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Discussions Questions to Consider 1) Mirror of truth Jesus is a mirror of truth. When we look at him, we see what is in us that needs to change as well as what is in us that reflects who Jesus is. Jesus is the most accurate mirror - he shows us the most accurate reflection of ourselves. Have you ever had this experience (“big or small”)? To see yourself through the “mirror” of Christ? What was that like? What did the mirror reveal? 2) "Message vs Messenger" Standing for truth is important in the life of a believer. Especially discerning specifically the WHY and WHAT we believe. We are to speak Truth always in love. Mik talked about the difference in offense when this is done - Message vs Messenger. Jesus’ Gospel “message” offends, but we as the “messengers” are not called to communicate offensively (unkindly). Have you ever spoken the truth outside of love & caused offense (as the messenger). What have you changed since that encounter / situation? 3) "For Whose Glory?" A good question that helps us to check our heart motive is: Why do I do the things that I do and who do I do them for? God's Glory or My Own? In Mik's story he mentioned “You don’t have to do ‘what you do’ (i.e. lead worship) to serve, you can just be who you are ” He also talked about Vance, a man that discipled him. Vance was simply just being Vance. Do you have people in your life that have had an impact in your life by doing something purely for God’s glory? 4) "Excellence vs Success" Mik talked about how we are not to confuse the pursuit of godly excellence for the pursuit of personal success. Godly pursuits call us to keep our focus on the Lord, while the pursuit of personal success shifts our eyes away from God and onto lesser things. Have you ever caught yourself putting a man or something man made in God's place? How did the Lord help reorder back to focusing on Him?

Discussions Questions to Consider 1) "If you hold to my teaching..." Grabbing a hold of Jesus' teaching requires us to let go of other things we have been holding onto in our lives. Other things we hold on to keep us from being disciples of Jesus. Obedience to Christ words/teaching leads us into truth which brings us into freedom. Why would God not be “kind enough” to allow us to discover truth outside of obeying Him? 2) "Never been slaves of anyone..." Interestingly enough, the people of Israel has been slaves to others. At the moment of them saying this they are enslaved (oppressed by Rome) and in the book of Exodus, Moses frees God's people (Israel) from slavery to Pharaoh. In our modern times, we do experience a lot of freedom. When Jesus talks about setting free or the idea/topic of "salvation" it's hard for certain hearers , ourselves included, to think that they actually need saving. Connecting this back to Jesus being the light and "walking in darkness", why is it so hard for us to see those things in our lives and in our culture that can enslave us? 3) What are words that have been spoken over is love & in the spirit of Christ , that have been helped shaped us in our walk with God? Were those words easy to receive? Did they take time in prayer and Gods word to process & accept. Opposite : What are words that you needed to reject (lies) and have the Lord rebuke because they didn’t come from a place of Love or the spirit of Christ?

Discussions Questions to Consider 1) In Jesus' claim that he is the light of the world, their is a promise that comes to us when we follow Him. Light brings visibility and light brings "life" as in regards to plants, what are things in your life that you now see and/or now are able to enjoy because of the "light of life." Examples: • Maybe you now see how God had people in your life that did love you when you thought you were truly alone and not loved. • Maybe you can see now how harmful sin was to yourself and others when in "darkness" you thought it couldn't do anything harmful. • Perhaps you are experiencing life in areas of patience and forgiveness when you thought those things could never grow out your heart. This could be similar to way Nick needed to wrestle with issues from his mom after 15 years but it in no way has to be. 2) "My testimony is true, for i know where I come and where I am going..." Connecting this verse to a practical application regarding identity. Have you noticed that when we know where we come from and when we know where we are going, we are more confident to speak truth and live out our faith. Why do you think that is? 3) This doesn't have to be done out loud, but take a moment to end in prayer and silence. If people have a journal, or they can use their phone, ask the Lord during prayer, "Lord, how do you want to heal me?" and just write down whatever He says. If people feel comfortable sharing, they can if time allows, but they don't have to. People can also connect during the week if they want to share with one another about what the Lord wants to heal them from.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind < Back The Whole-Brain Child NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller The authors of No-Drama Discipline and The Yes Brain explain the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures in this pioneering, practical book. “Simple, smart, and effective solutions to your child’s struggles.” -Harvey Karp, M.D. In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight , and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain - and make accessible - the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth. Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.

Discover how closely the gospel connects with today’s motherhood. Join Emily and Laura as they walk through the redemptive story and reveal how the gospel applies to your everyday life, bringing hope, freedom, and joy in every area of motherhood. < Back Risen Motherhood Motherhood is hard. In a world of five-step lists and silver-bullet solutions to become perfect parents, mothers are burdened with mixed messages about who they are and what choices they should make. If you feel pulled between high-fives and hard words, with culture’s solutions only raising more questions, you’re not alone. But there is hope. You might think that Scripture doesn’t have much to say about the food you make for breakfast, how you view your postpartum body, or what school choice you make for your children, but a deeper look reveals that the Bible provides the framework for finding answers to your specific questions about modern motherhood. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler help you understand and apply the gospel to common issues moms face so you can connect your Sunday morning faith to the Monday morning tantrum. Discover how closely the gospel connects with today’s motherhood. Join Emily and Laura as they walk through the redemptive story and reveal how the gospel applies to your everyday life, bringing hope, freedom, and joy in every area of motherhood.

Your children will either live forever with Jesus or apart from him. Too many growing up in Christian homes will not follow Christ as adults. Do you have a strategy for parenting in today's hostile culture? < Back Disciple-Making Parent "Compelling and faithful to the gospel" -- Dr. Albert Mohler, President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. " A fantastic parenting book. Unique in a crowded genre." -- Tim Challies, Author and Blogger, Challies.com. Your children will either live forever with Jesus or apart from him. Too many growing up in Christian homes will not follow Christ as adults. Do you have a strategy for parenting in today's hostile culture? The Disciple-Making Parent will give you confidence in your journey. In the Disciple-Making Parent you will learn: The North Star to Guide Your Parenting The Process Second-Generation Christians Go Through The Reasons Young People Walk Away from the Faith Nine Powerful Influences Found in Wise Families How Your Example Can Commend the Gospel What Your Children are Watching at Home How to Explain Hypocrisy to Them Why the Heart is the Most Important Part of Them (and How to Stay Connected How Discipline Prepares Them for the Gospel How To Clearly Explain the Gospel to Little Children How to Nourish Them with the Word of God Different Ways to Have Family Devotions (and When to Stop) How to Cast a Vision of the World How to Pray for Your Children (and for Yourself) The Doubts Your Children Will Experience and What You Can Do How to Deal with the Electronics and Media Tsunami And Much More So comprehensive that I could remove all the parenting books I have and place only The Disciple-Making Parent on the shelf! -- Jackie Kendall , President, Power to Grow, Author, Lady in Waiting "Chock full of biblical wisdom - you'll find yourself underlining line after line, page after page. -- Marty Machowski, Author, Long Story Short and The Gospel Story Bible .