PART 6 of 8 Inside the Mind of God Andy Stanley All slides produced by solidgroundtraining.com

Church Notices (See the “Tiddler”) WELCOME & NOTICES Comfort Notices Toilets Refreshments Times Church Notices (See the “Tiddler”) 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.

ASSIGNMENT FOR LAST WEEK What Did You Do ? ASSIGNMENT FOR LAST WEEK Read Job 38:1-42:6, From this passage, identified at least five accomplishments God presents to Job as a reminder of His sovereignty, List five facts about your own life that point to Gods’ sovereignty e.g. And every day miracle, your ability to breathe, etc.

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

RESPONSE TIME

Name That Principle See the Study Guide, Page 55 and Handout. One of the most important skills you can learn is to identify principles in God’s Word. Sometimes it is stated, sometimes it is implied, or illustrated e.g a parable, or story. Get into two’s: Read the passage in column A, In column 2, give your own name for the principle with a brief explanation to describe it – see the example in the first row, Report your findings back to the group and compare.

STUDY Discussion, In your opinion: See Study Guide Page 50 . When we are not guided by God’s principles we can resort to fears and desires. What are ways fears might influence decision-making? Give Examples. What are ways desires might influence decision- making? Give Examples. Read Matthew 16:24. What does the passage suggest about the relationship between following God and discovering His will? Explain. “24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 12

CONCLUSION 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.

ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK What Will You Do ? MEMORY VERSE “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 THE 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

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...”