Message Notes for May 8, 2022

Series:  God Sense

Title: We Become Great by Becoming Small

“When it doesn’t make sense to you, it makes sense to God.”

When God is at work don’t be surprised if everything human is turned on its head. God delights in doing the unexpected, the unpredictable and overturning the laws of probability. Divine principles are often the opposite of those of the world. When God is at work, logic, rules and mathematics all have to give way to a higher law – the law of the Divine.

Story of Gideon:  7:7-22

Personal Notes:

Mark 10:42-45 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

What we learn from Jesus:

• True greatness is not about lording over, but serving under the authority of Jesus.
• True greatness is more about giving than taking.
• True greatness is taking initiative and making sacrifices to serve Jesus and others that we would not normally make.  
• True greatness sees value in every person, every job and every opportunity to serve another.

Family/Group Study Notes for week of May 8, 2022

Series: God Sense

Title: We Become Great by Becoming Small

• Where have you felt small or insignificant?  Why?  
• In what ways has God used you from a place of weakness, lack of confidence or even fear? How did you learn to trust God more through it? 
• Read 1 Corinthians 1:20. What does Paul mean through this passage?  In what ways do you see this played out in human thought and practices?  How have you been surprised by God’s wisdom vs. your own way of doing things?
• Read: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. What is the point Paul is making in this passage?  Why is this important to understand as followers of Jesus?  What is the difference between relying on God and pointing to God through our lives?
• Read the story of Gideon:  Judges 7:7-22.  What lessons can you apply from this story within your life and family?  How does God show that He wants Gideon to ultimately rely on Him?  What are the character traits that keep Gideon from trusting God?  What are yours? 
• Read Mark 10:35-45. What is going on in this passage?  What are the disciples feeling?  How do you see this being acted out in homes and workplaces?  How does Jesus ultimately solve the problem of greatness?  Why is this so difficult for Christians to live out?  Why is it so important to live into as a follower of Jesus?
• Gather together and share prayer needs and pray for each other around the circle.