14 Apr Finding Our Focus | Jody Bowden
Posted at 10:09h
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Guide
by Kelly Botelho
Text ‘waterschurch’ to 41411 to keep updated on the latest information!
Egg Drop: April 20th; Pre-Registration is required: waterschurch.org/eggdrop
Good Friday Services :April 19th: 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Easter Services: North Attleboro service times of Sat, April 20th @ 4 p.m. and Sun, April 21st @ 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. AND Woonsocket at 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Calling all ladies of Waters Church! – If you are between the ages of 16-116, we want you to join us for a fun night of fellowship at our Ladies Q & A Tea on Sunday, May 19th at 4 p.m. Let us know what is on your heart. Text in your questions anonymously starting NOW to 401-433-9475. No need to sign up, light refreshments will be served. (please note: ladies only; no child care provided)
Hosting Interns: If anyone is interested in hosting interns from different colleges this summer, please let us know! We will have more information soon.
The Deep End Podcast: Airs live Wednesdays @noon on Facebook and @thedeepend.tv ! Text in your questions anonymously to (508) 316-9333 to have them addressed on the show. And you can catch up on past episodes anytime on our Deep End page or on our Youtube channel @ waterschurch. If you subscribe to our Youtube channel you will receive notifications when our material is posted.
Looking for your testimonies! If you have group wins to share, please email them to me! maparsons@waterschurch.org
Coming Soon! – eFam Groups – for those who watch online only and are over 25 miles from any Waters Church location. If you have friends/relatives that watch our services online and are interested in becoming eFam Group Leaders, we will be rolling this out in the next couple of weeks! Stay tuned for more information on how they can register!
We offer two types of classes. Please familiarize yourself with what these classes are about. Feel free to sign up for one so you can better explain what they are to your group members.
Starting Point: What is Christianity all about? Is the Bible really more than just a book? Who is Jesus? No matter where we are in life, we all have questions. Starting Point is a great place to explore the faith and have safe and open discussions about some of life’s toughest questions.
Growth Track: In this 3 part class; Discover, Deepen, & Dedicate; you will get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Waters Church and have an opportunity to ask your own. This is the perfect place to get to know the “Why” behind the “What” of who we are as a church.
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Bad things will find us. But, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, no matter our troubles we will come out stronger. Job went through a ton of troubles in his life. He was a a great business man. He owned a lot of livestock. He also had 7 sons and three daughters. He was the husband of only one wife. He is recorded by God as being blameless and upright. Job was not sinless, but because he was an upright business man, he was considered blameless.
These men were declared righteous by God.
Ice-breaker question:
Q. Who have you encountered in your life-time that you would say was like a Job, blameless and upright in business and in family life?
Job’s troubles began here. Satan is in the world wreaking havoc.
While each messenger was coming to Job, Job was thinking about what he was going to do. Because he was a businessman he had to think about how he was going to get along, first without his servants, then without his sheep etc.
Job was upset, but he did not curse God. He worshiped him.
Job had a good group of friends. They came and sat with him for seven days and nights and did not speak a word. Then they started to give Job advice.
Q. What personal experience can you share regarding support through a tragedy?
Job’s friends started giving their advice.
1. FOCUS ON CHRIST, NOT ON OURSELVES.
Eliphaz
When bad stuff happen our focus should not be on ourselves and our situation. Many of our problems are because of our sin and we should be asking God to show us what that sin is so we can move forward. We need to seek Jesus and ask Him, we need to read His word. God does not want us to be shackled in sin and the only One who can break those chains is Jesus.
Q. What are some ways people try to resolve their problems other than seeking Christ and why are these only short-term fixes and do not provide a real ‘cure’?
2. FOCUS ON CHRIST, NOT BLAMING OTHERS.
Bildad
It was not his children’s fault they died. It was not because of their sin. Job always interceded for his children and covered them . We cannot blame others for bad things that happen to us but we can intercede for others because their sin will impact us. We need to pray for those that may be making things hard for us, we need to pray for a spouse that may be caught up in sin because their sin does affect us. We need to show love, intercede, and sow seeds and the Holy Spirit will water those seeds. Do this out of love (Philippians 2:3 ESV).
Q. How has someone else’s sin directly impacted you and how have you approached this situation? Is there a person in your life that is making things difficult for you and how?
When others are sinning and are affecting us, we need to consider them more important than ourselves and pray for them.
3. FOCUS ON CHRIST NOT ON BLAMING HIM.
Zophar
Zophar is telling Job he is worse than what has happened to him and God should have done more to him.
We can ask God ‘why, what am I doing wrong?’ or we can be ok with what is happening and just say ‘oh this is just God’s plan and this is just God being God.’ Both of these attitudes is pushing God away and not going to Him.
God does not just let things happen. Jesus is the only one that can give us strength in our struggles and He wants us to have His peace. Without struggles and difficulties we would not have a relationship with Jesus, we would not have the experience to help others. When we turn away from God and fail to turn toward Him we are missing out on what He can teach us in the trial.
Q. What struggles in your life have brought you closer to God and how has your experience helped others?
4. FOCUSED ON CHRIST WE BECOME STRONGER.
Elihu
Elihu gives Job good advice. He tells him to turn to God and ask him what he needs to change, then obey and serve. Many people will keep us focused on the wrong things. We need to repent of sin, give it to God and move forward.
Q. What is an example of how you have been focused on the wrong things because of others advice?
Christ shows us how to be fearless in troubles.
Q. What are some examples of troubles that made you stronger and how?
Colossians 2:8 ESV; James 1:2-3 ESV; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
In the end the Lord restored to Job twice as much as he had. Job was faithful and kept his focus where it belonged.
Pray for the lost and for each other. Pray for the Above and Beyond Campaign – new roof, parking lot and building for Woonsocket. Pray for the Guatemala missions and all of our missions. Pray for our leaders, country and nation.
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