DNI Island Adventure Faith Guide

I S L AN D A DV E N T U R E

Faith n o i s s u c s Di e d i u G

W E L C O M E T O YO U R FA I T H D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E !

It is God’s promise that, as you continue to love each other and seek His wisdom in your relationship, He will reveal Himself to you in beautiful ways. Cozy up and dive into what God has in store for you through some honest discussion, reflection and prayer. Be sure to have your Bible handy. If you don’t have access to one, check out the Bible Gateway app available for your Apple or Android device.

could possibly care about our day-to-day lives or have plans to work through us in the ordinary routine of life. We enjoy the thought that He has called other people to His mission, but insecurities creep in when we think about how God could possibly want to use us. It is easy to imagine God furthering His kingdom through missionaries, pastors, doctors or those with great influence, like star athletes. But what about those who are not going to move across the world, preach sermons, cure diseases or be on national

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ordinary people to do extraordinary things?

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E X T R AO R D I N A R Y I N O U R E Y E S If you’re asked to think of someone who is extraordinary—someone with exceptional

Pause & Discuss Do you sometimes find it hard to

skills, talents and abilities—you may envision

imagine why God would choose to do

an Olympic gold medalist. These individuals

extraordinary things through you?

have seemingly grasped what we are all after: their maximum potential. They are at the

What makes you feel this way?

top of their game. They have international influence. They are respected, admired and unchallenged. When we compare ourselves with these men and women, it can leave us feeling...ordinary. We see them on the pedestals accepting their praise and accolades, and we think to ourselves, “God must have snuck in a little something extra special when He created them.” After you enjoy a bit of fun participating in your own Island Games (and maybe even taking the gold!), tonight’s discussion is going to reveal what God says about what it takes to be extraordinary.

God’s grace shows us that He is not concerned with the greatness of a task but rather our willingness to be used. God does not just work through us; He also works with us. As God leads, He gives us the freedom to seek His ways and then to make our own choices. When we fulfill God’s purposes in our lives, we do not work independently of Him, but neither are we like puppets on a string. God calls us and prompts us to join in with Him as He is working all around us. What does it take to be extraordinary in God’s eyes? A willingness to join Him.

E X T R AO R D I N A R Y I N O U R F AT H E R ’ S E Y E S As we are caught in the trap of comparison, we often tell ourselves that God would rather use someone more extraordinary to fulfill His purpose. One of the greatest struggles of living in greatness is that we doubt that God

H OW C A N I B E E X T R AO R D I N A R Y ?

God wants to enter the ordinary routine of your life to do the extraordinary. Wherever you are right now, God is moving and wants to use you.

Our calling as believers is not in some otherworldly, elusive, unreachable place.

God does not have to move you to another hemisphere, change your profession or make you a star to work through you for greatness.

Your calling is right here, right now.

Matthew 25: 31-40 paints a beautiful picture of exactly how we are called to be extraordinary. Jesus will welcome His children to take their inheritance, and when they ask,

P R AY E R A N D R E F L E C T I O N To be truly extraordinary is to maximize your earthly potential on the ball field but surpass your earthly potential through surrendering to Christ. Remember, your Heavenly Father does not look at the size of a task but rather at your willingness to complete it for His glory.

Take a few minutes to share your thoughts in response to the following question:

He will tell them, “‘Lord, when did we see you

What areas in your life do you feel you might be

hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you

missing out on something extraordinary because

something to drink? When did we see you a

you see it as an ordinary task?

stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes

Let’s close this evening’s discussion in prayer.

and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of

If you aren’t sure where to start, you can pray these words: Dear Lord, help me to see that You are

the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

working all around me. Please give me

(Matthew 25: 37-40) .

the humility and courage to step into the extraordinary things You are doing. I want to pray specifically for the area in my life that I just spoke about. Would You help me

Pause & Discuss

to gain Your eternal perspective to see that

Can you share a time that you

for You? In Jesus Name, Amen.

what I do for my brothers and sisters, I do

experienced God working in your life through an ordinary encounter?

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION -- W e i n t e n d f o r t h i s d i s c u s s i o n g u i d e t o b e

a conversation starter, and we encourage you to go directly to the source for further

GOD USES THE ORDINARY

direction on this topic! The Bible is filled

As we choose to serve God with our lives, we

with powerful examples of how we can live

step into the extraordinary things that God

lives of joy, peace and love, regardless of

wants to do even in the ordinary routine of

our circumstances.

life. When it comes to the worthiness of our calling, we need to change our perspectives

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and remember that God’s standards are not at all like those of the world. Some people are called to hold public positions—govern countries, direct relief efforts, pastor millions. Some people are called to do local acts of service—direct traffic, build houses, sell groceries with a smile. But God does not look at these things and see them as inconsequential. To God, they are all opportunities for Him to work through us to accomplish something extraordinary.

For further reading on this topic, visit Matthew 25:31-40, Ephesians 2 and Hebrews 13:21 in your Bible.

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This month, as you recognize how God is using your partner to do extraordinary things through ordinary circumstances, encourage him or her to continue to step into these opportunities!

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