Ra0CN aw a3qCq I - Southridge Community Church...The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A...
Transcript of Ra0CN aw a3qCq I - Southridge Community Church...The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A...
from unnaturalto natural
to supernatural
My Journey, My JournalThis journey and journal of ordinary revival belongs to:
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WEEK 1Sunday Service: Starting Point
Most of us would admit that our lives are fairly ordinary, even mundane at times. Even those who describe them-selves as spiritual or religious typically lead similarly un-spectacular lives, leading many to wonder if “ordinary” is all there is. Is it possible to actually experience something supernatural and divine in the midst of our otherwise or-dinary lives? How does our experience of, and connection with, God go from typical to transcendent, from natural to supernatural?
Message Notes & Reflections:______________________________________________________
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Conversation Starters
1. What did you hear or experience in this week’s service? What inspired you? What challenged you? What questions came to mind?
2. What comes to mind when you think of the supernatu-ral? Have you ever had any moments or experiences that you’d describe as “supernatural”?
3. What usually comes to mind when you think of spiritual “revival”?
4. In what area of your life would you most like to experi-ence revival?
5. How can you commit to exploring ordinary revival in your life over the next month?
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Ordinary Practice: Calendar Review
We find ourselves in the middle of a spiritual season re-ferred to as lent; a sacred space leading to Easter; a season of preparation and reflection, expressed through practices of abstinence and engagement.
It's not natural for us.
We're used to unrestrained consumption, instant gratifi-cation, perpetual self-fulfillment (rather than denial), and being swept along the natural "flow" of life.
But maybe, just maybe, this unnatural activity of intention-ally giving up something (abstaining) to make space for something else (engaging), could make what initially feels unnatural become more natural to open our lives to the supernatural.
This week’s ordinary practice is to review your calendar in order to make space for ordinary revival.
Particularly, we invite you to commit to making space each Sunday morning from now till Easter to gather with us on this journey.
Reviewing will also mean re-prioritizing.
It will mean abstaining from anything that would normally fill a space like Sunday morning – sleeping in,
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brunch, hockey tournaments, catching up on work, binging Netflix, errands, shopping, doing "church" from home, or just not feeling “it.”
It will mean engaging in the choice to come, to participate, to gather together with intention and purpose.
And as we do, let’s see if this unnatural hour in our week could create a more likely space to encounter and access the supernatural presence and power of God, beyond any of the other “more natural” options.
Instructions
Use the calendar on the following page(s) to reflect on and track your life this week.
Use it proactively to identify things you’d like to put in first and make sure you have time for.
Use it reactively to reflect on things that just happened and consider the space and priority it took in your life.
Use it as a guide to anticipate whether church might be something you can commit to for the next four weeks.
At the end of the week, use the Saturday reflection to evalu-ate the “rocks in your jar.”
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What I’m planning today: _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________
What I did today: _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ ______________ _____________
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
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What I’m planning today: _______________ ______________ _______________ _____________________________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________
What I did today: _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________ _______________ ______________
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
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Saturday: Seeing the Supernatural
Set aside 10-15 minutes to reflect on your journey this week. How has this ordinary practice created space for ordinary revival? Have you seen evidence of the unnatural becoming more natural to encounter the supernatural?
1. Start by just looking back through your calendar. What stands out?
2. Which activities happened naturally? Which happened unnaturally or required intentionality?
3. How much of your week felt urgent and reactionary? How much of your week felt important and prioritized?
4. What do you want to change for next week?
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Resource Recommendations
The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership
Fable... About Restoring Sanity To The Most Important
Organization In Your Life by Patrick Lencioni, 2008
Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the
Church by Rachel Held Evans, 2015
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WEEK 2Sunday Service: “Pray”
It's not unusual to download our thoughts and struggles, joys and successes, to our most trusted friends; sharing what's going on in our lives in order to gain the support and insight of others. But what about sharing our inner thoughts with God? Is that really possible? And if so, is it worth it? Does God really hear us? Can praying make any difference in my life?
Message Notes & Reflections:
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Conversation Starters
1. What’s your earliest memory of prayer?
2. What would you say is the point of prayer? What’s the greatest benefit someone might experience from spending time in prayer?
3. What doubts or questions do you have about prayer?
4. Would you say prayer is a part of your lifestyle these days? If so, when are you most likely to pray? Are there certain prayers or ways of praying that are most common or comfortable for you?
5. What’s one inspiration, encouragement or challenge you sensed from God through this week’s service?
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Ordinary Practice: The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer can seem like an odd proposition: talking with a God you can't see or hear. But what if prayer – as an inten-tional and heartfelt investment in relating to God – could be the beginning of a more natural encounter with the supernatural?
When it comes to learning how to pray, what better place to start than with the prayer Jesus taught, what we’ve come to refer to as “The Lord's Prayer.”
Whether you grew up repetitively regurgitating this prayer in church or school, or this is the first time you've heard of it, learning to pray it deeply and daily has life-changing potential.
This week’s ordinary practice is to spend 15 minutes each day praying and journaling through the Lord's Prayer following our prayer guide.
And if you want to take this practice to the next level, try skipping lunch on Wednesday as a spiritual fast to help heighten your attention and dependence on God. At the time you'd normally eat lunch, and whenever you feel the pangs of hunger, give extra space to pray-ing through the prayer.
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Sunday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
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Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
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Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
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Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
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Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
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Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
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Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
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Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Monday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
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Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
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Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
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Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
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Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
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Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
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Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
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Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Tuesday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
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Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
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Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
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Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
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Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
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Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
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Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
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Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Wednesday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
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Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
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Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
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Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
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Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
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Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
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Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
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Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Thursday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
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Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
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Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
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Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
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Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
_________________________________________________
Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
__________________________________________________
Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
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Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Friday
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Where might you feel insecure or alone today?
_______________________________________________
Pray that you will be grounded as a child of God in these situations.
How can you honour and uphold the reputation of Jesus today?
_________________________________________________
Pray that you will represent his name and reputation with love.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Where do you long to see God’s kingdom today?
_________________________________________________
Pray for these places, people and situations.
Where do you need help aligning with God's will today?
_________________________________________________
Pray that you'd align your desires with his desires in these moments.
Give us today our daily bread.
What are some of your practical needs today?
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Ask for specific things that only God can provide and thank him for specific things you normally take for granted.
Who do you know who is in need today?
_________________________________________________
Ask God to provide and to help you to take part in meeting these needs.
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
What do you need God to forgive in your heart, mind or actions?
__________________________________________________
Confess your faults and ask for forgiveness.
Who do you need to forgive for hurts and frustrations you’ve experienced?
__________________________________________________
Ask God to make you as gracious with others as he is with you.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
In what ways might you be tested or tempted today?
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Name these situations and ask for strength in these moments.
Who do you know who might face temptation today?
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Ask God to lead them and deliver them from evil.
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Saturday: Seeing the Supernatural
Set aside 10-15 minutes to reflect on your journey this week. How has this ordinary practice created space for ordinary revival? Have you seen evidence of the unnatural becoming more natural to encounter the supernatural?
1. Start by looking back through your five days of praying the Lord’s Prayer. What stands out?
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2. When did you see God provide this week?
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. When did you receive or offer forgiveness this week?
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4. When did you experience God protecting you from temptation or testing this week?
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Resource Recommendations
Fifty-Seven Words That Change The World: A Journey
Through the Lord’s Prayer by Darrell W. Johnson, 2005
The Prayer of All Prayers: Finding Life and Revival in the
Lord’s Prayer by Sara Maynard, 2018
A New Liturgy Audio Resources by Aaron Niequist at an-ewliturgy.com
An Introduction to Breath Prayer by Southridge at south-ridgechurch.ca/breathprayer
Personal Resources for Prayer by Southridge at south-ridgechurch.ca/personalresources
Echo Prayer App as a great tool for tracking prayer re-quest, setting prayer reminders, sharing and following prayers with groups and on feeds.
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WEEK 3Sunday Service: “Read”
We all search for wisdom and guidance. Whether through Google or Wikipedia, or skimming the latest self-help bestseller, trying to read our way into a better life is quite common. But what about the Bible? Is it still a place worth looking for wisdom? Is it a book that's actually worth read-ing? Can reading the Bible really change anything at all?
Message Notes & Reflections:
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Conversation Starters
1. Did you have any experiences with the Bible growing up? If so, what do you remember about them? What was positive? What was challenging?
2. When you think of reading the Bible today, what’s the first feeling or impulse that comes to mind?
3. What questions or struggles do you have with the Bible?
4. Is reading the Bible part of your lifestyle today? If so, what does this look like? What approach or rhythm do you take to reading the Bible? If not, how might you prefer to approach the Bible if you were going to read it?
5. What’s one inspiration, encouragement or challenge you sensed from God through this week’s service?
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Ordinary Practice: Bible Reading
Reading a book that was written thousands of years ago by multiple people, in multiple languages, throughout multiple contexts can be intimidating and confusing. But we believe the sacred words of scripture have been passed through millenniums because of the truth and wisdom they reveal about humanity's relationship with God. That’s why reading the Bible can be such a transformative experience.
What if God wants to speak revival into your soul through his sacred word?
This week’s ordinary practice is to spend 15 minutes each day reading and reflecting on selected passages of scripture following the "SOAP" method of reading, reflecting, journaling and praying.
And if you want to maintain and build off last week’s practice, close each day’s prayer by praying through the Lord’s Prayer, considering specific needs and prayer requests that come to mind.
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Sunday
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Monday
Psalm 8
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild,8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Tuesday
Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Wednesday
Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teach-er, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Thursday
Luke 10:25-37
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jeri-cho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra ex-pense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Friday
Galatians 5:16-26
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a]you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbear-ance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceit-ed, provoking and envying each other.
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Scripture (write one verse that catches your attention):
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Observation (what did you notice that stood out):
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Application (what does this mean to your life right now):
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Prayer (what does this verse inspire you to pray):
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Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
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Saturday: Seeing the Supernatural
Set aside 10-15 minutes to reflect on your journey this week. How has this ordinary practice created space for ordinary revival? Have you seen evidence of the unnatural becoming more natural to encounter the supernatural?
1. Start by looking back through your five days of SOAP. What stands out?
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2. What wisdom did you gain from reading this week?
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3. How have you been challenged to grow toward the “fruit of the spirit” through these ordinary practices?
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4. What do you want to take with you from this ordinary practice going forward?
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Resource Recommendations
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible
Again by Rachel Held Evans, 2018
Community Bible Experience Reading Plan at biblica.com/cbe
The Bible Project Video Resources on RightNow Media and at thebibleproject.com
RightNow Media online Bible Study resource. Create a personal ac-count today at southridgechurch.ca/rightnow
Personal Resources for Bible Reading by Southridge at southridgechurch.ca/personalresources
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WEEK 4Sunday Service: “Worship”
We all love things. From ice cream to hockey to music to pets, our lives are full of affection toward the things we most value. But what does it look like to express our affec-tion to God? What does it mean to truly worship and why would we bother gathering for worship? Does worshipping God really make a difference? At the end of the day, is worship worth it?
Message Notes & Reflections:
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Conversation Starters
1. Did you go to church growing up? Share about the ups and downs of your experience or lack of experience of attending church in your upbringing.
2. When you think of “worship,” what normally comes to mind?
3. What do you find most inspiring about our worship gatherings at Southridge? What do you find challenging or less natural for you to participate in?
4. What is your most natural spiritual pathway or expres-sion of worship? (E.g. music, art, nature, reading, praying, learning, doing, contemplating, resting, celebrating, etc.)
5. What’s one inspiration, encouragement or challenge you sensed from God through this week’s service?
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Ordinary Practice: Celebration
Worship. It’s a word at the centre of all religious traditions and faith practices, but one that can be elusive in actually understanding and experiencing it.
At its core, we believe that worship is “ascribing worth to God,” recognizing the beauty and goodness of his charac-ter, and celebrating who he is, all he has done, is doing and will continue to do in our lives.
So, to help us grow in a heart of worship this week, we invite you into the ordinary practice of celebration, both personally and with others, through the following activities.
Keep in mind that this week’s activities aren’t specific daily practices but can be incorporated throughout the week. So, have a look through all of this week’s material in advance to plan accordingly.
NOTE: Despite engaging in some new practices this week,
we encourage you to continue praying the Lord’s Prayer
daily and deeply. Take a few minutes each day to review
your prayers from Week 1 to see where God is at work and
where you can continue to pray for revival.
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Worship Playlist
Music is a broad spiritual pathway that has the power to draw us together and connect our hearts with the loving presence of God, helping us express our love and devotion to him in return.
Whether “worship music” is brand new to you or a regu-lar part of your listening habits, try spinning this worship playlist for a few minutes each day, in the car, in the kitch-en, during a workout, or as you go to sleep.
Let these songs move your heart toward celebration!
YouTube: southridgechurch.ca/youtubeplaylist Spotify: southridgechurch.ca/spotifyplaylist Apple Music: southridgechurch.ca/applemusicplaylist Google Play: southridgechurch.ca/googleplayplaylist
We also post every Sunday’s service playlist on our You-Tube channel for you to listen throughout the week.
You can find those playlists here: southridgechurch.ca/weekendplaylist
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Gather: With Friends
Pick one evening this week to get together with friends or loved ones to focus on celebrating the love of God.
Maybe you already have a get together on the calendar with your family or Life Group or friendship circle. If so, make it a deliberate opportunity to celebrate the goodness of God. If not, invite a few friends over with the same in-tentionality in mind.
Here’s a few things you could include in order to prac-tice worship and celebration together:
• Use the worship playlist from the previous page as the soundtrack to your evening.
• Pick one or two of the “Conversation Starters” from this week to engage in a faith conversation.
• Have someone say a prayer before, during or after your time together to express gratitude to God.
• Read James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Then go around the group so each person can share one “good gift” in their life.
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• Along with any other food you enjoy together, in-tentionally include bread and grape juice (or wine if appro-priate) as a reminder and symbol of the presence of Jesus through communion.
• If you want to take the communion experience a step further, try working through our Life Group Com-munion Guide or Dinner Table Communion Experi-ence.
o southridgechurch.ca/lifegroupcommunion o southridgechurch.ca/dinnertablecommunion
Reflections on this gathering:
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Gather: With Church
Easter weekend creates a unique space in our calendar – particularly with a statutory holiday – to be together for an extra gathering on Good Friday, in addition to our Easter Sunday celebration.
Maybe you’ve never been to a Good Friday service or couldn’t really imagine attending church twice on one weekend, but Good Friday is always a really meaningful experience for our community and just might be a time of (extra) ordinary revival as our month-long journey nears its end.
So, plan to join us this weekend on Friday AND Sun-day. Good Friday services will be held at 10:00am in all locations.
And if you’re able to come, why not invite someone to join you – a friend, family member, classmate, co-worker, employee, or neighbour. Maybe this is a chance for you to begin sharing the supernatural experience of ordinary revival with others!
Consider who you might invite and take a moment to pray for them by name.
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Good Friday
To help prepare your heart for our Good Friday service, take 5-10 minutes on Friday morning to pray the Lord’s Prayer simply and sincerely, before coming to the service, anticipating that God wants to impact your life in a fresh way today.
Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Reflections on our Good Friday gathering:
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Saturday: Seeing the Supernatural
You’ve come to the end of the “ordinary revival” journal, but we believe it’s just the beginning of the ordinary re-
vival journey; an ongoing life of pursuing the supernatural activity of God one ordinary day at a time.
On this “Holy Saturday,” set aside 10-15 minutes to reflect on the journey so far and to prepare your heart for tomor-
row’s Easter at Southridge celebration.
1. How have the ordinary practices of “worship” and “gathering” created space for ordinary revival?
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2. Over the last month, have you seen evidence of the unnatural becoming more natural to encounter the super-
natural?
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3. Which of these seemingly “unnatural” ordinary practic-es have become the most “more natural” for you over the
last month?
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4. What do you want to take with you from these ordinary practices going forward?
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5. Where do you still long for more revival in your heart, soul, rela-tionships, etc.?
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6. What are you longing for, praying for and looking most forward to on this Easter weekend?
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Easter at Southridge services will be at 9:00 & 11:00am at all locations.
See you then!
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Next Steps
1. Continue using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide to praying daily and deeply for more of God’s revival in your life.
2. Find a helpful devotional resource that suits your cur-rent stage of life and spiritual journey. Ask a Christian friend, or talk to your Location Pastor, Life Group Leader, or Ministry Team Leader, or check out southridgechurch.ca/personalresources.
3. Continue to join us consistently as we gather on Sun-days to encounter God together and orient our hearts to him.
4. Connect with a Life Group to form faith-based friend-ships that can help us grow in following Jesus.
5. Engage and volunteer in our anchor causes of justice and compassion to express your love for the poor and marginalized and to experience how friendship makes the difference.
6. Consider the next step of baptism to publicly express and celebrate your faith in Jesus and your desire to live a life of ordinary revival. Start the conversation at [email protected].
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NOTES
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NOTES
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COFFEE. ANYONE? We’d love to get to know you and help you however we can! If you’d like to connect with someone from our staff, please fill out the fol-lowing information and we will be in touch this week. Please tear off this card and drop it off at the Welcome Centre. We look forward to connecting with you!
_______________________________________________________NAME
_______________________________________________________PHONE
_______________________________________________________EMAIL
Location (circle one): St. Catharines Vineland Welland
Southridge Community Church is committed to protecting your right to privacy. The personal infor-
mation you share with Southridge will only be used to support your involvement with our church.
southridgechurch.ca
facebook.com/southridge
@southridge
@southridge_church
(905) 682-9901
Our community meets in three locations every Sunday morning:
St. Catharines: 10:00am201 Glenridge Avenue
Vineland: 9:00am & 11:00am3970 Glendale Avenue
Welland: 9:00am & 11:00am414 River Road
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