WELCOME TO VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENS STUDY

Power and Powerlessness II Mark 10:32-45

Turning toward God When and how can the communities we belong to help us to define our role within and through others, rather than solely through our own personal titles and responsibilities? Meditation Question Review: If Jesus were to ask you, What do you want me to do for you? what would your reply be? a. b. c. d. e. f. To be known as ________ To hold the position of ______ To own _______ To be friends with ________ To have children who ________ Other?

Small Group Exercises (Family Feud Style) Question #1 Name a way that people act or show that they are self-absorbed? Question #2 Instead of being self-absorbed, how can people act or show themselves as part of a community? Transformation Exercises (Review) Sit quietly and hold your car keys or city bus pass. Picture yourself driving your car or sitting on a bus. Imagine what you would you or think differently if you chose to practice the discipline of submission and thus community in your car or on the bus: let another car in front of you? Scoot over to share the seat? How might you view differently the irritating person driving or sitting next to you? Pray about an upcoming meeting, casual lunch, family dinner, or date asking: show me how to treat this other person with dignity. Show me how to offer a sense that this person is honored and loved. Show me how to take seriously whatever they are struggling with even if they don't feel free to talk about it.

Final Thoughts on Power Spiritual power, given by God, usually has the marks listed below (taken from Richard Fosters The Challenge of the Disciplined Life). When have you seen someone demonstrate spiritual power in one of these ways? Love (using power for the good of others) Humility (the power of God is a gift and thankfulness is the appropriate response) Self-limitation (refraining from doing certain things out of respect of others) Joy (delight at seeing the kingdom of Christ break into darkness and depression) Vulnerability (patiently waiting instead of dominating) Submission (intimate cooperation with the Father) Freedom (bringing healing and release to others, freeing others to be themselves)

Which of the above marks of spiritual power would help you build community in your family, workplace, neighborhood or church?

Fall 2013 Schedule 10/30 Power and Powerlessness II 11/6 When I Think I'm Right I (Philemon 1-21) 11/13 When I Think Im Right II (Philemon 1-21) 11/20 Listening I (Mark 5:21-34) 11/27 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 12/4 Listening II 12/11 Welcoming the Stranger I & 2 (Matthew 25:31-40)