Thematic Study Template

Thematic Study Template

Section Key Themes:

Section Ponder Points:

Section Application Questions: 

Also see:

Creating Dynamic Small Groups

Holdfast

This video is from Spring 2011 at First Southern Baptist Church. I got the chance to speak at the Breakaway service and help continue the series through Joshua. The topic for the night was Holdfast: Clinging to God when Faced with Decisions

Link to the manuscript:  Holdfast: Clinging to God when Faced with Decisions

Operation/Event Outline Template

(Event)

Date/Time: 

Report completed by:

Tasked Organization:

Mission Brief Outline

I.  Situation:

Target group:

Organizational Assests:

Venue:

Weather:

Terrain:

People Considerations:

II.  Mission:

(Who, What, When Where, Why)

III.  Execution

Leader's Intent:

Organizational purpose:

Key Points:

Desired endstate:

Element Tasks:

IV.  Coordination Instructions

Time Order:

Risk Assesment/Safety Plan:

Personel Posturing:

V.  Command and Signal:

The Pursuit-Personal Transformation

This video is from Fall 2010, my first time speaking at Christian Challenge continuing the semester series 'The Pursuit.'  The theme for the night was Personal Transformation.

Link to the outline:
Personal Transformation

Prayer tips

Prayer Guide

1.        Self-Examination

-James 5:16, 1 John 1:9, 2 Chronicles 7:14

2.       Small group

3.       Christian Challenge

4.       University of Arizona

5.       Tucson

6.       Nation

7.       World

Prayer Tips

1.       Right Relationship-Communication.  If there are obstacles in your life that create a rift between you and God it hinders your effectiveness at prayer.  Just like any other relationship, communication is difficult or impossible if you hold a grudge or have done something to upset your friend.  In our relationship with God we call those things sin.  Clear the air and take care of the things that keep you from being on good terms with God in your relationship.  If it helps, put your relationship with Jesus into perspective.  Jesus gave His life for you and took the punishment you deserve.  Jesus loves you. 

2.       Be Specific-Just like in any conversation, you want to be clear.  In prayer it’s important that we be specific so that we express our concerns to God.  God wants to hear what is on our hearts and minds and we’ll never have the opportunity to do that if we talk in vague terms. (Philippians 4:6) 

3.       Use Scripture-When you don’t know what to pray use scripture.  When you do know what to pray use scripture.  (1 John 5:14-15)  If you get stuck and don’t know what to pray or want a model of how to pray follow the prayers in the bible.  There are 66 books in the bible and hundreds of thousands of words used to describe God, praise God, thank God, and cry out to God.  God knew you would be in the situation you are in now and provided plenty of examples in scripture that relate to any circumstance of life you find yourself. 

·         -God’s Word is filled with divine wisdom, hope, and promises of love.  Pray what God desires for you because it’s better than what you want for yourself.  (John 14:27, Jeremiah 29:11)

·         Pray scripture because God’s Word is true and never fails.

-be sure when you pray promises that you study the promise and know who it’s for

-study scripture in context

·         Don’t assume.  Just like in a conversation we don’t want to assume that what is said is directed toward us.  Nor do we want to assume that because we say something that things are going to happen just like we said.  Some promises in scripture aren’t directed toward us.  And while God may know what we are saying it doesn’t mean that He agrees with it and will give us anything we ask for.  (John 14, 1 John 3:22-24)

4.       Pray with Confidence-If we talk to our friends like we don’t trust or believe anything they say that becomes an obstacle to both communication and our relationship.  When we pray we should go into prayer with a clear sense of who God is and who we are.  God gives us an image of who He is from scripture but has also give us a picture of Himself by how He has worked in our lives.  Remind yourself How God has demonstrated His love and faithfulness in the past so that you can pray confidently for the present and future. 

·         Pray expecting God to give you an answer.  It might not be the answer we want but He is always faithful to answer prayer. (Yes, No, Wait, Grow)

Life History Template

Life History Worksheet

Significant people/Events/Circumstances	Struggles/Negative/Painful Experiences
Phase of Life	Events
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
Phase 4:
Phase 5:
Phase 6:

Phase 1: 

Lessons/Insights :

Phase 2: 

Lessons/Insights :

Phase 3: 

Lessons/Insights :

Phase 4: 

Lessons/Insights :

Phase 5: 

Lessons/Insights :

Phase 6: 

Lessons/Insights :

Biblical Purpose Template

Biblical Purpose Worksheet

(Where am I Going)

To learn how to live a focused life that brings glory to God we must have a firm foundation.  Our foundation is found in the Word of Truth.  Scripture will allow us to live fully focused and fulfilled lives by streamlining our journey always pointing us in the direction we should go. We will take a look at several scriptures that:

1.        Declare the reason why we exist

-A Being Statement

2.       Reflects the Heart of God

-A Kingdom Perspective

3.       Clarifies what is Non-Negotiable

-True North: the way we should go

In the sections below:

1.        Reflect on the verses that have clarified your sense of purpose in the past

2.       Review some of the scriptures which have been meaningful to other Christians

3.       Follow the instructions for trying to capture your sense of your biblical foundation in your own words.

What Scriptures has God used to give focus, purpose, and direction in your life?  List those verses and summarize the insight(s) you gained from each verse.

Verses from Your Past
Verse	Insight

Review these familiar verses and summarize the insights they provide regarding the question of purpose for a believers life.

Matthew 22:37-40
Matthew 28:18-20
John 15:1-11
John 13:34-35
Romans 15:6-7
2 Corinthians 4:7-11
Philippians 3:7-10
Colossians 2:6-7
2 Peter 1:5-11

Reflection on your Study

Based on your study of these scriptures ask yourself the following questions to help you clarify God’s purpose for your life.

·         Why do I exist as a person?

·         Apart from what I do, what gives my life its deepest meaning?

·         Why did God create me?

·         What is my response to God’s work of grace and salvation on my behalf?

In single words or phrases what themes have emerged from your review and reflection on the Scriptures?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Writing a biblical purpose statement

Our purpose is the foundation upon which we live our lives.  Purpose isn’t a list of tasks we must accomplish but is a statement of ‘being’ that captures the essence of our existence.  Based on our reflection through scripture, write up a draft of your biblical purpose statement.

Additional helps:

·         not a list of do’s and don’ts

·         should be concise

·         describes why a person exists based on scripture

·         being statement

·         describes our relationship with God

ex:

·         The purpose of my life is to know God and hear his voice so clearly that I live a life of obedience and servant hood. As a result, I will be a self-defined person with a non-anxious presence

·         I exist to live in authentic intimacy with Jesus and let him so shape my life that the people of my life will see him at work in me.

·         Understanding Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation, that He loves me, and by His grace rescued me from captivity so that I might be free to serve Him; I seek to know Christ and allow Him to shape me toward His purposes.

Your Biblical Purpose Statement