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CRITICAL WORDS
Word Power – Part 1
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 9, 2024

#realspringcreekchurch #wordpower #criticalwords #sticksandstones #criticism
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Find Extended Message Notes Here:

https://www.springcreekchurch.org/mt-content/uploads/2024/06/240609-expanded-message-notes-wp-1.pdf

Critical words are powerful regardless of whether or not they are true. Many of us heard critical messages in childhood we never questioned. As a result, we've based our lives on an erroneous and hurtful message and we demonstrate the power of words. Let's find out what God has to say about this.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What hurtful words were spoken to you in your formative years? What effect did those words have on you? Now as an adult, what would you say to your younger self after hearing the sting of those words? What would you say now to the person who said that to you?

2. Who do you trust to give you honest critique when you need it? Why do you trust that person? Is there anyone in your life who tends to be critical all the time? What’s it like to be around them? Three of the big motivations behind criticism are that some people hate themselves, some people envy you, and some people criticize because they love you. Where does your critic fall?

3. When we’ve been criticized relentlessly by those we cared about and trusted, we develop a resistance to all criticism. It triggers us. It causes a stronger-than-normal emotional reaction. Yet not all criticism is bad for us. How do you develop a more open mind and heart toward criticism?

4. It’s easy to allow critics to cross a line and become our judge. But Paul makes clear that no one, not even yourself, is competent enough to be your judge. How have you allowed critical remarks to define you? How do you change your inner thinking to be more consistent with the way the Father sees you? It’s God's desire that you lead a condemnation-free lifestyle. Write this verse out: Romans 8.1. Read it every day. Remind yourself that this is the truth about you regardless of what others have said!

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PRESCRIPTION FOR A DULL SPIRITUAL LIFE
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 2, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #prescriptionforadullspirituallife #prescription #spirituallife #connect #grow #serve
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Is your spiritual life not what it used to be? Has the fire gone out? The hunger you once felt for the things of God, is it growing or has your appetite been diminished? Believe it or not, people experience dullness in their spiritual life for very predictable reasons. It doesn’t have to be that way. On Sunday (June 2), Pastor Keith will walk us through the root causes of spiritual dullness and explain God’s prescription for a growing, vital and life-giving connection to Christ. This may be the most important message you will hear this year.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Richard Swenson in his book Margin talks about many different kinds of overload. From the list below, which of these forms feel the most relevant to you right now?

• Activity overload

• Change overload

• Choice overload

• Commitment overload

• Debt overload

• Expectation overload

• Information overload

• Media overload

• Noise overload

• Fatigue overload

Guide the group through the following prayer exercise. Close your eyes and spend a minute or two in silence, calling to mind some kind of image that represents the limit that you are struggling to accept. Now, imagine Jesus walking up to you. Slowly imagine yourself handing Him that object, and with it, your finiteness in that area. How does He respond? Take some time in silence imagining His response.

2. What practices have you adopted, presently or in the past, to facilitate life with God? Which were “upstream” (challenging, but good for you) and which were “downstream” (easy for you and your personality)? What time of day and what space works best for you to spend time alone with God?

3. What current habits in your life are moving you toward the goals of being with, becoming like, and doing what Jesus does? What current habits and rhythms are getting in the way? What is one daily rhythm that you’re excited about adding? What is one weekly rhythm that you know you need to add?

4. The three spheres of spiritual growth or what Pastor Keith referred to as Christ’s sacred rhythm, are growing, connecting and serving. It’s time to do a spiritual check-up. Where are you strongest and where are you weakest? In what ways did today’s message challenge you to devote more time to the area where you have room for growth?

5. The spiritual disciplines are all various ways of creating space for God in your life. Which disciplines have you tried and what has been your experience? Which ones have you never tried? How has God met you during your engagement with the spiritual disciplines?

RESOURCES

BOOK - Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

For more information on developing a rule of life and use of the spiritual disciplines

(https://www.practicingtheway.org)

Two booklets – How to Unhurry and Rule of Life can be downloaded from Springcreek’s resource page (https://www.springcreekchurch.org/resources)

Pastor Keith’s prior teaching on spiritual growth can be heard here (https://www.youtube.com/@RealSpringcreekChurch) In particular, listen to the following series, The Way, Rooted, Discipleship, Prayer, Ghost.

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SEASONS OF REST
Seasons – Part 2
Springcreek Church | Dr. Jessica Fernandez
May 26, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #seasons #seasonsofrest #rest #sabbath

The seasons of rest invite us to slow down and savor God's restorative peace. In our fast-paced world, rest can seem elusive or even unnecessary. However, the Bible emphasizes its spiritual importance, offering us a model for recharging and reconnecting with God. We'll examine biblical examples of rest, understanding its role not only as a command but as a gift from God. This message aims to transform our perspective on rest, encouraging us to integrate it into our lives as a vital component of our spiritual well-being.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's demands. How did you cope, and what would you change about your approach to rest?

2. Considering the statistic that 59% of U.S. adults found the last year to be the most stressful, how can we as a church community support each other in finding rest?

3. Discuss the implications of Mark 2:27-28 ("The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"). How can this understanding change the way we view rest?

4. What practical steps can you take this week to observe the Sabbath in a way that truly rejuvenates your spirit and body?