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Hungry for Worship

P_______ that E_____________ Comes to Faith in Christ.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-6

Men…P________!
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 TIMOTHY 2:8

 Women…S_______________ over looks.
And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. 1 TIMOTHY 2:9,10

Men only as E___________
Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-14

Discussion Questions

1. We are commanded to pray for everyone to come to faith in Christ. Share the first name of someone in your life that needs to come to faith in Christ. Are you praying for this person?
2. The ultimate goal of CedarCreek’s Four-Step Strategy is to help everyone learn to love Jesus, serve others and tell the world about Christ. Review each step of the strategy and discuss your individual involvement at each level.
3. At the time Paul was writing, Christians were under great persecution from the government. Yet, Paul admonishes men to pray for their enemies. Why is it so hard for us to pray for our enemies? How is praying for our enemies an act of humility and obedience to God?
4. Our country is in the midst of a contentious election year. There are many political debates and strong feelings about our country’s leaders. Discuss 1 Timothy 2:2. How do you feel about Paul’s command? What could happen if all Christ-followers prayed rather than complained?
5. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul discusses how women should dress for church. It’s an uncomfortable, but necessary, discourse in order to help believers stay focused on the purpose of worship. Discuss the dynamics between men and women as well as the significant impact a woman’s appearance can have on a guy’s ability to focus on worshipping God.
6. The role of women in ministry is considered “secondary doctrine,” meaning that there is room for differing opinions. Lee explained the three ways 1 Timothy 2:11-14 has been interpreted. What is your opinion on the topic?
7. We hold the moderate (middle position) with regards to 1 Timothy 2:11-14, meaning that women can hold any ministry position, including weekend teacher, but not elder. How do you feel about our position?

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MATTHEW 6:33 
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Seek God…

_______ Naturalist: Connects with God by seeing Him in nature.

_______ Enthusiast: Connects with God through worship and celebration.

_______ Intellectual: Connects with God through learning about God.

_______ Traditionalist: Connects with God through ritual and ceremony.

_______ Ascetic: Connects with God in undistracted solitude.

_______ Sensate: Connects with God through sights, smells and sounds.

_______ Caregiver: Connects with God through serving poor, sick and needy.

_______ Activist: Connects with God by fighting injustice in the name of Christ.

_______ Contemplative: Connects with God through meditation on His love.

…LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY

LOVE GOD

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As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” MARK 4:35-41 (NLT)

I_______________ your F__________.

NAME YOUR FEAR(S) _____________________________

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. PSALM 139:23-24 (NLT)

A_____________ your H_______________.
Our unheathy reaction to fear is to overcompensate: trying to control and obsess or isolate: withdraw in defeat. ROMANS 12:2 (NLT)

M_____________ your view of C___________.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” ZEPHANIAH 3:17 (NLT)

IN YOUR FEAR, REMEMBER ______ __________.

Discussion Questions

1. What was your biggest fear as a child?
2. How have your fears changed as you have gotten older?
3. What should we look for to see if a fear has become unhealthy?
4. Name a fear or something you are currently struggling with. What is your typical response (do you over-compensate, or withdraw and isolate yourself)?
5. What are some of the unhealthy habits or “ruts” you get into that do not truly help you fight fear?
6. In our fear we must remember who God is and that “I AM” is with us. Read the following passages out loud: Isaiah 41:10; 43:1-3; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 56:3-4; Luke 12:32. What do these passages tell us is true about God?

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Discussion Questions

1. Think about the last time you spent time alone, recharging with just you and God. What did He say to you?
2. Fighting for your faith isn’t knowing all of the answers, sometimes it’s just about being confident that God is all powerful and He has a plan for you. What is the latest storm that life has thrown at you? How is God helping you get through it?
3. The expanse of the universe is overwhelming. What inspired you the most about the video you saw this weekend?
4. What did you learn from the video that you didn’t know prior to seeing it?
5. Even as Christians, we all have struggles with aspects of our faith. What struggles do you have?
6. Make plans for a time to get away with just you and God under His blanket of stars soon. Once you do it, email Kyle and let him know if it inspired you and how God used it to encourage you to keep fighting for Him. kyleg@cedarcreek.tv

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SUMMIT WEEKEND
Vulnerability
Patrick Lencioni
May 19 & 20, 2012

Definition of Vulnerability –
Liable to increased penalties, but entitled to increased bonuses

Three Fears that keep us from being vulnerable:

Fear of B_______________________ R_______________________
Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.” But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.[b] When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” MARK 14: 66-71
A. ENTER THE DANGER
B. SPEAK THE KIND TRUTH
C. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE REJECTED

2. Fear of B_______________________ E_______________________
A. CELEBRATE OUR MISTAKES

3. Fear of F_______________________ I_______________________
When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” JOHN 13: 4-6
A. DO THE DIRTY WORK – Show people you are willing to do what you are asking of them.
B. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED AND HONOR OTHERS WORK

Vulnerability breeds trust, loyalty, commitment, and can be very powerful. Even though it is attractive, our culture has instilled in us to avoid suffering and pain at all costs. We as Christ followers, are called to be vulnerable by Jesus Christ, the most humble and vulnerable leader of all time. He was seated comfortably in heaven at the right hand of the father, but came to Earth as a servant to show his unconditional love for us. The example has been set to willingly be rejected and speak the kind truth in spreading the Gospel. Now, it’s our role to carry out the Great Commission, as vulnerable servants, we will truly be rewarded for answering the call. Matthew 5:12 says, “Be happy about! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Discussion Questions

1. Patrick Lencioni describes vulnerability as an attractive and powerful attribute. Have you ever viewed vulnerability as an attractive attribute in your life?

2. Lencioni said that despite the power of vulnerability, many of us do not embrace being vulnerable.

A. Where on the continuum below would you place your own willingness to be vulnerable?
Rarely Willing? Cautiously Willing? Totally Willing?
B. Depending on your level of vulnerability, you might not be comfortable sharing your rating with others. Take a step toward increased vulnerability by talking about where you marked yourself with a group of friends that you trust and share why you placed yourself where you did.

3. Three fears that keep us from being vulnerable are fear of being rejected, fear of being embarrassed, and fear of feeling inferior. Rate how much you struggle with each fear in the scale below.
Fear of REJECTION – Rarely, Sometimes, Really
Fear of being EMBARRASSED – Rarely, Sometimes, Really
Fear of being INFERIOR – Rarely, Sometimes, Really
Take on a challenge and risk vulnerability by sharing the above results with your group.

4. Think of a mistake you have made that you’ve never told anyone about. Discuss what the result might be if you shared that story? Write out your thoughts and if you feel comfortable, share it with a group.

5. Do you have a fear of speaking the truth to someone because you think you might offend them? Describe a time where you spoke up and told the truth and risked vulnerability.

6. Do you lead an organization, team, group, or are you a coach, parent or mentor? If so, you likely are asking people to do things to challenge themselves and do a lot of “dirty work.” How often do you lead by example by showing that you are just as willing to do the things you are asking them to do?