Key Thought: Quit saying you can’t do it. Say you can do it, and then ask how you can do it.
Key Quote
“The devil will steal your tomorrow by always making you think you have one.” Pastor Bil Cornelius
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
Name a public figure you know of whose made a huge life change.
What are some basic choices we make without thinking about it?
List some things that seem easy but are actually pretty difficult.
Share some common ruts people tend to get stuck in.
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
Why is it so difficult to change habits in today’s world?
List some habits people develop over time without even realizing it.
Why do we cling to habits even when we know the habits are hindering us?
Why is it easier to point out someone else’s needed changes rather than our own?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
What is an area of your life you know you need to change? What is your epiphaME?
Where do you want to be in five years in your personal growth?
Are you excited about the direction your life is heading? Why or why not?
Who in your life can you turn to in order to get an honest evaluation of yourself?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, we know there are changes that need to be made in our lives so that we can become more like you. Help us to identify those areas and give us the strength we need to follow through with change. We surrender ourselves to you. In your name we pray, Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
Identify your epiphaME where you need to make a change and break it down into small, achievable goals to help get you there.
Commit to an area of The U that you aren’t currently doing (Uattend, Userve, Ugroup, Utithe, Ubring). If you’re already engaged in each area, identify another area that you can take a step to grow closer with Jesus. Ask the group to hold you to it.
Create a physical reminder of why you’re in the grind (i.e. the man working towards his PhD)
Scriptures
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15 NLT
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. Ephesians 5:10-13 NLT
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV
This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14 NLT
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:24-25 NLT
