POV: Point of View – Baptism Sunday
Speaker: Stephen Scott
Worship and check-in: As part of worship, listen to “That’s the Power” by Hillsong Worship. As you spend time with God, either in your quiet time or in group use these lyrics to remind you of who God is in your life and the power that we have available to us no matter where we find ourselves whether a good or difficult season.
Check-in: If you are connecting again for the first time after the school holidays, take time to share one thing from the past 3 weeks that has impacted you and drawn you closer to God.
Bible Readings: Psalm 139:23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 5:8; Acts 3:19-20
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
Baptism services are always special as we get to hear stories of changed lives, and how God comes and finds us where we are at. Encourage those in group that haven’t yet taken this step of obedience to sign up.
- Share what you were encouraged or impacted by from the service you attended this Baptism Sunday? (Watch the service at https://www.youtube.com/c/EdgeChurchEM)
- Stephen shared his own story of what his responses have been when a surprise visitor arrives as opposed to when family arrive at his home. We tend to respond to God based on how we view him: either as a surprise visitor where we need to fix things up to make sure that we are presentable and acceptable, or as family, where we are comfortable because they know our “stuff” and accept us anyway. Our point of view (POV) affects our response. Share your responses to God and how this may have been impacted by your current point of view of God.
- For God to have GREATER access to our lives, we need to spend time with God practicing these principles:
- Reflect and Reveal (Psalm 139:23-24)
- Invite God to search your heart as you spend time with Him.
- Reject and Replace (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Reject the lies and replace them with truth (what does God’s word say?).
- Repent and Receive (Acts 3:19-20)
- Repentance is the most loving thing we can do. Approach God like a child does a parent.
Having the wrong view of God limits our intimacy with Him. Share with the group which of these principles you need to put into practice to change your view and engage with God as a loving Father, allow Him greater access, and deepen your intimacy with Him.
Check out and Prayer:
Pair up and pray for one another, sharing what you are committing to as you allow God greater access to your life.
Love God:
Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
For personal study check out the following devotions on YouVersion:
- Next Steps Baptism
- Greater
- Salvation and Baptism: A Study for Teens
- Becoming Like Jesus: Confession and Repentance
Love People:
- For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/ the website.