Are there things you describe as needs that are really just wants? What are they? Why are you tempted to see these things as things you need rather what they are things you want?   The gospel is the promise that God will ultimately meet all your needs in Jesus. It begins with your greatest needs for eternity forgiveness of sin and the promise of resurrection. How do the eternal promises of the gospel help to temper your temporary wants?   How can you remind yourself in your greatest times of need that your greatest needs have already been [...]

Who are the people you have placed unfair expectations upon? Do you cause others to be overly worried about meeting your demands? How have others in your life disappointed you?  What way would these relationships be different if you sought to be more content in the Lord (Happy in the gospel)? How would your expectations for, demands of, and disappointments with others change? The strength of Philippians 4:13 is found in the contentment that in Christ neither my identity nor my mission changes in any circumstance. What circumstances are you failing to be content in your identity in Christ? [...]

THINK OF CHRIST  Paul calls us to think about the righteousness of Jesus from every possible angle. What has caused you to lose a Christ- like perspective in the world today? How would thinking upon Jesus' life and death in your place restore joy in this area? How will you order your life differently to think more about the righteousness of Jesus?  BE LIKE CHRIST  Thinking about Christ leads to being like Christ. What areas do you need to be more like Christ? How will think more of Christ to produce this in your life? When you hear [...]

How can you joyfully work to see others standing in the Lord? Who are specific people in your life who need to be reminded of the gospel? What specific actions will you take to encourage with the gospel.  Are there disagreements where you are refusing to agree in the Lord with others? Are you refusing to acknowledge your sin? Are you refusing to grant forgiveness? How does the truth that you are a sinner who has been forgiven by God in light of the cross apply to this situation? How might we specifically pray for you (or others) with [...]

Too often we long for others in the church to look and act more like us. Why is this a problem? Why is is better for us that folks would look and act more like Jesus? In what specific ways do you see patterns of sacrifice in the lives of others at our church? Be specific.   To add anything to the cross is to become an enemy of the cross. Why is this? What things are you tempted to require of others beyond the cross?  Why is this so dangerous for their soul? How does this affect your [...]