New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

What's Holding You Back?

John 4:3-42

Point 1- "Look Past Labels"

Point 2- "Empowered Past Hindrances"

Point 3- "What I'll Overcome"

Small Beginnings 3: Shepherds

As we enter into the season of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we’ll celebrate God-sized works that begin small and humble.

Luke 2:16-19 (NLT) 16  They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19  but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB) 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3  He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Small Beginnings 2: Bethlehem

As we enter into the season of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we’ll celebrate God-sized works that begin small and humble.

Micah 5:2 (NLT)  [Written around 700 B.C.] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. 

Luke 2:4-6 (NLT) 4  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5  He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6  And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  

Two things we have to emphasize in order to be part of a multiplying movement:

• P_______
• P__________ 

Small Beginnings - Part 1

As we enter into the season of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we’ll celebrate God-sized works that begin small and humble.

Zechariah 4:10a (NLT)  Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin... 

Matthew 13:31-32 (NLT) 31  Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32  It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

Two things we have to emphasize in order to be part of a multiplying movement:

• P_______
• P__________ 

Suggested Outline for a Discovery Bible Study

It’s called “Discovery” because the point is to help people discover God’s will and direction from Him, rather than being told by someone else.

1. Ask, “What are you thankful for this week?”
2. Ask, “What is stressing you out?”
3. Ask for a volunteer to read a chosen passage of Scripture.
4. Ask for a volunteer to summarize that passage in their own words.
5. Ask, “What does this teach us about God?”
6. Ask, “What does this teach us about people?”
7. Ask, “How can you apply this to your life this week?”
8. Ask, “How can you apply this to helping someone else this week?”
9. Ask, “Is there anything this group can do to address the stresses mentioned earlier?”
10. Ask, “When should the group meet next?”
    NOTE: At all future meetings add: “How did it go when you applied last week’s teaching?” 

Going Sane, Taboos Shattered

Acts 10:28-29 (NLT) 28  Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29  So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” 

Three Types of Old Testament Laws:

• C______
• C________
• M______

Going Sane in a Crazy World: The Full Life 2 (Acts 9:32-43)

This week, Pastor Aaron continues what he didn’t have time to get to on November 3. We have access to more experiences and possessions than anyone else in history, and yet many people in the world today don’t feel like they are living a full life. Certainly a Savior who raises the dead can teach us how to live. 

John 10:10 (NASB)  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Going Sane in a Crazy World - Part 10

God is a King who instructs us about what is right and wrong. The crazy things that go on in the world are often connected to people doing only what seems right in their own eyes. Let’s dig deeper into that idea and learn more about what it means to acknowledge God as King of our lives.

Going Sane, Part 9: Life to the Full

The world often looks at a religious life as a life of stifling restrictions, a list of things you can’t do. Jesus told His disciples that He came to bring people full, abundant lives. That’s a bold claim for someone who was falsely accused and executed when He was in His early thirties. What did He mean, and how can we live that kind of right side-up life in an upside-down world?

John 10:10 (NASB)  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Going Sane, Part 8: The Next Great Evangelist May Not Know Jesus Yet

Saul had an uphill battle trying to get people to trust that he wasn’t going to kill them. He didn’t let that stop him from spreading the Good News. Who will be the next Gospel champion in our community, how hungover are they this morning, and who will believe in them enough to share the Good News with them?

Acts 9:26-27 (NLT) 26  When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27  Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.  

During the Reflection Time: Retreat to Your Own Prayer “Wilderness”

Name a time and a place where you could pray uninterrupted…

• For a short time each day:
• For a longer time once per week:
• For an extended time once per month:

Recommit yourself to prayer, or start a new commitment by putting these times and places in your calendar.

Going Sane in a Crazy World: Not Right, Just Surrendered

Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT) 7  I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8  Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9  and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 

Praying for People to Have a Life-Changing Encounter with God

1. Me
2. In My Family: ________________________________
3. At Work/School: _______________________________
4. Where I Relax/Play: ____________________________
5. Who I Don’t Know Personally: ____________________