20 Apr Easter 2025 | “From Thorns to Thriving” – All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING – ALL LOCATIONS – MONDAY, APRIL 28. THE REGISTRATIONS FOR ALL LOCATIONS ARE BELOW AND YOU WILL BE RECEIVING AN EMAIL.
THE PURPOUSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO INVITE NOT ONLY YOUR APPRENTICES, BUT ALSO THOSE YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE LEADING A GROUP THAT HAVE NOT YET AGREED TO APPRENTICE.
PLEAST NOTE: SOUTHCOAST WILL MEET IN NORTH ATTLEBORO
Links below:
**************
LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING: MAY 7 USING GOOGLE MEET. IF YOU HAVE AN APPRENTICE READY TO LEAD, PLEASE HAVE THEM REGISTER USING LINK BELOW:
***************************************************
ALL LOCATIONS – MEALS FOR ALPHA CLASS
NEW ENGLAND: UPCOMING CONCERT – TAYA (of Hillsong UNITED, singer of Oceans (Where Feet May Fall))
EVENT INFO:
Join TAYA on May 4th at North Attleboro for the Come Into The Light Tour, a transformative worship experience featuring her latest single by the same name, as well as other new songs from her upcoming record. “This tour is something I felt God drop in my heart over 2 years ago to do here in the United States, but for different reasons, it never eventuated…until now. I believe God’s timing and His alignment is perfect — and without either, I wouldn’t be walking into these nights with the stories and songs I now am.” Each night will be an invitation to pause and lay your life before God — every good, messy, broken, and sweet piece — and allow Him to have it all. You won’t want to miss these powerful nights of surrender in the Presence of Jesus, where we can Come Into The Light together and rediscover that He truly is everything He promised to be.
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 | |
LEADER: THERE IS A LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING ON APRIL 28. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL REGARDING THIS IMPORTNAT MEETING. EACH LOCATION WILL HOST AND WE WILL ZOOM IN FROM NA LIVE. YOU NEED TO INVITE YOUR APPRENTICES AND ANY MEMBER THAT YOU ARE CONFIDENDENT SHOULD ALREADY HAVE BEEN LEADING. THE LINKS TO THE REGESTRATIONS ARE ABOVE IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION OF THIS GUIDE. PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION IN THE REGISTRATION.
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
KEY VERSE: GALATIANS 3
Ice Breaker Question
What’s your go-to dish or dessert for Easter dinner? What is your lease favorite?
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for this Resurrection Sunday—a day that reminds us of the victory Jesus won on the Cross. As we reflect on how Christ took the curse of sin upon Himself, open our hearts to understand the freedom, peace, and purpose that now belong to us through Him. Help us to receive the fullness of Your blessing and to live lives that thrive, not because of what we’ve done but because of what Jesus has finished. In His mighty name, we pray. Amen.
1. The Curse Makes Us FRUITLESS.
2. The Curse Makes Us DEFENSIVE.
3. The Curse Makes Us LIMITED.
4. The Curse Makes Us VOLATILE.
Jesus goes to the Cross with the curse of sin on His back, represented by the crown of thorns on His brow.
Galatians 3:13 ES V
Paul isn’t done writing in verse 13 of Galatians 3. Notice that DASH! There’s another verse – a fantastic promise… here it is…
Galatians 3:14
Always pay attention to the “so that” s in the New Testament.
Two things are listed: 1. The Blessing of Abraham. 2. The Promised Spirit.
Genesis 12:1–3 ESV; Genesis 17:5–6
God didn’t just change Abram’s name—He breathed His Spirit into it.
Because Jesus took our CURSE, we get Abraham’s blessing.
Q: How does understanding that Jesus took the curse so we could receive Abraham’s blessing and the Holy Spirit change how you view your identity and purpose in daily life?
1. Jesus took the curse to bring us from FRUITLESS →
FRUITFUL.
Matthew 13:22 ESV
When Jesus has your heart, the cares are no longer yours. He removes the love of the world, and He provides and supplies your needs.
Philippians 4:19 ESV; John 15:16 ESV
Q: How does fruitlessness-like distraction, worry, or self-reliance appear in your life, and how does knowing Jesus chose and appointed you to bear lasting fruit change your perspective?
Practical Application:
This week, examine how you spend your time, energy, and resources. Choose one area of spiritual growth (prayer, Scripture, serving, generosity) to intentionally invest in, trusting that God will produce lasting fruit as you stay connected to Him.
2. Jesus took the curse to bring us from DEFENSIVENESS →
OPEN-HEARTEDNESS.
Jesus took our shame and stood defenseless before His accusers. He died exposed and vulnerable so that we could be fully known and deeply loved.
The Cross dismantles our need to protect ourselves with pride or walls.
Ephesians 2:14 ESV; 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Q: In what areas of your life do you tend to pull away or protect yourself emotionally, and how can Christ’s peace help you stay open and engaged?
Practical Application:
Identify one relationship where you’ve been guarded or withdrawn. Ask God for the courage to take one step toward openness—initiating a conversation, offering forgiveness, or simply being honest about your feelings.
3. Jesus took the curse to bring us from LIMITED → WELL- ABLE.
2 Corinthians 12:7–9 ESV
While Paul’s reality was a measure of the trouble we can experience at the Lord’s directive, the truth is that Paul even acknowledges in that text that our weakness is God’s opportunity.
Hebrews 10:19-20 ESV; John 10:10 ESV
We focus on the word “abundantly.” Go back four words.
What is it? LIFE! Jesus is the ONLY way to LIFE.
Q: What is one area where you’ve felt limited or inadequate, and how does knowing Christ give you access, strength, and abundant life change how you face that limitation?
Practical Application:
This week, take one step of faith in an area you’ve been holding back due to fear or insecurity; whether it’s leading, sharing your faith, or starting something new, lean into God’s power rather than your ability.
4. Jesus took the curse to bring us from VOLATILE →
PEACEFUL.
Isaiah 53:5 ESV; Romans 8:1 ESV.
The CURSE has been REVERSED!
Our lives are dramatically altered through faith in Christ.
From Genesis to JESUS, Scripture comes together to offer you the BLESSING of GOD in exchange for the CURSE of SIN.
We have the blessing of Abraham.
Q: What situations or triggers tend to stir up emotional or spiritual volatility in your life, and how does the peace Jesus purchased for you at the Cross help you respond differently?
Practical Application:
When you feel anxious, angry, or overwhelmed this week, pause and declare the truth of Romans 8:1 over yourself. Ask God to help you respond with His peace instead of reacting from emotion.
Three Key Takeaways
- Jesus took our curse so we could receive God’s blessing. Through the Cross, Christ removed the curse of sin and gave us access to Abraham’s promises and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- The curse no longer defines us—Christ does. We are no longer fruitless, defensive, limited, or volatile. In Christ, we are made fruitful, open-hearted, empowered, and filled with peace.
- The resurrection confirms that we are meant to thrive. Because Jesus lives, we can live abundantly—fully alive in purpose, peace, and the power of the Spirit.
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for taking our curse and giving us Your blessing. You carried our fruitlessness, fear, limits, and instability and replaced them with Your Spirit, Your peace, and Your promises. Help us to walk with confidence, joy, and gratitude, knowing that because of You, we are no longer cursed but called, no longer lost but blessed. May our lives reflect the freedom and fullness we now have in You. In Your mighty name, we pray, Amen.
No Comments