Pastor Matt reminded us that our commitment to the generations that follow us may, at times, seem like an uphill effort—but our efforts will prove to be monumentally important.
MY STORY
What’s the hardest thing you ever accomplished? What were the obstacles that needed to be overcome? What was the payoff for getting through that difficult challenge?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates...” (Joshua 24:2)
What do you know about your biological ancestors? Your spiritual ancestors? How have these people shaped or contributed to who you are today?
How will the generation who follows you say that you shaped or contributed to who they became?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what takeaways do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO? "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”(Joshua 24:14-15)
What are the some of the possibilities we have today that can be a satisfying substitute for serving God- especially the polite and acceptable options?
What does it look like for your household to be fully devoted to advancing God’s kingdom?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage, or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt asked ...
How has God blessed you? How has God been generous to you?and slow to take offense? Where has God been quick to forgive you and slow to take offense?
Think about these questions. Write it down your answers. Then tell it to your children, share it with your family, use it to encourage your friends. Pass it along so that succeeding generations can tell the story of God’s faithfulness long after you are gone and in heaven.
Spiritual history: Create a “mountains & valleys” graph of your life, highlighting the high points and low points—and how each of those moments shaped who you are today (personally and spiritually). Be sure to identify the major players at each of those junctures.
Create a covenant for your household, (a set of agreements), on how each member is going to contribute to the maintenance and building up of God’s kingdom—especially in the context of his or her spiritual gifts and relationships.
(Be creative on how to make this age-appropriate for kids).
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
You can add your own personal sermon notes along the way. When you're finished, you'll be able to email or download your notes.