Christ Church
Essentials for Success and Leadership in 2017
Locations & Times
Christ Church Fairgrove Campus
2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
The essentials of Success in Life and Leadership
1) Relationships
2) Reflection
3) Review
a) Review and assess in your life
b) Review and assess in the life of the church
4) Reciprocity
a) Giving acknowledges that someone has helped us in the past
b) Giving helps us to get beyond ourselves
c) Giving has to be intentional—you don’t just fall into it, you intentionally live generosity
d) Giving Changes the world--- one person at a time
e) Giving will change your life
5) Renewal
a) Knowing God’s Word allows you to walk in light.
b) Knowing God’s Word empowers the body to push back the darkness.
1) Relationships
2) Reflection
3) Review
a) Review and assess in your life
b) Review and assess in the life of the church
4) Reciprocity
a) Giving acknowledges that someone has helped us in the past
b) Giving helps us to get beyond ourselves
c) Giving has to be intentional—you don’t just fall into it, you intentionally live generosity
d) Giving Changes the world--- one person at a time
e) Giving will change your life
5) Renewal
a) Knowing God’s Word allows you to walk in light.
b) Knowing God’s Word empowers the body to push back the darkness.
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http://christnc.com/giving/Life Group Lesson for the Week of January 8, 2017
Most of us want to be successful in 2017. We have every intention of following through with our new resolutions—staying on budget, exercising, eating healthy, managing our family well, treating co-workers better, keeping a positive attitude. But we also know that each day brings with it various obstacles and challenges. Being successful in heaven’s eyes is not about doing everything perfect. The Lord knows our good intentions. God also knows the pitfalls that lie ahead. Somehow we must see and discover for ourselves even if its through adversity, that true success is walking in the light of God’s presence. Success is not about living in step with this world, but according to God’s principles revealed to us in His eternal Word.
Read Matthew 6:1-24
The first essential in living and leading successfully is relationships—and at the top of the list should be our relationship with the Lord. No one loves you the way the Lord does. Christ gave His very life for you. He went to hell and back to defeat sin and death. He rose on the third day proving His excelling love and power—He should be top priority when it comes to relationships. Yes, the Lord wants us to honor the relationships He has put around us—doing good, being kind and generous toward others. But the only way we can truly be in right relationship with other people is through a right relationship with Him first.
1. Prayer is key as we venture forward in this New Year. Name at least 3 things Jesus says about prayer in Matthew 6:5-8?
Upon giving us the model prayer (vv9-13), Jesus speaks about forgiveness. What does He say—what stands out to you in vv14-15? Why does the Lord place so much emphasis on our need to forgive?
We are surrounded with people who influence us both positively and negatively. It is important that we don’t surrender our goals (New Years resolutions), our principles, or our dreams to negative-thinking people.
2. Who are the top 5 people who influence you?
Among those you listed, are there any negative voices?
When it comes to family, we cannot abandon ourselves from naysayers living within our home. And it’s important to note that any of us can be a bit negative at times to our spouse or children. We don’t want to admit it but it happens.
3. Instead of pretending that the negativity doesn’t bother you, or trying to escape, or even trying to ignore it, think of a way you could honestly share how it hurts you and respectfully disagree. For example, we may say: “I hear what you’re saying, but I think we ought to do this instead?” How can we keep from allowing the poor influence to bring us down in defeat?
Also, do you have other people around you to counter-balance the negativity you may be receiving from loved ones? Who are they (Thank God for them now!) and how will you be more intentional about spending time with them?
Another area that can suck life from us is technology. Technology can benefit us if we use media wisely and honorably. But too often that is not the case.
4. Think about the following questions—
· How is technology helping my family relationships?
· How is technology hurting my family relationships?
· How can I better limit my time (and my children’s) screen time?
· Am I addicted to technology? Am I willing to admit it and seek help?
· Why do I feel like I am missing out on life if I’m not connected to the world through various forms of social media?
· Before spending time on facebook, am I spending time with my face before God?
· If Jesus were to pull up a chair and sit beside you while you are on your phone, ipad, or laptop—would He enjoy your use of technology?
Finally, Jesus speaks of our need to give. Because the Lord has been so generous towards us, He expects His children to be generous in response. If we could just see with eternity’s eyes the bigger picture of life’s purpose, certainly we would be all about storing up treasure in heaven and not on this earth! But because we are selfish and not generous by nature, we have to work at becoming generous.
5. What advice would you give a young married couple just starting out about the joys of financial disciplines—living on a budget, tithing first to the Lord, being generous with our prayers (for the hurting), our time (in service to others), and our money (to those who are truly in need)? What words of wisdom would you share with this couple?
Of the words you just shared, how much of it is true and how much of it is a lie? Close by reflecting on this question: “Deep down, at a heart level where only the Lord (and me) can see, am I really generous or am I greedy?”
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other…”
Matthew 6:24a
Most of us want to be successful in 2017. We have every intention of following through with our new resolutions—staying on budget, exercising, eating healthy, managing our family well, treating co-workers better, keeping a positive attitude. But we also know that each day brings with it various obstacles and challenges. Being successful in heaven’s eyes is not about doing everything perfect. The Lord knows our good intentions. God also knows the pitfalls that lie ahead. Somehow we must see and discover for ourselves even if its through adversity, that true success is walking in the light of God’s presence. Success is not about living in step with this world, but according to God’s principles revealed to us in His eternal Word.
Read Matthew 6:1-24
The first essential in living and leading successfully is relationships—and at the top of the list should be our relationship with the Lord. No one loves you the way the Lord does. Christ gave His very life for you. He went to hell and back to defeat sin and death. He rose on the third day proving His excelling love and power—He should be top priority when it comes to relationships. Yes, the Lord wants us to honor the relationships He has put around us—doing good, being kind and generous toward others. But the only way we can truly be in right relationship with other people is through a right relationship with Him first.
1. Prayer is key as we venture forward in this New Year. Name at least 3 things Jesus says about prayer in Matthew 6:5-8?
Upon giving us the model prayer (vv9-13), Jesus speaks about forgiveness. What does He say—what stands out to you in vv14-15? Why does the Lord place so much emphasis on our need to forgive?
We are surrounded with people who influence us both positively and negatively. It is important that we don’t surrender our goals (New Years resolutions), our principles, or our dreams to negative-thinking people.
2. Who are the top 5 people who influence you?
Among those you listed, are there any negative voices?
When it comes to family, we cannot abandon ourselves from naysayers living within our home. And it’s important to note that any of us can be a bit negative at times to our spouse or children. We don’t want to admit it but it happens.
3. Instead of pretending that the negativity doesn’t bother you, or trying to escape, or even trying to ignore it, think of a way you could honestly share how it hurts you and respectfully disagree. For example, we may say: “I hear what you’re saying, but I think we ought to do this instead?” How can we keep from allowing the poor influence to bring us down in defeat?
Also, do you have other people around you to counter-balance the negativity you may be receiving from loved ones? Who are they (Thank God for them now!) and how will you be more intentional about spending time with them?
Another area that can suck life from us is technology. Technology can benefit us if we use media wisely and honorably. But too often that is not the case.
4. Think about the following questions—
· How is technology helping my family relationships?
· How is technology hurting my family relationships?
· How can I better limit my time (and my children’s) screen time?
· Am I addicted to technology? Am I willing to admit it and seek help?
· Why do I feel like I am missing out on life if I’m not connected to the world through various forms of social media?
· Before spending time on facebook, am I spending time with my face before God?
· If Jesus were to pull up a chair and sit beside you while you are on your phone, ipad, or laptop—would He enjoy your use of technology?
Finally, Jesus speaks of our need to give. Because the Lord has been so generous towards us, He expects His children to be generous in response. If we could just see with eternity’s eyes the bigger picture of life’s purpose, certainly we would be all about storing up treasure in heaven and not on this earth! But because we are selfish and not generous by nature, we have to work at becoming generous.
5. What advice would you give a young married couple just starting out about the joys of financial disciplines—living on a budget, tithing first to the Lord, being generous with our prayers (for the hurting), our time (in service to others), and our money (to those who are truly in need)? What words of wisdom would you share with this couple?
Of the words you just shared, how much of it is true and how much of it is a lie? Close by reflecting on this question: “Deep down, at a heart level where only the Lord (and me) can see, am I really generous or am I greedy?”
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other…”
Matthew 6:24a