Big Idea

“Lord, awaken us to your perspective and excite our hearts for what excites yours.”

Scripture

Luke 10:17-24, Ephesians 6:10-13

Ice Breaker

1. Are you a compulsive shopper, or do you have a list and carefully select everything you purchase? Why?
2. Psychologist Christopher Chabris claims that what we see is often a result of our expectations. Read the following statement and discuss your experience. “What we pay attention to is largely determined by our expectations of what should be present…Without expecting something, we’re unlikely to pay attention to it, and when we are not paying attention to something, we are surprisingly likely to not see it.”

Bible Discussion

3. Read Luke 10:17 – 24: What do you notice?
4. Reread all of verse 21. It says Jesus rejoiced. The Greek word could be translated “full of joy,” like an excited fan watching their team win the Superbowl. Why do you think this made Jesus so full of joy?
5. Read Ephesians 6:10-13. How challenging is it for you to take on the perspective in this passage?

Life Application

6. We want to be awakened to God’s perspective, so our hearts are excited by what makes Jesus joyful. What do you think makes Jesus full of joy that we might fail to see?
7. In what area of your life does your perspective need to change? How might you live with more expectancy of God’s activity in your life?
8. What have you learned in this series or from your time of fasting? What do you want to be different in your life as a result?

Challenge

Let’s ask God to awaken us to his perspective, to give us new eyes to see what he sees. This week pray this simple prayer: “Lord, awaken us to your perspective and excite our hearts for what excites yours.” Commit to praying this simple prayer this week, and then be ready to talk about your experience praying it the next week. Close the group in prayer.

Start the B.L.E.S.S. Spiritual Growth Plan. You can find it on the COMMUNITY app, or at communitychristian.info.