Flipped “Handling Rejection” Luke 6:22-23; 26 Expect to be “cancelled” for following Jesus Hated Excluded Insulted Rejected Rejoice when you suffer for following Jesus Why rejoice? Because your suffering proves: you belong to Jesus you are becoming more like Jesus you have a reward in heaven you have the Spirit of God Evaluate whether you’re facing opposition for following Jesus Are you following Jesus? Are you following from a safe distance? Are you compromising your faith? Will you take a stand for Jesus? Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

Flipped  “Break My Heart” Luke 6:21b; 25b We are all going to weep, it’s just a matter of Jesus wants to flip our hearts to value what God values. Each of the blessings and and each of the woes have an implication for the present and and an implication for the future. Jesus is inviting His listeners to have a bigger view than just Israel God’s Kingdom is anywhere that God is King! We serve a God who is grieved by sin. Escapism: avoiding reality. Broken heart: commitment to reality You are blessed when your heart breaks for what breaks God’s DANGEROUS PRAYER: “Break my heart” Let your compassion drive you to action! What breaks your heart and what are you going to do about it? Supporting Scripture: Ezekiel 6:9-10; Luke 19:41; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 9:35-38; Isaiah 61:1-3; Genesis 3; Revelation 21-22 LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives What’s something new you learned from today’s message? Why is a Kingdom mindset so important when reading the Beatitudes? Do you find yourself seeking escapism? God grieves for sin and brokenness. Why is that important? How should we respond to the brokenness we see in the world? What would it look like for you to lean in instead of trying to escape? The Dangerous prayer: Have you ever asked God to break your heart? What makes you weep? What makes you pound the table? What would it look like to let your compassion drive you to action? What could God be asking you to do?

Flipped “Flipped Response”  Luke 6:21b, 25b Jesus wants to flip our hearts to value what God values.   When we value what God values, it flips how we respond to the world around us. How can there be blessing in weeping as a response to the world around us? Weeping is an appropriate part of living in a broken Mourning is an expression of sorrow and grief that communicates that things are not as they should be. Laughter allows us to escape the tension that is caused by all that’s gone wrong. The worst thing we can do is to live as though a real problem doesn’t exist. We are invited to weep because we are commanded to love. Application: Am I quick to mourn over sin and its effects in my life and in the world? Or, am I chasing after temporary safety or happiness that distracts me from my need for Jesus? God comforts those who are broken over the brokenness of the world. The present blessing is God’s solidarity: God is close to the broken hearted. The blessing is grounded in God’s solution: God will put an end to sin and death. Take Home Truth: There’s blessing in weeping when brokenness drives us to the One who will make things whole again. LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives Icebreaker: Are you a movie crier? If yes, what is the last movie that made you cry? Looking back over your notes, what is one thing that stuck out to you from the sermon? Why did that stick out? What was your initial reaction to Jesus saying “Blessed are you who weep now”? What does it mean that “Death is the most unnatural thing in the world?” Do you agree or disagree? What are some common ways that people escape the brokenness of the world? Why is this so common in our society? What do you usually do when you get a piece of bad news, or hear about something terrible happening in the world? Then, ask yourself: Does it look more like leaning into the brokenness of the world, or like trying to escape the discomfort? Read Romans 12:5-9. What does it practically mean to “mourn with those who mourn”? In your own words, why is it better to allow your heart to be broken by the sin that breaks God’s heart? If you were honest, are you quick to mourn over sin and its effects in your life? Or is there sin and brokenness in your life or in the world that you’ve begun to accept as the norm?

Flipped “From grief to glory” The blessing hidden in our mourning. Luke 6:21b and 25b   NOTES:                                             LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives   What is the time you wept the most in your life? If possible, describe how you immediately felt. What, if any, joy or comfort did God bring from that situation? How has your experience of hurt and suffering helped you connect and love others? In what way(s) are you tempted to avoid pain/run toward pleasure in your life? How has this effected your relationship with Jesus and others? How, as followers of Jesus, do we balance the sorrow we feel over sin and suffering with a reality that we are to live in joy and peace? Can you share an example from your experience? Is there anyone/anything Jesus is calling you to weep over in your life? *Conclude by reading Hebrews 5:7-9. Take time to pray for one another.   CHRISTlike characteristic: Relates with Other Centered Love/Loving People

Flipped “Now and Later” Luke 6:21b, 25b (1) JESUS’ LIFE (2) MAN’S LIFE (3) HOPE FILLED (4) now WEEPING (5) later LAUGHING (6) Attentive to God & His Kingdom (7) Ignorant of God (8) attuned to man’s Kingdom (9) now LAUGHING (10) later WEEPING (11) HOPE LESS LifeGroup Questions: Apply the Teaching to Our Lives Begin Life Group with prayer - invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you. What’s your preference: weeping or laughing? Why? What are the benefits and dangers of both? Storytime: share a time in your life when weeping turned to laughing OR when laughing turned to weeping. As a group, read (silently or aloud) Psalm 51 and discuss the following: What’s the context? What situation is David in from our notes today? Weeping to laughing or laughing to weeping? Take a closer look at verses 16 and 17. Which approach does this illustrate from our text today? How can we as a church and especially as a life group, keep one another attentive to God and His kingdom and avoid slipping into an ignorance of God? Spend time going over the handout from service Sunday - how can lament, self examination & confession help us to stay alert to God’s kingdom? What are the benefits of these practices? Spend time together as you end praying some of these prayers of lament or confession. Perhaps break into groups as men or women or break into 2’s or 3’s to have closer conversations. Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Connected to God through the Word and prayer, Heart of Worship

Flipped “Flipped Satisfaction”  Luke 6:21 and 25 What satisfies you and where does it come from? Satisfaction comes from meeting a desire or hunger. How desires are met reveals where you believe satisfaction comes from. Jesus flipped the understanding of satisfaction from the natural to the spiritual. He did so to provide clarity and depth of what brings satisfaction to the soul. Hunger is healthy. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Reveals need (our sin) Reveals dependence (our solution) Hunger is meant to be satisfied… (1 Corinthians 2:14, Luke 4:18-20, John 14:6) in the right manner. with the right things. Natural things can never satisfy spiritual hunger. Hunger Suppressants Delay (our will) Distract (our lusts) Dilute (our priorities) The Woe = exclamation of pain, discomfort, and unhappiness. Believing temporal pleasures will result in satisfying an eternal need. The Blessing = happy and fortunate Our eternal need is satisfied through a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you hungry now? (Psalm 107:9)   Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Spirit-led Servant (only by the Spirit can we attend to spiritual things)     LifeGroup Questions:  Applying the Teaching to Our Life What are some of the emotions that accompany natural hunger? Do you find any parallels to the emotions you experience when spiritually hungry? How so? How is spiritual hunger healthy for our daily walk? Who is the source of satisfaction for the eternal need? As a group, list and thank Him for how He satisfies the longing soul. What type of “suppressants” offered by culture most plague you from paying attention to your spiritual hunger? What are some healthy ways you meet spiritual hunger? As one who has received the blessing of a relationship with Christ, how should the significance of eternity compel you to act towards those yet to receive?

What’s Your Next Step? “Growing as a Trustworthy Steward” Luke 16:1-13 Beginning in Christ as a Trustworthy Steward God is the Owner We are the Stewards. Possible next step: Do an “It All Belongs to God Audit” What is a Trustworthy Steward? One who faithfully manages what God has entrusted to them. Young in Christ as a Trustworthy Steward Learning to trust Learning to tithe Possible next step: Start tithing. Maturing in Christ as a Trustworthy Steward Expanding Stewardship Discovering Generosity Possible next step: Give it Away exercise Reproducing in Christ as a Trustworthy Steward Sowing into people. How was Christ a Trustworthy Steward? He was faithful in everything God gave him to do. What’s Your Next Step as a Trustworthy Steward of God’s Resources? Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Trustworthy Steward of God’s Resources//Living Surrendered

What’s Your Next Step? “Growing in Spirit-led Serving” Mark 10:45; Romans 7:6; Galatians 5:13-25 One of the indications that a person is full of and led by the Holy Spirit is how they serve others. As we grow in becoming a Spirit-led Servant we will progress through the stages of growth: Beginning in Christ as a Spirit-led Servant Unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit Unaware of SHAPE You’ve been “SHAPEd to Serve” Young in Christ as a Spirit-led Servant Discovering your SHAPE Inexperienced with the Holy Spirit Serving to grow Maturing in Christ as a Spirit-led Servant Developing your SHAPE Learning to be led by the Holy Spirit Serving as a lifestyle Reproducing in Christ as a Spirit-led Servant Living led by the Holy Spirit Maximizing your SHAPE Servant leader We become more like Jesus as we learn to be led by the Holy Spirit to serve others. Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Spirit-led Servant/Living Surrendered

What’s Your Next Step? “Growing in Telling Others about Jesus” 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Peter 3:15 Beginning in Christ: Experiencing Evangelism Celebrating your salvation: Everything is new Sharing your story: Spreading the Good News Young in Christ: Learning the Gospel Understanding the Gospel Understanding our Commission Maturing in Christ: Sharing the Gospel Compelled by love Learning to share Pushing through fear Navigating obstacles Reproducing in Christ: Equipping Evangelists Modeling a life of evangelism Training others in evangelism What’s your next step in growing in intentional evangelism? Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Intentional Evangelism/Loving People

What’s Your Next Step? “Growing in Love as Disciples of Jesus” John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:16, Philippians 2:3-11 Our destination (goal) is to love like Christ. Our journey (growth) passes through four stages: Those who are Beginning in Christ tend to love with Feeling-Based Love We are able to grow out of this stage when we start loving as a decision not a feeling. Those who are Young in Christ tend to love with Self-Oriented Love We are able to move out of this stage when we focus more on what we can give to others than what we get from others. Those who are Maturing in Christ love with Other-Minded Love Looking out for others’: Needs             Interests                         Desires Concerns Those who are Reproducing in Christ love with Sacrificial Love Dying to my own selfish desires and needs and pouring into another is the heart of sacrificial love. Other-mindedness + sacrificial love = Other-Centered Love/Christlike Love Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

What’s Your Next Step? “The Heart of Worship” Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 100:4 What is worship? Worship is about drawing near to God. Worship is about our hearts engaging with God. Worship is our loving response to God for who He is and what He’s done. Biblical worship is a pattern and a pathway for how we can take steps in worship: Temple Gates: Distant Observing Outer Courts: Developing Engagement Inner Courts: Devoted Surrender Most Holy Place: Deep Communion Deeply communing with God is the heart of worship, where we draw near to God and connect heart to heart with Him. What’s your next step in worship?       Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Heart of Worship/Loving God

What’s Your Next Step? “A Vision for Spiritual Growth” John 15:1-8 Jesus casts a vision for a life of spiritual growth. He is the Vine. The Vine is the source of spiritual growth. The Father is the Gardener. He’s actively working to help us bear fruit. We are the branches. We are made to bear fruit. Fruit is Christlikeness. (Fruit of the Spirit) Fruit is making disciples. Jesus casts a vision for the essential step of spiritual growth. You will only grow and bear fruit as you remain in Christ. ‘Remain’ means ‘stay connected’ to the Vine. We stay connected through the Word and Prayer. What’s your next step in ‘staying connected’? Next Step Survey Action Plan for your stage Jesus casts a vision for four stages of fruitfulness. No fruit (could be compared to: Beginning in Christ) Some fruit (could be compared to: Young in Christ) More fruit (could be compared to: Maturing in Christ) Much fruit (could be compared to: Reproducing in Christ) Jesus casts a vision for the goal of bearing much fruit. God is working in your life to help you flourish. (He’s the Gardener!) God is committed to do whatever it takes to produce the fruit of spiritual growth in your life. (lifting, pruning, etc.) What’s your next step in “staying connected”? Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer

What’s Your Next Step? “Taking your Next Step in the Journey of Discipleship” Luke 6:12-16 Every journey begins with one step, but no journey is complete in one step. Everyone has a next step. Why Jesus called his disciples into a group as their next step: Groups are the best place to make disciples. Follow Learn               Become   Groups are the best place to help us grow in Christ. Beginning in Christ Young in Christ Maturing in Christ Reproducing in Christ Groups are the best place to support us as we grow. Test and confirm what I am learning. Receive encouragement in taking my next step. Learn to put the Bible into practice in my daily life. Learn to give and receive love. Groups are the best place to help us grow with others. How we are different from each other. Different Backgrounds Different Temperaments Different Perspectives Different Opinions We harmonize what’s different when we emphasize what’s the same. How we are the same as each other. Same Call: Come to Christ Same Vision: Become Like Christ Same Lord: Jesus Christ is Lord Same Purpose: Be With/Be Sent by Christ Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Intentional Evangelism/Loving People

Soundtracks “How’s your heart?” Luke 6:6-11 Symptoms of a Shriveled Heart Ignoring hurting people Lack of compassion Looking to accuse Judgmental mindset Negative talk about others Picture of a Compassionate Heart Looking to help Courageous Willing to provoke Acting to restore and heal Traits of a Trusting Heart Obedient Expectant Surrendered How’s your heart? Is it shriveled and stubborn? Is it compassionate and responsive? Is it trusting and surrendered? LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives What would you say is your typical mindset when you come to church? What are you thinking or expecting? Do you notice any of the “symptoms of a shriveled heart” in your life? Which ones? What do you think about Jesus’ deliberate provoking behavior in this story? When is it right for us to provoke another like that? Read Mark’s version of this story in Mark 3:1-6. Notice the similarities and the differences to Luke’s version.  Then discuss Mark 3:5. What do you think about Jesus getting angry? How did you answer the closing question of the sermon: “how’s your heart?” Shriveled Compassionate Surrendered other Pray Psalm 139:23,24 and ask God to show you if you have symptoms of a “shriveled heart.”   Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Relates with Other-Centered Love/Loving People

“What We Think About Jesus Changes Everything” Luke 6:1-5

“What do you think about JESUS?” Luke 6:1-5

Soundtracks “What do you think about CHANGE?” Luke 5:33-39 When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. We must change our minds from “I want this” to “I AM this.” We can’t think ourselves into a new way of living. We must live ourselves into a new way of thinking. What you surrender to today, will define who you are tomorrow. Transformed people, transform people. LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life What are your initial thoughts? What did God say to you personally from His word? Are you in a season of fasting or feasting? How are you letting Jesus determine this season? What are some ways you have tried to “patch” Jesus into your life? What is something holding you back from fully surrendering to Him? How has following Jesus changed you? What is something you initially doubted/struggled with that has now brought new life to you? Who is someone you have struggled to invite to the table? What is God asking you to do today or even right now to follow Jesus example? What is your next step as a follower of Jesus? *LEADERS-encourage your group to fill out the next step survey located at opendoor.tv/nextsteps/ Core CHRISTlike Characteristics: Connected to God Through the Word and Prayer and Spirit led Servant.

Soundtracks “Jesus’ Soundtracks” Luke 5:27-32 Exploring what Jesus asks people: “Why are you thinking these things in your heart?” The heart is where we believe. The heart is where our Belief System Everything you do flows from it. Our Belief System is what we believe about God, our self, other people and the Our Belief System influences our Soundtracks (the things we tell ourselves), which influences our behavior. Our Belief System can help us see truth or blind us from seeing truth. Celebrating what Jesus believes about people: What we believe about people affects how we treat people. Jesus sees people others avoid. Jesus sees every person as valuable. Jesus believes people can follow Him and calls them to do so. Jesus accepts people and helps them feel they belong. Jesus knows people are infected by sin. Jesus calls people to repentance. Changing what we believe about God and ourselves is the beginning of following Jesus. Following what Jesus believes about people: Changing to Jesus’ soundtrack. What soundtracks am I listening to about myself? What soundtracks am I listening to about people? Will I follow Jesus in how I view and treat people?

Soundtracks “Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man” Luke 5:17-26 Our thoughts control our behavior. It’s possible to control your thoughts. We must recognize two things: We are at War! Capture every thought! It is NOT about Self-Help! Don’t miss what truly matters. Practical Application: Identify your emotions and thoughts. Don’t fight alone – Get help! Spend time alone with God. Pray. Remember the truth about yourself. Start thinking differently about yourself. At times, you may lose a battle, but still win.     CHRISTlike Characteristics: C- Connected to God in Word and Prayer, S- Spirit-led Servant, T- Trustworthy Steward     LifeGroup Questions:  Applying the Teaching to Our Life Icebreaker: Play the game “2 truths and a lie” (each person takes a turn and tells two truths and one lie about themselves (in any order). After a person has shared these 3 facts about themselves, the group has to try to find out which one is the lie) What is your favorite music soundtrack of all times? What is one thing that stood out to you in the message this week? When have you seen in your own life that your thoughts controlled your behavior? What do you already do (or think you should do) to battle the negative spiral of thinking? What is one situation from your childhood that shaped the way you think or behave today? What lie do you need to battle against the most? I am unlovable. I am worthless. I am ugly. I am helpless. I am a failure or a loser. I cannot trust anyone. There is something inherently wrong with me. If people only knew me truly, they could never love me. I can’t do it anymore. I need to be successful to matter. ____ (feel free to add your own) How can we remind ourselves to rely on God’s power and not our own? What is one practical step that you can take in your faith journey as you engage in the war for your mind? End your time praying for each other and for yourself about the lies that you may have believed for so long.

Into the Deep “Crossing the line” Luke 5:12-16 Notes: LifeGroup Questions: Apply the Teaching to Our Life Read Luke 5:12-16. As we lead others to become like Jesus, what is something about Him, in our passage, that you want to be more like? The enemy’s main objective is to divide and conquer. In what ways has he used “lines” (political, physical, sexual, financial, spiritual etc.) to divide your marriage, family, church, or community? How might ‘Christ-in-you’ be leading you to “cross the line” of division to bring healing to that situation? Read Eph. 2:14-16. If the “wall of hostility” was obliterated by Jesus at the cross and he made peace, why are so many Christians known for their hostility and/or boycotting organizations, people or businesses? Is there a time to ‘cancel’ people to take a stand for Jesus? *groups-please listen with love to people’s answers. As a follower of Jesus which concerns you more: the world ‘infecting’ you/the church, or you/the church ‘infecting’ the world? What, if anything, needs to change? If divine connection is the only cure for the human condition, who is someone who feels like an outcast, that Jesus wants you to connect with today? Christlike Characteristics: C-connected to God in word and prayer. R- relates with other centered love. S- Spirit led servant