Enountering God: Session 8

Don’t lose what you have!

Know that sometimes after experiences like this our personal life may seem to get worse, not better. Why?

• Old focus

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Our focus like that of Paul and the writers of the New Testament are forward focused and Christ focused.

• Old thinking

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

• Old identity

2 Corinthians 5:17–19 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

The Goal: Freedom in Christ on a daily basis!

How Do We Keep Lasting Freedom?

The intention of the teaching this weekend is to help us know truth and be set free so we can connect with God on a deeper level. Sop that when we sin, we will be quick to respond with the tools we’ve been given this weekend.

1. Follow the Healing Pattern at the end of each section.

2. Practice Personal Ministry [see handout].

3. Set regular time aside for your relationship with God.

4. Make choices in line with your new freedom, not your previous bondage.

5. Attend weekend services on a regular basis.

6. Come for After-Service prayer.

7. Register for Personal Prayer Ministry with Heartland.

7. Connect into community … join a Life Group.

8. Get honest and vulnerable with brothers and sisters in Christ.

9. Go through the Encountering God material in a Life Group.

10. Tell others what God has done in you through this weekend!

11. Meet with a pastor/counselor

11. Come to another Encounter God.

12. Encourage others to take Encounter God.