CHRYSALIS OUT OF THE HARD PLACE
Week Two
Finding and keeping the main thing.
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3
It is in the hard place where priorities become rearranged. It is here where God helps each of us see clearly the false idols that have dominated our lives. In the last and fierce moments of a hard place, we often make bold and firm proclamations to return and maintain with fervor our relationship with God. But, how will we as the hard place falls away?
Day 1 The main thing
Read John 14
Take a moment after reading and consider the following questions:
After hearing from Jesus that He would soon be betrayed and some bold promises from His disciples, Jesus encouraged the disciples to “not be troubled.”
What was the encouraging promise?
Thomas is quick to reply with the need for directions - how would they get there? (verse 6)
Philip asks for more details, and Jesus uses the word “know” again in His answer. (verse 9) It is clear that knowing Jesus is the main thing.
As you read through the rest of the chapter again, list some words that clarify what knowing means or requires -
If the main thing is knowing Jesus - how can you start this week by focusing on “the main thing”?
This week’s memory verse: John 17:3 msg
And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Day 2 Fighting distraction
Read Matthew 13:1-23
Take a moment after reading and consider the following questions:
The Father is always sowing, ALWAYS. He sows in unlikely places and unlikely situations, not unlike today!
In the different types of soil, Jesus reveals some hindrances to fruitfulness. List those hindrances in your own words.
Distractions ultimately reveal the divided allegiance of the heart. What is at the root of a divided heart?
“Good soil” comes from” - seeing (v 16) - Hearing (v 16, 18) - Understanding (v 19) - Root building (v 21) - Perseverance (v 21-22)
How might you take a step to “good soil” today and rise above the distractions of earth?
This week’s memory verse: John 17:3 msg
And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Day 3 The Wall - part 1
Read Exodus 16
Take a moment after reading and consider the following questions:
The call, mission, and purpose was fading rapidly in Israel among the sting of daily challenges in a desert. From their cries, God answered with a blessing, a job, and a new rhythm to life.
What was God’s blessing?
The blessing required something daily from the people: ______
Why do you think God would require “work” in the blessing?
It is here, in the longing for the main thing - God requires a new rhythm.
What does that reveal regarding our own appetite/hunger today?
Why is it so hard to take spiritual rest each week?
Jesus released the sabbath from a particular day, but not our need to rest in Him. How can you return to a Godly rhythm this week?
This week’s memory verse: John 17:3 msg
And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Day 4 The Wall - part 2
Read John 15
Take a moment after reading and consider the following questions:
“The Wall” of protection is built intentionally. A life focused on the main thing - means we protect it from the daily onslaught meant to distract and disable our lives. “The Wall” represents the protections we practice to keep us focused on the main thing.
First practice is returning to a life of REST in our first love.
Second practice is found in the beautiful John 15. We will revisit John 15 several times this month.
“If” is a powerful word. Jesus is giving us an opportunity to build a wall or tear it down. “If” we build a wall, verse 7 calls us to build upon His ______
Why are the words of Jesus so important to keeping the main thing the main thing?
Instead of suggesting we remember, or have familiarity with His words, Jesus said ______
How can you remain in His word daily?
How might that help you keep focused on the main thing this year?
This week’s memory verse: John 17:3 msg
And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Day 5 The Wall - part 3
Read Luke 19:1-27
“The Wall” is built on REST, the WORD, and the practice of aligning my day to the mission and purpose of God.
Jesus’ parable reflects the scriptural principle that God alone is the giver of all good things.
God may give in unequal quantities, but not with unequal grace. Accompanying God’s gifts of grace, is the expectation of reciprocated grace. God expects the gifts given to be given in return.
What gifts has God given you?
What may not look like a gift at first glance, is in fact a gift?
We have a tendency to diminish the importance of some of the gifts given us, at great cost to the mission and our ability to serve Jesus.
Why is that?
If you could surrender a “lesser gift” like your job, this present difficult place, your busy days - how could you do that?
If you could take away one practice from Luke 19 to ALIGN your day - what would it be?
This week’s memory verse: John 17:3 msg
And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent. CHRYSALIS | Out of a hard place Family Devotional Supplement Discovery Community Church
This family supplement is meant to provide additional tools for your family to walk through the “Chrysalis: Out of a Hard Place” devotional together.
Family Devotions Making time as a family to do a devotional together can feel like a big task. Be encouraged and feel freedom to find what rhythm works best for your family. You may need to simplify, and break it into smaller pieces. One approach might work well with one child and not for another. This is a toolbox not a checklist, feel freedom from perfection!
Ideas for WHEN: ● During a meal ● While doing an activity like playing with Play-Doh, painting, coloring, crafting ● Before bedtime
Suggested Devotional Order: ● Open in short prayer: “Lord, will you quiet our hands, minds and hearts, we know you are here with us. Will you help us to know and love you more deeply as we seek you.” ● Say the weekly verse together aloud ● Read verses/watch video ● Discuss questions ● Write something you will be praying about as a family this week
Remember to involve your kids to ‘own’ parts of the devotional as much as possible, reading a verse, saying a prayer – and don’t forget to answer the questions for yourselves!
Contact Kirstin Stave ([email protected]), Kids and Family Ministry Director, to set up your RightNow Media account (free to Discovery participants).
CHRYSALIS | Out of a hard place Family Devotional Supplement Discovery Community Church
WEEK 2 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 DEVOTION John 14 Matthew Exodus 16 John 15 Luke AL 13:1-23 19:1-27 READING: FAMILY I am the way, Parable of God provides in Read John Parable of the VIDEOS: the truth, and the Sower the wilderness 15:5-8 Talents the life. ACTIVITY Listen to: Draw a root, Make a list of Draw a branch; Write down IDEA: The Life – list what ways God write on it an how you may Seeds Family makes good provides for you area God is be faithful with Worship soil and a Listen to: pruning you. your “talents” in step you can Do Not Fear – Listen to: this season. take to be Seeds Family Remain In Me – like good Worship Seeds Family soil. Worship
REFLECT/DISCUSS: Day 1: Underline “know”. What does it mean to “know” as you read through John 14? What does it mean to “know Jesus”?
Day 2: What keeps seeds from growing? How is the “good soil” described? What can we do this week to be like “good soil”?
Day 3: How does God take care of his people in the wilderness? What did God want the Israelites to do? How did the Israelites respond? Was God close to the Israelites? How is God close to us?
Day 4: What does it mean to rest in God? Does Jesus ask us to remember, be familiar with or to remain in Him? What does it mean to remain? How can you remain in His word daily?
Day 5: Why do you think Jesus told this parable when he did? What are the “talents” in our life right now? Who gives them to us? Is there a step God asking us to take after reflecting on this parable? OUR FAMILY PRAYER: