Keeping Present In Perspective

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18  

BIG IDEA:

In this series, we’ll look at how to frame our past, present, and future up in light of God’s big plan.   

KEEPING THE PRESENT IN PERSPECTIVE

“The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven out of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.

• JOHN MILTON”

THE ART OF REFRAMING

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen

REFRAME GOD

• “What comes to your mind when you think about God?” We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man.” You aren’t just the by-product of “nature” and “nurture.” You are a by-product of your God-picture.
• Tozer said a “low view of God…is the cause of a hundred lesser evils.”
• Most of our problems are not circumstantial. Most of our problems are perceptual. We reduce God to the size of our biggest problem.


REFRAME CIRCUMSTANCES

GO BACK TO YOUR SEAT

Ephesians 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN

Mark 11:23

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

SPEAK GRACE TO WALK THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN

Zechariah 4:6 6 So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

TAKE HOME:

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS RIGHT NOW?

Adversity is the seedbed of opportunity

• REFRAME: GO BACK TO YOUR SEAT

• SPEAK:

    - To your Mountain: “be removed”
      
    - Grace to Yourself: “His grace is sufficient for you”
  

TITLE:

Keeping Present In Perspective

Week of 11-10-24

TEXT:

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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

2 Corinthians 12:9

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

MAIN POINT

As we look NOT TO THE THINGS THAT ARE SEEN but to the THINGS THAT ARE UNSEEN.

INTRODUCTION

As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. Last week the focus was 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. This week, we will discuss the art of reframing. We will look at how to frame our past, present, and future up in light of God’s big plan.

QUESTION:

Is there something in your life that you need to reframe?

UNDERSTANDING/DIGGING DEEPER

Go back to YOUR SEAT.

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Mark 11:23 Unpack Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Last week the question was, “Would you say you are more optimistic or pessimistic”, from last week until now, how would you answer the same question at this point in time?

As we continue this series, it is all about perspective!! The art of reframing is crucial in this process. With everything that can go on in our lives, it is up to us if we let it bring us down, or we can reframe our mind on God and allow him to walk us through this rough patch. John Milton said, “The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven out of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” Even through the worst times in our lives, if we reframe our mind on God and his plan, we can see HIS LIGHT IN EVERYTHING!

APPLICATION

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 Corinthians 12:9 Explain what The Apostle Paul is trying to communicate in this verse?

THINK ABOUT IT:

His grace is sufficient for us. The hard part about applying the art of reframing into our lives is trust, trusting in the Lord and letting go of control. We all have to remember that God is the King of Kings, and the Creator of ALL! So why not give the problem to the creator? Allow him to transform your life and refer it into the perspective that is his plan.

COMMENTARY

God has a plan for every single one of us, we are living it right now. And even with the things that may have gone on in our past, it is still a part of that plan, but we see it as a label. But if we reframe it, and look at it from a different perspective, a BIGGER PERSPECTIVE, our minds will see God's light in it.

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 2 Corinthians 12:9 and seek ways to apply this week