Next Steps

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Next Step Questions

1. Pruning is an act of removing what is inhibiting greater fruitfulness in our lives. Can you look back on something that was “removed” from your life that, in hindsight, brought a more abundant life?

2. Jesus calls us to abide – to make our home in his life, his teaching, and his love. What are the ways we can slow down and make ourselves at home in Jesus and His kingdom?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

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Next Step Questions

1.  Jesus didn’t come to give a “way,” but to be the Way.  How would you describe the difference between Christianity as “a way” and Jesus as “THE Way?”

2. Jesus calls Himself the Truth – meaning we don’t possess the truth, but the truth possesses us. How do we hold to the truth we believe from a place of humility, not arrogance?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

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Next Step Questions

1. Jesus makes it clear that the defining characteristic of his followers is listening and following his voice. Can you name a time you sensed the voice of God speaking and leading you?

2. As “the gate,” Jesus is the protection and provision we need in a hostile world. What area of your life needs to dwells within this promise of his presence?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

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Next Step Questions

1. When you experience sin and brokenness in your life, how do you sense God sees you? Do you run from him…or to him?

2. As you read this story, what is unique about the way Jesus responds to each side? How is his response good news to both the Pharisees and the woman caught in adultery?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

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Due to technical difficulties, our message from Kaleb Heitzman didn’t record this past Sunday. But never fear! Instead, Justin sat down with Kaleb to talk about how to understand our passage in John 6 through the lens of story. In our “I Am” series, we’re learning to see God’s character and purpose in Jesus, and in this conversation, we talk about how story helps us know Jesus in ways that facts and bullet points can’t touch.

Next Step Questions

1. The “bread of life” story points back to the Israelites in the desert learning to trust God for their daily manna (bread). How have you struggled to trust God’s care and provision in your life?

2. How would you describe your own “spiritual hunger” in this season of your life? Are you satisfied with where you are? What stirs a deeper hunger for God in your life?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

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Next Step Questions

1. A.W. Tozer tells us that the most important thing about us is what we think of when we think about God. How have you seen a distorted view of God impact the way your life?

2. Jesus perfectly reveals the Father – his character and purpose in our world. As you consider the life of Jesus, how does this impact the way you see God’s view of you?

Practice: Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John:

As a part of our “I Am” series, we’re journeying through the Gospel of John together (see weekly reading plan on other side). Read the daily Scriptures and ask 3 questions: (1) What does this say about God? (2) What does this say about me? (3) How might I live in response to this reality?

Perhaps you believe in God… but what is God actually like?

The Old Testament gives us pictures of God’s character and purpose in the world, but something astounding happens when the biblical story arrives at the life of Jesus. Unlike other revelations of God before, Jesus claims to not only be God come in flesh, but the the perfect picture of God’s character and purpose in our world. He says in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Later Paul calls Jesus the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15), and the writer of Hebrews says Jesus is the exact representation of his being (Heb. 1:3). In Jesus, we see what God is like.

As we move towards celebrating Easter in the season of Lent, we’re taking a journey through the Gospel of John together as a community. John’s Gospel pays particular attention to Jesus’ identity, including 7 “I Am” statements that give us insight into how Jesus wants us to relate to him. On Sundays leading up to Easter, we’ll be exploring these “I Am” statements, and starting March 11, we’ll be reading through the Gospel of John together! Below you’ll find our reading plan leading to Easter.

Our prayer for this series is that every person, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey, would have a fresh, challenging, and life-changing encounter with Jesus as we journey through his story in John.

It all starts Sunday – we’ll see you there!

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Next Step Questions

1. Describe your current attitude toward your job – or lack thereof.  How does it impact your spiritual life?

2. We are all prone to a distorted view of work – work is evil, (work inhibits my flourishing), or work is god (work is my source of flourishing). Which are you more prone to?

Practice:
God is present and at work in all things – including our jobs (or lack thereof). Ask God to make his presence and purpose known in your current working circumstance. How might you connect your work with God’s activity in and through you?

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Next Step Questions

1. Sabbath rest becomes life giving when it moves from being a rule we follow to a rhythm we live. How would you describe the difference between rhythms and rules?

2. What are the biggest hindrances to your ability to truly stop and rest? How might you overcome them?

Practice:

Set apart a time in you week to truly, completely stop. Consider what brings you joy and restores you – and do that! As you do, allow your heart to be filled with gratitude for God’s provision and care in your life.

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Next Step Questions

1. We live in a rushed, overextended, and exhausted culture. How are your rhythms of life… do you feel refreshed? Overextended? Exhausted? And if so…why?

2. In slavery, we are valued by how much we produce. How does rest and Sabbath remind us of our identity in Jesus?

Practice:

Set aside a time this week to examine your calendar and commitments. Where are you overextended? Ask God for wisdom in how your schedule could better reflect a heathy rhythm and allow you to rest.