DNOW 2018

Here’s how to get the most out of this: before you begin, spend some time in prayer asking God to help you commit to expecting that God is going to encounter you at DNOW.

Each small group session will have a Scripture reading, brief teaching, insight questions. Remember, the goal is not to get done, but actually practice the art of spending quality time with God.

HELPFUL HINTS

Read the Scripture through completely, then go back and break it down. This will help you understand the context and avoid misinterpreting something.
Journal your responses. Even I am tempted to just think of the answers in my head, but there is something special that happens when we write our answers out. Not only do we tend to retain more, but seeing the words either written or in text allows us to engage with our thoughts visually—making abstract ideas more tangible. (Think about how when you were a kid, the movie heroes were great, but the story really came alive when you played with the action figures… when you could touch and feel the story.)
Be completely honest with yourself during this time of growing close to God. Resist the temptation to give “churchy” answers, or respond with safe answers. In that first prayer before beginning a good thing to ask is that God would make known the parts of yourself you may have been avoiding or aren’t even aware of.
Enjoy this time. Our words have power… even the ones we think in our mind. Start telling yourself know that you’re looking forward to growing in your faith and being more intentional in your pursuit of God.

I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and serve you during DNOW. And I know God is eager to have you draw closer to Him as well. Know that I’m praying for each of you by name and am ready to encourage and support you as needed. It’s going to be hard work, but you’ve got this!

READ THIS
When I was younger—like much much younger—I pretended to be a police officer. I sported a cool fanny-pack (if you’re unfamiliar with that sweet piece of fashion gear, Google it. You’re welcome), and a pump-action, rubber bullet spraying, pistol that stuck fear into the lives of elementary-aged criminals, you know, the one that run stop signs on their bikes. The audacity!

If I’m being honest, which I really don’t have any reason to lie to you, I never fired a shot from my pistol because I knew if these hardened perps discovered how weak it was, I’d become powerless. Crime would run rampant.

Deep down I knew it was all a facade—it was fake, which is why I guess they call it pretend. I wanted to trade in my lacking sidearm and plastic badge for the real deal. And one night it happened!

I still remember the excitement of holding my new and very real sidearm and badge. Thinking that I must have dreaming, I feared the awaiting disappointment of waking to reality. But alas; I was dreaming, but when I woke, they were there! They didn’t disappear. The streets would be safe again. Then I woke up. Again. They were gone. It was a dream inside a dream.

Read about Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28, verses 10 through 22. He had a very real dream, but unlike mine, Jacob’s actually came true after he woke.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

What is a promise?
What’s a promise you’ve made and kept; and a promise you’ve made and failed to keep?
Who are you more likely to trust and why? Friends that make and keep promises, or friends that fail to keep their promises?
What kind of promises does God make for His people? (Which includes us.)
How does God communicate His promises to us?
What might God want to promise you this weekend?

Obviously there is a reason police departments don’t hire 5th graders and give them real guns and badges. Thinking back to last night, if you remember, Jacob was in a similar situation in that he wanted something that wasn’t his to possess: the birthright. But because of his brother’s impatience, he was able to trick Esau into giving it to him. Pastor Craig Groeschel would say that Esau “traded the ultimate for the immediate.”

For example, some people are willing to sacrifice their long-term health by using substances like drugs, alcohol, cigaretts or vaping to escape a current short-term discomfort. Others turn to pornography for self-gratification at the expense of a healthy marriage later. The idea isn’t to rank sin or merely experience a behavior change. It’s about drawling closer to a God that loves you personally—that encounters you—and has a fulfilling calling for you life. So let’s take this to the next level:

What are some things you want right now, but probably shouldn’t have yet (or ever)? Why not?
In what ways (thoughts, actions, inactions) are you currently trading the ultimate for the immediate?
What’s your first step in prioritizing the ultimate over the immediate? (What might your ultimate be?)
Think about all you’ve experienced so far at DNOW. What has been most useful for you?

Side note: I did finally get my real gun and badge when I became a Federal Flight Deck Officer as an airline pilot. Have a great night! (Hope you read this in my voice.) See you tomorrow unless I froze to death.

PRAY FOR

God to reveal Himself to you in new ways this weekend.
God to do a work in and through you this weekend.
Others that are attending this weekend, that they too would grow in their faith.
Increased trust in God and His promises.
The strength to not trade the ultimate for the immediate.

READ THIS
In addition to pretending to be a police officer as a kid, I used to play in the field behind my house, imagining that it was Jurassic Park, and the cows were dinosaurs. One day, my cousin and I were hanging out in the wooded section and decided to climb a tree to sit on a branch that overhung a pond. I’m not sure why we decided to dangle above literally the most disgusting water on earth, but there we were—loving life.

All I remember is being still, enjoying the moment, then SWOOSH the branch gave way and SPLASH we both fell into the muck below, completely submersed. (I hardly get sick and I wonder if that day my body learned to fight off 706 billion different bacterias and viruses? It’s a working theory of mine.)

If someone were ask how we got completely soaked all we could have said was that we were just sitting there. We weren’t trying to force anything when we encountered the pond. This reminds me of a moment in the Bible when a woman named Mary (not Jesus’ mom, a different Mary), that had an encounter with Jesus just by sitting sitting.

Take a moment to read from the book of Luke, chapter 10, verses 38 through 42.

Since we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions, [1] we shake our head, or SMH, at Martha—how could she be so distracted! But I can relate. When I was your age there was this television show on MTV called Room Raiders. It was like a reality/dating show where the contestant would raid the rooms of three people and choose, based on what they discovered (or uncovered), who to go on a date with. So I grew up during the glorious time when at any given moment your room might be raided and broadcasted to the whole universe. Yay.

Needless to say, I’m known to keep my place neat and tidy and prep my place before guests. But the context here is more than whether or not our room is ready for prime time television… or I guess now, YouTube. It’s about distractions.

We all have them: things that steal our focus. And some of them in-and-of-themselves aren’t bad. I mean, if Jesus was coming over I’d be busy cooking, too! Okay, ordering the pizza anyway.

Author and leadership expert Jim Collins puts it like this, “Good is the enemy of great.” [2] And that’s the point Jesus is trying to make. Whether it’s preparing a meal, participating in stock shows or sports, watching Stranger Things or racking up Snapstreaks, we have to be careful that “good” things don’t make us miss the great thing: Jesus.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

What’s a normal day look like for you? What are the things that keep you busy?
What are some things you know are distractions?
What are some things that might become a distraction as you get older?
How do/will those distractions affect your life?
What does it mean to abide in something?
What does it mean to “abide in Christ”?
What will happen when you abide in Christ?
How can you fight against distractions that keep you from abiding in Christ?
As you’re abiding in Christ this weekend, what do you hope God will reveal to you?
What was most useful for you from today’s devotional?

PRAY FOR

More rest and margin in your schedule.
To not compartmentalize (section off) your faith, but that your faith would permeate (spread through) everything you do.
More wisdom in understanding His Word and how to bring Him glory.
The courage to live your life for Him.

[1] Covey, Stephen M. R. The speed of trust: the one thing that changes everything. Simon & Schuster, 2014.

[2] Collins, Jim. Good to Great. Harper Business, 2001.

READ THIS
The first and only person I’ve had to fire was difficult considering I counted this person as a close friend. But one day, while patrolling the neighborhood, sporting my fanny-pack and less-than-trusty sidearm—oh, did you think this was going to be a serious story; apparently you don’t know me yet—anyway, I noticed some small nails strung out in a straight line across the road. As the chief of police, I had to investigate. I imagine this is how my conversation went with the other responding officer.

Me: Hey.
Kid Officer: Hey.
Me: Who would put these nails here?
Kid Officer: I did.
Me: What?! Why?
Kid Officer: I wanted the mailman to run over them and pop his tires.
Me: You’re fired.

Let me tell you, he wasn’t happy that I fired him from the imaginary police officer position. He wanted to fight—not right then of course. Later.

Now, I should have indicted him. But again, I was in elementary school; I didn’t even know what an indictment was. Fighting him seemed like the logical course of justice. He appeared at the scheduled time and place and it was on. He probably threw a punch or two—missing—I countered, landing a kick that knocked him back a bit into a wooden bench. He got a little cut and something like this followed:

Fired Kid Officer: You can’t kick!
Me: It’s a fight.

I think he just ran home. That’s really all I remember about him. (Wouldn’t it be ironic if he now works for the post office or is a police officer for real?)

While I’m not encouraging physical confrontations, check out what Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, which would be in the northern-ish, center part of present-day Turkey, knowing we wrestle between our sinful nature and doing what the Spirit wants, he says, “let the Holy Spirit guide your lives… the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5:16-17).

The reality is that fighting and wrestling: physically, emotionally and spiritually, will be a part of our life. And how we respond matters. In today’s reading, and the message you will hear tonight, you’ll learn about Jacob’s wrestling with God, and what that means not only for him, but you as well. We’re all in the midst of some sort of struggle—it’s real! How will you choose to respond? Will you stay and fight, or makes excuses and flee?

In preparation for tonight’s session, read from Genesis, chapter 32, verse 22 through chapter 33, verse 17.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

Have you ever been in a fight? What were you fighting about, and what was the outcome?
What are somethings you’re wrestling with right now? (Physically, emotionally or spiritually?)
How might God be using your present circumstance to point you toward Him?
How (or in what ways), is God calling you out of your comfort zone for His purposes?
When it comes to the things God is asking of you, what are some of your fears or doubts?
In what area of you life do you need to trust God more? (Your identity, relationships, future, etc.?)
How is God speaking to you personally during this conference?
What was most useful for you from this devotional time?

PRAY FOR

The strength to follow God’s will for your life.
Courage and help to stand strong in the battle between your flesh—your sinful desires—and the Spirit.
More trust in God and His power and promises.
To hear from Him and to make a decision for Him tonight—in whatever He may ask of you.
To find joy in living for Christ even when in seasons of wrestling and fighting.

READ THIS
Good morning! Can you believe it’s already Sunday? I hope you’ve had a powerful weekend and feel encouraged and equipped—and are ready—to take the next steps in your faith—to act on the decision you made for God last night.

As you return back to your normal day-to-day life, away from the emotional high of DNOW, be cautious; it’ll be easy to forget about the ways God encountered you this week. As the excitement of the weekend begins to wane, to fade, you’ll be tempted back toward a casual, going-through-the-motions faith. Just like Jacob marked his encounter with God, I would encourage you to do the same so that when you sense a slipping in your walk, you can return to the encounter you experienced and be reminded of why you started strengthening your faith in the first place. Here are some things I would encourage you to do:

Create a visible reminder of this weekend and place it in a place you’ll see it often.
Find someone to commit to keep you accountable and encourage you in your faith, a mentor.
Begin a YouVersion (or similar), Bible reading plan to deepen your understanding of Who God is—His nature and character, and plans for your life.
Journal, so that you are able to review the things God revealed to you over time.
Commit to being a part of a local body of believers through the local church.
Pray: “God, help me want to Love You, to know You and to serve You.”

Before church, read Genesis chapter 35, verses 1 through 7.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

To where or what might God calling you to?
What decision for God did you make last night?
How might your life change or look different because of this decision?
Why is it important to you to have made this decision; and how will you keep from slipping into a weak or casual faith after this weekend ends?
Overall, what was most useful for you during the entire DNOW conference?

Oh, and check out this song by Chris Sligh. It’s personally meaningful to me because when I was wrestling with leaving the airline profession, God used Chris and these lyrics to impact my prayer life which would alter the course of my future. Honestly, it’s incredible to share a stage with someone who didn’t even know I existed, yet made a tremendous impact on my life. God is good!