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Leadership Packet Week of April 15, 2012 This week’s Leadership Packet includes… Leader’s Notes Small Group Announcements

Girls’ Nite or Day Out Flier

Leadership CD - can be listened to online at www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups - Go to the Resources page found in the Leader Central section.

1 Peter 5:6-7 God is in this with you so you can take your anxiety and discomfort to Him. He cares for you.

5. One author agreed with Hebrews 12:7-8 when he wrote that, “…there are two

kinds of people we don’t discipline: those we don’t love and those who aren’t ours.” How does that change the way you view discipline from God? It took me a long time to get this, but I finally internalized this years ago…and it made a world of difference to me. God isn’t trying to hurt me, He’s taking me to the “gym” and helping me get through the discomfort of correction so that I can grow. My greatest challenge/barrier in all this, though, was the harshness of my earthly father. I had to come to see God differently than I saw my “father in the flesh.”

Bringing it Home I will admit right up front, that these application questions are pretty risky and to the point. You might want to admit that to your group members too and ask them to take some risks with you and the rest of the group. Ask for permission to take some risks this week. For the sake of space, I won’t weigh-in on the questions below. But leaders, I would come to group fully prepared to model risk-taking; I would be prepared to share about my own life. I’m praying for you all right now. 1. Pastor Jeremiah gave us four ways that we react to God’s discipline (Hebrews

12:5): indifferent, intimidated (overwhelmed), ignorant, or instructed. How do you think you’ve responded to God’s discipline in the past? How about right now?

2. Joni Erickson Tada wrote that, “Affliction has a way of jackhammering our

character, shaking us up and loosening our grip on everything we hold tightly.” If you had to pick one character trait, which do you think God might be trying to “loosen up” and change and mature in you? Is there a growth area that God is trying to shake up in you?

3. Is there any discomfort or discipline that you are pushing back against right

now? If so, what would yielding to, or cooperating with that discipline look like? www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019, 619.440.1802 © Copyright 2012 by Shadow Mountain Ministries

Sermon Notes

I. The reasons for God’s discipline in our lives A. God disciplines us to punish us. - Psalm 89:30-32; II Samuel 12:9-10 B. God disciplines us to protect us. - 2 Corinthians 12:7 C. God disciplines us to purify us. - Hebrews 12:10

II. The reality of God’s discipline in our lives - Hebrews 12:6-8

A. The presence of God’s discipline proves that we are His sons. Hebrews 12:7; Job 5:17

B. The absence of God’s discipline proves that we are not His sons.

Hebrews 12:8; 12:11 III. The reaction to God’s discipline in our lives - Hebrews 12:5

A. We can be indifferent to God’s discipline. - Hebrews 12:5b B. We can be intimidated by God’s discipline. – Heb. 12:5c; Psalm 42:11 C. We can be ignorant about God’s discipline. D. We can be instructed by God’s discipline. - Lamentations 3:31-33

IV. The rationale for God’s discipline in our lives - Hebrews 12:9-10

A. Our human fathers disciplined us as it seemed best to them. Our Heavenly Father disciplines us as it is best for us.

B. Our human fathers disciplined us for earthly reasons.

Our Heavenly Father disciplines us for heavenly reasons. V. The results of God’s discipline in our lives - Hebrews 12:10-11

A. He wants us to receive holiness. Hebrews 12:10; I Peter 1:16; I Thessalonians 4:7

B. He wants us to reflect righteousness. Hebrews 12:11; Psalm 119:67, 71; I Corinthians 11:32

C. He wants us to radiate peace. Hebrews 12:11; Isaiah 32:17; Matthew 5:8-9; Philippians 4:9

“God Loves You When He’s Correcting You” April 15, 2012 Dr. David Jeremiah Hebrews 12:5-11

Small Group Questions

Getting Started 1. What is your gut response to the words “correction” and “discipline”? How was

correction handled in your family growing up? Part of our difficulty with this passage is that we have great aversion to correction and discipline. Pastor Jeremiah made a clear distinction between our “fathers in the flesh” and our heavenly Father. Leaders, you need to be clear on the fact that sometimes, in our hearts, our fathers-in-the-flesh stand as barriers between us and our heavenly Father. Earthly correction can make divine correction unpalatable. I would want to have some sense of what that is like for my group members. That’s what this question is all about.

2. Most of us have said the words, “No pain, no gain,” but what do you really

think about that phrase? If that is a true statement (or mostly true), in what areas of life do we often tend to resist it? The point of this question is to raise the issue that growth is almost always connected to some sort of discomfort…but we tend to resist that discomfort. I’m kind of a “pain junkie;” meaning that I understand the need for it in growing…but…I would have to say that I resist the social awkwardness & risk required to get close to some people at times. Hey, that’s just me, though, how ‘bout you leader?

Digging Deeper 1. Parents and children usually have different opinions of discipline. How would

you summarize the difference between the ways they view discipline? It seems pretty simple to me…but we have to do due diligence on this issue with group members. Here’s how it stacks up for me: Parents- I’m doing it for their good; to shape, correct and develop them. vs. Children- This isn’t fair and I’m being mistreated. You just don’t understand me.

2. When it comes to God’s discipline in your life, which view of discipline do you

tend to identify with most, the parent or the child? Why is that? This is simply a probing and individual question, so answers will vary. At this stage of my life, and having a teenager in the house , I really do identify with the parent view when it comes to God’s discipline. I think He is actively trying to shape me and it will require some hard work and discomfort.

3. Look at some of the following verses and talk about God’s motivation when He

uses discipline with His children (us). Be sure to balance the time you spend on this content with application questions below.

Hebrews 12:7, 10-11 You could go right back to Pastor’s sermon for the answers on this. But here you go: When God disciplines us, He is treating us as His own. God disciplines us for our good, to produce in us His holiness, righteousness and peace. Proverbs 3:11-12 You’re only getting His discipline because you’re His and He loves you. This is an awesome, exclusive club we’re in. Proverbs 13:24 Just reinforcement for what we’ve already seen. Notice the Hebrew language hyperbole: we “hate” those we don’t discipline and “love” those we do discipline. Focus on the second part of that with your groups. Psalm 119:66-72 We get God’s motivation through the perspective of the corrected here; pretty unique actually. He teaches us knowledge and good judgment (V. 66). We learn to do life His way through His laws (V. 70-71). John 15:1-2 In order to gain a greater harvest; in us and in the Kingdom. Romans 5:3-5 Suffering, even through the discomfort of discipline, produces legitimate growth in us: perseverance, character and hope.

4. Now let’s look even deeper into the heart of God. Yes, He does use discipline

for our good, but what do the following passages also say about His heart for His children?

Hosea 11:1-9 This is a long passage, but notice the amazing “daddy” language in it. This is an amazing passage if you want to see God as the loving “daddy” that He is. Isaiah 30:19-21 Another amazing passage revealing God’s responsiveness to the pain and affliction of correction. He has a heart to respond and restore. That is on display in these verses. Isaiah 57:15-19 God’s correction isn’t forever, at all. We see in God’s heart that He let His anger go and He will move to healing and restoration. Again, a beautiful picture of the heart of our heavenly Father. Lamentations 3:25-33 These are pretty startling words coming from the guy who wrote “Lamentations.” In the middle of his lamenting, he catches some perspective and tells us that God is headed through correction to compassion and love.

Announcements for your Small Group: Girls’ Nite or Day Out One of Women’s Ministry’s most popular events is coming up on May 7, 11 am

or 6 pm - ”Girls’ Nite or Day Out,” complete with a delicious meal, a great guest speaker, childcare (restrictions apply), and more. Please see the included flier for details. You can reserve your ticket in the Pavilion after a weekend service or online at www.shadowmountain.org/women.

Young Adult Cafe

Are you in your 20s-early 30s? You’re invited to attend the Sunday morning “Young Adult Café,” 10:45 am in Room A. It’s a great way to get to know other young adults at Shadow Mountain & hear great Bible teaching geared towards that state in life. Current teaching is series: “The Book of Ruth - Romance & Redemption.” For more info, go to: www.shadowmountain.org/youngadults. Women’s Ministry Friends & Mentors Info Meeting

Friends & Mentors is a ministry designed to meet some needs of women, providing friendship with a woman who has walked longer in the faith & can help her understand how to apply some of God's principles. For more information, you’re invited to attend their next Introduction Coffee, Saturday, May 19, 1:00 - 3:30 pm in the Family Ministries Classroom. Cost: $5; sign-ups in the Pavilion.

Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Here is this week’s quote from the Small Group Scoop...

“At times the strength of spiritual community lies in the love of people who refrain from getting caught in the trap of trying to fix everything for us, who pray for us and allow us the pain of our wilderness, our wants, so that we may be more deeply grounded in God.” - Rosemary Dougherty

Service Project Stories? We’d love to hear about your service project stories! And see pictures if you have them too. Just email them to Carolyn at crossi@shadowmountain.org. Fun pics with your group? Do you have any fun pictures taken with your small group? Send them our way; we’d love to see the fun you’re having!

Week of April 15, 2012

Announcements for your Small Group: Girls’ Nite or Day Out One of Women’s Ministry’s most popular events is coming up on May 7, 11 am

or 6 pm - ”Girls’ Nite or Day Out,” complete with a delicious meal, a great guest speaker, childcare (restrictions apply), and more. Please see the included flier for details. You can reserve your ticket in the Pavilion after a weekend service or online at www.shadowmountain.org/women.

Young Adult Cafe

Are you in your 20s-early 30s? You’re invited to attend the Sunday morning “Young Adult Café,” 10:45 am in Room A. It’s a great way to get to know other young adults at Shadow Mountain & hear great Bible teaching geared towards that state in life. Current teaching is series: “The Book of Ruth - Romance & Redemption.” For more info, go to: www.shadowmountain.org/youngadults. Women’s Ministry Friends & Mentors Info Meeting

Friends & Mentors is a ministry designed to meet some needs of women, providing friendship with a woman who has walked longer in the faith & can help her understand how to apply some of God's principles. For more information, you’re invited to attend their next Introduction Coffee, Saturday, May 19, 1:00 - 3:30 pm in the Family Ministries Classroom. Cost: $5; sign-ups in the Pavilion.

Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Here is this week’s quote from the Small Group Scoop...

“At times the strength of spiritual community lies in the love of people who refrain from getting caught in the trap of trying to fix everything for us, who pray for us and allow us the pain of our wilderness, our wants, so that we may be more deeply grounded in God.” - Rosemary Dougherty

Service Project Stories? We’d love to hear about your service project stories! And see pictures if you have them too. Just email them to Carolyn at crossi@shadowmountain.org. Fun pics with your group? Do you have any fun pictures taken with your small group? Send them our way; we’d love to see the fun you’re having!

Week of April 15, 2012

Reservations through Women’s Ministries online or in the Pavilion beginning April 15.

Girls’ Nite

With special guest speaker, Jennifer O'Neill.Actress, model, author, and mother of three.

Join us for lunch or dinner to hear Jennifer's storyFrom Fallen To Forgiven.

May 7, 2012Childcare up to age 5 for day event.Nite: 6:00p/Day: 11:00a

or Day Out

Monday, May 7, 2012 11:00 am • doors open at 10:40 am

or 6:00 pm • doors open at 5:30 pm

Shadow Mountain, Children’s Building

From Fallen to ForgivenJennifer O’Neill is an internationally acclaimed model, actress, film and television star, spokesperson, producer, author, fundraiser, proud mother of three, and she was the face of ‘Cover Girl’ Cosmetics for 30 years. Jennifer is the first to tell you she is truly blessed.

Reservations$20.00 per person* (no refunds) - Checks payable to SMCC*Childcare, 5 and under, am only, register by April 29, $5.00/child

To reserve in person: In the pavilion starting Sunday, April 15, 2012To reserve online: www.shadowmountain.org/women

InformationLine

619-590-2115

Her story is an unforgettable account of a beautiful yet deeply wounded woman redeemed at age 38 by the grace of God’s renewing power. She is a living testimony that the love and healing forgiveness of Jesus Christ can transform any life, no matter how lost, to victory, restortation and wholeness.

Jennifer O’Neill shares her life’s experiences with a passion, humor and enthusiasm that resonates with all generations. Please bring a friend and join us for lunch or dinner and this very special opportunity to hear Jennifer’s story!

Sponsored byShadow Mountain Community ChurchWomen’s Ministries

Children’s Building2100 Greenfield Dr., El Cajon, CA 92019619-590-1731 (Women’s Ministries)

Jennifer O’Neill