Providential relationships and pivotal circumstances are critical parts of great stories. Providential relationships are significant people God orchestrates to guide, support and shape our faith journey. Pivotal circumstances are events—both good and bad—that mark us, shape us and become a critical part of our story and testimonies.

Our guest this week—Daniel Mitchell—has lived a life marked by many providential relationships and events. Daniel joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age seventeen, landing in Tactical Air Navigation and later becoming a SERE instructor, also serving as a Chaplain.

Daniel and his wife Angela met while serving together at Southland's Lexington campus. Daniel now runs a handyman business/ministry and is also a counselor specializing in PTSD and sexual assault.

Jump in with us this week as we hear Daniel's story, pivotal moments in his life and how, with God's help, hope can drive out despair.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

If you could have any accent besides your own what would it be? (British, Western, Boston, etc.)

What is your favorite military movie of all time?

Daniel shared a miracle healing story from when he was 5 years old. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a miracle? Will you share that story?

"God has the best detours." Daniel shared how God detoured his night of drinking to experience God's love in a church. What detours has God placed in your life that showed you His grace and goodness?

Take 5 minutes or so for everyone to write down those 8-10 pivotal circumstances (good and bad) that have marked and changed your life. Does writing it down help you see how God was moving throughout your mountains and valleys?

Who have been the providential relationships that have guided, supported, & shaped your faith journey? Will you reach out to them and express gratitude for them? Will you look for opportunities to be that person for others around you?

"Where there is hope, despair doesn't live." Did you get a bit of joy or hope out of Daniel's dog park story? Where do you find hope? In what ways can you manufacture hope if you don't have any resources right now

Read Acts 9:15-16, 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, & 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. What can we learn from the suffering of Paul, how he handled it & how God handled it? What suffering or weakness do you need to bring to Jesus so He can be sufficient for you?

Read Romans 8:28 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. How can you cling to the promises God has made to us even in the darkest of time?

"Where you stare is where you will steer." What have you been staring at (focusing, dwelling on) in your life? Does where you stare need to change?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you? What's God asking you to do? What does He want to give you? What does He want you to lay down?

NEXT STEPS

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

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