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Possibility #5: Trusting God to Use Me
Lenten Discussion Guide #5
“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19.26
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2.10
- THANKS EVERYONE for making time to be part of what God is doing in our “Possibility” Lenten Series.
- Thank you, leader, for pulling together this Possibility Posse/Pack/Partnership/Pow-wow. These are special parts of the growth God has in store for our Lenten journey.
Let’s Get Started! Let’s go around and share our names and one place you love in God’s creation.
Opening prayer: Thanks God for gathering us together for these fun and holy 30 minutes. Life can feel so limited and constraining at times. We trust in your promise that nothing is impossible with you. Send your Holy Spirit upon us in these moments, leading us to new life-giving perspectives, convictions, and . . . possibilities! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The fifth God-given Possibility we explore this Lent is “Trusting God to Use Me.”
Discuss:
1. So many people in today’s world think it’s IMPOSSIBLE that God might use them to make the world a better place. In Psalm 139, as David is praying to God he says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” If God creates each one of us with great joy and intentionality in God’s image, why do you think we doubt ourselves so often?
2. Ephesians 2.10 declares that “we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” What kind of mindset should this scripture passage give us?
3. Have you ever taken a spiritual gift inventory? If so, can you remember what emerged as one of your gifts? Has it helped explain how God might want to use you in the world? (Note: Google “ELCA spiritual gifts” to take a short online spiritual gift inventory.)
4. Have you ever heard this old story? A high-wire walker told the crowd he was going to walk from one rooftop to the other rooftop across the street. He asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can make it?” They all chanted, “we believe!” Then the tight-rope walker pointed to a young man, “I’m glad you believe; now hop on my shoulders and let’s go together.” Aha. So maybe there’s a difference between belief and trust. How do we sometimes have to “trust” that God will use us in special situations?
5. One motto of the ELCA is “God’s Work, Our Hands.” Explain that phrase. What has to happen for this to be true?
6. Share a situation when you felt a bit awkward, but you took a step of faith and trusted God to use you for good in a certain situation of need or challenge?
7. How might a neighbor or friend describe how God uses you in the world?
8. Was there a moment in your life when all you had to go on for direction was one small bit of light like the lamp stand illustration in Pastor Miriam’s sermon, yet it was enough to move you forward?
9. Bonus question: Have each “posse participant” share one take-away from this Lenten process of exploring God-given possibilities? Or, folks may share which possibility is the one they want to focus on moving forward into Easter living.
Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks again for this Lenten season with friends in Christ. Even when we doubt ourselves, help us remember your faith in us is always more important than how we feel about ourselves. We claim your promises that we are wonderfully made by you, for your pleasure and to help you accomplish good works for our world, shining the light of Christ in words and deeds. You provide what we need to serve you and be used well by you! Thanks for being our God with whom all things are possible! Be with us this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks so much for participating in this Lenten series.
See you Sunday as we begin Holy Week!
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You’re invited to connect this week with one of these Possibility Posse Discussion Groups!
- Pastor Fritz: Wednesdays at 7 PM via Zoom. (Meeting ID: 835 2431 3363. Passcode: possible)
- Nancy Shepack: Wednesdays at 7 PM in Conference Room. 404-644-4361
- Pastor Miriam: Wednesdays at 3 PM in Conference Room.
- Ellen Pfundt: Thursdays at 6.30 PM. 770-312-0317
- Dean Hudson: Fridays at 6 AM via Zoom with men. 678-938-4437
- Ingrid Hudson: “Possibilities on the Pathway” with moms, Wednesdays. 937-609-0320
- Andrea Fisher & Allison McCumber: “LOFTy Possibilities” on Wednesdays in the LOFT.
- Shelly Jakubowski: "Possibility Posse" on Thursdays at 7 PM via Zoom with youth parents. 858-248-5939
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