Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Treasure in the Valley
Pastor Zoe Hafner
August 8/9, 2010
Psalm 73:21-26

Content

1. Pastor Zoe shared that losing her young son Adam put her in a valley of anger, doubt and despair, questioning God’s goodness (“God, where were you? I was trusting You?) But God waited for her to be ready, then showed her treasure.
2. God hasn’t moved and is a faithful Father. The doubts of his children won’t keep Him away. (Psalm 139; Psalm 18:16-19)
3. Let truth override feelings, because Satan uses our feelings to deceive us. Look for “God is…” statements.
4. God feels sorrow over death. In the story of Lazarus, even though Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, He wept over his death.
5. It was worth it to God to rescue us by sending Jesus even when we had rejected Him (while we were yet sinners!).
6. In studying the Bible, we see the real God. Be in the Word when you are in the valley (John 17:17; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16). Read articles and books about the experiences of other godly people to build your faith and focus on God. Memorize scripture to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness (Lamentation 3:21-24).
7. New experiences that come from steps of obedience will build your faith.
8. Satan tries to destroy us and weaken us, but God uses those things to build us up when we look to Him to rescue us (Psalm 118:5-7).
9. Walking through the valley is difficult, but healing is there as well.
10. Seek Him first. That often means we need to empty ourselves of our thoughts and worries. God will show us He is our strength and rock (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 18:18).
11. God changes our perspective even when circumstances remain the same.
12. Share the spoils of the treasure God gives us in the valleys. We are not rescued to ourselves alone, but to walk alongside others who are also in the valley.

Aim

God is the treasure in the valley. He will not abandon us in trouble, but will show us more of Himself.

Application Questions

1. What kind of valleys have you experienced? What valley are you in now? What were (are) you feeling?
2. Have you ever given up on God? How can you know He will not give up on you? Which verse from the message has God used to remind yourself that He cares for you?
3. What is God doing when circumstances, fear and confusion block Him out? Are you in a situation in which you need to let truth override your feelings? How do you know and what will you do?
4. What treasure have you found while in a valley? What does it mean for us to “share the spoils?”

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Cultural Compasses that Point Mankind to Jesus”
Don Richardson, Guest Speaker
July 31/Aug. 1, 2010

Content
1. John 1:29 contains the most important introduction in history, when John the Baptist introduced Jesus.  It also has the most meaningful metaphor:  the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
2. This term was meaningful to the Jews because they practiced animal sacrifices and thought animal blood atoned for their sins.  The real purpose of animal sacrifices was to foreshadow the sacrifice of the One Who would provide atonement.
3. This foreshadowing is a compass designed by God to point people to Jesus.  Compasses are things from Old Testament culture that foreshadow New Testament redemption.
4. Another compass is in John 3:14, where Jesus said He would be lifted up as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert.
5. John 6:32-36 is a compass where Jesus referred to manna from heaven and said that Moses didn’t give true bread, but God did and He is this true bread.
6. Compasses  do not apply only to one group, the Jews.  Gentile cultural compasses give us the ability to make the meaning of the gospel clear to all people.
7. Don told of how he went to New Guinea to work with the Sawi tribe, which is a cannibal tribe.  Despite these fears, he was willing to go and bear witness of God where God wanted him to go.
8. This tribe wanted a man of European origin (tuan?) to come live among them and help them and teach them.   After surveying the situation and having a house built, Don took his family there.  The tribe had weapons and war paint when they arrived but welcomed Don, his wife and their baby.
9. When Don learned enough language to tell them about God, sin and their need for a Savior, he also told about Judas.  The tribe thought Judas was a hero because he was a master of treachery.
10. Don prayed for wisdom and received it when the tribes were at war and he learned of a “peace child,” which was when a father gave his son to an enemy village to end the fighting and bring peace.  Don explained to the Sawi that Jesus was the greatest peace child given by the greatest Father.  The Sawi didn’t admire Judas anymore because he was evil to betray the peace child.
11. Many of the tribes people received Christ and the tribes’ warfare was replaced with Christian faith.
12. Don later learned that the Sawi don’t shed the blood of a man approaching with a baby, which was significant to him because when he and Carol arrived, they were carrying their baby.
13. God expressed His love for mankind in arranged ways.

Aim
Cultural compasses are designed by God to point people to Jesus.  Also, we need to be willing to serve where God calls us to serve.

Application Questions
1. Describe a time when God called you to serve somewhere and you went.  A time when you didn’t go.
2. What are some other cultural compasses you can think of?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Young, The Simple, The Foolish, The Wicked / Choose Wisely series
Andy Holt, Equipping Director
July 24/25, 2010
Proverbs 4:10-19

Content
1. The book of Proverbs shows two paths:  choosing wisely or choosing foolishly.  When we make foolish choices we don’t stop to consider God’s Word or the nagative impact on life.
2. Young people are immature and don’t have much experience but they are passionate.  The world hasn’t beaten them down yet.   They often don’t think, but just react.
3. Simple people are led astray by their ignorance.  They lack prudence and don’t pursue knowledge because they think they know enough.
4. “God helps those who help themselves” isn’t in the Bible and is actually contradictory to it.  We need to trust in God and not ourselves. He will help us because we’re helpless.
5. Foolish people are tempted to sin and don’t consider the consequences.  They’re focused on the object of their desire and don’t think about how it will negatively affect their life and others’ lives.
6. Fools wear blinders and see only their own selfish desires; they despise wisdom and understanding.
7. Wicked people despise God; they don’t care what He says and are openly rebellious.  Romans 1:28-32 describes them well.  They actively pursue godlessness and are offended by the thought that they need a Savior.
8. The solution to making bad choices is found in 1 Timothy 1:15.  Jesus came to save sinners and we are the worst.
9. We need to acknowledge our need for forgiveness and run to Jesus to receive it.
10. Self-righteousness and pride are sins.  God wants us to love people in His name.
11. Knowing and confessing the depth of our sin makes us aware of the graciousness of God.  He loves us beyond measure and He’s always known about our sin.

Aim
We need to realize the depth of our sinfulness, name it and be broken by it, then respond to God with gratitude and live humbly, loving Him and others.

Application Questions
1. Do you agree with the four types of people Andy described?  Why or why not?
2. Describe a time when you made a bad choice and what the consequences were.   Which category Andy described did you fit into with this choice?
3. Describe a time when you made a good choice.
4. Has there been a time when you were self-righteous and condescending toward others?
5. What will you do, or what did you do, when Jesus offered forgiveness?

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Choosing Friendships/ Choose Wisely series
Andy Sieberhagen, Global Missions Pastor
July 10/11, 2010
Proverbs 23:17-26; John 15

Outline

I. Christ is my best friend (John 15, especially verse 13 and 5)

II. Chose close friends carefully (Proverbs 12:26, 18:24, 27:17)

III. General friendships (Proverbs 1:10-16, 16:25, 2:20; Proverbs 23:20 )

IV. Outreach friendships (Proverbs 13:20; Rom 1:16-17, 8:31-39) 

Content

1. Next to God, your will is the most powerful thing because Satan can’t make us do anything against our will.
2. Jesus needs to be our closest friend for us to have healthy friendships. (John 15:13, 15:5)
3. We must choose friends who can tell us the truth and help us grow. If we do not choose friends but only allow others to choose us, we become vulnerable to fear and the will of others.
4. To obey God when He calls us, it’s important to have friends who are passionate about following God.
5. Look for people who are walking on the “right path” for your peer group. (Proverbs 1:10-16, 16:25, 2:20)
6. Look for those who have chosen wisdom over folly. (Proverbs 23:20) The passions of your companions will be the life you find yourself living. Examples: If you hang with people who like to drink, you will find yourself in bars. If your buddies desire godly lives, you will find yourself in Bible study.
7. Only Jesus can show you your true identity. You need to know who you are in Jesus. (Proverbs 13:20)
8. Many Christians live on the defensive, afraid the world will overwhelm them. They try to keep themselves separated.
9. If Jesus is my closest friend, if He is in me and my identity is in Him, I do not fear the darkness of the world. Jeus is light.
10. We can decide to be influencers of others because of our relationship with Jesus. (Rom 1:16-17, 8:31-39)

Aim

When Jesus is our best friend and we have chosen our relationships based on His wisdom, we can confidently stand up for righteousness and be an influence for Him.

Application Questions

I. What does it mean to have Jesus as your closest friend? What do you have to do to accomplish this? How does your self-image reflect your relationship with Christ?

II. Do you have a friend who tells you the truth? Are you a friend who tells the truth? What are the difficulties in being and having the kind of friend Proverbs 27:17 describes, and how do we overcome those difficulties?

III. What life path have you chosen?  Who are you walking with on this path? If you are not where you want to be, what do you need to do next? How do you identify those who would be appropriate companions?

IV. What are you doing to influence the people you associate with for Jesus? Are you the defensive type who fears the world, the confident one who is totally secure in Christ and stands up for Him fearlessly, or are you somewhere in between? Where do you think God wants you to be? How will you get there? How do you feel about Pastor Andy’s admonition to look for the poor, needy and outcasts around you?