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PRESCRIPTION FOR A DULL SPIRITUAL LIFE
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 2, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #prescriptionforadullspirituallife #prescription #spirituallife #connect #grow #serve
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Is your spiritual life not what it used to be? Has the fire gone out? The hunger you once felt for the things of God, is it growing or has your appetite been diminished? Believe it or not, people experience dullness in their spiritual life for very predictable reasons. It doesn’t have to be that way. On Sunday (June 2), Pastor Keith will walk us through the root causes of spiritual dullness and explain God’s prescription for a growing, vital and life-giving connection to Christ. This may be the most important message you will hear this year.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Richard Swenson in his book Margin talks about many different kinds of overload. From the list below, which of these forms feel the most relevant to you right now?

• Activity overload

• Change overload

• Choice overload

• Commitment overload

• Debt overload

• Expectation overload

• Information overload

• Media overload

• Noise overload

• Fatigue overload

Guide the group through the following prayer exercise. Close your eyes and spend a minute or two in silence, calling to mind some kind of image that represents the limit that you are struggling to accept. Now, imagine Jesus walking up to you. Slowly imagine yourself handing Him that object, and with it, your finiteness in that area. How does He respond? Take some time in silence imagining His response.

2. What practices have you adopted, presently or in the past, to facilitate life with God? Which were “upstream” (challenging, but good for you) and which were “downstream” (easy for you and your personality)? What time of day and what space works best for you to spend time alone with God?

3. What current habits in your life are moving you toward the goals of being with, becoming like, and doing what Jesus does? What current habits and rhythms are getting in the way? What is one daily rhythm that you’re excited about adding? What is one weekly rhythm that you know you need to add?

4. The three spheres of spiritual growth or what Pastor Keith referred to as Christ’s sacred rhythm, are growing, connecting and serving. It’s time to do a spiritual check-up. Where are you strongest and where are you weakest? In what ways did today’s message challenge you to devote more time to the area where you have room for growth?

5. The spiritual disciplines are all various ways of creating space for God in your life. Which disciplines have you tried and what has been your experience? Which ones have you never tried? How has God met you during your engagement with the spiritual disciplines?

RESOURCES

BOOK - Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

For more information on developing a rule of life and use of the spiritual disciplines

(https://www.practicingtheway.org)

Two booklets – How to Unhurry and Rule of Life can be downloaded from Springcreek’s resource page (https://www.springcreekchurch.org/resources)

Pastor Keith’s prior teaching on spiritual growth can be heard here (https://www.youtube.com/@RealSpringcreekChurch) In particular, listen to the following series, The Way, Rooted, Discipleship, Prayer, Ghost.

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SEASONS OF REST
Seasons – Part 2
Springcreek Church | Dr. Jessica Fernandez
May 26, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #seasons #seasonsofrest #rest #sabbath

The seasons of rest invite us to slow down and savor God's restorative peace. In our fast-paced world, rest can seem elusive or even unnecessary. However, the Bible emphasizes its spiritual importance, offering us a model for recharging and reconnecting with God. We'll examine biblical examples of rest, understanding its role not only as a command but as a gift from God. This message aims to transform our perspective on rest, encouraging us to integrate it into our lives as a vital component of our spiritual well-being.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's demands. How did you cope, and what would you change about your approach to rest?

2. Considering the statistic that 59% of U.S. adults found the last year to be the most stressful, how can we as a church community support each other in finding rest?

3. Discuss the implications of Mark 2:27-28 ("The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"). How can this understanding change the way we view rest?

4. What practical steps can you take this week to observe the Sabbath in a way that truly rejuvenates your spirit and body?

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SEASONS OF CHANGE
Seasons – Part 1
Jerrid Fletcher, Lead Associate Pastor
May 19, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #seasons #seasonsofchange #life #opportunity #joseph

In the seasons of change, we will explore the transformative power of life's unpredictable seasons. Change, whether sudden or gradual, can be daunting. Yet, it holds incredible potential for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. We will explore stories from scripture where God led His people through profound changes, teaching us how to respond to our own life shifts with faith and resilience. These lessons will equip us to see change not as a disruption, but as a divinely appointed opportunity for renewal and deepened faith.

Discussion Questions

1. How do the lyrics of "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke resonate with your personal experiences of unexpected changes?

2. In what ways can reflecting on the lives of influential figures like Sam Cooke help us understand and navigate our own life changes?

3. How do you relate to the analogy of the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) in terms of your own life experiences?

4. Can you share a personal story of a significant life transition and what you learned from that experience?

5. What has been the most unexpected event in your life, and how did it impact you positively or negatively?

6. How do you typically react to unexpected changes? Do you see these changes as opportunities for growth or as obstacles?

7. Which biblical story of unexpected change (Ruth, Paul, Job, Mary, Joseph) do you find most inspiring or relatable? Why?

8. How do these stories encourage you to maintain faith and perseverance during challenging times?

9. What specific aspect of Joseph's story (faithfulness, gratitude, integrity) speaks to you the most in dealing with adversity?

10. How do you practice gratitude in your daily life, especially during tough times?

11. How do you ground yourself in faith during times of unexpected change?

12. In what ways do you seek and rely on support from your community, family, or friends when facing major life transitions?

13. How do you cultivate flexibility and openness to new opportunities and strengths in your life?

14. How does Psalm 30:5 ("Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning") provide comfort and encouragement to you?

15. Can you share a time when a period of difficulty in your life was followed by joy or a positive outcome?

16. Reflecting on your current life season, how do you see God working through your circumstances?

17. What steps can you take to commit to faithfulness, endurance, and integrity in the face of unexpected changes?

18. How does prayer help you seek God’s guidance and strength during uncertain times?