05 Oct “Influenced” | Part Four – “Shaped for Purpose and Glory” – All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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NEW** LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING OCTOBER 1 – Have your apprentices register here: Life Group Leader Training Registration
LADIES:
Cheryl would love your input! Please take a moment to fill out this short questionnaire about topics you’d like to see at upcoming women’s gatherings. Be sure to also share the link with your Life Group members so they can add their input too.
Women’s Ministry Questionnaire
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS
WATERS ACADEMY GOLF TOURNAMENT – TEE OFF FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS!
Thank you all, in advance!!
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AMAZIN’ G’RACE EVENT OCTOBER 11!
Join us for AMAZIN’ G’RACE on October 11—an exciting competition based on the show The Amazing Race. Gather your team of four and take on a series of physical and mental challenges designed to test your teamwork, creativity, and determination. The winning team will take home a $500 cash prize ($125 per person). It’s just $10 per person to enter, and the starting location will be revealed at the event. Sign up now and get ready to race with purpose! REGISTER HERE
If you prefer to serve at this event instead of competing, REGISTER HERE
ALL LOCATIONS
WATERS UNIVERSITY:
We’re looking to grow healthy Christians at Waters Church…spiritually, physically, mentally, financially and relationally — that is the mission of Waters University. The Fall semester has begun and Alpha classes will start on October 6 Financial Peace University has been postponed to a November start (date coming soon). Go to https://watersu.org/ or click the link below now for more information on classes and to register.
ALPHA MEAL PREP – SEE NEW DATES FOR FALL – GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS FOR THE SCHEDULE
ALL LOCATIONS – MEALS FOR ALPHA CLASS
Help prepare hearts to hear the Gospel by providing a meal for Alpha Class attendees across all locations. Great opportunity for Life Groups! (If signing up as a group or for multiple dates, list one contact person per date.)
Details:
- Choose a Monday to serve, starting 10/6 for nine weeks.
- Meals must arrive between 5:15–5:30 PM.
- Provide a fully cooked, pre-heated meal including salad and dessert (serves ~10).
- Stay to eat and mingle from 6–6:30 PM, then assist with clean-up.
- Drinks, condiments, serving ware, and warming trays are provided.
- Can’t cook? Donate to help cover meal costs—$25 per registration. You may sponsor multiple nights when registering or donate at Info Central on Sunday.
Thank you for helping us share the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site.
Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
NOTE:
Two opportunities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of service to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you are available, or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off of the break room area during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please Note: if you have a member who is not serving currently and would like to be a part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
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New Englanders: We still need GOLFERS and AMAZIN’ G’RACE players! Help us make both of these events successful! Tell your members to go to waterschurch.org/events and register.
**Please read all scripture in the ESV, unless otherwise noted.**
Key Verse: Exodus 15-17 (Please Note: It is not necessary to read this, the verses are listed within the points).
Save to Give: 20-Week Savings Plan.
We will be starting our Save to Give Campaign. Open a separate account and in 10 weeks, one offering, and at 20 weeks, the second offering.
Icebreaker Question:
If you could instantly be great at making or building one thing, what would it be—and why?
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for shaping us through every season of life. Help us to see that even our disappointments and struggles have purpose in Your plan. Open our hearts tonight to trust Your process, embrace Your sanctifying work, and give You glory in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Sanctification is God setting me APART for Himself,
TRANSFORMING me inside and out, empowered to LIVE for
His GLORY.
Sanctification is the process by which God makes us more like Jesus.
We EXPERIENCE sanctification, we don’t just LEARN about it.
Phase 1: DISAPPOINTMENT in the Wilderness.
Exodus 15:19–23 (ESV)
You will face disappointing moments at times in your walk with God, as the Israelites did in the wilderness.
Disappointment is an inevitable part of the Christian experience.
Exodus 15:24-25 ESV
John 19:28–30 ESV
When you’re DISAPPOINTED, ask: What was I EXPECTING and WHY?
God allows places of DISAPPOINTMENT to expose when we’ve made following Him about our GRATIFICATION instead of His GLORY.
Exodus 15:27 ESV
The disappointment season does not last.
God brought the Israelites to a refreshing place.
Exodus 16:1 ESV
The Israelites went from palm trees to thorns.
You cannot stay in the refreshing places.
Q. Think of a specific disappointment you’ve faced recently—how might God be using that situation to draw you closer to Him or redirect your focus toward His glory?
Leader Prompt:
Encourage group members to share how unmet expectations might be shaping their faith rather than weakening it.
Practical Application:
This week, identify one area of disappointment and pray specifically for God to show you what He’s teaching you through it. Choose to praise Him even before you understand the purpose.
Phase 2: DISSATISFACTION in the Desert.
Exodus 16:2-3 ESV
They did not believe God could supply their needs, so the Israelites complained and groaned.
COMPLAINING is a fruit of UNBELIEF.
Exodus 16:4–5 ESV
Exodus 16:19–20
Exodus 16:27–28 ESV
The purpose of DISSATISFACTION is to wean us off seeking CONTROL and learn CONTENTMENT.
John 6:25–26 ESV
John 6:32–33 ESV
1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV
Q. What are some ways dissatisfaction can reveal our desire for control rather than contentment in Christ?
Leader Prompt:
Remind the group that God often uses dissatisfaction to shift our dependence from ourselves to Him—this is spiritual growth in action.
Practical Application:
Practice daily gratitude. Each morning, write down three things you’re thankful for and acknowledge them as gifts from God’s hand, not your own.
Phase 3: DESPERATION at Rephidim.
Exodus 17:1-6 ESV
Previously, the Israelites had bitter water (Mirah); now they quarreled because they had no water.
Moses struck the rock, and water poured out.
John 19:34 ESV
Jesus is the Rock.
Ephesians 5:26–27 ESV
Holy, meaning sanctified.
Jesus is all you need.
God brings us to places of DESPERATION so that we will be
completely CLEANSED by Jesus.
Q. When have you felt spiritually dry or desperate, and how did turning to Jesus—the true Rock—bring refreshment or renewal to your faith?
Leader Prompt:
Point out that desperation often brings breakthroughs—Jesus meets us when we’re at the end of ourselves.
Practical Application:
When you feel empty or spiritually dry, turn to prayer instead of panic. Spend time this week in Scripture, asking God to refresh and cleanse your heart through His Word.
Sermon in a Sentence:
God is SHAPING you at every stage of DISAPPOINTMENT,
DISASTIFACTION, and even DESPERATION for His PURPOSE
and GLORY in Christ Jesus.
3 Key Takeaways:
What are three key takeaways you received from this message?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for shaping us through every phase—disappointment, dissatisfaction, and desperation. Help us to see Your hand at work in all things and to trust that You are forming us for Your glory. May our hearts stay soft, our faith strong, and our eyes fixed on Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.
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