APRIL 14
THE ONE WHERE I DEAL WITH MY PAST
God desires for us to unlearn unhealthy patterns and behaviors we saw or experienced, so that we do not repeat them.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What are the places (who are the people) in your life where (with whom) you feel like you are pursued, accepted, loved, and belong?
- Read Exodus 34:4-7.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about God?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. In the message we heard that our sins can be forgiven and yet the family that formed us still remains in us, so we have to look back in order to move forward.
A. Have you ever done this with your family of origin (look back at your growing up years to consider what messages, experiences, hurts have affected how you live now as an adult)? If so, how was that process and what did you learn?
B. In what ways can you see the “new creation” that is talked about in your life?
4. Even if you have done some work to look back, take some time to work through a Genogram (see below). It will take a while to complete, but once you do, be sure to share what you find with a trusted community.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Exodus 34:4-7 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands.Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord.And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
PRAYER
This week take some time to pray for what has come up for you from the message and/or your group discussion.
- Did a past relationship come to mind? Did that person hurt or negatively impact you?
- Ask for God’s healing in that situation.
- Ask God to help you forgive them.
- Eventually the hope would be that you could even more to a place where you could bless that person and pray for their flourishing.
- Any family habits/ addictions come up?
- Ask for God’s help to break off those habits/ addictions.
- Ask God for clear next steps and help to be free.
- Do you believe what Exodus 34 says about God’s character, “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
- Thank God for the ways you’ve experienced these character traits that are true of Him.
- Ask God to show you any of these traits that you need to see in your life right now.
TAKE A NEXT STEP
- Work through the Genogram this week then share your results with trusted community. There will be ah ha moments, hurt that you’ll feel, and next steps that will emerge.
- Get connected with the Family of God here at Gateway. Join a Belong Event coming up in the next few weeks: gatewaychurch.com/events
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
This week we will be learning about how Jesus goes after those who are lost.
THE BIBLE: “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
THE MESSAGE: If you don’t have a friendship with God, this lesson might be just the thing God is using to help you stop being lost. Don’t wait another day! Every person is important to God, including you. If you want to start a friendship with God, talk to your mom or dad, or even your small group leader to pray with you to accept Jesus as your Savior. You will no longer be like that little lost sheep.
THE BIG IDEA: God’s Story Is Written For Me!
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Who does the lost sheep represent?
- Why is it so important to share Jesus’ story with others?
REMEMBER THIS
God is always working in your life to bring you closer to Him. Sometimes God brings you a friend who tells you about Jesus. Sometimes God has a neighbor invite you to church. Sometimes God gives you a relative who loves Jesus and shows you how great that relationship is. No matter how God does it, He comes looking for you – just like that shepherd in our story. Why does He do that? Because He loves you so much and wants you to know how important you are to Him.
NEXT WEEK
Next week we learn how a tiny seed of faith can make a huge difference in our lives.