PART 7 of 8 The Big Picture Andy Stanley All slides produced by solidgroundtraining.com

WELCOME & NOTICES Comfort Notices Church Notices Group Notices Toilets Refreshments Times Church Notices April 22 – AGM 20,21&23 – Deeper 2018 Castle Hill Baptist May TBA Group Notices April May 07 – Bank Holiday 21 – Paul & Sarah Out 28 – Bank Holiday

TESTIMONY TIME Specific Answers to Prayer Any thing that has cropped up for you, Progress with 5’s, Local Community, Mission & International News – Coming soon…

RESPONSE TIME

COURSE CONTENT SESSIONS Decisions, Decisions. Are You Ready for This? A State of Emergency. Getting to the Good Stuff. A View from the Top. Inside the Mind of God. The Big Picture. This One Thing.

REVIEW 1. Your Life is the sum total of your decisions The more familiar with the PROVIDENTIAL… The more obedient to the MORAL… The easier to find the PERSONAL… …Will of God for your life “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands..” Psalm 119:10 2. God does not give us information for consideration, but for participation. In the process of discovering God’s will, we discover God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 3. Seeking counsel provides valuable information for decision-making: EXPERIENCE – from someone who has been there, OBJECTIVITY – from someone who can see the ‘Big Picture’, EXPERTISE – from someone who has more knowledge. “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” Proverbs 1:5 NASB

REVIEW 4. There is no one better to show you the way than the one who has been there before. Following God is often as simple and practical as following godly men and women. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 NASB 5. In making decisions, what is naturally intuitive to us may actually lead us astray. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 6. The Bible is the blue-print for God’s mind. The more you are familiar with God’s ways, the easier it is to discern His will for your life. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

ASSIGNMENT FOR LAST WEEK What Did You Do ? ASSIGNMENT FOR LAST WEEK See Page 59 in the Study Guide Describe at least one decision you make in the course of the week. Identify at least one corresponding principle from God’s word that applies to your decision – write down the passage and principle

Play the Video and come right Back… STUDY Play the Video and come right Back… 9

RESPONSE TIME

I HAVE A DREAM See the Study Guide, Page 63 and Handout. Have you ever been compelled by a vision? Have you ever had a glimpse of how things could be and then worked diligently to move things in that direction. This is an exercise to get the juices flowing, so don’t worry if it is not complete. Pray together – use prayer on the handout, Complete one statement of where you would like to be for each category (See the examples given), Share back with the group where appropriate.

STUDY Discussion, In your opinion: See Study Guide Page 50 . In which categories are you likely to have a vision? (Rank in order): Career Relationship with spouse Friendships Finances Spiritual Have you conducted a task that had a clear vision? Why is it important to write out goals and visions? Read Ephesians 2:10. What does this say about God’s vision for your life? “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 12

CONCLUSION God uses personal vision to reveal His will. The clearer the vision, the easier the decision.

ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK What Will You Do ? MEMORY VERSE “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK See Page 67 in the Study Guide For each category write down 1-3 sentences of the vision of where you need to be – include as many details as you like: Use the SMART Model, They are not actions, but visions (the end game), Don’t edit your thoughts too much.

What, Why, Where, When, How & Whom Making your Vision SMART For each statement you make, include this. S Specific e.g. For me to lead people to salvation in Christ in the UK, by training and looking for the opportunities M Measurable How will you measure your success? e.g. More than 5 people per year, Tally in my diary. A Attainable How, with God, will you achieve this? e.g. training & resources. How will you keep them? Is that your responsibility? R Relevant How will this vision achieve the desired outcome? What leads you to believe this is what God has for you? T Time-Bound When will you want to achieve this by: e.g. end Year 2. What, Why, Where, When, How & Whom

Ephesians 6:18 “18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere..” NLT LET’S PRAY Specific situations Prayer 5’s Local Situations International News James 5:13 “13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises...”