Evergreen Christian Community

Matthew 16:242 Timothy 2:1-10The Big Idea: Private discipline always precedes public fruitfulnessAsceticism is an antidote to the poison of self-centeredness common in our culture, which teaches us that satisfying our own desires is the key to the good life. The ascetic knows that true happiness can be found only by living in harmony with the will of God, and ascetical practices train body and soul to put God above self.Soldier:Please Your Commanding OfficerDo not get entangled in civilian affairs1 John 2:15-17 Athlete: Receive the Victor’s CrownCompete lawfullyRomans 8:3-41 Corinthians 3:10-15The Farmer:First to share in the harvestWork HardGalatians 6:71 Thessalonians 2:2-12 Response:• I will keep my life disentangled• I will integrate the Spirit's work into my whole life• I will sow into the harvest of my OikosDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Matthew 6:24-27► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statem

Genesis 1:26-28Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17Genesis 3:17-19The Big Idea: For disciples of Jesus, our work is a prophetic act of worship.The Origin and Purpose of Work‭The purpose of our work is to add value - to bring value, beauty, and contribution to the world.The Curse Changed Our Relationship with Work.Many of us have a disordered relationship with work• Find (or lose) our identity in our work• Work is disconnected from our spiritual lives• Loyalties become misplacedThe Restoration and Redemption of Work:Paradise is not the absence of work; it is the presence of meaningful work.This is the idea of “exercising dominion over creation” (Genesis 1:28)• Idleness is an enemy of the soul• Work is an expression of love • Work is an effort to re-order the natural world in harmony with God’s will.• Work is one way that we create culture • We can provide revelation through our work (Colossians 3:17)RESPONSE:• I will do my work as a prophetic act of worship to God• I will create culture with how I work• I will serve my Oikos

The Big Idea: Prayer is simply about being with God.Psalm 46Practicing the Way of JesusPray in adoration to God and in defiance to your circumstancesPray for fidelity, boldness, and obedience, rather than deliverance.Pray the RosaryThe Hallow AppPray Hail Mary’sOur Lady of GuadalupePray the Our FatherThe Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)‭Get your Why right - Don’t be like the hypocritesGet your Mind right - your Father sees, knows, and rewardsGet your Heart right - If you forgive, He forgives. If you don’t, He does not Get to work - Pray differentlyOur Father - embracing the relationshipIn Heaven - you are above, I am beneathHallowed - set apart - is your NAME (even reflecting on the names)Come! Your Kingdom; Be Done! Your will - in our lives like it is in heavenDaily Bread - living today with trust for tomorrowForgive us - as we also forgiveLead Us - Deliver UsKingdom, Power, GloryThe Nighttime Shema:Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids.May it b

Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-25The Big Idea: Intentional structures free us to experience the presence of God within our everyday life.2 Peter 1:3-11Faith -> Goodness -> Knowledge -> Self-Control -> Perseverance -> Godliness -> Mutual Affection -> Love Intentional focused structures will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your faith.Ideas For Getting Started:• Living in the River- Items on the walls- Sticky Notes- Daily Times of Prayer ritual- Pocket Tokens- Journal entries- Prayer of Examen every evening or morning- Daily Limits on Screen Time- Prescribed Reading Time and Books- Build a Prayer Team- Regular Fasting- Prayer and Study Retreats• Biblical Thinking- Read a portion of God’s Word every day- Lectio Divina prayer daily- Memorize a small passage every week- Family Scripture and Discussion- Monthly Book Readings- Radical limits on Screen Times• Marriage- DBS on Marriage passages- Lectio Divina prayer on marriage passages- Pray together daily or twice daily (set times of prayer)- Daily Affirma

John 7:37-39The Big Idea: Your personal mission is to be a source of God’s life-giving water in the middle of a desert.Ezekiel 47:1-12Psalm 1:1-32023: One Objective and Three StrategiesOne Objective: Live in the River!Three Strategies:• Learn to Think BiblicallyColossians 2:6-12The Issachar Collective• Build Incredible MarriagesEphesians 5:21-33MergeFoundationsre|engage• Develop communities of resilience and fidelityEcclesiastes 4:7-12Response:Commit to learning how to think Biblically and live as a Disciple of JesusCommit to strong marriagesSelect and commit to a community of friends this yearDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Luke 5:1-11► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people?3. What does this passage tell us

Hebrews 1:1-4Many of us perceive that God speaks very rarely and when He does, it’s hellfire and brimstone.God Spoke - often. Consistently. Clearly. Often almost begging - through the prophetsDeuteronomy 30:19-202 Chronicles 16:9God is speaking - Through Jesus• Appointed Heir of all things• Through whom He made the universe• The radiance of God’s glory• Exact representation of His being• Sustaining all things by His powerful Word• Superior to every name and to angelsIn Jesus, faith goes from “DO” to “DONE”‭‭God’s Final Word:Colossians 2:8-15DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people?3. What does this passage tell us about God?4. Based on the passage, what is one thing

Matthew 2:1-12‭‭The Big Idea: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1)The Magi: who they are, how they responded, and what they broughtWho They AreA Kingdom’s most valued advisors (Daniel 2 and 5)Magi would explain and interpret the coexistence of the spiritual and the physical to align kings with the work of the gods among men.How they respondedOverjoyed - Rejoiced on a scale or extent equivalent to violenceBowed Down - Fell down, prostrate in submission and supplicationWorshiped - declared their allegiance to and regard for deityWhat they broughtGold for a KingFrankincense for a PriestMyrrh for a suffering, priestly, KingThis Christmas be like the Magi:• Rejoice exceedingly• Bow in submission• Declare your allegiance

Luke 2:22-35The Big Idea: The radical measure God takes to redeem creation is the dividing line of all things.The Humility of JesusExodus 13:2Leviticus 12:8Mark 1:4‭‭The Praise of SimeonGod doesn’t want A people - He wants ALL peopleEverything and everyone was made for the glory of God - and He wants it all back!The Prophecy of SimeonJesus brings division to clarify the pathway to peaceLuke 12:49-53Response:• Give your life for the glory of God• Enjoy the certainty of His love and Presence in your life• Go to war for your OikosDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Matthew 2:13-18► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people?3. What does this passage tell us about God?4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do

The Big Idea: Jesus has joined the least of us, to save the least of us, and give us all God’s favor - forever! Luke 2:1-20The Coming of the Christ• His historical certainty• The Father’s Choice for Point-of-Entry• The Emptying of JesusThe Significance of the Shepherds• A career of all guts, no glory• Legally defined as unreliable• Jesus joins the teamJohn 10:11-13 The Announcement of the Angels• Warriors, not cupids• God’s Glory, Great news, and Mega Joy• The SignThe Message: Jesus has joined the least of us, to save the least of us, and give us God’s favor, forever! The disqualification you feel is what makes you qualified and the qualifications you feel make you disqualified.RESPONSE:• Join the Worship of the Heavenly Host• Go and see this thing that God has done!• Do the Shepherd thing: “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Matthew 2:1-12► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?

Matthew 1:17-25The Big Idea: Wake up and answer God's call, for it is worth everything that it costs.Law and Grace: v19Law is a Teacher, Love is The GuideGalatians 3:24-25Matthew 22:37-40‭Your Role in God’s Work: v17; 20The Angel’s Pitch:•Do not allow fear to make you miss God •You are participating in God’s Master Plan of redemptionThe Biggest Enemy You Face: v20, 24-25Joseph, like you and me, is essential to God’s plan and completely dispensable. Proverbs 3:34Ever since Genesis 3, THE enemy that brings us down is our love of self.RESPONSE:•What is God saying to you?•What will you do about it?•Who can you encourage this week?DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Psalm 27:7-14► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people

Luke 1:26-56The Big Idea: You are eligible to receive God’s favor and blessing the same way Mary did - the impossible made possible entirely by God’s goodness and power.God’s WHY for everything He does is HIMSELF: In other words, God is gracious to us because He is faithful and true to HimselfGod’s WHAT: Favor and Blessings made available to all who fear Him; the humble and the hungry Mary is Favored - “the recipient of manifest unmerited grace” •The Holy Spirit comes to her•The Power of the Most High overshadows her•The One who saves her is the Son of GodMary is Blessed: “happy and fortunate due to her circumstances”God’s HOW: Everything we need, He has already doneGod keeps His promises! Holy is His name!RESPONSE:What is God saying to you?Will you say “yes” to what God has done?Will you live from the same WHY as He does?DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Galatians 6:7-10► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I wi

The Big Idea: While God is doing His global work, He attends to your cries, too.Luke 1:5-25The Testimony of Zechariah and Elizabeth:• There is a long, sovereign, specifically planned and never random redeeming work of God among men. He is faithful, relentless, and deeply in love with us• All people, including the faithful, must reconcile deep disappointments• God responds to the cries of the world and your personal cries at the same timeLuke 1:67-79Response:• Give up the Global Operations Director (G.O.D.) role• Pick up the prayers once again that you have given up on• Walk in the peace of your King - your sins have been forgiven, and your Redeemer lives!• Be an ambassador of PeaceDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Genesis 37:1-11► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands

Matthew 25:31-46Matthew 16:24-27The Big Idea: Jesus hates fake religion even more than people do.James 1:27The Truth About Sheep and Goats:•Goats don’t hurt you or help you - they just consume   •Jesus knows the sheepMatthew 7:22 - I never knew you - “Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name…”•Those on the left hand are not just unwelcomed, they are banishedWhat Jesus is Actually JudgingJesus is discerning the root by the fruit that it produces•The presence of the Spirit - Luke 4:18 (Isaiah 61)“Good deeds that are not the unconscious, automatic response of a heart indwelt by Jesus Christ are not truly ‘good’ deeds. They are planned deeds, contrived, carefully performed for the public eye, or if in private, done in the hope that they will purchase some merit or favor before God. But God's judgments take note only of the unconscious moments of our lives, the times when we are off guard, when we are unaware. It is then that we truly reveal ourselves. The test comes, not in our remembered actions, but in our

Mark 1:40-45 Prayer: I bow my knees to declare that I am a servant of the Most High God. I lift my hands and pray, Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me this day that I might glorify Jesus. “The Spirit filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It’s part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.” - A.W. Tozer (How to be filled with the Holy Spirit) Mark 1:9-11 Mark 1:12-13 Matthew 4:1 Greek - Anagó: to lead up, bring up John 14:26 Galatians 5:22-23 Big Idea: The Spirit Leads Us Into Our Oikos. Acts 1:8 Response: •We are led into places that glorify Christ and produce fruit of the Spirit dwelling within us. •The Baptism of the Spirit is less about us having the Spirit, and more about the Spirit having us. DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► This week's Passage: Ephesians 1:17-23 ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challenge you are facing? 3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement? ► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage

The Big Idea: God invites us to have lives, families, and communities that are unexplainable apart from the Presence of God. Galatians 4:6-11 Galatians 5:16-25 Wrestle with this question: Does your worship more resemble the prophets of BAAL or the prophet of God? 1 Kings 18:16-39 We Must Learn the Jesus Two-Step: Galatians 5:24-25 Step 1: Crucify the Flesh Step 2: Keep in step with the Spirit: Life in this world does not define you, this does: Galatians 3:13-14 Four Guiding Principles: 1. Jesus did not die and rise again so He could FOLLOW US 2. The activity of the Spirit is not done to you, but in you and through you 3. At any moment, it is impossible to live in the power of the SPIRIT and the power of SIN at the same time. 4. God wants my life, family, and church to be UNEXPLAINABLE without the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:6-7 In this world you will have trouble – I have overcome world How Bout This: Don’t try harder: Just invite God to be GOD, in you and through you! God invites ME and WE

The Big Idea: The Holy Spirit will put His breath in you, and you will come to life. Pentecostal: “Depending upon God to do something that I cannot do” A Framework for Spiritual Gifts and their Function: Purpose of the Gifts = LOVE Power of the Gifts = LOVE Practice of the Gifts = LOVE Product of the Gifts = LOVE Ezekiel 37:1-10 God’s redemptive and powerful plan: (v5-6) • I will put breath in you • You will come to life • You will know that I am the Lord We desire healing in our body, but do not have the breath of God in us God invited Ezekiel to invite His Spirit - He does the same with you and me. Luke 11:11-13 Response: • When you have no hope in the bones, have hope in God • Do not limit what God wants to do with the bones • Prophesy to your dry bones DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► This week's Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16 ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challenge you are facing? 3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement? ► Have at least one member of th

The Big Idea: Spiritual gifts help Christians grow and love others. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Spiritual gifts are a real-world expression of God’s grace to you. Charismata List of Gifts: Prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, mercy, message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, apostles, teachers, helping, guidance, evangelists, pastors, and hospitality. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to us all. Romans 12:6 Joel 2:28-29 We experience the gifts that God has for us, here and now. Spiritual gifts strengthen the church and help us love others. Spiritual gifts help us tell others about Jesus. Response: Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. Spiritual gifts help Christians grow and love others. DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► This week's Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challenge you are facing? 3. How did you do with last week’s

Matthew 11:28-30 The Big Idea: God speaks, and we can learn to listen and follow. John 10:27-30 God Speaks We can learn to listen Intimacy with God is the secret of life. God Speaks: (and always has!) Exodus 33:11-17 John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14 We Can Learn to Listen: Hebrews 3:7-12 Hebrews 4:7-13 Should I stay or should I go? Is God speaking, Yes or No?: •Does it move me closer to full dependence upon Jesus? •Will this help me love my neighbors more? •Go first to the verse. Go next to the voice. Intimacy With God is the Secret of Life: Revelation 3:20 RESPONSE: •What is God saying to me? •Who in my Oikos can I assist in hearing God for themselves? DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► This week's Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challenge you are facing? 3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement? ► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words ► Individual answers to five questions:

The Big Idea: The Holy Spirit Connects us to one another as much as He connects us to Himself Acts 2:42-47 1 Peter 2:4-5; 9-10 Devoted: “Connected closely and continuously.” The People of God are Devoted to Four Things: 1. The Word of God There are lots of perspectives, and we appreciate them all. AND we concern ourselves with submitting to only this one. 2. Fellowship with other disciples of Jesus “The same close connection with one another that we have with Jesus “ 3. Communion 4. Prayer We are living stones being built into a spiritual house offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. The Lord added to their number daily. RESPONSE: • I will seek the Holy Spirit so that He can connect me to Jesus and others • I will join a DBS to practice the four devotions: 1. The Word of God 2. Fellowship with other disciples of Jesus 3. Communion 4. Prayer DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► This week's Passage: Romans 12:3-8 ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challenge you a

The Big Idea :God does not want a bunch of burned-out, stressed-out, overloaded, worn-out, children representing Him in the world. He wants us to flourish day by day, hour by hour for ourselves and for our Oikos. John 14:16-17, 26 John 15:26 John 16:7-8, 13-14 Acts 1:8 The Spirit Gives us Power Ephesians 3:14-21 Power to be: • Anchored in Christ at the soul level • Rooted in the jaw-dropping love of Christ • Completely and confidently fearless “Mark it down. The Holy Spirit comes with power. Power to make good choices, keep promises, and silence the inner voices of fear and failure. Power to get out of bed, get on with life, get busy about the right things in the right way. Power to face the unexpected, unwanted passages of time. Power. This is what Jesus promised then, and this is what Jesus promises still.” - Max Lucado The Spirit Enables Us to be a Witness Hebrews 12:1-3 Hebrews 11:32-40 The Holy Spirit Equips Us for Mission John 20:21-23 Ephesians 5:15-20 RESPONSE: • I will receive Power to fl