 
“The songs do not minister to ME.” 
“Why can’t people follow Jesus seriously, like ME?” 
“They were rude to ME on purpose.” 

A spiritual parent for CONNECTION, CORRECTION, and constant ENCOURAGEMENT. 

Connection to other BELIEVERS. 

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, —ACTS 2:46 

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT 

Correction from biblical MISUNDERSTANDINGS and MISDIRECTED enthusiasm. 

26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. —ACTS 18:26 

8 “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” —1 CORINTHIANS 13:8-11 

CONSTANT encouragement from OTHERS. 

CONSTANT… 
Encouragement to FEED themselves spiritually. 
Encouragement to keep their eyes on JESUS. 
Encouragement to learn their GIFTEDNESS. 

TAKEAWAY: What step do you need to take to be closer CONNECTED with OTHERS?