Do Not Worry About Your Life, What You Will Eat Or What You Will Drink; Nor About Your Body…

Small Group Study – I’ve Changed My Mind

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Week 1 – I’ve Changed My Mind About My Attitude

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Theme of the Lesson God calls us to have a good attitude about our circumstances, empowers us to do so, and blesses us when we do.

Attitude Defined  A subtle way of thinking, reflected by our behavior.  The position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action or emotion.  The alignment of an aircraft in relation to the ground.

Romans 12:1 - 2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

– Following a schematic (following exactly the same function as the original)

– Metamorphosis (a complete change into a new creation)

Notes about Attitude  Complete change is possible through the renewing of your mind.  As your mind is renewed, you will understand the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.  Without the renewal you cannot understand the perfect will of God.  Bad attitudes keep you from having the future God wants you to have.  We are called to conform to biblical ways of thinking.

All scriptures (unless otherwise cited) taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Small Group Study – I’ve Changed My Mind Five Truths about Attitudes 1. We Choose Our

2. Our attitudes are not caused by or circumstances.

Biblical Example A  Adam and Eve were created perfect.  They became unthankful and rebelled, even in the most perfect circumstances.

Biblical Example B  King David wrote many of the most positive and encouraging Psalms during his time fleeing from Saul.  When he was king and things were going well, he had a bad attitude (Bathsheba / the Census) It is a lie to believe that if our circumstances were better that we would have a better attitude.

Biblical Example C  Paul (Acts 16) - After having been beaten and arrested he was worshiping that evening in prison for all to hear.  His circumstances did not prevent him from having a positive and grateful attitude.

3. is a chosen attitude, not a state of being.

 Happiness is living every minute with love, grace and gratitude; regardless of circumstances.  The devil contradicts this by telling us we can consume, buy, travel to, or wear happiness and contentment.

4. God rewards good attitudes and bad ones – just like all good parents do.

 Don’t wait for it to become a behavior, discipline it when it is an attitude.  Hebrews 12:7 - If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

5. Good attitudes precede and predict success, favor and promotion. Bad attitudes precede and predict , disfavor and demotion. (James 4:6)

 For times in life when you can’t see - the Bible is your “attitude indicator”.  God gives us the Bible to correct our attitude.  The Book of Psalms is the attitude we should have in bad times.  The devil uses tools to defeat you - circumstances, people, etc…  God uses the Holy Spirit to help and defend you – through your faith in God

Seven Attitude Killers

1. Wrong Expectations 4. Negativity 7. Self-Pity 2. ____ 5. Pride 3. Entitlement 6. Bitterness

Seven Attitude Builders

1. Gratitude 4. Graciousness 7. Contentment 2. Faith 5. Respect 3. 6. Servanthood

Why Should We Have A Good Attitude?

1. It is Christ-like, so we can be the light of the world. 2. Jerimiah 29:11 - God knows you, loves you and has a plan for your life. 3. Romans 8:28 - He will turn bad things into good things for you. 4. Luke 18:27 - God is bigger than any of your problems and nothing is impossible for him. 5. Luke 10:19 - Jesus has defeated Satan 6. Isaiah 53: - Jesus died and paid for my sins 7. Romans 8:34 - Jesus defeated death and hell, He is at the right hand of God as intercessor for me in heaven.

1.) We learned that renewing our minds will help us to understand the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. How do we do we renew our minds? What prevents us from doing it?

2.) In what ways are you most tempted to have a “worldly attitude”? What steps will you take going forward in light of what we learned today?

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3.) What do the world and Satan claim are ways we can be happy? What does God say?

4.) Why does God discipline a poor attitude? What does that discipline look like? When is it over?

4a.) Are you a warrior in God’s Army – responsible and mature, or is God currently dealing with a poor attitude in your life?

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4b.) In what ways are we, or can we, raise our children to be mature, responsible adults with the right attitude?

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5.) What tools does God give us to help us identify bad attitudes and correct them?

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6.) What will you do differently this week as a result of what God has revealed to you today?

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Disclaimer Discussion: Mr. Evans’ uses an example of “attitude killers” in which one who is unhappy with his car should go find a car in the church parking lot that (by comparison) is in worse shape externally than the unhappy person. He suggest that by comparison this would perhaps make the person with the killer attitude of “comparing up” feel more content and consider themselves “better off”.

D1.) How could Romans 12:3 offer a better alternative attitude?

In addition, Paul states:

Philippians 4: 11-12 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

The NIV phrases it as follows: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.2

1 Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 488). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 2 The New International Version. (2011). (Php 4:11–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

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Week 2 – I’ve Changed My Mind About Failure and Success

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Theme of the Lesson Our minds need to be transformed by God or we will have an incorrect and worldly definition of success. We are not usable if we are not transformed.

Conformed – Following a schematic (following exactly the same function as the original)

Transformed – Metamorphosis (a complete change into a new creation)

The Definition of Success

1. Financial Prosperity 4. Intellect & Education 7. Popularity or Favor 2. Power & Influence 5. Giftedness 3. Relational Happiness 6. Strength & Security

(Any of these can be used righteously but there is no definition listed - the world doesn’t have a spiritual measurement of success.)

The World’s Definition of Success is Not God’s

Biblical Example 1 – King Solomon I Kings 10:23 - King Solomon surpassed all the kings on earth in riches and wisdom. I Kings 11 - He loved many foreign women and by these women his heart turned away from God.

The Lords anger burned against him and he was a though he possessed all.

Biblical Example 2 – Jesus Jesus possessed few of the items on the list of success by worldly standards. He died on a cross, not popular The Bible states he was nothing to look at. He died penniless, having to borrow someone else’s grave. And yet He was the most successful person on this earth according to God.

1. A Wrong Sense of

2. Wrong / Modeling

The world puts, money, friends and popularity before God, showing children that God comes last, sacrificing time with Him for other things. Kids see that and are growing up without loving God first.

If our children choose God first they will be successful.

3. Wrong Making

Choose a career that fills your heart first and your pocket book second. Ask yourself, what did God put you on your heart to do? He’ll provide for your needs.

4. Lack of

5. Not Accomplishing God’s for Your Life

Essential Standards of Success from the Bible

3 Parables (Matthew 25) from Jesus on the Topic of a Successful Life

In Matthew 24, Jesus said to be watchful of the times and to be ready. He gave several examples…

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mat 25:1-13) – A Personal Relationship with Jesus

 5 were wise and had prepared, they had oil for their lamps so that they were ready to meet him.  5 were foolish and did not prepare. They asked to borrow the oil from the other virgins who had.  The oil represents with Jesus.

You cannot borrow someone else’s time. You cannot borrow someone else’s personal relationship with Jesus. You have to use your time and develop your own relationship with Jesus. Time is the commodity of a relationship. If you have a meaningful relationship with Jesus you are successful!

The Parable of the Three Stewards (Mat 25:14-30) – Am I Living My Life for God or for Myself?

 The good stewards invested their talents to be faithful to the greater good of their Lord.  The wicked and lazy steward hid his talents away because he felt his Lord to be a hard master.  The talents represent the God has given each of us to glorify Him.

People’s souls and their eternal destination are the most valuable thing to God. We are not to live our lives to accumulate wealth and possessions, but to accumulate people to take to Heaven with us. We are to use our talents to win people to God and have an effect on the Kingdom of God.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Mat 25:31-46) – Treating Others with Compassion and Dignity

 The sheep represent those whose character was like Jesus, willing to share and care for others – not because they knew they were serving God specifically, but because they were compassionate.  The goats represent those who were selfish in life and did not care for others because they did not see the character of God in the less fortunate or see how it would benefit them.  Judgement comes, not by what we claim to have done for God, or what we have done in the open, but by whether we reflected the character of Jesus toward others in our hearts.

Worldly success makes us hard while Jesus makes our hearts soft. We are to live our lives to rather than accumulate. When we know Jesus we live for a higher purpose than just ourselves. God’s standard is what we are measured by – not the worlds.

1.) Today’s study was about changing our minds about failure and success. Prior to today, what was your definition of success? How does that line up with God’s definition?

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2.) If an outside observer looked into our daily lives, what kind of lessons would they see us teaching our children (or our neighbors) about what success and failure mean?

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3.) Pastor Evans encouraged that we should “consider what God put on your heart to do for a living” and “choose a career that fills your heart first and your pocketbook second”. What have been your experiences with doing this?

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4.) We know the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Maintaining a relationship requires an investment of time. How do you use your time to get to know Jesus better?

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5.) What decisions have you made to ensure that your life has an effect on the kingdom of God?

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5a.) In what ways are you still struggling with living your life for you and not for God?

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5b.) What are some things that we (individually or as a group) can begin to do to accumulate people to take to heaven with us?

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5c.) What can you do this week to win someone to God?

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6.) What does it mean to “live a life to distribute rather than to accumulate”?

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Week 3 – I’ve Changed My Mind About Worry and Anxiety

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Theme of the Lesson We are commanded in scripture not to be afraid, not to be anxious and not to worry. God commands this because He will give us the power to overcome these things.

Fear, Anxiety and Worry

Fear – A negative emotion or response to a threat to our well being Anxiety – Uneasy or nervous about what you cannot control Worry – To mentally dwell on something (often developing into anxiety and fear)

God would not have commanded us to not be afraid, anxious or worry if it weren’t possible.

“As much as you know the presence of God by , you know the presence of the devil by fear.”

“Do not fear”, or “fear not” is the most constant commandment in the Bible. God created us to live in peace not in fear.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God

Matthew 6:25 ...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body…

Matthew 6:34 …do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

An orphaned spirit is root of all fear, anxiety and worry.

God loves being a Father, He adores you and He loves to “Daddy” us in every circumstance in our life.

 Focus on God, consider worry, anxiety and fear as the enemy and enjoy the __ in your lives.  Remember that while they are common – worry, anxiety and fear are not normal or inevitable. o is normal – all other things are not.  Worry & anxiety exist because we allow them. They separates us from God and the joy in our lives.

Steps to Overcome Worry, Anxiety and Fear

1. Consider them agents of the that rob you of your life

2. Turn every thought of worry and anxiety into a until you receive victory

Your worry list should be your prayer list

Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let all your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ

You know you’ve prayed enough when you have peace

3. By faith, believe and confess that the Lord is your God, your Heavenly Father, and that He knows that you need all things

Matthew 6:8b – For your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him

Questions for Application

1.) How d0 fear, anxiety and worry impact our Christian life?

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2.) Prior to today’s lesson, did you consider fear, anxiety and worry as “normal and inevitable”? How did today’s study change your perspective?

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3.) Throughout the Bible we are commanded not to worry or be afraid. What can we practically do to obey that commandment?

4.) What causes you to be tempted to worry? If you continue to worry after confessing it to God, what does that mean?

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5.) Share an example of a time when you were tempted to be afraid but God gave you “peace surpassing understanding”?

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Week 4 – I’ve Changed My Mind About Insecurity

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Theme of the Lesson As believers, we should think differently than the way of the world in order to be salt and light. Our minds must be transformed in order to glorify God in all of our circumstances, especially when we are tempted to lose confidence. We are not to be arrogant or self-righteous, but saved.

Insecurity

Insecurity – A lack of confidence, on a personal level.

When we feel insecure:

We have the ability to:

1. Expose 2. 3. Expel

…any thoughts that shouldn’t be there†.

† We have the ability to read the Bible and allow it to come into us and change us.

No one controls your thoughts but you. What comes in and stays in is up to you, not God or the devil. We all deal with insecurities in our own ways. When we feel insecure it’s always an opportunity for God or for the devil.

You will either live your life:  Insecure  Falsely Secure 

The only chance for security is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The World Finds Security In:  Confidence in

There is deceitfulness in riches (Mat 13:22, Mark 4:19)

While money can give some security, God gives total security.

Money is important, God is essential.

 Confidence in Their Appearance  Confidence in Their Popularity (Human Relationships)

Biblical Example of Paul – “…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” – Phil 4:11

Primary Cause of Insecurity

…is comparing “up” to someone “better” than you.

 As a believer, we should think differently  We should compare down – in a thankful way (not in a prideful or boastful way, but from a positions of humility)

The only way to feel secure is to have a personal relationship* with Jesus Christ.

*Recall from Week 2 and the Ten Virgins, time is the commodity of a relationship. We must spend time with Jesus to feel secure.

Psalm 91 – the Security Chapter

Psalm 91:1-2 1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

God offers many promises to “He who dwells in the secret place”. In the book of Mathew, Jesus explains where this “secret place” is.

Matthew 6:6 …when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Turn to God and put your security in him from the words out of your mouth and make it your confession (out loud): “You are my refuge and my fortress. I will put my security in you. I will put my trust in you. I will not put my security in money, my relationships or my appearance. You are the only one who will give me true security.”

If you do this, His promise is (Psalm 91)…

 He Will Deliver You (Verse 3)  He Will Cover and Protect You (Verses 4-9)  No Evil Shall Befall You (Verses 10-12)

Additional Promises of God Regarding His Word

 His word heals and delivers – Psalm 107:20  The word of God is living, powerful, active and sharper than any two-edged sword – Hebrews 4:12  The person that reads the Bible will be successful – Psalm 1:1-2

The Bible is the Sword of the Spirit and it will transform you (Romans 12:1-2).

I & II Samuel – The Spirit of Saul

Israel wanted a human king and they got the man who did everything wrong. Because of his insecurities – instead of turning to God, be became demonized.

Seven Signs of a Saul Spirit – A Spirit of

1. Unteachable & Unapproachable 5. Anger & Emotional Instability 2. Jealous & Envious 6. Unbelief & Spiritual Compromise 3. Blame Transfer 7. Fear of Man / Wanting to Be Liked at 4. Control God’s Expense

Biblical Example – Paul’s Spirit

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “7b…lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Three Steps to Deal with Insecurity

1. – go to your secret place and confess Him as your refuge and fortress. 2. Embrace your – our weaknesses reveal our need for God 3. Rejoice in your for God – put faith in God’s Grace

The world runs to something. We run to someone.

Questions for Application

1.) The world sees security in having money. The Bible says we are not to “lay up treasures on Earth”, so what role should money have in our security as Christians? How well are you doing at living out that belief?

2.) What do you do when you feel insecure? What should we do?

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3.) What do you instinctively turn to for your security? What is good or bad about that instinct?

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4.) The Bible is “the Sword of the Spirit; and it will transform you”. How does it do that? How does the world change us if we aren’t in the Word?

5.) Pastor Evans said “the world runs to something. We run to Someone”. How has that been true for you in the past?

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6.) Do you think God created us with a weak and insecure nature? (Why or why not?)

7.) Would one or two of you share a time when God changed your life through the Word?

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Week 5 – I’ve Changed My Mind About Fear

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Theme of the Lesson We must think differently about fear in our lives. Jesus experienced more fear than any other human, but He defeated it. The number one commandment in the Bible is “Do Not Fear” or “Fear Not” – because Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He will deliver us from fear. It is the devil who brings fear.

As much as you know the presence of God by peace, you know the presence of the devil by fear.

Luke 22:39-47 39Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony (great fear and distress), He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.

Why Did Jesus Feel Fear

1. So That He Could With Us (He is God, but He was Also a Man)

Hebrews 4:15-16 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus experienced more fear than any of us ever will, but He defeated it.

Fear keeps us from doing God’s Will. When we need God the most, we deserve Him the least.

When you go to the Throne of God in your fear, you receive:  Mercy – you don’t get what you deserve  Grace – you get what you don’t deserve

1. So That He Could Identify With Us

2. He Modeled (Even Though He Had Full Knowledge of What Was About to Happen)

He was tempted to run, to change the plan, etc… but He acted above his fear.

He knew everything He was going to go through, and prayed three times for it to be taken from Him.

 Jesus didn’t have to pray twice for anything.

3. He Was Under Full Spiritual from the Devil

Luke 4:13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

Jesus had been previously tempted in the wilderness after forty days of fasting. Being unsuccessful, Satan left Him to come back when Jesus was in an even weaker position – just as He was about to go to the cross.

The Nature of Fear

The devil uses fear to control us.

II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

All fear leads back to a fear of death. Faith gives you courage to act above your fear.

Hebrews 2:14-15 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Good versus Bad Fear

Good Fear Bad Fear  Circumstantial  Perpetual  Protective  Paralyzing  Instructive  Confusing  Empowering  Enslaving  Confusing  Fatalistic

You can only give away what you have. The devil has no peace.

“There is no peace… for the wicked.” – Isaiah 48:22

Jesus rules by peace, because He is full of peace. The devil rules with fear.

1. Your Fear without Shame

Jesus said “Daddy, I’m Afraid”

2. Your Fears to God

“Not My will but Your will be done.”

“God, I’m feeling an emotion and it’s real, but that doesn’t mean it’s right.”

3. Focus on God’s – In Love

Psalm 23 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Psalm 16:8-11 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The devil will always put a giant where God gives you a promise. (Numbers 13)

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. – Mark Twain

To become the person God wants you to be you have to act above your fears and emotions.

Don’t make decisions in fear. Go to God to council you.

Fear is Reality without God - Faith is Reality with God

Questions for Application

1.) The Bible refers to “a spirit of fear”. Is this something supernatural, or a normal part of life?

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2.) How did Jesus’ experiences as a human help Him to relate to us? Was He capable of submitting to fear and temptation?

3.) What is God’s view of you when you are weak and submit to your fears?

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4.) Fear is the primary thing that keeps us from doing God’s will. How does the devil use fear in our lives to prevent us from being more effective? (What can we do about it?)

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5.) Pastor Evans, stated that ”the devil will always put a giant where God gives you a promise”. Share a time in your life when that has happened?

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6.) To become the person God wants us to be we must act above our emotions and our fears. How do we do this?

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Week 6 – Bonus Feature

Overcoming Insecurity w/Karen Evans

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Theme of the Lesson Our parents and our past affect us in both good and bad ways, but God has the power to step in and take all that has happened and make something new. God can change insecurity into confidence and Mrs. Evans provides a wonderful example of how He can do this through meditating on His Word.

Psalm 6 1O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord—how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! 5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back an d be ashamed suddenly.

Karen’s Familiar Story  Her parent’s confidence, strength and dominance made her more insecure  She never felt she could measure up  Often cried herself to sleep, hating herself  Believed she was stupid, fat and ugly  While others (like her husband) saw good in her, but she could not see it  Realized she needed to seek God

 When she started reading the Bible – “Something” told her she would be okay  Initially God let her know that He sees and understands (through Psalm 6)  As she devoted herself to reading the Bible, she noticed changes in herself  She still struggled with believing that God could love her  She was embarrassed to claim to be a Christian, but not know the Word better  Others started to see changes in her  A desire grew in her to have her behavior reflect Jesus better  God started to change her heart as she regularly spent time in the Word  Her time reading the Bible healed her and became the most powerful thing in her life  Her relationship with God through His Word fulfills her in ways even her spouse can’t  When Jesus returns, she will not be ashamed

Ephesians 3:14-19 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Inspiration from the Word  To want God inside of me, not me inside of me  For God to change more than my behavior, to change my heart  We are already in the love of Jesus Christ  We will have the fullness of God  There is beauty in love  There is power in trust  Trusting God is the most secure place you can be  No matter what – you can depend on, and be secure in, the love of Christ

Titus 3:3-7 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 The patience and kindness of God leads us to repentance

Jesus says – I will never change my mind about you. I love you.

1.) Ask for a volunteer to read the full text of Psalm 6. In light of Mrs. Evan’s testimony, what does Psalm 6 tell us about the nature of God in reference to our insecurities?

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2.) How does the way we parent impact our children? How should we react when we fail as parents?

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3.) In what ways does our confidence in God encourage confidence in others?

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4.) How has committing yourself to the regular reading of the Bible changed you or impacted your life?

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5.) Review the section on how “God used the Bible to Reveal His Heart to Mrs. Evan and Brought Her into a Closer Relationship with Him”. Take a moment to consider where you are in this progression and what lesson you are currently learning.

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