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Growth Group Homework

For the week of January 29, 2012

QUICK REVIEW: Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? 

MY STORY
1. Can you think of a time you did something you thought you’d never have the courage to do?

2.  What’s more important for you to hear from this week’s teaching – a warning to the strong or encouragement for the weak?

DIGGING DEEPER
1. This week, we heard how it’s never too late for courage.  At times, the challenge can be finding the courage to take that next step God has for us.  What do these verses say about how we can gain the courage we need?
      
John 16:33 
    "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." _[NIV]

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 
    Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. [26] Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. [27] No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. _[NIV]

Luke 12:11-12 
    "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." _[NIV]

John 14:1-3 
    "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. _[NIV]

2. Many times when we think about courage, we often lock on to those over the top “Brave Heart” type moments (saving someone in distress, giving a speech in a crowd to stand up for justice, etc.).  Though we do want to be ready for these kinds of moments if they occur, we also need to realize that opportunities for courage may actually be more commonplace than we think.  As you read the scripture below, list what it’s calling us to do and why courage might be needed to put what it says into action.
       
Matthew 5:22-24 
    But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 
    [23] "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. _[NIV]

Matthew 5:44-45 
    But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. _[NIV]

Hebrews 3:13 
    But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. _[NIV]

1 Timothy 6:18 
    Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. _[NIV]

3. The good news for Joseph of Arimathea from this week’s teaching is the same good news for us – the step of courage and ministry God has for us usually includes the resources and talents we already have!  How do we see this in the story of the widow in I Kings 17:7-16?  Why do you think she followed through on such a crazy command from God?
      
1 Kings 17:7-16 
    Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. [8] Then the word of the Lord came to him: [9] "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." [10] So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" [11] As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." 
    [12] "As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." 
    [13] Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. [14] For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.' " 
    [15] She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. [16] For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. _[NIV]

TAKING IT HOME
Looking back at this week’s teaching and study, what is the most important thing for you to remember and why?

Prayer Requests:

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Desert Rat Experience - February 10-12
Attention guys with desert toys!  It’s time again for the Desert Rat Experience.  This is a man's weekend designed for guys who are into all kinds of off-roading and includes plenty of riding and eating.  For more information or to sign up, visit northcoastchurch.com/rat. 

The Great Escape – March 9-11
Ladies, grab your friends and head down to the Catamaran Resort in San Diego for the first Women’s Weekend Event! Enjoy a relaxing weekend with breakout sessions, a banquet and special program. For more info and to register, visit northcoastchurch.com/women.