Participant Guide: Sunday, July 5
Spiritual maturity isn't measured by us avoiding hardships, but rather by how we respond when life shakes us. Trials and disappointments will often expose what's happening beneath the surface of our hearts. As we learn to process our hurts honestly by allowing the Holy Spirit to take our thoughts captive, forgive others, and overcome resentment, God will transform us into people who reflect Jesus in a clear way.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 Maturity has been defined as, "the ability to act like yourself when you get triggered." What do you think spiritual maturity looks like in everyday life? How is that different from just having a lot of biblical knowledge?
2. Read James 1:2-4 It's inevitable that there will be life events that will produce stress, and when these events happen and you feel yourself getting triggered, what does it usually expose about your heart?
3. When challenges come, we can look to the VCR model which encourages us to:
• Validate our feelings
• Comfort ourselves in healthy ways
• Recover with God's help.
Which part of that process is most difficult for you, and why?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 As followers of Christ we are called to live by the Spirit, take our thoughts captive, see people through God's eyes, and forgive as Christ forgave. Which of the commands listed are hardest for you to follow in your every day journey of faith?
5. If you think of the week that's ahead of you, and think through situation(s) that might trigger a negative response from you, how might you prepare yourself to have more of a Christlike response?
Spiritual maturity isn't measured by us avoiding hardships, but rather by how we respond when life shakes us. Trials and disappointments will often expose what's happening beneath the surface of our hearts. As we learn to process our hurts honestly by allowing the Holy Spirit to take our thoughts captive, forgive others, and overcome resentment, God will transform us into people who reflect Jesus in a clear way.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 Maturity has been defined as, "the ability to act like yourself when you get triggered." What do you think spiritual maturity looks like in everyday life? How is that different from just having a lot of biblical knowledge?
2. Read James 1:2-4 It's inevitable that there will be life events that will produce stress, and when these events happen and you feel yourself getting triggered, what does it usually expose about your heart?
3. When challenges come, we can look to the VCR model which encourages us to:
• Validate our feelings
• Comfort ourselves in healthy ways
• Recover with God's help.
Which part of that process is most difficult for you, and why?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 As followers of Christ we are called to live by the Spirit, take our thoughts captive, see people through God's eyes, and forgive as Christ forgave. Which of the commands listed are hardest for you to follow in your every day journey of faith?
5. If you think of the week that's ahead of you, and think through situation(s) that might trigger a negative response from you, how might you prepare yourself to have more of a Christlike response?