Big Perspective
A Bright Future
It’s not so much what happens to us that makes the difference – it’s how we choose to look at it. If we really believe God is working in our lives and that we’re living for eternity, it changes how we see all things. In this series, we’ll look at how to frame our past, present, and future up in light of God’s big plan.
Links
Series
Speakers
Joël Malm
Teaching Pastor
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The Cognitive Triad of Depression:
- “I’m a horrible (worthless, failure) person.”
- “The world is a horrible place.”
- “It’s not going to get better.”
Key Point:
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Jeremiah 29:5-7, 11-13
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile....For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
“The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God's paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle - and not lose it.”
- G.K. Chesterton
TITLE: A Bright Future
Week of 11-03-24
TEXT: Proverbs 4:18
CHECKING IN
If this is your first-time meeting as a group, or a new group member, introduce yourselves. Share with the group what you hope to get out of this GROW Group series.
MEMORY VERSE
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”
MAIN POINT
We must accept finite disappointment, but NEVER LOSE INFINITE HOPE.
INTRODUCTION
As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. Last week the focus was how we need to give EVERYTHING to the Lord because He holds the throne, we do not. Everything is His, whether it is finances, relationships, jobs.. We must give our problems to Him and doing so, things will change for good. This week we will talk about how things in life may be beating us down but we can never lose hope! We as followers of Christ, we have a promise. A promise of eternal hope, which is Jesus.
QUESTION: Do you ask yourself.... "What if _____________ never gets better?"
UNDERSTANDING/DIGGING DEEPER
Don't lose HOPE, stay in the FIGHT.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Unpack 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Would you say you are optimistic or pessimistic?
There are things that happen in our lives, we may get something crazy thrown at us, or it may be something that we have seen coming for a while. Nevertheless, we all look at things differently. We can either see the good in things, or we see the negative. But we need to be encouraged to set our sights on God and seek his hand in everything.
APPLICATION
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Jeremiah 29:11-13
Explain what Jeremiah is trying to communicate in this verse?
THINK ABOUT IT:
Pastor Joel talks about something called “The Cognitive Triad of Depression”, and it states that there are three types of people, the “I’m a horrible person”, the “The world is a horrible place”, and “It’s not going to get better”. Maybe you would describe yourself as one of these descriptions, especially when something in life isn’t going the way you want it to. But try reframing your mind and your heart to have hope in the Lord, to have hope that God’s hand is upon you at all times!
COMMENTARY
Stay in the fight don't give up because, there is a very good chance you're going to engage in the battle of life that you're certain you're going to lose and God's power is going to come behind you and you're going to find yourself standing up straight because you didn't lose HOPE.
FOLLOW UP
Throughout this week, consider sending a follow-up email to your group. Some suggestions:
❏ Questions to consider as you continue to reflect on what you learned this week: How can our group pray for you this week about the challenges you are facing, so that you can have victory? When are you most prone to Satan’s attacks? List a couple of them, then prepare ahead of time for the potential attacks.
❏ A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering.
❏ Remember to memorize Proverbs 4:18 and seek ways to apply this week