Cover Bands Don’t Change the World - Daily Development
January 31, 2010
Pastor Jon Hand
1 Timothy 4:9-16
Listen to Sermon: Cover Bands Don’t Change the World - Daily Development
Books:
The Holy Longing - Ronald Rolheiser - This book cuts to the core of what drives and feeds our souls as humans. If you want to know why to pray and how to develop an Jesus-shaped imagination of how life could be–read this book.
The Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable. - Godin’s books seem to be about business, but really they apply to life. Living as a follower of Jesus turns you into a Purple Cow. Read the book and you’ll get what I’m saying.
The Story we Find Ourselves In - Brian McLaren - This is a book designed to invite you into the story of the Bible. The book is a fictional story of real people with real questions about God and how God’s Story works in our lives…or is it we work in God’s story?
Community Group Discussion Guide
Getting Started
1. Have you ever had the experience of meeting an old friend, perhaps someone you went to high school with, and you were surprised by how they had changed (or not changed)? What surprised you?
2. Have you seen a spouse, friend, or family member change significantly over a period of time? What were the most significant contributing factors to their change?
From the Book
1. Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16 First Timothy is a letter from Paul, a major leader in the early church, to Timothy, a young man who Paul was mentoring in the faith. What advice does Paul give Timothy in this passage? In verse 7, what do you think he means by, “Train yourself to be godly.”? What might this look like in our lives.
2. Read John 16:5-15 This passage records some of the things that Jesus said a few days before he died. Who is the “Counselor” that Jesus is talking about here? What is Jesus promising? In verse 13, what do you think it means that, “He will guide you into all truth?” What does this mean for us as we seek to be more like Jesus? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit leading you into truth and helping you become more like Jesus? RULE OF THUMB: You can be fairly confident that the Spirit is working in you when you find yourself choosing the Jesus route in a way that doesn’t come natural to you. How you respond to a disappointment. How you respond to a temptation. Feeling prompted or compelled to sacrifice for someone. Experiencing humility. Experiencing love for someone you would not normally be open to. etc.
So What?
Choose one activity from the following list to practice daily for the next 2 weeks. Tell your group which one you choose, and talk about your experiences the next time you meet together.
- Take 5-10 minutes each day to talk to God about any problems you might be experiencing. Ask God to show you how to act, and write down any thoughts or impressions you may have.
- Talk with someone else about what’s going on in your spiritual life. Tell them about your struggles and/or the good things.
- Pray for 10 minutes each day. Ask God to change you, and listen for anything he might be saying to you.
- Read one chapter from John each day. Ask God to talk to you, and do whatever you feel like He’s telling you.
- Before you go to bed at night, take a few minutes to thank God for all of the good things that happened that day. Make a practice of admitting to God those things that were selfish, prideful, judgmental, done in anger, motivated by fear of what other’s think of you. Admitting these to God is not about appeasing his wrath, it’s about humbling ourselves and seeking relational honesty with God. Invite God to replace your sin with love for him, love for yourself, love for others. Express willingness for God to use your Daily Development to transform you to become more like Jesus from the inside out.
