1

2

RehabAGroupStudy

Lesson1:Wilderness

Lesson2:Intervention

Lesson3:Program

Lesson4:Recovery

Lesson5:Promise

3

AboutRehabRehab:AGroupStudyisafive-weekcompanionstudybasedontheLent2018worshipseries,“Rehab,”developedbytheworshipteamatDiscipleshipMinistries.EachlessonusesthesameScripturesandthemesasthepreviousSunday’sworshipservice.ContributorsincludeDawnChesser,TaylorBurton-Edwards,JacksonHenry,ScottHughes,CraigKennetMiller,andJacquiKing.ThestudyisavailableasafreePDForforpurchaseonAmazon(searchforRehabAGroupStudy)for$5.95percopy.ResourcesandlinkswillbeavailableontheDiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteatwww.umcdiscipleship.org/worship.Rehab:AGroupStudy©2018byDiscipleshipMinistries.Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Forinformation,addressDiscipleshipMinistries,P.O.Box340003,Nashville,TN37203-0003.Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from theNew Revised Standard Version Bible,copyright©1989NationalCouncilofChurchesofChrist in theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.©2018DiscipleshipMinistriesofTheUnitedMethodistChurch.

4

TableofContents

Lesson1:Wilderness 5Mark1:9-15andDeuteronomy8:2Lesson2:Intervention 8Mark8:31-18Lesson3:Program 11Exodus20:1-17Lesson4:Recovery 16 John3:14-18Lesson5:Promise 18Jeremiah31:31-34 RehabResources 21AdditionalResources 22

InstructionsforLeaders 23RehabPrintedCopiesfromAmazon 25RehabWorshipSeries 26

5

Lesson1:Wilderness

STARTERS(10minutes)

Whatwildernessexperienceshaveyouhad?

¨BeinglostinthewoodswithoutaGPS.¨Waitingfortestresultsinahospitalbed.¨Tryingtonavigateconflictwithalovedone.¨Beingconfusedbyadifficultdecision.¨Beingovercomewiththeresultsofbadchoices.¨Beinginthemidstofaspiritualbattle.¨OtherDiscusswithoneortwopeople,andthensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatimagecomestomindwhenyouthinkaboutbeinginthewilderness?• Whatdoesitfeelliketobelost?

6

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readtheinformationbelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscuss.Whatisthewilderness?Wildernessrepresentstimesinourliveswhenwebegintoface,headon,ourownbrokenness.Weadmitwehavefallenandcan’tgetuponourown.Weadmitwehavelostourway.Weadmitwearefacingtrialsandtemptations.Weadmitwehavecomefacetofacewithevil.Weadmitthatwecannolongermanageonourown.Weneedhelp.WeneedaSavior.Forsome,beinginthewildernessistemporary.Forothers,itisthestatusquooftheirentirelives.Butwhetherourwilderness is temporaryor seems tobepermanent,weexperience it the same.Beinginthewildernessisatimeoftesting.Thewilderness iswherethewild thingsare.There isnoreadysupplyof foodor freshwater.Thewilderness isdesolate. It isaplaceofdesperation.Butwildernessalsospeakstoperiodsof lifeorstates of mind: lost, unsettled, wandering, discerning, tempted by Satan, tested by God. Thewildernessisatimeoftrial.Itisaprobationaryperiod.Headingintothewilderness,whetherit’simposeduponusorwevoluntarilygo,isonlythefirststepintherehabjourneytowardreconciliation,healing,andwholeness.Butitisastepwemusttaketostarttheprocessofrecovery.Shareyourthoughtsaboutwilderness.

1. Whatisthedifferencebetweenplanningtogointothewildernessversusfindingyourselfinthewildernesswithoutpreparation?(SurvivorvsLost)

2. Howdoesgoingintothewildernessleadtotransformationandhope?ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AskaparticipanttoreadaloudthefollowingpassagesfromMark1:9-15andDeuteronomy8:2.Askanotherpersontoreadthebackground.

InthosedaysJesuscamefromNazarethofGalileeandwasbaptizedbyJohnintheJordan.Andjustashewascomingupoutofthewater,hesawtheheavenstornapartandtheSpiritdescendinglikeadoveonhim.Andavoicecamefromheaven,‘YouaremySon,theBeloved;withyouIamwellpleased.’AndtheSpiritimmediatelydrovehimoutintothewilderness.Hewasinthewildernessforfortydays,temptedbySatan;andhewaswiththewildbeasts;andtheangelswaitedonhim.NowafterJohnwasarrested,JesuscametoGalilee,proclaimingthegoodnewsofGod,andsaying,‘Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodhascomenear;repent,andbelieveinthegoodnews’(Mark1:9-15).

RememberthelongwaythattheLordyourGodhasledyouthesefortyyearsinthewilderness,inordertohumbleyou,testingyoutoknowwhatwasinyourheart,whetherornotyouwouldkeephiscommandments(Deuteronomy8:2).

7

BackgroundOurimageofrepentancecanoftenbeofaone-timedecisionmadeatanaltarrailorrevivalservicewhilethecongregationsings“JustasIAm.”However,thebiblicalimageofrepentanceismuchbroader.ThisisdisplayedintheOldTestament:GodmakesacovenantwithIsrael;Israelpromisesfaithfulness;Israelslidesintounfaithfulness;prophetswarnthepeople;punishmenteventuallycomes;IsraelrepentsandreturnstoGod.Withrepentance,thereisbothaturningawayfromsinandunfaithfulhabitsandaturningtowardGod.Repentanceresultsinreconciliationandinnewbehaviors(obedience,faithfulness)thatdemonstratenewcommitments.Repentanceisattheheartofthegospelannouncement.ThisisdemonstratedinJesus’preachingandteaching(Mark1:15)andwiththefirstChristians(Acts2:38).Repentanceisanongoing,continuousactionwiththelifeofthegrowingdisciple.AswegrowclosertoGod,themoreweseethatweneedtorepentfrom.AswegrowclosertoGod’slove,themoreweseeourneedfortransformation.QuestionsforDiscussionIfyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Whydopeoplegothroughtimesoftesting?2.Whyisthecalltorepentancelinkedtomakingchangesinourlives?3.WhatlessondowelearnabouthowJesuswentfromthejoyofhisbaptismimmediatelyintothewildernesswherehewastemptedbythedevil?MakingItPersonal(10minutes)

• HowdoyouthinkyouwouldhandleanintenseperiodoftemptationsimilartowhatJesusfacedforfortyconsecutivedays?Whatwoulditrevealaboutyou?(Notfitenoughspiritually?spirituallybroken?)

• Howisbeginningrehaborphysicaltherapysimilartoawildernessexperience?(Certainluxuriesarenotaccessible;habitswillhavetochange;oftenthereisaradicaldeparturefrompreviouspractices;theremaybefeelingsofdisorientation;oftenalongdurationoftime.)

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

8

Lesson2:Intervention

STARTERS(10minutes)

Whatdoyouwishyoucouldchange?

¨Yourweight.¨Abadhabit.¨Thewayyouinteractwith“that”person.¨Anaddiction.¨YourfeelingstowardGod.¨Yourangeratunforeseencircumstances.¨OtherDiscusswithoneortwopeople,andthensharewiththewholegroup:• Whyisiteasiertoseewhatothersneedtochangethanworkingonyourownchanges?• Haveyouhadtomakeanintervention?Onyourself?Onbehalfofsomeoneelse?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscuss.Rehabisajourneyintoaveryhardplace.Itisabouttakingupthecrossanddenyingyourself.ItisaboutfollowingaleaderoraprogramoraSaviorintothehardplaceofsuffering,rejection,andevendeath.Rehabrequiresthatwegiveupcontrolforthetimebeingandletsomeoneelsetelluswhattodo.Itmaybepublicallyhumiliatingtohavetogotorehab.Itmaybehardtoconfessyoursinandaskforhelp.Itishumblingtoadmitthatyoucan’tfixitonyourown,thatthediseaseortheevilhasgainedcontroloveryou,andthatyouneedinterventiontogetoutfromunderneaththeweightofyourproblem.Butnomatterwhatdifficultiesweface,aftertakingthefirststep—admittingwehaveaproblem—wehavetotakethesecondstepofenteringintoatimeofpainandsuffering.Theonlywaytosurviveistotakeadeepbreath,trustinthepeoplewholoveusandinthehealingpowerofgrace,andwalkbravelyintothedepthsofdespair,whateveritmaybe.Ifwetrytopreserveourselvesbyignoringordenyingthatwehaveaproblem,beitwithourheart,orwithdrugs,orwithalcohol,orwithsex,orfood,orPTSD,orwhateveritisfromwhichweneedtorecover,thenweriskdeath.Werisknotjustphysicaldeath,butspiritualdeathaswell.

9

BeingafollowerofJesusmeansthatwebravelyheadintothestormsthatlifesendsourway.Itmeanswewalkintothesufferingthatlifebrings,notjusttous,buttoothers.Andifwearen’tfollowingJesusintothepaththatleadstosuffering,thenweareheadinginthewrongdirection.BecausebeingaChristianisnotamagicpillthatwecantaketoavoidthesufferingthatispartoflife.ThegoodnewsisthatweknowwhenweareinChrist,painandsuffering,evilanddeath,nolongerhavedominionoverus.Weknowthatontheothersideofthepainandthesufferingofrehabisthepromiseofresurrection.Jesuspromisesthatwhenwewillinglygiveupourlives,dowhateverittakes,evensufferanddie,itisthroughthispaththatwewillfindeternalhealingandlifeeverlasting.Shareyourthoughtsaboutintervention.

1. Whatisthebreakingpointatwhichyouknowyouneedtomakeachange?

1. Howdoesyourfaithbothchallengeyouandencouragewhenyouareinhardplaces?ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AsksomeonetoreadaloudthefollowingpassagesfromMark8:31-38.Askanotherpersontoreadthebackground.

ThenhebegantoteachthemthattheSonofManmustundergogreatsuffering,andberejectedbytheelders,thechiefpriests,andthescribes,andbekilled,andafterthreedaysriseagain.Hesaidallthisquiteopenly.AndPetertookhimasideandbegantorebukehim.Butturningandlookingathisdisciples,herebukedPeterandsaid,‘Getbehindme,Satan!Foryouaresettingyourmindnotondivinethingsbutonhumanthings.’

Hecalledthecrowdwithhisdisciples,andsaidtothem,‘Ifanywanttobecomemyfollowers,letthemdenythemselvesandtakeuptheircrossandfollowme.Forthosewhowanttosavetheirlifewillloseit,andthosewholosetheirlifeformysake,andforthesakeofthegospel,willsaveit.Forwhatwillitprofitthemtogainthewholeworldandforfeittheirlife?Indeed,whatcantheygiveinreturnfortheirlife?Thosewhoareashamedofmeandofmywordsinthisadulterousandsinfulgeneration,ofthemtheSonofManwillalsobeashamedwhenhecomesinthegloryofhisFatherwiththeholyangels’(Mark8:31-38).

10

Background:

PeterhopedJesuswouldmeethisexpectationsforaJewishMessiah.ProbablylikemanyotherJewsofthistime,PeterhopedforaMessiahwhowouldconquertheRomansandsetupaphysicalthronetoruleoverafaithfulIsrael.WhenJesushintedatsomethingdifferent(thattheMessiahwouldnotonlysufferbutdie!),PeterwaswillingtoconfrontJesus.Peter’sattemptwasreallyaboutcontrol.HewantedJesustoconformtohisexpectations.However,JesusrebukedPeter’sattemptatmanipulationandcontrol.Thisrebukeisquicklyfollowedbyachallenge,“Ifanywanttobecomemyfollowers,letthemdenythemselvesandtakeuptheircrossandfollowme.”Thischallengehighlightsacentralprincipleofchange:changedemandsaction.ItisnotenoughtohearthewordsofJesus;wemustalsoactuponthem.QuestionsforDiscussionIfyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Haveyoueverbeenrebuked?2.WhatdoesJesus’exampleteachusaboutsuffering?3.HowcandenyingyourselfopenyoutoGod?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)

• Notmanyadultsliketoadmitthey’vemademistakesorhavebeentorehab.Whilesomeadultsmightwearphysicaltherapyasabadge,fewareaswillingtoadmittheirneedforemotionalandrelationalhelp.Whatmightthisrevealaboutourhumancondition?

• Howdoesourneedtofeelincontrolplayaroleinourunwillingnesstoadmitourneedforoutsidehelp?

• WhenJesusrebukedPeter,mighttherebearebukeofusaswell?WhatmightJesus’rebukeofusbe?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

11

Lesson3:Program

IntheKnow(15minutes)Thislessonstartswith“InTheKnow”.Readanddiscuss.Inrecoverysupportgroups,thephrase“workingthesteps”or“workingtheprogram”isusedtodescribehowaparticipantgoesthroughaprocessofrecoveryunderthedirectsupervisionofasponsor.Likewise,incardiacorotherphysicalrehabilitationprograms,thereisaprescribedsetofexercisesandactivitiesthatthepersongoesthrough,aprogramtheindividual“works,”alsounderthesupervisionofatrainedspecialist.Soafundamentalcomponentofrehabisaprogram.Asecondcriticalcomponentispeoplewhosupportandencourageyouasyoufollowtheprogram.ThisstudyproposesthattheTenCommandmentsformthebasisofourprogramofChristianliving.Indeed,forChristians,thosearebedrock.Jesushimselftaughtthatthosewholovehimkeephiscommandments.WestudyScripture,pray,takeCommunion,worship,andengagewiththoseinneed,notasanendinthemselves.Wedosobecausetheyaremeansofgrace—ouractionstransformusanddrawusclosertoGodandoneanother.TheTenCommandmentsmakeupourten-stepprogramasfollowersofJesusChrist.ThisiswhytheTenCommandmentsareamongthefirstthingsweteachourchildren.Followingthesecommandmentsisaboutcharacter.TheyareaboutwhatwestandforaspeopleofGodandascommunitymembers.Thesearefoundationalprinciplesforlivingincommunitywithoneanother.ShareyourthoughtsabouttheTenCommandments.

1. InwhatwaysaretheTenCommandmentsfoundationalforChristians?2. Howdoesfollowingthecommandmentsallowyoutogrowinyourfaith?

12

STARTERS(15minutes)

TENCOMMANDMENTSASSESSMENT

STEPONE:ReadthroughtheTenCommandments,lookingfortheonesthatarethemostchallengingforyoutofollow.

WorshiponlytheLordGod.

Don’tworshipidols.

Don’ttaketheLord’snameinvain.

RemembertheSabbathandkeepitholy.

Honoryourparents.

Donotcommitmurder.

Donotcommitadultery.

Donotsteal.

Donotlie.

Donotcovetwhatotherpeoplehave.

13

Discusswithoneortwopeople,andthensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatdidyoudiscoveraboutyourselfasyouidentifiedthehardestcommandmentstofollow?• Whatdoesyour‘twomostchallengingcommandments’sayaboutyouatthistimeinyourlife?

STEPTWO:Listthefourcommandmentsthatarehardestforyoutofollow.

STEPTHREE:Lookoverthefouryouidentifiedandwritedowntwothatmostchallengeyou.

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

4.

14

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AsksomeonetoreadaloudthefollowingpassagefromExodus20:1-17.Askanotherpersontoreadthebackground.

ThenGodspokeallthesewords:

IamtheLordyourGod,whobroughtyououtofthelandofEgypt,outofthehouseofslavery;youshallhavenoothergodsbeforeme.

Youshallnotmakeforyourselfanidol,whetherintheformofanythingthatisinheavenabove,orthatisontheearthbeneath,orthatisinthewaterundertheearth.Youshallnotbowdowntothemorworshipthem;forItheLordyourGodamajealousGod,punishingchildrenfortheiniquityofparents,tothethirdandthefourthgenerationofthosewhorejectme,butshowingsteadfastlovetothethousandthgenerationofthosewholovemeandkeepmycommandments.

YoushallnotmakewrongfuluseofthenameoftheLordyourGod,fortheLordwillnotacquitanyonewhomisuseshisname.

Rememberthesabbathday,andkeepitholy.Sixdaysyoushalllaboranddoallyourwork.ButtheseventhdayisasabbathtotheLordyourGod;youshallnotdoanywork—you,yoursonoryourdaughter,yourmaleorfemaleslave,yourlivestock,orthealienresidentinyourtowns.ForinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth,thesea,andallthatisinthem,butrestedtheseventhday;thereforetheLordblessedthesabbathdayandconsecratedit.

Honoryourfatherandyourmother,sothatyourdaysmaybelonginthelandthattheLordyourGodisgivingyou.

Youshallnotmurder.Youshallnotcommitadultery.Youshallnotsteal.Youshallnotbearfalsewitnessagainstyourneighbor.

Youshallnotcovetyourneighbor’shouse;youshallnotcovetyourneighbor’swife,ormaleorfemaleslave,orox,ordonkey,oranythingthatbelongstoyourneighbor. Exodus20:1-17

15

Background:KeepingthecommandmentswasthewaytheIsraelitesrevealedtheirloveandgratitudeforallthatGodhaddone,wasdoing,andwoulddofortheminthefuture.Theyreferredtothesenotascommandments,butas“instructionsforlife.”ThecommandmentswereseenasagiftfromGod.ThusthePsalmistcoulddeclare,“Happyarethosewhodonotfollowtheadviceofthewicked,ortakethepaththatsinnerstread,orsitintheseatofscoffers;buttheirdelightisinthelawoftheLord,onhislawtheymeditatedayandnight.”(Psalm1:1-2;seealso119:97NRSV)IntheNewTestament,JesusboileddownthelawinwhatwecalltheGreatestCommandment,“’YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourmind.’Thisis the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor asyourself.’Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets.”(Matthew22:37-40)QuestionsforDiscussionIfyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Howdoesbeingpartofacommunityoffaithhelpyoutomeditateonthelaw?2.Whatisthelinkbetweenaperson’sloveofGodand ofneighbor?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)• Similartoarehabplan,theTenCommandmentsweredesignedtostrengthenthecharacterof

theIsraelites.Howdothepracticesofspiritualdisciplines(prayer,worship,readingtheBible,actsofmercy,andsoon)becomeaspiritualformationplanforallowingGodtoworkinusandthroughus?

• Oftentimes,theresultsofadietorrehabplanseemsoslowthatwefailtonoticethem(eventhoughothersmight).MightthisalsobethecasewhenitcomestogrowthinmaturityasaChristian?WhatroledoinstructionsandcommandmentsplayforChristianstoday?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

16

Lesson4:Recovery

STARTERS(10minutes)Fromwhatareyourrecovering?

� Fromaninjuryorphysicalillness

� Fromthedeathofalovedone.

� Fromamissedopportunity.

� Fromamoralfailing.

� Fromalossofconfidence.

� Fromacrisisoffaith.

� OtherDiscusswithoneortwopeople,andthensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatsustainsyouinthemidstofrecovery?• Whatdoesyourfaithsayaboutthejourneyofrecovery?

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscuss.TheoriginalsinofAdamandEvewasthedesiretohavetheknowledgeofgoodandevilforthemselves,apartfromGod.Theyimaginedtheycoulddoitontheirown.Theyimaginedtheyreallydidn’tneedGodtoshowthemthewaytothetruth.Itisthisoriginalsin,ofthinkingthatwecandoeverythingwithoutGod,thatleadstoalltherestofoursins.Sothefirstthingweneedtodotobegintogetoutoftheviciouscycleofoursinfulbehaviorsistoadmitthatwecan’tdoitaloneandtoaskGodandotherstohelpus.AndGodhasalreadyprovidedthepathtorecovery!Thegoodnewsisallweneedtodoislooktothecross.AllweneedtodotoreceiveGod’shealinggraceisliftoureyesandgazeintothefaceofourLordJesusChrist.Allweneedtodoistrustthatheistheonewhocantransformus,changeus,restoreus,healus,saveus.Andthenlethimkeepdoingit.Shareyourthoughtsaboutrecovery.1. Howdoesthinkingwecandoitonourownmessusup?2. Howdoeslookingatthecrossleadtorecovery?

17

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)Asksomeonetoreadaloudthefollowingpassage:John3:14-18.Askanotherpersontoreadthebackground.

AndjustasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,somusttheSonofManbeliftedup,thatwhoeverbelievesinhimmayhaveeternallife.

‘ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySon,sothateveryonewhobelievesinhimmaynotperishbutmayhaveeternallife.

‘Indeed,GoddidnotsendtheSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butinorderthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim.Thosewhobelieveinhimarenotcondemned;butthosewhodonotbelievearecondemnedalready,becausetheyhavenotbelievedinthenameoftheonlySonofGod(John3:14-18).

Background

Itiscommontoread“eternallife”andmakeamentalleaptoimagesofclouds,angels,andpearlygates.YetthewayJohnusesthisphraseisabitmore“earthy.”“Life”inthispassagehasmoretotodowiththequalityoflife.EternallifewouldhavebeenaphrasethatJesus’audiencewouldhaveunderstoodalongthelinesof“agetocome,”whichwastheirhope(notanescapetoadistantplace).Thestrategyandworkofrecoverypreparesustohearevenmoreclearlythegoodnewsthatourfaultsandweaknessesdonotdefineus.Recoveryhasadestination—healingandwholeness.EasterrevealsGod’sultimatepurposefortheworldisnotcondemnation,butredemption—redemptionthatcanbewononlybyGod’sredeemingpower.QuestionsforDiscussionIfyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Howdoyoudefinesalvation?2.HowdoesGod’slovefuelrecovery?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)• Rehabisnotalwaysaneatandeasypath.Failures,setbacks,andnewobstaclesoftenappear.

Howdoyouperseverewhenrecoveryseemssofaraway?

• WhatdifferencedoesitmakebelievingthatGodis“forus,”specificallywhenitcomestogrowinginChristianmaturity?Whataboutinthemidstofdoubt?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

18

Lesson5:Promise

STARTERS(10minutes)

Promisesaremadebyusandtousallthetime.WhenwegetaproductlikeaTV,thecompanypromisestofixitifitdoesn’twork.Ourjobpromisestopayusforwhatwedo.Ifwecompleteallourclasseswithsatisfactorygrades,wearepromisedadiploma.Wealsomakepromisestoothers.Toourchildren,thatwewillfeedthem,teachthem,andputaroofovertheirheads.Toaspouseorpartner,thatwewillbefaithful.Toafriend,thatwewillbethereintimesofdeepestneed.Toourchurch,thatwewillsupportitwithourprayers,ourpresence,ourgifts,ourservice,andourwitness.Withthisinmind,answerthefollowing.

Writedownthreepromisesyouhavemadeinthepast.

1.2.3.

Writedowntwobrokenpromises(brokenbyyouorbyanother).

1.2.Discusswithoneortwopeople,andthensharewiththewholegroup:• Whatisthedifferencebetweenpromisesmadetoyoubycompaniesorinstitutionsversus

promisesmadeinarelationship?• Howdopromiseskeptensuretrust?Howdobrokenpromisesunderminetrust?

19

IntheKnow(15minutes)Readthearticlebelow.Ifyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscuss.Wheredowefindstrengthfortoday?Wheredowefindbrighthopefortomorrow?Thisweek,wefinditinthepromiseGodsentthroughthemouthoftheprophetJeremiahsome2,600yearsago.AndtheamazingthingaboutthisScripturelessonisthatthepowerofJeremiah’swordsspeaktousjustasclearlyandprofoundlytodayastheydidtothechildrenofIsraelheldincaptivityinBabylonallthosegenerationsago.TheLordissayingtothem,andtous,“Nomatterwhatyouaregoingthrough,nomatterhowmuchithurtsorhowdifficultitistoimagineafuturewithhope,Ipromiseyou,itwillgetbetteroneday.Andyouarenotalone.Iamwithyoutotheendoftheage.”● Oneday,theLordsays,thehouseofIsraelandthehouseofJudahwillberestored.● Oneday,youwillbeabletoreturntothelandthattheLordgavetoyou.● Oneday,yourhomesandbusinesseswillberebuilt.● Oneday,youwillhaveworkagain.● Oneday,yourdivorcewillbeathingofthepast.● Oneday,shamewillnolongercontrolyourlife.● Oneday,yourgriefwillbecomemanageable,andyouwillsmileandlaughagain.

● Oneday,youwillnolongerbeaslavetoyouraddiction.● Oneday,therewillbeanewcovenant.● Oneday,thesinsofthepastwillallbeforgottenandyouwillbegivenafreshstart.The

slatewillbewipedcompletelyclean.● Oneday,Christwillcomeinfinalvictoryandwewillfeastathisheavenlybanquet.

Oneday.Someday.Thedaysaresurelycoming,theLordpromises.DoyouthinkthepeoplebeingheldcaptiveinBabylonfoundcomfortinJeremiah’swords?Probablynotatthatpoint.Sometimeswejustaren’tinaplacewherewecanhearanywordofhope,notevenfromaprophetsentbytheLordGod.Butperhapstheonethingthatwecandoisputourfaithinthisnewcovenant,thispromiseofforgiveness,reconciliation,peaceandevenprosperitythatis,becauseofChrist,offeredtoallofus.Thiscovenantwillnotbemadewithwords.Itwillbeinscribedonourhearts.ItwillcomeasanassuranceinwhichweknowforcertainthatGodiswithusandthatGodlovesuswhetherwecanfeelitrightnowornot.Shareyourthoughtsaboutpromises.

1. Howdopromisesleadtohope?2. ReflectonhowharditistobelieveinGod’sgracewhenyouareinhardtimes.

20

ReflectionontheBible(20minutes)AsksomeonetoreadaloudthefollowingpassagesfromJeremiah31:31-34.Askanotherpersontoreadthebackground.Thedaysaresurelycoming,saystheLord,whenIwillmakeanewcovenantwiththehouseofIsraelandthehouseofJudah.ItwillnotbelikethecovenantthatImadewiththeirancestorswhenItookthembythehandtobringthemoutofthelandofEgypt—acovenantthattheybroke,thoughIwastheirhusband,saystheLord.ButthisisthecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelafterthosedays,saystheLord:Iwillputmylawwithinthem,andIwillwriteitontheirhearts;andIwillbetheirGod,andtheyshallbemypeople.Nolongershalltheyteachoneanother,orsaytoeachother,‘KnowtheLord’,fortheyshallallknowme,fromtheleastofthemtothegreatest,saystheLord;forIwillforgivetheiriniquity,andremembertheirsinnomore(Jeremiah31:31-34). BackgroundJeremiahcontraststheoldcovenantandthenew.Theoldcovenant,madewithIsrael,wasbasedonIsraelfollowingthelaw—theTenCommandments.Butbecausethepeoplewereunabletokeepthecommandments,thecovenantwasbroken.ThenewcovenantrestssolelyonGod’sintentions,toofferwholenessandhealingtoallwhofollow.“Iwillputmylawwiththem,andIwillwriteitontheirhearts”isastatementthatisfulfilledwhenGod’ssendstheHolySpirittoguideandhealus.Hispromiseisfromtheleasttothegreatest,apromiseoftheforgivenessofsinsthatisfoundinthesacrificeofJesusonthecross.QuestionsforDiscussionIfyourgrouphasmorethansevenmembers,divideintogroupsoffourtodiscusstheScripturepassage.1.Haveyouevermadepromisesthatyouknowwillnotbeappreciatedorreciprocated?2.Whatdoesitfeelliketobeforgiven?3.Howdoesforgivenessfitintoaplanofrehab?

MakingItPersonal(10minutes)

• Wheredoesthedesireforrehabbegin?Isitsomethingwediscover?Somethingwearetoldwemustdo?OrdoesitstartwhenwepayattentiontoGod’svoicethatcallsustohealthandwholeness?

• WhatisGod’sroleinyourrehab?

• Howhasthisstudyhelpedyoumovethroughthestepsofwilderness,intervention,program,recovery,andpromise?

CloseinPrayer(5minutes)

21

RehabResourcesConnection:Individuals,families,andsmallgroupscansupportoneanothertomakechanges.Thefollowingresourcesaredesignedtoencouragepeopleastheystarttheirrehabjourneys:

• AbundantHealthresources:http://www.umcabundanthealth.org/resources/• AlcoholAnonymous/UMC:http://www.manchacaumc.org/alcoholics-anonymousand

https://www.greatplainsumc.org/addictionministries• FamiliesinRecovery:https://nacoa.org/families/family-recovery/

Church:Congregationsarecalledtoservetheneedsofthepeople.Addictionisreal.Somecongregationswillprovidemeetings.Otherswillofferadvocacyprograms.AllwillseektocelebratetransformationthroughtheloveofJesusChrist.Thefollowingresourcesaredesignedtoencouragecongregationstogaininformationthatsupportspeopleontheirrehabjourneys:• TheUnitedMethodistSpecialProgramonSubstanceAbuseandRelatedViolence(SPSARV)

resources:http://www.umcmission.org/SPSARV

• Addressingaddictions:https://www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/health-and-wholeness/addictions

• HealthMinisterTraining:http://www.umcabundanthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Spring-2018-Health-Certificate.pdf

• AddressingIssues/CommunityWorksheet:https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/36

• FaithandFacts—AlcoholandOtherDrugs:https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/6• TheUnitedMethodistChurchbeliefsregardingalcoholanddrugabuse:

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/alcohol-and-other-drugs• SocialPrinciples:http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-social-community#alcohol-

drugsandhttps://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/alcohol-and-other-drugs-3042

Community:Restoringhopetakesacommunity!Recoveryoccursincommunity!Thefollowingresourcesaredesignedtoencouragecommunitiestogaininformationthatsupportspeopleontheirrehabjourneys:

• Impactonchildrenandyouth:http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/keep-children-and-youth-free-from-alcohol-and-other-drugs

• Churchesandrecoveryministries:https://www.memphis-umc.net/newsdetail/65845• CelebrateRecovery:http://www.humc.org/ministries/adult/celebrate-recovery/• RecoveryWorship:https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/61• JusticeMinistryGrants:https://www.umcjustice.org/what-you-can-do/grants• 12StepPrayers:http://www.12step.org/references/commonly-used/12-step-prayers/

22

AdditionalResourcesfromDiscipleshipMinistrieshttp://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worshipHereyouwillfindtheworshipandsermonnotesforthisseries.OriginallydesignedforLent2018,itcanbeusedatanytimeoftheyear.Otherworshipseriesarepostedatthissiteaswell.http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/The Discipleship Ministries site has resources for starting newchurches,leadingyourchurch,ministeringtopeople,andlivingtheUnitedMethodistway.Italsoisthe gateway to the Upper Room Bookstore and numerous resources for worship, stewardship,evangelism,andleaderdevelopment.http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/webinarsThis isyourconnection toanongoingcollectionofwebinars thatcoversall theessentialareasofcongregationallife.Webinarsonstewardship,worship,laity,churchleadership,children’sministry,older-adult ministry, congregational development and numerous other topics are offered byDiscipleshipMinistriesstafftocreatevitalcongregations.

http://www.teamworksumc.org/ThisisyourportaltotheTeamWorkssiteatDiscipleshipMinistries.HereyouwillfindTeamWorksseminars,downloadablepresentations,andinformationonhowtousethesematerialsinyourchurchto create vital congregations. TeamWorks Guidebooks, created by Craig Kennet Miller, can beorderedfromAmazon.

23

www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadershipresources/covenant-discipleshipDisciplesMakingDisciples:GuideforCovenantDiscipleshipGroupsandClassLeadersbyStevenW.ManskarisanessentialresourceforcongregationalleadersandCovenantDiscipleshipgroupmembers.Thefirsthalfofthebookisabriefreviewofthetheological,biblical,andhistoricfoundationsforCDgroups.PartTwoisapracticalguidefororganizingaCovenantDiscipleshipgroup,writingacovenantofdiscipleship,leadingaweeklymeeting,andansweringcommonquestionsandobjections.Ideally,everyoneinaCDgroupshouldhaveacopyofthisbook.Theywillfindittobeapracticalandusefulresource.https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/topics/courageous-conversationsWhatmighthappenifwedecidetoengageincourageousconversations?Wemighthavetoswallowourpride.Wemightnamesomeofourdeepestfears.Wemightengageinsomepainfulandscaryconversationswiththoseclosesttous.Wealsomightlearntoexpressourdeepestdesiresmoreclearlyforotherstomeet.Wemightlearntohearsomeone’sperspectivethatchallengesustonewheightsinourrelationshipwithGodandothers.Ascarierquestionmightbe,“Whatifwefailtoengageincourageousconversations?”Growingasadiscipleoftenrequireshardworkonourpart.IttakesthecourageofposturingourselveswithopennessandcuriositylikeNathanaelandlikeJesusdidinofferinggraceandtruth.WeendwithMargaretWheatley’sadvice,“Ihopeyou’llbeginaconversation,listeningforwhat’snew.Listenasbestyoucanforwhat’sdifferent,forwhatsurprisesyou.Seeifthispracticehelpsyoulearnsomethingnew.”

24

InstructionsforLeaders

Rehab:AGroupStudyisafive-weekcompanionstudybasedontheworshipseries“Rehab”developedbytheworshipteamatDiscipleshipMinistriesdesignedforLent2018.EachlessonusesthesameScripturesandthemesastheLentenworshipseries.Thepreferredpatternisforpeopletoexperiencetheworshipservicebasedonthethemefirst,followedbythegroupstudyduringtheweekthatfollows.Thisstudycanbeusedatanytimeoftheyear.Eachparticipantwillneedacopyofthematerial.MakecopiesoffthisPDForpurchasetheguideonAmazon(seenextpageforinstructions).ResourcesandlinkswillbeavailableontheDiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteatwww.umcdiscipleship.org/worship.TimeEachlessonisdesignedforsixtyminutes.Alongsideeachsection,youwillseearecommendedtimeforthatparticularpartofthestudy.Tofacilitategreaterdiscussion,youmayinstructthegrouptofocusononequestioninthediscussionfollowingtheScriptureandin“MakingItPersonal.”

WhyUseThisinaGroup?Peoplelearnbestwhentheyareinconversationswithothers.Theformatofthisresourceisdesignedtogeneratediscussionandinteraction.Ratherthanhavingalarge-groupdiscussion,theparticipantswillbreakintogroupsoftwo,three,orfourduringthelesson.Insteadofhavingthediscussiondominatedbyoneortwopeople,thisgroupingallowseveryonetogetinvolved.Togetthemostoutofthisstudy,besuretofollowtheinstructionsinthematerial.Starters

Eachlessonhasasurveyorsetofquestionsforeachparticipanttoreadandtoanswer.(Providepencilsorpensforpeopletouse.)

DiscussionQuestions First,haveparticipantssharewithoneortwootherpeople,thenwiththewholegroup.

IntheKnow AnarticlebasedonthepreachingnotesforRehabwillfocusonthetopicofthelesson.

ReflectionontheBible

TheScripturesareusedtohelptheparticipantsfocusonthethemeforthelesson.

Background ThisisabriefcommentaryonthepassagetohelpparticipantsunderstandtheScriptureandapplyittotheirlives.

QuestionsforDiscussion

BreakintogroupsofthreeorfourtodiscusstheBiblematerial.

MakingItPersonal Questionsaredesignedtotakethediscussiondeeper.CloseinPrayer Closeinprayer.

25

Rehab:AGroupStudyisalsoavailableforpurchaseonAmazon.Gotohttps://www.amazon.com/Rehab-Group-Craig-Kennet-Miller/dp/1981662685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515156582&sr=8-1&keywords=rehab+a+group+study+millerOrgotoAmazonandsearchfor“Rehab:AGroupStudyMiller.”Costis$5.95each.Pleaseordertwo-weeksbeforeyourfirstlessonForfurtherinformationaboutthisstudyandhowtostartsmallgroups,contactScottHughesatDiscipleshipMinistriesatshughes@umcdiscipleship.orgorCraigKennetMilleratcmiller@umcdiscipleship.org.

26

www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/lent-2018-worship-planning-series

GototheworshipplanningsiteatDiscipleshipMinistriestodownloadallthematerialyouneedtoleadworshipbasedonthethemefor2018Lent,Rehab.

• PeachingNotes

• Musicnotesandsuggestions• WorshipServices

FormoreinformationabouttheseworshipresourcescontactTaylorBurton-EdwardsatDiscipleshipMinistriesattburtonedwards@umcdiscipleship.org.