2
3
SESSION 1
PLEASURE
Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to buy gas for our cars anymore? Scientists are researching alternatives and engineers are developing cars to run on liquid nitrogen, steam, solar power—even “biodiesel,” which is made from cooking oil! But until this hits the mainstream, you’re not going to power your car by letting it sit out in the sun or by pouring olive oil into the gas tank. Most cars are designed to run on gasoline, and they won’t do well with anything else.
4
The same is true for people—we were designed to “run” on spiritual power— the power of God’s spirit in our lives. However, most of us try some alternative fuel sources along the way, trying to power our lives with relationships, adventure, sex, work, or money. All of these things are great in the right context, but they were never intended to “fill our tanks.” This week we’re talking about the true source of happiness and pleasure, and how everything else in life works better when it’s fueling us.
TELL YOUR STORY
Each of us has a story. The events of our life—good, bad, wonderful or challenging—have shaped who we are. When we share our stories, we discover our common experiences. Your story can encourage someone else. And telling it can lead to a path of freedom for you and for those you tell it to.
RIDING THAT BIKE WAS A THRILL. I LOVED IT. THE FIRST TIME I RODE IT, MY SATISFACTION LEVEL WAS OFF THE CHARTS. SO WHAT DID I DO? I RODE IT MORE. THE SECOND TIME I RODE IT WAS A THRILL AS WELL, AND SO WAS THE THIRD. IN TIME, THOUGH, MY SATISFACTION LEVEL WAS NOTICEABLY LESS THAN THE FIRST TIME I RODE IT. JUST LIKE THAT FARMER’S FERTILIZER NOT BEING AS EFFECTIVE AS THE FIRST APPLICATION OF IT, MY BIKE WAS LESS EFFECTIVE AT DELIVERING A THRILL. IN TIME, I’D RIDDEN THAT BIKE SO MUCH IT WASN’T THRILLING AT ALL, BUT JUST A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. ULTIMATELY, THERE WERE BETTER WAYS TO GET AROUND— LIKE DRIVING A CAR—AND THE BIKE GOT LEFT BEHIND ALTOGETHER.
BEGIN YOUR TIME TOGETHER BY USING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What was your first job? Did you like it?
How did you end up in your current career?
What is your “dream job”?
5
WATCH THE DVD USE THE NOTES SPACE PROVIDED ON PAGES __ TO RECORD KEY THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, AND THINGS YOU WANT TO REMEMBER OR FOLLOW UP ON. “DUTY IS AN HONORABLE SACRIFICE IN THIS WORLD. AND IT MAY NOT BE EVERYTHING YOU DREAMED OF. BUT IT’S BETTER THAN BEING WITHOUT.” “DAD, I WOULD RATHER BE POOR AND HAPPY.”
Is it reasonable to want to enjoy your work, or is it selfish?
6
Are there any risky paths you never took, like the son’s idea for an app?
Have you experienced the cycle Rick talks about, of being excited about a new job only to grow restless and unsatisfied?
Why do we do things even though we know they can hurt us or our families?
7 How can a relationship with God make us enjoy other things even more?
HEAR GOD’S STORY
What does it mean to be thirsty for God?
How do we “drink” to satisfy this thirst?
8
Why does Jesus describe the spirit as living water? What does this analogy tell you about how God works in our lives?
How can the spirit of God satisfy your thirst for pleasure?
READ JOHN 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.
CREATE A NEW STORY
In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the videos and the book. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned.
“IT’S MADE IT ON A T-SHIRT OR TWO, MAYBE A COFFEE MUG, BUT OUR MISSION STATEMENT DOESN’T IMPACT OUR DAILY WORK. OUR MANTRA, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL NEVER BE ON A T-SHIRT, NEVER BE ON OUR WEBSITE, AND NEVER BE EMBLAZONED ON THE LOBBY WALL.” “BUT YOU LIVE IT.” TYLER STOPPED SWINGING HIS CLUB AND LOOKED TOWARD NED. “WE. MAKE. PLAN. THAT’S OUR MANTRA.” NED GENTLY LAUGHED AND NODDED AS TYLER LINED UP AND HIT A LONG BALL DOWN THE CENTER OF THE FAIRWAY. TYLER PLACED HIS DRIVER IN HIS BAG AND THE TWO MEN BEGAN TO WALK. “THOSE THREE WORDS DEFINE MY LIFE—OR AT LEAST THEY DID UNTIL LAST WEEK. EVERYTHING STANDS OR FALLS ON MAKING PLAN, HITTING THE NUMBERS. MY COMPANY IS OWNED BY A LARGER COMPANY THAT INCUBATES START-UPS AND TAKES THEM PUBLIC. CONSISTENTLY MAKING PLAN IS ESSENTIAL FOR AN IPO.”
What is the mantra that defines life at your current job? Is it one that energizes or drains you?
9
Can you relate to the idea of falling into a danger zone when life doesn’t bring the pleasure you want? Are you in this area right now?
What are you putting your hope in? What’s on your primary line? Should it be secondary?
10
What’s your spiritual hydration level? Do you need more of God’s spirit?
11