Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events):

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS

TRUNK OR TREAT IS ON!  REGISTRATION FOR TRUNKS WILL BE OUT SOON.  IN THE MEANTIME, GET WITH YOUR GROUP AND COME UP WITH A THEME (NO SCARY STUFF PLEASE) AND DECORATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TRUNK!  BRING LOTS OF CANDY TO GIVE OUT TO THE LITTLES!  

MORE INFO TO FOLLOW!

SHOW IN NA OCT 27, 2024

Smokin’ Hot Life Tour feat. Jaron Myers & Shama Mrema

Join us for a fun night of great comedy with Shama Mrema, known for his viral hits and engaging comedy, and Jaron Myers, whose infectious joy and relatable humor have captivated millions. Don’t miss this comedy event packed with laughs and entertainment!

★ Jaron Myers is a Kansas City-based standup comedian with a devoted online following of over 1 million fans and 450 million video views. Known for his infectious joy and relatable humor, Jaron feels like a lifelong friend you can’t help but laugh with. With two Amazon Prime specials and features in Buzzfeed, Newsweek, and College Humor, Jaron is a rising star in comedy. Catch him on tour at colleges, comedy clubs, and churches nationwide.

★ Shama Mrema, an African-born, American-raised entertainer, gained fame in 2018 with his viral hit “Veggie Tales Remix.” This success led to a spin-off show on Yippee TV, where he starred and co-wrote the music. A homeschool graduate and former pastor’s kid, Shama now captivates over 400,000 followers with his engaging content on screens and stages alike.

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE  AT https://showops.co/e/591/smokin-hot-life-tour 

(ALSO AT NA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE – CONSIGNMENT TIX AVAILABLE WITHOUT EXTRA FEES, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

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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:

Key Verse: James 1

 Ice-breaker

Q:  What is your favorite/least favorite fall pastime?

The difference between Trials and Temptations:

   God TESTS me to bring out my BEST.

Sin TEMPTS me to bring out my WORST.

James 1:13 (ESV) 

Trials come from God to strengthen our faith; temptations come from sin to lead us away from God.

Q. How can we distinguish between a trial that tests us and a temptation that seeks to lead us astray?

When I am TRIED on the OUTSIDE, I will be TEMPTED on the INSIDE.

1. When TEMPTED, consider the TRAJECTORY.

      James 1:14-15 (ESV) 

Sin is PROGRESSIVE:  It starts with desire, often a natural desire gone astray.

Sin is POSSESSIVE:  It drags us away like a fish lured by bait.

Sin is POISONOUS: It ultimately leads to death, either spiritually, relationally, or emotionally.

Lust is NORMAL DESIRE gone HAYWIRE.

God wants us to enjoy food, but lust turns this into gluttony or unhealthy eating habits. He created us for community, yet lust can twist this into a craving for praise and shallow validation from others. Similarly, God designed sex as a beautiful expression within marriage, but lust seeks fulfillment outside this design, leading to harmful consequences. In each case, temptation offers a counterfeit way to fulfill our desires, leading us away from the true satisfaction God intends.

(Leader, choose one or both of the following depending on how your conversation is going):

Q.  Can you identify when a small temptation led to a more significant issue?

Q. How can recognizing the trajectory of sin (the path of sin as it progresses)  help us avoid falling into its trap?

2.  When TEMPTED, get TRUTH about GOD.

James 1:16-17 (ESV)

Praise PRIORITIZES and PRODUCES the GOODNESS of God in my life. 

When we praise God, we acknowledge His constant goodness in our lives.

God Gives Good Gifts: He is not holding out on us; His gifts are perfect and meant for our ultimate good.

Here’s the foundational lie in all temptation:

God is NOT GOOD to me.

Genesis 3:4-5 (ESV), Psalm 34:8 (ESV), Psalm 145:( (ESV), Psalm 84:11 (ESV), 1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV), Psalm 23:6 (ESV)

Q. Why do you think focusing on God’s goodness when facing temptation is essential, and how has praise helped you resist temptation?

3.  When TEMPTED, remember I am TRANSFORMED.

James 1:18 (ESV) 

Every Christian is a Christian, NOT because they chose to be but because God chose them to be.

John 3:3 (ESV); 

Jesus says you need to be BORN again.

You did nothing to be born the first time, and you cannot do anything to be born again. 

You are born again when you realize you can do nothing to be saved. It HAS to be God’s grace and work in your life. 

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

The same God who SAVED me is the ONE who SANCTIFIES me.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Q. How does understanding that God has chosen and transformed us help us resist temptation? How can this perspective change how we approach moments of temptation, knowing that God’s grace and work in us empower us to overcome?

Sermon in a Sentence:

Sin does not have to CONTROL my life. God is FOR me and WITH me, and ready to deliver me in Jesus’ Name.

Scripture Meditation:

Reflect on these scriptures throughout the week:

James 1:13-18 (ESV) and Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

This Week’s Challenge: When you face a temptation this week, pause and ask yourself, “What is the trajectory of this action?” Pray and ask God to reveal the truth about His goodness in this situation.

Ongoing Challenge: Practice praising God in every situation, especially when tempted. Notice how this shifts your perspective and strengthens your faith.

Remember, sin does not have to control your life. God is for you and with you, ready to deliver you in Jesus’ name. When facing temptation, focus on its trajectory and remind yourself of God’s unchanging goodness. Let the truth of your transformed identity in Christ empower you to overcome.

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH, THE LOST, OUR LEADERS, AND COMMUNTIES.