Reclaiming the Season Study

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. – John 14:27

g n i m i a l c e R the Season a bible study for the heart in the heart of the busy season 1

At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.

Mother Teresa

TABLE OF CONTENTS About this Study - 4 A Letter for You - 5 Session 1: Reclaim Presence - 6 Session 2: Reclaim Prayer - 12 Session 3: Reclaim Purpose - 20 Session 4: Reclaim Peace - 26 Session 5: Reclaim Passion - 32 Prayer Requests - 38 Journal - 42 Draw - 52

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ABOUT THIS STUDY RECLAIM TRUTH – STUDY GOD’S WORD Have you ever tried to find your way across a room in total darkness? Not only is it difficult, but it’s likely you will stumble and fall! We learn in Psalm 119:105 that God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.

This is good news in the dark, but for God’s Word to effectively guide us and illuminate our path, we have to dig in and study! Each week, this section will provide you with opportunities to get in your Bible and study the Word.

RECLAIM LIFE – FAITH IN ACTION Reading the Bible is a critical step in your walk with God, but if you want to experience the full transformational power of the Gospel, you also have to put it in practice. James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied action, is dead.” In this section of our study, you will be given opportunities to live out what you are learning by putting your faith into action. You can choose one (or more!) challenge each week, or come up with your own opportunities to live out your faith.

RECLAIM WISDOM – A VERSE TO LIVE BY Chuck Swindoll wrote, “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture…No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.” This is my prayer for you as we walk through this study, so each week, this section will include a verse to memorize. Create art with it, put it to music, make it your home screen, write it on your bathroom mirror, or whatever you need to do to memorize God’s Word!

RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY! Do you struggle to find the time to pray? Maybe you want to pray but that never ending to-do list is screaming your name! We can all learn from Martin Luther who said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” The reality is we are too busy NOT to pray. This section will provide you with space to reflect, process, and pray about the study each week. A tip: Journaling your prayers can be a helpful way to stay focused and build faith as you later reflect on the answered prayers.

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A LETTER FOR YOU Hey friend!

I knew our culture had a problem when the aisles of Hobby Lobby were lined with Christmas décor in July! I knew I was part of that problem when I unashamedly added a few items to my cart and headed to the register. Christmas in July, right?

In all seriousness, while the secular parts of the holiday season are harmless and fun, I believe that if we aren’t intentional, they can distract us from the things that matter most. If these distractions succeed in pulling our focus away from Jesus, not only will we miss the true meaning of the season, we will also end up overwhelmed, anxious, and discontent (which is no way to spend Christmas!).

It is my sincere prayer that this study will help us learn to follow Jesus in a commercialized culture, find freedom from the things of this world, and discover purpose so we can make a difference this Christmas!

xoxo

Lindsay Petri Women’s Director Arizona Ministry Network

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RECLAIM PRESENCE Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

- Matthew 11:28 – 30 Msg I’ll get right to it: The answer to all the chaos of the holidays can be found in the verse above. Turn to Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of grace! Today we will be looking at those rhythms that Jesus lived by and it won’t take long to discover that the key to his life and ministry was time spent in the presence of God. The way of Jesus is marked with silence and solitude, while our lives are marked by busyness and noise. According to the World Health Organization, noise over-exposure has been associated with hypertension, heart disease, immune system issues, hearing loss, sleep disturbance, stress, depression, and anxiety. If noise is detrimental to our to physical, mental, and spiritual health, why do we struggle to make silence and solitude a priority, especially during the holidays? Why do we feel the need to fill the silence? Why do we feel the need to fill our calendars? How can we learn to be still, trust God and rest in his presence?

Do you create intentional space in your life for silence and solitude? What obstacles make this challenging? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The holidays can bring additional noise to our lives and obligations to our calendars. What things tend to hurry your pace and fill the space during this season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6

Reclaim Truth - Study God’s Word WORD STUDY

Panim: The word for “presence” in the Bible most often comes from the Hebrew word “panim” and can be translated “face.” It is a word that implies a close personal encounter with God – face to face.

Jesus intentionally pursued the close, personal presence of God throughout his life and ministry. It was in these encounters that he found strength, rest, fulfillment, guidance, and comfort. Let’s dive into God’s Word and learn from the unforced rhythms of Grace in the life of Jesus.

GOD’S PRESENCE STRENGTHENS US

• Read Mark 1:12-14 & Matthew 4:1-2 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus was sent to this earth for a very important mission and, to fulfill that plan, he had to withstand the temptations of the enemy who came to kill, steal, and destroy. After forty days in the wilderness, Jesus proved that even when at his physical weakest, God’s strength was enough to overcome the enemy. Oftentimes, during the holidays, our mission becomes survival and we lose sight of the big picture. We start with big plans and good intentions, but because we are operating in our own strength, when the enemy attacks and trials come, we struggle and fail.

How does the enemy try to tempt you, destroy your mission, and steal your focus? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How can you pursue God’s presence this holiday season so you can withstand the schemes of the enemy and walk in the strength of the Lord? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ GOD’S PRESENCE FILLS US

• Read Luke 5:12-16 and summarize in your own words below.

After word got out that Jesus was healing people, great crowds gathered to hear him and be healed. However, Jesus didn’t let the demand of others change his rhythm. He chose to withdraw to a desolate place and pray. He chose silence and solitude. He chose to be filled with God’s presence so he could more effectively minister and share the gospel.

As women, we often cater to the demands of others, which can leave us feeling empty. During the holidays it can be tempting to try to fill ourselves up with the things of this world. We buy into the lie that the busier we are, the more valuable and effective we are. We become human “doings” instead of human “beings.”

Do you find it difficult to have boundaries when others need you? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How can you pursue God’s presence and allow Him to fill you this holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GOD’S PRESENCE GUIDES US

• Read Luke 6:12-13 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus often sought silence and solitude before making a big decision and we see that here in Luke Chapter 6.

He prayed all night before choosing the 12 disciples. God’s guidance led Jesus to the cross, which wasn’t an easy road, but it also, ultimately, led to the resurrection. As we navigate the holiday season, there are many things 8

vying for our attention and distracting us from the path that God has laid out for us. If we allow the world to be our guide through this season, chances are that we will end up stressed out, overweight, and broke as a joke! The road less-traveled is marked with the rhythm of Jesus and will lead to peace and joy, but to stay on this road, we must allow God to be our guide – decision by decision!

How can you pursue God’s presence and allow Him to be your guide this holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ GOD’S PRESENCE COMFORTS US

• Read Matthew 14:13 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus received word that John the Baptist had been beheaded and we read in Matthew 14:13 that he chose to handle his grief by getting into a boat and withdrawing to a desolate place. He chose to pursue the presence of God and to allow it to comfort him. When faced with sorrow, Jesus models for us the wisest course of action: Turn to God and bring him your pain.

• Read Matthew 26:38-39 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus knew the road ahead would be marked with pain and suffering and for this, his soul grieved. Yet he pursued God’s presence to find comfort and strength and was able to fully surrender to God’s plan.

The holidays are especially challenging when grieving. It seems everyone else is socializing, shopping, decorating, and living their best life! The pressure to be happy can feel overwhelming when you are wading through a season of loss. If you are grieving a loved one or experiencing sorrow because you know the road ahead is marked with pain and suffering, you can follow the example of Jesus and find comfort in the presence of the Lord.

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Are you experiencing grief or sorrow this holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How can you pursue the presence of the Lord to find comfort this holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 simple steps And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

- Mark 1:35 ESV I believe this scripture provides us the framework to pursue the presence of Jesus through silence and solitude.

While the steps may be simple, finding the rhythm of Jesus and incorporating these into our busy lives won’t be easy.

STEP 1: CHOOSE A TIME!

“And rising very early in the morning…”

Jesus chose to get up while it was still dark to spend time with God! Finding time for God won’t just magically happen, even with the best of intentions, but we can choose to make the time. We can rearrange our schedule, wake up early, shut down social media, turn off Netflix, and pursue God instead!

STEP 2: CHOOSE A PLACE!

“…he departed and went out to a desolate place…”

Jesus went to a secluded place to meet with God! It was common for him to step away to seek solitude by the sea, in the desert, by the lake, and on the top of the mountain. Jesus was intentional with his time and location, and if we want to pursue God’s presence in our busy and often noisy world, we would be wise to follow his example!

STEP 3: CHOOSE TO PRAY!

“…and there he prayed.”

Jesus prayed! Prayer is simply talking with God (as opposed to just talking “to” God!). Of course, we are invited to talk to God, but talking is only part of effective communication. The other, and often more important part,

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is listening. Silence and solitude creates space for us, in the presence of God, to truly listen. The silence is a critical component of prayer or we risk not hearing the still small voice of God!

RECLAIM LIFE - FAITH IN ACTION

Prayer Challenge: Pray for 10 minutes each day!

• Pray for God’s wisdom as you make time and create space to connect with him.

• Ask God to reveal areas of your life that push out his presence.

• Take additional minutes at the end of your prayer time to sit in complete silence.

Personal Challenge: Look at your calendar for the upcoming holiday season. Prioritize the things that matter most and eliminate anything that you can. Intentionally schedule moments to purse the presence of God individually or as a family.

Family Challenge: This week we learned how toxic noise can be to our emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Talk to your family about this issue and come up with a plan to incorporate moments of silence and solitude in your schedule. Don’t be overly ambitious – start small and create realistic goals. Take time to dialogue about it. Is it difficult or awkward? Why or why not? Pray for God to reveal himself as you participate in this challenge together.

Journaling Challenge: As we eliminate some of the noise in our lives, it may stir up some of the emotions you’ve been avoiding. Take time this week to journal the things that are surfacing emotionally. Remember to be creative! You can journal, make a bullet list, or draw your thoughts, feelings, and prayers!

RECLAIM WISDOM - A VERSE TO LIVE BY

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

- Jeremiah 29:13 RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY

What is God speaking to you this week? Use the space below to reflect, process & pray! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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RECLAIM PRAYER If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled.

- Cynthia Lewis Last week we studied the rhythm of Jesus as he pursued the presence of the Lord through silence and solitude.

I pray that you were able to make time and create space to connect with God and experience the transforming power of his presence in your daily life – and that this becomes part of your rhythm, too. Through times of silence and solitude, Jesus showed us how to communicate with the Father through prayer. We, too, can confidently approach God in prayer knowing that if we have faith and ask anything according to his will, it will be done. Prayer can move mountains and change our circumstances, but most importantly, it changes us!

Here’s the hard part: While we know that prayer is an important and powerful tool in our walk with God, many of us struggle to have a rich prayer life. We aren’t alone in this, though: Jesus’ disciples also struggled with prayer even though they watched Jesus heal the sick, feed the hungry, preach the word, cast out demons, and raise the dead. In Luke 11:1, they asked him to teach them only one thing: “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ Notice that they weren’t even asking how to pray – they were asking to be taught to pray! His response was a model for all of us which has come to be known as the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer was the framework God used to teach the disciples to pray – and it is our example, too. One thing I love about the Lord’s Prayer is how complete and concise it is. I believe we often neglect prayer because we don’t feel we have time to fully invest. We convince ourselves we will pray “later” when we have more time, but if we are honest, that time never comes. As the busyness of the holiday season begins to invade our already crowded lives, we can pray like Jesus did: efficiently and powerfully. After all, the Lord’s Prayer is only 65 words long, proving that sometimes it’s about quality, not quantity!

What obstacles do you face in your prayer life? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12

RECLAIM TRUTH – STUDY GOD’S WORD

This week we are going to break down the Lord’s prayer and reflect on the various components taught within this framework! Don’t rush through this – take your time, meditate on God’s Word, and focus your time in prayer.

Our Father which art in heave, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

- Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

OUR FATHER…

The Aramaic word for father here is “abba” and many scholars believe it to mean “papa” or “daddy”. It expresses the heart of Jesus talking to God as a child would talk to his or her father. It shows us that we can approach God the Father with confidence and security, knowing he is a good father.

• Read John 1:12 and summarize how this verse applies to the principle above. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you struggle to view God as a loving father? How has your relationship with your own father impacted your view of God? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …WHICH ART IN HEAVEN …

This phrase reminds us that God is not only a loving father, but he is holy and transcends everything on Earth.

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• Read Ecclesiastes 5:2. How does this verse encourage us to approach God with reverence? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …HALLOWED BE THY NAME…

The dictionary definition of “hallowed” is “holy, consecrated and set apart”. God’s holiness is his defining characteristic. We approach him confidently as loved children, but also with awe and praise because not only is he holy and set apart, he is also perfect and powerful!

How does God’s holiness impact your prayer life? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …THY KINGDOM COME…

It’s humbling and awe-inspiring to think that the kingdom of God can be (and is!) advanced on this earth through the prayers of God’s people! The kingdom of God is both spiritual and physical. When we pray these words, we are asking for the kingdom of God to reign in our lives. We are choosing God’s kingdom over any kingdom we have built here on earth. We are praying for the literal return of Christ to establish God’s kingdom on the earth.

How can you allow God to have complete reign over your life? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…

If we pray these words to God, we are essentially making the promise to obey his desires and wishes on this earth.

We are willing to relinquish and submit our plans and desires to God in order to follow the path he lays before us. What’s more, we are asking for his strength to live out what he asks of us!

Jesus is our greatest example because he came to do the will of the father. Read John 5:30.

Jesus was sustained through obedience. Read John 4:34.

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When carrying out the will of God became difficult, Jesus prayed.

• Read Matthew 26:39. What is the most challenging thing about carrying out the will of God? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…

Bread was a powerful metaphor for God’s provision in the Old Testament. Even in our modern slang, it symbolizes provision in our life - think of the term “breadwinner”! It’s less about actual bread and more about what we need to survive. Bread not only represents physical provision, but it also talks about spiritual sustenance.

• Read Deuteronomy 8:3 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By asking God to give us our daily bread, we keep our hearts and minds focused on the present moment. How different would our lives look if we refused to worry about the future and trusted God to provide moment by moment? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you struggle to trust God’s provision in your life? Which area is the most difficult for you to trust God: physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS…

This particular section of the Lord’s Prayer is probably the most challenging for all of us to live out. Even so, there is a link between God’s forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others.

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• Read Matthew 6:14-15 and summarize in your own words below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ St. Augustine called this the “Terrible Petition” because if we show unforgiveness we are actually inviting God to withhold his forgiveness of us! Jesus teaches this same concept again in Matthew 18:21-35, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Why is it so challenging? Is it worth risking God’s unforgiveness to hold on to your anger? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION…

The word for temptation in the original Greek text is peirasmos and could be better translated as “test”. This prayer is our plea for God to protect and guard us from trials and tests that may lure us into sin Though the testing we walk through sometimes feels impossible, we can find peace knowing God always (always) provides us a way out!

• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and summarize in your own words. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What temptations do you struggle with the most during the holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL…

The truth: Satan is real and we need God’s protection. We live in a fallen world and the enemy is looking to kill, steal, and destroy. Some of the temptations of the enemy are obvious, while others go undetected because he is the great deceiver. The Bible refers to Satan as the Father of Lies. In this world we will face spiritual warfare but God can and will deliver us from evil.

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• Read John 17:15-16. What does Jesus pray? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Read John 17:17. The word sanctify in this verse means to be cleansed or purified. What helps purify us? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If the enemy seek to destroy us through deception, how can God’s Word help deliver you from evil so you can find victory in the battle? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ …FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AMEN.

The perfect end to the perfect prayer! This serves as a reminder to us to end all of our prayers by glorifying God, no matter our mood or circumstance, because he always deserves our praise!

Use the space below to praise God for his faithfulness in your life. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RECLAIM LIFE - FAITH IN ACTION

Prayer Challenge: Pray for 10 minutes each day!

Include the Lord’s Prayer in your prayer time this week.

Each day, focus on a different aspect of the prayer from the study this week.

Personal Challenge: Forgiveness is a critical part of the Lord’s prayer. If there is someone in your life that you’re harboring unforgiveness towards, begin the process forgiveness. Pray and ask God for wisdom. Perhaps you can write a letter, send an email, or make a phone call. Writing a letter of forgiveness can begin the healing process – even if you never send it!

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Family Challenge: Make prayer a priority in your home this week. Schedule specific times to pray together as a family. Teach the Lord’s Prayer, talk through the various sections in this prayer, and explain how they provide us a framework for our prayer lives.

Journaling Challenge: Journal the Lord’s Prayer! Be creative and maybe even artistic. Another journaling option this week is to identify the lies the enemy is trying to use to discourage you and deceive you – and write them down. Pray and seek God’s Word to find the truth that counteracts the lies and write that next to the lie!

RECLAIM WISDOM – A VERSE TO LIVE BY

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

- Matthew 26:41

RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY

What is God speaking to you this week? Use the space below to reflect, process & pray! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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RECLAIM PURPOSE Just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.

- C. S. Lewis I know Christmas has arrived in our home when the Hallmark Channel is on, the tree is up, and Alexa is playing Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You”! Essentially, there isn’t anything wrong with my secular traditions, however, if I’m not careful, the secular traditions and the consumerism of this culture can lure me away from the true reason for the season. We can easily become consumed and forget that Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world. So what is the pattern of this world? Selfishness, gluttony, pride, greed, disunity, and darkness… just to name a few. The way of Jesus, on the other hand, leads to selflessness, self-control, humility, generosity, love, and light! In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In what ways do we conform to the pattern of the world during the holiday season? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RECLAIM TRUTH – STUDY GOD’S WORD

We live in a fallen world where sin is running rampant. The Bible is clear in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. God’s gift to us – his Christmas gift, even – is Jesus.

• Read John 8:12. What is the key if we don’t want to walk in darkness? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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If we want to impact the world and walk in the light, we have to follow Jesus! Today we will be looking at the example of Jesus and learning to live out the truths he taught us.

• Read Philippians 2:1-18 and use the space below to write down anything in this passage that stands out to you. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This passage is full of advice and direction as we seek to adjust our attitudes and develop the mind of Christ.

Through this text we will learn that to be a light in the darkness we need to stand in unity, put others first, serve like Jesus, and submit to God’s plan!

STAND IN UNITY

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Philippians 1:1-2 Standing together in unity could be the single most effective tool in reaching a world full of division, so it should come as no surprise that Christian unity is under constant attack. The disunity we read about in Philippians seems to stem from a difference of opinions even though Paul is encouraging them to be of the same mind!

Sound familiar? These days, everyone is opinionated and easily offended so, naturally disunity abounds.

This holiday season we have a choice: We can choose to conform to the pattern of the world and be part of the problem OR follow Jesus and be part of the solution.

• Read John 13:34-35. What commandment did Jesus give? How will the world know we are his disciples? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21

Are you experiencing division in your life? What steps can you take to stand in unity? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PUT OTHERS FIRST

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4 Selfishness is an epidemic in our culture and it often rears its ugly head at Christmastime. Selfishness can take on many forms, such as pride, envy, and discontentment. It is said to be the root of all sin and Satan himself put his will above God causing his fall. Satan infected the Garden of Eden with this same selfishness when he convinced Adam and Eve to put their own interests above God’s. Discord, disunity, and destruction are inevitable when we focus on ourselves.

WORD STUDY

Kenodoxia: The word “conceit” in this verse is from the compound Greek word kenodoxia. Kenos (empty) and doxa (glory). Kenodoxia is better translated “empty conceit”.

While selfishness in our lives often causes us to pursue our own interests and goals, empty conceit causes us to pursue our own glory. Both are prevalent in our culture today and we can be deceptively lured into these traps if we don’t intentionally guard against them.

Social media is a leading cause of selfishness in our culture and can easily cause pride, envy and discontent in our lives. How do other people’s actions on social impact you? How do you think your actions on social media impact others? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22

The opposite of selfish ambition and vain conceit is humility. Jesus modeled humility throughout his life by putting others first and by making the ultimate sacrifice. To sacrifice means to surrender or give up for the sake of something else. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to share with others, feed the hungry, and help the less fortunate. God is calling us to give up the things he has so generously given us to shine a light and make a difference in the lives of others.

We also see Jesus and the disciples sacrifice their time for others as groups gathered and the crowds pressed in demanding their attention. Time is a precious commodity and these days it seems we never have enough. Our days are so full, we don’t have room for the people and causes that God wants us to care about. How can God use us to impact the world if we build no margin in our schedules?

Are you tempted more towards selfish ambition or vain conceit? Write about an example. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BE A SERVANT

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:5-7 WORD STUDY

Harpagmos: The phrase “to be grasped” comes from the Greek word harpagmos which refers to something being seized or carried off by force.

In this particular case, Jesus already had equality with God, but he didn’t feel the need to cling to it. He was willing to lay down his divine rights in order to fulfill his mission on earth. We are reflecting the heart and mind of Jesus when we lay down our power, position, and privilege for others. He surrendered it all and became a servant. The original Greek Word doulos was also translated as “bond servant” or “slave”.

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• Read Matthew 10:24 & John 13:14-17. What is Jesus teaching the disciples in these verses? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Serving others through the holidays is a beautiful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As one of my friends and mentors always says, sometimes people just need to see Jesus with skin on – that can be us, friends!

How can you empty yourself and serve others this holiday season? ________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ SUBMIT TO GOD’S PLAN

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:8 Jesus submitted to God’s plan and his obedience led to the ultimate sacrifice – death on the cross. Our purpose as Christians is to lay down our lives and fully surrender to God’s plan, no matter the cost.

• Read 1 John 3:16 & Luke 9:24 and use the space below to write what God is speaking to you through these verses. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I truly believe that, deep down, we all want to live in unity, put others first, and serve. The problem is even 24

though we want unity, we struggle with gossip and are easily offended. We want help those in need, but we also want the latest version of the iphone, fancy houses, nice cars, and shoes for every occasion. And we want to serve, but we just can’t seem to find the time in our overly crowded schedule. Submitting to God’s plan means dying to ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus!

RECLAIM LIFE - FAITH IN ACTION

Prayer Challenge: Pray for 10 minutes each day!

• Pray that God would reveal any areas in which you are contributing to disunity.

• Pray that God would give you divine opportunities to put other first and to serve this week.

• Pray that God would help you see any areas in which you aren’t fully submitted to his plan.

Personal Challenge: Intentionally look for opportunities to put others first this week. Open doors, pay for someone’s coffee, send the text, make dinner for a neighbor, etc. Random acts of kindness done in faith and love will be a light in this dark world!

Family Challenge: Sit down with your family and discuss how easy it is to put ourselves first in this self-centered world. Take time to teach them that the ways of Jesus are different. We are called to show love, to put others first, and to love. Brainstorm how you can tangibly put others first this holiday season and come up with an action plan!

Journaling Challenge: Create a table in your journal to track your time and spending. Keep track of the motivations of your heart and how these commitments and purchases made you feel. Last, but not least, track the eternal impact each of these things has made.

RECLAIM WISDOM – A VERSE TO LIVE BY

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY

What is God speaking to you this week? Use the space below to reflect, process, and pray. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25

RECLAIM PEACE THERE WILL BE NO PEACE IN ANY SOUL UNTIL IT IS WILLING TO OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD. - D.L. Moody “Peace” is a buzz word in our anxiety-filled culture. Our pursuit of peace seems never ending, especially around the holidays: We watch movies, sing songs, and read books about peace and joy, but often are still trapped in our stress and anxiety. In fact, the very things we use to escape the chaos, such as social media, often lead to more discontentment. Often, the more anxious we feel the harder we work to create lives we believe will bring us peace (because surely if my life looks like a Pinterest board I’ll be full of peace and joy, right?) Apparently not.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, an estimated 264 million people worldwide have an anxiety disorder. We have to ask ourselves: In a culture where everyone is seeking it, why do few find it?

Could it be because we are buying into the world’s definition of peace? The Oxford Dictionary defines peace as “the freedom from disturbance” and Merriam Webster defines it as “a quiet, calm state of mind”. Both of these definitions imply the absence of conflict, but avoiding conflict is not always realistic OR the right choice! So, could there be a way for us to have God’s peace even in the chaos?

In what ways do you struggle with anxiety around the holidays? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RECLAIM TRUTH - STUDY GOD’S WORD

Look up John 14:27 and write out the verse in the space below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WORD STUDY

Shalom: The word “peace” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word “Shalom”. Shalom is often used as a greeting or farewell in the Jewish culture but has a much richer meaning. It conveys a peace that is eternal, whole, and complete.

Kosmos: The word “world” in this verse comes from the Greek word “kosmos”, which means arranged or ordered, but speaks of a mindset that goes against the Kingdom of God. It is a way of thinking that subtly lures you into searching for peace in things you can control and in the things of this world that will never satisfy.

In John 14:27, God made sure to differentiate between the peace he offered and the peace of the world. He knew we would struggle and the world would offer counterfeit versions to lure us in. The counterfeit versions do not bring peace – they may bring a temporary escape, but often lead to more anxiety, stress, and even destruction in our lives.

Search your heart and ask God to reveal what counterfeit versions of peace you gravitate towards? Where do you escape to when you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Read John 14:26 and write out the verse in the space below. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Who is the helper God sent? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What two things will the Holy Spirit do for us?

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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TIMOTHY KELLER ON THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: “Many people say that the Holy Spirit gives us power, and that’s true, but how does he do that?

Does he merely zap us with higher energy levels? No—by calling him the other Advocate [or Helper], Jesus has given us the great clue to understanding how the empowering of the Holy Spirit works.

The first Advocate [Jesus] is speaking to God for you, but the second Advocate [the Holy Spirit] is speaking to you for you.”

I love that! The Holy Spirit is speaking to you for you! The more room we give the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our hearts, the more sensitive we are to His voice. His voice is teaching us the things of God and helping us remember all that Jesus said. In fact, John 16:13 tells us the Spirit of truth comes to guide us into all truth. Let’s take a look at how the Holy Spirit guides us towards peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with others!

PEACE WITH GOD

• Read Romans 8:5-8 and answer the questions below.

What do those dominated by the flesh or sinful nature focus on? Where does this lead? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What do those dominated by the spirit focus on? Where does that lead? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ When we focus on the things of this world and our efforts seek to gratify our own flesh, we are hostile towards God, even if that wasn’t our intention! However, if we focus on things of the spirit, it brings life and peace! This 28

can be especially difficult during the holidays when the world seems to demand our attention. We desire the perfect decorative tablescape for Thanksgiving, we strive to find the perfect Christmas gifts for those we love, and we crave creating perfect memories to share with the world every step of the way. While none of these things are essentially wrong, when they steal our focus, they also steal our peace!

PEACE WITH OURSELVES

• Read Romans 8:26-28 What is our weakness according to this verse? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How does the Spirit help us in this area? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is God’s promise to us in verse 28? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For many people, the holidays are challenging and it doesn’t feel like things are working together for good. It may feel depressing because you are grieving the loss of a loved one, spending the holidays alone, or struggling financially. We can find peace knowing that if we make time to pray, the spirit will intercede for us and HE will make all things work together for good!

PEACE WITH OTHERS

• Read 2 Corinthians 13:11 According to this verse, what are we to strive or aim for as believers? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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What is God’s promise to us if we are able to live in peace with one another? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Our personal peace often hinges on whether or not we are living at peace with others. This can be especially difficult at the holidays when relationships are tested. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We are called to do everything we can on our part to be peacemakers – and if we truly want to experience the peace of God, we have to intentionally walk in peace and forgiveness.

RECLAIM LIFE - FAITH IN ACTION

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Prayer Challenge: Pray for 10 minutes each day!

• Invite the Holy Spirit to intercede for you • Ask for help focusing on the things of the spirit and not the things of the world • Ask God to reveal if there is anyone in your life you need to make peace with

2. Personal Challenge: We are called to be peacemakers. If you have tension, unforgiveness, or strife in any of your relationships, aim for restoration and reconciliation. Ask God to give you wisdom and take whatever steps you can towards peace.

3. Family Challenge: Talk to your family about stress, anxiety, and peace during the holiday season. Allow each person to share what triggers stress and anxiety this time of year. Talk through Godly peace vs. worldly peace and come up with an action place to minimize triggers and turn to Jesus through the holidays!

4. Journaling Challenge: Our emotions can take us on a bit of a roller coaster, especially through the holidays.

Take time to pay attention to your emotions this week. When you feel peace and joy, take time to praise God, journal the details, and identify what could have contributed to these positive feelings. If you feel stress and anxiety, take time to ask God to reveal any triggers, journal the details, and identify any patterns.

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RECLAIM WISDOM - A VERSE TO LIVE BY

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

- John14:27 RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY

What is God speaking to you this week? Use the space below to reflect, process & pray! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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RECLAIM PASSION Is it not a sad thing that after all Christ’s love to us, we should repay it with lukewarm love to him?

- Charles Spurgeon

This morning I treated myself to Starbucks because I knew that a venti, hot, skinny, cinnamon dolce almond milk latte would be the perfect way to start my day and finish writing this Bible study! I was disappointed, however, when I finally sat down to write and discovered that my coffee was lukewarm – definitely not worth the price I paid. As my sister and I talked through this last session, she reminded me that our lack of passion for God leaves us lukewarm in our faith – just like my coffee! The culture we live in is not lukewarm about politics, sports, or celebrities, but it is lukewarm about God. Too many of our churches and too many Christians are content with status quo when it comes to faith. (This is especially sad given the price Jesus paid for us!) It is my prayer that, through this study, a true passion for faith is re-kindled and you continue to fan that flame long after this workbook is closed!

Right now, how passionate are you about your walk with God? Check the box that applies to you.

[ [ [ [

] On Fire ] STEADY burn ] lukewarm ] FLAMED out (need a reboot!)

What things in your life would need to change for you to be totally on fire for God? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RECLAIM TRUTH – STUDY GOD’S WORD

Today we are going to look at a few churches that struggled with lukewarm faith and hopefully learn from their mistakes. Like many Christians, they might have looked good on the outside, but Jesus saw right past their good works straight to their empty hearts.

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LUKEWARM FAITH

• Read Revelation 3:15-16

In these verses, Jesus is talking to the Laodicean church. He got right to the point by letting them know the reason for his frustration was their lukewarm faith. Scholars agree that Jesus used this illustration because of the Laodiceans’ water situation: Their water supply ran through an underground aqueduct before reaching their city, so it arrived dirty and lukewarm. It wasn’t relaxing like the hot springs in Hierapolis, a neighboring city. Nor was it cold and refreshing like the streams of water in nearby Colossae. Laodicea’s water was tepid and useless – they would have understood Jesus’ illustration about how useless lukewarm faith is!

• Read Revelation 3:17 Not only was this church lukewarm but they were deceiving themselves and unable to see their own issues. Why is it so easy for us to point out spiritual complacency in other people but fail to see it in our own lives? We see this with the Corinthians who questioned Paul’s faith and scrutinized his ministry – even though he was the one who led them to the gospel and founded the church. Paul encourages them to take a look at their own faith.

• Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What can you do to test your own faith so you don’t become lukewarm? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LOST LOVE

• Read Revelation 2:2-4

In these verses, Jesus is talking to the church in Ephesus. He begins by commending them for their hard work, perseverance and discernment. Despite all the good they were doing, they had one fatal flaw:They had lost their first love! The loss of love for the Lord had led to spiritual apathy and the Ephesians were simply going through the motions.

Do you ever feel like you’ve lost your original love for God and are just going through the motions?

• Read Revelation 2:5

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Jesus gives them the recipe to reclaim passion!

1. REMEMBER! “REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN…”

Forgetfulness is the leading cause of spiritual decline. In the Old Testament, God delivered the Israelites from a cruel life of slavery and provided for them every step of the way in the wilderness. However, it didn’t take long for them to forget about God’s faithfulness, which led to fear, doubt, and lukewarm faith. If we want to stay on fire for God, we need to remember how passionate we were in the beginning because of the transforming work of Jesus in our lives. We need to remember what God has done for us – and what he promises to do. And we need to return to our passion for Jesus, who changed everything when he laid down his life.

2. REPENT! “…REPENT, AND DO THE WORKS YOU DID AT FIRST.”

Jesus instructed the Ephesians to repent, which simply means to change direction. The remainder of verse 5 is a warning to the Ephesians that, if they refused to repent, Jesus would put an end to their church. If we want to stay passionate about our faith, we have to search our heart and walk in true repentance.

Jesus goes on to say to do the works you did at first. When I first gave my life to Jesus, I was on fire. I shared my faith with anyone who would listen, was at the church more than the pastor, joined every Bible study that would take me, and served faithfully. Like falling in love with a significant other, in the beginning, these efforts come easily; however, as time goes on, it takes intentionality to stay in love.

What things did you do when you first gave your heart to Jesus? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It might sound strange, but the word “passion” comes from the Latin word passio and actually means “suffering”.

Jesus is the ultimate example of passion because his love for us enabled him to suffer extreme amounts for us – and ultimately, to die for our sins. One way we honor and celebrate that sacrifice is by taking communion – or the Lord’s Supper – which is a practice established by Jesus himself. It’s an amazing expression of humility that Jesus didn’t ask for a statue to be erected to remember him by, but instead he asked that a meal be enjoyed! Paul leads the Corinthian church through the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and provides a framework for us to participate as well!

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For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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RECLAIM LIFE - FAITH IN ACTION

1. Prayer Challenge: Pray for 10 minutes each day!

Use your prayer time this week to remember and repent. Reflect on the faithfulness of God in your life and repent for any areas you’ve fallen short, with a willingness to “change directions”!

2. Personal Challenge: One way to remember what the Lord has done in our life is to share our testimony.

Take time this week to share your testimony. You can share it with a friend, a family member, someone from church, a stranger, or even share it publicly on social media.

3. Family Challenge: Take time to reflect and remember the passion of Jesus by observing communion with your friends and/or family.

• Prepare! Obtain the elements: Bread (symbol of Christ’s body) and juice (symbol of Christ’s blood).

• Set the stage! Take time to create space and set the stage for this special moment.

Perhaps you want to put on worship music, light candles or set the table.

• Search your heart and confess your sins through prayer! (Psalm 139:23-24 & 1 John 1:9) • Remember! Read through 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 together.

• Reflect on the sacrifice that was made, take the elements and pray!

4. Journaling Challenge: Write out your testimony in your journal this week. Be creative as you document your faith journey. Include important people and places you’ve encountered along the way.

RECLAIM WISDOM – A VERSE TO LIVE BY

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

RECLAIM, REFLECT & PRAY

What is God speaking to you this week? Use the space below to reflect, process, & pray! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 36

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As we bring our time together to a close, it is my prayer that God continues to work in your heart long after the Christmas decorations are put away. It is my hope that the principles and promises we walked through together carry you through the weeks, months, and even years to come. I can think of no better way to end our time together than to pray this blessing over you!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

reclaiming the season // 2020

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