By W ill St ol l
Satisfy Meeting the Deepest Needs of Your Soul
Copyright © 2014 by Northwest Church ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published by Northwest Church, Fresno, CA No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means -- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise -- except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 and 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ISBN: 978-0-9915559-2-5 Printed in the United States of America
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Satisfy Meeting the Deepest Needs of Your Soul CONTENTS
APPENDICES
4 Welcome
128 Frequently Asked Questions
5 9
Using This Workbook (Read This First) Outline for Each Session
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SESSION ONE:
Thrive
30
SESSION TWO:
Happy
50
SESSION THREE:
Belong
70
SESSION FOUR:
Accepted
90
SESSION FIVE:
Loved
110
SESSION SIX:
Known
131 Small Group Agreement 132 Small Group Calendar 134 Spiritual Partners 135 Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)
SMALL GROUP LEADERS 137 Prayer and Praise Report 139 Hosting an Open House 140 Leading for the First Time 141 Leadership Training
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WELCOME Welcome to Satisfy. Over the next six weeks, you’re going to experience the joy of life in community, specifically as you look together at ways to find satisfaction in your lives. When God created the world, the only thing He said was “not good” was a person being alone. You were designed for community, to do life with others. In the context of community, we connect with one another and with God in life-changing ways. This unique small group curriculum integrates what you are learning in church on the weekends with what you’re studying in your small group, and with your individual times with God. It provides a taste of small groups for those who are new, while still offering a rich and rewarding experience to those who’ve spent years in small groups. In the context of your small group, you’ll dig deeper into the topics and Scriptures you’ve heard in the weekend messages. In that faith community, you will learn, discuss and grow. On your own between meetings, you’ll be guided through rich devotional times that again integrate with what you’re learning and experiencing at church and in your group. This study consists of six sessions, each focused on a different aspect of what it means to live life to the fullness that Jesus promised us. To live a life that satisfies to the fullest depths of the soul. You’ll have a chance to learn together, to discuss and share your own stories in a way that focuses on practical real-life application as you find your story in God’s story. At the end of each session, you’ll find daily devotions that will help you go deeper in your walk with God and each other. You’ll read a short Bible passage—often just one verse. Let those few words sink in. Reflect, ponder, and then, respond in prayer. In addition to the written study, this curriculum includes a DVD with six teaching sessions, one for each lesson. In your discussion, you’ll dig into the Bible but also respond to what you watched on the DVD. Our prayer is that you would experience God in a fresh way as a result of this study.
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Using THIS WORKBOOK (Tools to Help You Have a Great Small Group Experience!)
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Notice the Table of Contents is divided into three sections: (1) Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves.
2.
If you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the section Small Group Leaders will offer some hard-learned experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership.
3.
Use this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section. Enjoy your small group experience.
4. 5. 6.
Pray before each session—for your group members, for your time together, for wisdom and insights. Read the Outline for Each Session on the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow.
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OUTLINE OF EACH SESSION A typical group session for the Satisfy study will include the following sections:
INTRODUCTION
HEAR GOD’S STORY
Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session.
In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching—in order to hear God’s story and begin to see how His story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll pop in the DVD and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of Scripture, and discuss both the teaching and the text. You won’t focus on accumulating information but on how you should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically and creatively, from your heart as well as your head. At the end of the day, allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform your lives in Christ should be your greatest aim.
SHARE YOUR STORY The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing your story with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This section includes some simple questions to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable doing. Each session typically offers you two options. You can get to know your whole group by using the icebreaker question(s), or you can check in with one or two group members, your spiritual partner(s), for a deeper connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey. 6
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STUDY NOTES This brief section provides additional commentary, background or insights on the passage you’ll study in the Hear God’s Story section.
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CREATE A NEW STORY God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change. It will require you to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) come into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to know Him personally, carry out His commands, and help outsiders connect with Him. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, and worshiping God.
FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY If you have time and want to dig deeper into more Bible passages about the topic at hand, we’ve provided additional passages and questions. Your group may choose
to read and prepare ahead of each meeting in order to cover more biblical material. If you prefer not to do study homework, this section will provide you with plenty to discuss within the group. These options allow individuals or the whole group to expand their study while still accommodating those who can’t do homework or are new to your group.
DAILY DEVOTIONS Each week on the Daily Devotions pages we provide scriptures to read and reflect on between sessions—a month’s worth of reflections to keep God’s Word near your heart. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read just a small portion of Scripture each day, and reflect and pray through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES Each session opens with a Memory Verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe that memorizing Scripture can be a vital part of filling our minds with God’s will for our lives. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for our four sessions are also listed in the appendix.
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Session One: Thrive
S E S S IO N O N E
Thrive MEMORY VERSE: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, World English Bible)
Session One: Thrive
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SHARE YOUR STORY
Every person in this room has something lacking, something they are not satisfied with, that they wish they could change. Some of us aren’t satisfied with our bodies or our physical health. Some of us aren’t satisfied with our financial situation or our jobs. Some of us aren’t satisfied in our roles or relationships. And some of us aren’t satisfied by any of these things— and more! We might not always be able—or willing—to articulate our exact needs, but everyone struggles with dissatisfaction at one time or another. Though discomfort or unhappiness can be a good thing when it inspires us or offers us areas where we can grow or change, we were not made to live in a constant state of dissatisfaction. God never intended that for us. Jesus says that He came to bring us life and have it abundantly so that we can live to the fullest. And having an abundant life means that we don’t stay stuck being dissatisfied, rather, we learn to thrive. In this session, we will look at ways we can begin to move from not being satisfied with life to thriving in life. And we’ll do it the best way possible—together.
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Session One: Thrive
1.
What do you hope to get out of this group? What drew you here?
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2. 3.
What strengths can you bring to this group? What do you think you can offer others in the group?
________________________________________ Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important to reflect on and review your values together. On page 130 is a Small Group Agreement with the values we’ve found most useful in sustaining healthy, balanced groups. We recommend that you choose one or two values—ones you haven’t previously focused on ones you have room to grow in—to emphasize during this study. Choose ones that will take your group to the next stage of intimacy and spiritual health.
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If your group is new, welcome newcomers. Introduce everyone—you may consider nametags for your first meeting.
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We recommend that you rotate host homes on a regular basis and let the hosts lead the meeting. We’ve come to realize that healthy groups rotate leadership. This helps to develop every member’s ability to shepherd a few people in a safe environment. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside Him (Mark 6:30–44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendix additional information about hosting or leading the group.
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Use the Small Group Calendar on page 132 to plan who will host and lead each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts and leaders for your remaining meetings. Don’t pass this up! It will revolutionize your group.
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Watch the DVD for this session now. Use the Notes space provided on page 17 to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Grow section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.
HEAR GOD’S STORY God uses stories to guide us. When we read the true stories of Scripture, we learn what God is like, we see His plan unfolding. And we learn principles for our own lives. How can we become a part of God’s story? By aligning our stories with His. By not just understanding what it means to follow Him, but actually doing it—changing our attitudes and actions to live as He would live. Use the following questions to guide your discussion of the teaching and stories you just experienced, and the Bible passage below. You may want to use the study notes on page 16 to guide your reading and discussion.
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Session One: Thrive
Read Joshua 1:1-9: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
4.
5. 6.
In this passage, God tells Joshua that His promise to Moses (that God will never “forsake” Moses) holds true for Joshua as well. How does this promise help us be “strong and courageous” as we live our lives? How does being strong and courageous help us thrive?
________________________________________ God ties success to obeying His laws. Why do you think this is? Do you believe this is still true in our culture? Why or why not?
________________________________________ When God promises prosperity and success, what do you imagine? Material prosperity? Job success? Might God have a different view of prosperity? If so, what do you think that might be? Session One: Thrive
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STUDY NOTES Strong and courageous. In the first chapter of Joshua, God
commands Joshua to be strong and courageous four times. The command is repeated many more times through Scripture. In fact, “do not fear” is among the most-often repeated commands. For good reason. If we believe God is indeed with us, that He walks with us through life’s ups and downs, then we have no reason to be timid or afraid. To the contrary, we have every reason to step forward with confidence.
Meditating on the Word. The word meditate sometimes gets a bad rap in Christian circles. Many Christians hear it and imagine New Age chants. But meditation has a long Christian—and before this, Jewish—history. To meditate means simply “to focus one’s thoughts on” or “to reflect or ponder.” This is exactly what God invites us to do with His Word. Whether it’s in taking time to read through—and think about—a long passage or story or reading a shorter passage through several times, bringing our minds with us as we encounter the Scripture allows us to hear God’s voice in new, fresh ways. This is especially helpful as we seek to thrive in our lives and to find satisfaction. By meditating—focusing, thinking—on God’s word, we find the guidance and the wisdom we need.
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NOTES Use this space to record your thoughts, questions and ponderings as you watch the video and discuss the Bible passage.
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Session One: Thrive
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Welcome to Satisfy! Over the next six weeks, you’re going to experience the joy of life in community, as you look together at ways to satisfy the deepest needs of your soul. Will Stoll began ministry in college preaching to his fraternity peers. In 1995 he began his career as a Youth Pastor at a church in Simi Valley, California. In 2001 he was called to Camp Verde, Arizona to be their head pastor. In 2009 Will accepted the Senior Pastor position at Northwest Church in Fresno, California. He wrote the book 40 Days of Prayer in 2012 as a practical “how to pray” resource to help connect people with the real power of God. Will is grounded in the Bible and is inspired to preach from the heart so people hear the Word of God and feel the need to receive Him. Will’s greatest memories growing up revolve around the beach. From the crashing waves to the hot sand, Will is at rest near the ocean. Now he enjoys spending time at the beach with his four daughters and wife, Katie.
JESUS SAID, I CAME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY. HOW DO WE GRAB HOLD OF THAT ABUNDANT LIFE? A LIFE THAT TRULY SATISFIES? Each of us is hungry and thirsty on a soul level—longing for something we may not even be able to articulate. Many of us waste too much time trying to fill that longing with things that will never satisfy. In this groundbreaking study, Pastor Will Stoll looks at how we can find satisfaction that God wants for us. With your small group, you’ll talk about your identity in Christ and how understanding you are accepted, loved and known can bring satisfaction like nothing else.
RELIGION/Christian/Bible Study
ISBN 978-0-9915559-2-5 EVERYTHING SMALL GROUPS