G.3: I feel so insecure.

/by

A Story

I found myself, in my 30’s, getting angry over many situations. I was angry with my wife. I was angry with my kids. I was angry with my associates. I was trying to control everything in my life and everyone around me seemed to be doing things to frustrate me. I asked for prayer for gentleness but that didn’t seem to work.  As I progressed in this lifetime journey some key scriptures began to help me in my insecurity in life.

I found help from these verses:

Psalm 122:8 & Psalm 112:1-10

“His heart is secure.”

Isaiah 43:4

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and people in exchange for your life.”

I discovered from reading that the two great needs in every person is to feel secure and significant. I learned that when I feel insecure I try to develop strategies in my behavior to protect myself from perceived fears. When I didn’t feel safe I was motivated to get this need met. Likewise, in the area of feeling valuable or significant, I longed to have meaning and purpose and to feel valuable to someone.

In the following illustration, you are going to see a number of boxes that represent the flow of thoughts and feelings in our hearts and minds. Track with me. We all have the need for security and significance. We then are motivated (go to the right) to get those needs met. However, as we go down we see possible assumptions that we make to get those needs met. You may be able to add more items. Then we pursue the assumptions with goal-oriented behavior. We may reach the goal and feel temporary satisfaction. However, soon you will have a vague sense of emptiness, and then around you go. Notice that when these goals get blocked you will be frustrated. This shows up in Anger, resentment, or anxiety. When you feel these emotions, you have a blocked goal.

What can you do? You must find your security and significance in God alone. That will free you to make it your goal to serve others. Let’s talk about this in our coaching and determine your intended future and next steps.

How am I going to get my needs met?

  1. Basic Needs – Security and Significance – Leads to number 2
  2. Provides Motivation – Leads to number 3
  3. Seek Assumptions – Leads to number 4
  4. Establish Goal Oriented Behavior – Leads to number 5
  5. Obtain 2 Types of Outcomes (see below)

Blocked Goal

This leads to:

  1. Anger
  2. Anxiety
  3. Resentment

Goal Achieved

This leads to:

  1. Temporary Satisfaction
  2. Vague Emptiness

Digging Into The Bible

Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in your will perfect it till the day of Jesus Christ.”

Matthew 3:17

“You are my beloved son, I take great delight in you.” How can you take this verse into your life every day?

Ephesians 2:10

“For you are his workmanship (masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus for good works which he created in advance for you to do.”

Psalm 122:8

“His heart is secure.”

Psalm 112:1-10

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and people in exchange for your life.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. Which of these verses are the most meaningful to you?
  2. What does it mean to have a “secure” heart?
  3. How would you explain “Being the beloved”?
  4. Describe what it feels like to be “precious and honored”?
  5. Which of these words need more clarity to you?
  6. What does it mean to be secure and significant?  Safe and valuable?

Application & Accountability

  1. What has been your experience in seeking to get these two needs met (Security and Significance)?
  2. What strategies and steps have you taken that only met these needs temporarily?
  3. What scriptures have helped guide you to God’s perspective on how to get these two needs met?
  4. How can you take this verse into your life every day?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

G.2: I am Fearful about the future.

/by

G.2: I am Fearful about the future [I Peter 4:7-11]

A Story

A lady came up to me recently and shared that she had been watching the news and it made her so fearful about the future. Should we set aside food and water for the coming disaster? She was genuinely concerned and wanted to make a financial investment in preparing for future disasters. What does God say about all this? What should I do? Here is the verse that I would coach her through.

Digging Into The Bible

1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV):

 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. When you read this passage, what thoughts come to your mind?
  2. What fears do you experience as you look at the future?
  3. What do you think it means to be alert and sober of mind?
  4. How does hospitality fit into the fear of the future?
  5. Where do spiritual gifts fit into future thinking?

Application & Accountability

  1. What practical steps can you take to focus your mind on what is most important?
  2. What does this passage teach as we look into the future?
  3. How will this work in your normal life?
  4. What is one action you can do to deal with fear of the future?
  5. When do you want to get started with that action?
  6. How can I be of help in seeing you put this action into your life?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

G.1: I feel Alone – Loneliness

/by

A Story

Bob had been a pastor for 25 years. He found in the busyness of his life and ministry that he knew many people, but the relationships with people were shallow and empty. He felt so alone. He wanted to learn how to connect and experience the joy of deeper relationships. What should he do to overcome this loneliness?

Digging Into The Bible

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV):

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I John 4: 7-12 (NIV):

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. As you read these passages, what are some of the ideas that are important to lasting relationships?
  2. What does it mean to give encouragement?
  3. How does environment affect the successful encouragement?
  4. What is your thinking about the place of love in dealing with loneliness?
  5. How does these passages help us deal with loneliness?

Application & Accountability

  1. What would it take for you to encourage another person this next week?
  2. Who would you like to encourage?
  3. How could you apply the passage in Heb. 10:24-25 to get better at building relationships?
  4. When would you like to get started?
  5. What could you do to be intentional in one of your relationships? When will you act on it?
  6. What help do you need to take this step?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

Leadership Coaching Model

/by

R = Relationship with God and people

2D – Discovery and Discussion around the Bible

3A – Affirmation, Accountability, and Application

A DISCIPLE: (The Target)

  1. Loves God with ALL of his or her heart. (Matthew 22:37, Philippians 3:8)
  2. Loves other believers and contributes to the growth of others. (John 13:34-35, Hebrews 10:24-25)
  3. Is committed to living and loving the Scriptures. (John 8:31-32, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  4. Is learning to surrender his or her life to Jesus. (Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20)
  5. Is growing in his or her heart and ability to share the Good News of Jesus with others. (Romans 1:16, Matthew 4:19)
  6. Is growing in faith as he or she prays. (Luke 11:1, Philippians 4:6-7)
  7. Seeks to obey Jesus in the routines of life. (Luke 6:46, John 14:21)
  8. Seeks to serve others through wise stewardship of his or her time, talents, or treasures. (Matthew 25:37-40, Acts 20:35)
  9. A disciple-maker seeks to reproduce this in others. (Matthew 28:18-20)

From Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry

Bill has done a great job of illustrating the pathway of an alongsider. It starts with the relationship with God and people, then flows to discussion and discovery of appropriate scripture and across to Application, Accountability, and affirmation aiming at the bullseye.

D.3: Leadership and working with a team

/by

What has been your most successful Team experience?
What were the elements that made it succeed?

A Story

Teamwork demands great attention in churches, businesses, families, sports teams, and many other areas. Why is this so important? Recently a ministry leader asked for help in building teamwork in his team of faithful workers. Certain things were breaking down in the execution of the ministry. People were losing trust in each other. Teammates were not being heard. Commitment was at an all-time low. There was no accountability. It was unclear how to measure the success of the ministry. He wanted to know how to correct poor teamwork. some passages of Scripture to guide us.

Digging Into The Bible

Philippians 2:1-2:

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What are the prerequisites to teamwork from verse one?
  2. Why do you think these are so important?
  3. In verse two what are the elements of teamwork?
  4. How do you see your team becoming of the same mind?
  5. How do you see your teamworking building the same love?
  6. What will it take for your team to be united in spirit? (Desire)
  7. How will your team move to be intent on one purpose? (Being of one spirit and mind)

Application & Accountability

  1. From these qualities of teamwork which one does your team need to work on first?
  2. What would be a specific step for you to take?
  3. What steps will you take to do this?
  4. When will you execute this step?

A great book to read on this topic is Patrick Lencioni’s, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

I.6B: What do I do when we have a church conflict between elders and staff leaders?

/by

A Story

In a recent meeting, the staff of the church had a severe conflict with the elders of the church over the finances of the church. One of the staff was operating by an old set of bylaws. The elders thought that the church team was using the new set of bylaws. This confusion produced personal conflict between several members of this team. The anger and frustration were high. The conflict was so high they had to dismiss the meeting without resolution.

Churches’ conflicts arise between leaders for many reasons. Sometimes they are from selfish reasons and sometimes it is a misunderstanding. The goal of any coaching would be to provide a place of understanding between the parties. Let’s look at Acts 15 to gain some guidance on how to bring solutions to church and leadership conflicts.

Digging Into The Bible

Acts 15:1-21:

Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” 12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ 18 things known from long ago. 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What were some of your observations about how the early church leaders worked in conflict situations?
  2. Where do the Scriptures fit into the conflict?
  3. What is the key to a conflict being resolved?
  4. What was the experience of the leaders when the conflict was resolved?
  5. How did the council operate to ensure this conflict was settled throughout the church body? See Acts 15:22-33:

Digging Into The Bible (Part 2)

Acts 15:22-33:

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.  23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.  24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.  Farewell.  30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.

Discussion & Discovery (Part 2)

  1. What did you observe about the apostles and elders and what they did do to further clear up conflict?
  2. How does communication fit into the conflict you might be experiencing?
  3. What principles can you take from this story to help you in the conflict you are experiencing?

Application & Accountability (Part 2)

  1. What do you do when you can’t get a resolution?
  2. When will you take steps to resolve the conflict you are having?

Digging Into The Bible (Part 3)

Acts 25:36-41:

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Discussion & Discovery (Part 3)

  1. What do you do when you can’t get a resolution to a conflict?
  2. What are the principles that we can learn here?
  3. What would be the steps you can take when the situation is irreconcilable?

Application & Accountability (Part 3)

  1. How would you use an outside peacemaker to help you?
  2. What will you do as a result of these discussions?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

I.6A: How do we build love into all team relationships?

/by

I.6A: How do we build love into all team relationships? [I Peter 4:11]

A Story

All relationships in a church or ministry require teamwork. One of the ministries that we have been involved in found itself facing some team issues. We held a retreat and it created an environment for each team member to identify where he or she thought the team was. It enabled each person to share their point of view and begin to clear the air of confusion and lack of trust. The people became a closer team by applying a verse on love from the Bible.

Digging Into The Bible

I Peter 4:7-11:

 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What observations do you make from this passage about the prerequisites to deeper love?
  2. What does it mean to love one another deeply?
  3. How does love cover a multitude of sins?

Application & Accountability

  1. What situations are you facing in which these principles will apply?
  2. Who do you need to share these with?
  3. When the passage says, that each person should use whatever gift they have received, how does that need to be emphasized in your teamwork?
  4. Who would you use these verses to help build a foundation for teamwork?
  5. When will you share these with your teammates?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

I.5: I feel powerless in ministry.

/by

A Story

John was a pastor being coached in developing his life plan and ministry vision. He wanted to develop foundational thinking in his discipleship ministry. He questioned what would be the key issues that he should meditate on as he developed his thinking. His coach suggested Matthew 5, where Jesus teaches eight key attitudes that must be incorporated into the life of the disciple. The coach asked the pastor to look at this passage and identify the eight attitudes. These are sometimes called “Beatitudes.”

Digging Into The Bible

In this chapter, we will look at the introduction that Jesus gives his disciples as they begin to follow him. In Matthew 4:19 He invites these young men to “follow him, and he promised to make them fishers of men.”  Yet sometimes our current reality in following Jesus is that we are not fishers of men. He then gives us the action step…. Follow me.  What is our intended future? Fishers of men? Wow! What a statement. Do you want that? Then let’s learn what steps we need to take to start following him from his first sermon in Matthew chapter 5.  Let’s start by reading the first verses of Chapter 5 from verse 1 to verse 16.  As your coach, I want you to identify the 7 or 8 attitudes that Jesus describes and the resulting qualities if these attitudes are in place.

Matthew 5:1-16 

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. List the eight attitudes: Note the first four are about our relationship with God, and the second four concern our relationships with people.  Why do you think that is significant?
  2. List the resulting qualities vs. 14-16. What will your intended future look like?
  3. Which attitudes do you not understand?
  4. How can you take steps to grow in understanding these key attitudes?
  5. Which ones do you see working in your life?
  6. Which ones are missing or unclear?
  7. What can we do to take steps to understand how they are linked together?

Application & Accountability

  1. Pick one attitude that you see is strong in you. Describe it. How did it get strong?
  2. Which attitude is weak in you? What can you do to grow in this attitude?
  3. Let’s then imagine this attitude in your life and what it will look like.
  4. What steps do you need to take to move toward that attitude being a reality?
  5. Let’s work on the rest of the attitudes in the same way.
  6. Now picture all the attitudes in place and what will happen in your life from these verses.
  7. What will show up in your life when you are salt and light?
  8. Describe what happened in this coaching session. What changes did you get to observe?
  9. How can I help you implement your planned improvement steps?

Extra

Follow this link to see another illustration of how the Beatitudes link us to POWER!

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

I.11: How do I think about What’s Next? (retirement, relocating, retooling ministry skills)

/by

A Story

Many pastors and leaders that I have coached and who are my peers are coming into that time of pondering whether they should retire or not. They have invested many years in their present work whether it is in a secular career or in a ministry or church responsibility. The work has been fulfilling but they sense that they should move on. Many fears can entangle a leader when he faces this decision. There are many questions:

  1. What will I do after I retire or transition from my present job?
  2. Will I have enough income?
  3. Who will take over my work and lead it to the next level? Can I trust them?
  4. Will my next work be significant?
  5. Will I be forgotten?
  6. Will I become bored in my retirement or change?

Digging Into The Bible

Philippians 3:7-16:

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What observations do you make from these words of God from the apostle Paul?
  2. What was the value shift from former things to eternal things?
  3. How does one go about doing that in all transitions?

Application & Accountability

  1. When this value shift occurs how do you think it will affect your transition or retirement questions?
  2. What would you like your next part of Christ’s mission to be?
  3. How will this passage guide you?
  4. What would be a key step to take to get a clear picture of how to transition?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible:

I.4: How do I know what is on God’s heart and my heart?

/by

A Story

Scott shared with me his love for the Lord.  He loved being in times of devotion and growing as a follower of Christ. As he saw his growth, he came to me with a question for his future. He wanted to know what was on God’s heart for his life.

“How do I find that out?” was his question.  What direction should I go to find out about this?

Digging Into The Bible

Often times in our walk with Christ he leads us to the Father. He says in John 14:6, “He is the way the truth, and the life, and no man can come to the Father but through him.” What does this verse tell you about knowing what is on God’s heart?

Ephesians 1:17

“I pray that he would give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know him better.” What can we pray for others and ourselves in knowing the heart of God?

Ephesians 1:18-23

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What did you discover from these passages about God’s heart?
  2. What does it mean to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation?
  3. What do you need to do to have these things that are in God’s heart?
  4. How do you explain what it means to “open the eyes of my heart?”
  5. What does he want us to see?
  6. What is so important about each of these three?

Application & Accountability

  1. What would be your first step in knowing what is on God’s heart for you?
  2. What would be some practical steps for you in discerning this?
  3. When will you put these steps into action?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

Similar Verses In The Bible

List similar verses in the Bible: