dgroup topic, 092309, gloria mari’s

1. CCF Discipleship Covenant C ONFIDENTIALITY (Prov. 11:13) I will not gossip about fellow members, and will ensure that what is shared in the Dgroup stays in the Dgroup. H ONESTY (Prov. 12:22) I will be open and honest with my Dgroup leader and fellow members. R ESPECT (Phil. 2:4; Heb. 13:17) I will respect those in my Dgroup by attending meetings regularly and punctually by honoring the authority of my leader and area pastor. I NTERCESSION (Eph. 6:18) I will pray regularly for my Dgroup leader and fellow members. S PIRITUAL GROWTH (Heb. 10:24-25) Because I am joining this group to grow spiritually and to help others do the same, I will refrain from conducting business, borrowing money or using this Dgroup for purposes other than spiritual growth. T IMOTHIES (2 Tim. 2:2) I will have it as my goal to eventually build my own Dgroup.

5. 4 KEYS to REVIVAL 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

8. TODAY’s KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves …”

10. TODAY’s KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray …”

12. TODAY’s KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face …”

13. Key #3: Seek GOD’s Face Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” From the verse, what one word do you think best describes God’s face? WWJD ? Our ultimate goal us Christians is to continually bring glory to GOD’s name in everything (thoughts, speech, actions) so that we will not lose our saltiness or be like lamps under a bowl (Matthew 5:13-16). It means that we pursue a lifestyle of holiness and choose not to settle for mediocrity or ‘sub-standard’ Christianity. We strive for righteousness as a result of our faith in JESUS because He is our Model; He is our Benchmark; He is The STANDARD. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22a)

15. As we grow in the faith, it helps to be regularly reminded that we cannot do anything good apart from Christ, and that – as Max Lucado, Rick Warren and many other Christian leaders put it – “It’s not about you.” It helps to be reminded that “ The heart is deceitful.. ” and that we need God’s grace to fully understand what His will is and, by faith, take a step in obedience. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we sin and it takes humility not to rationalize our actions (or even our thoughts) and ask for God’s forgiveness right away.

16. TODAY’s KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways …”

17. Key #4: Repent 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – “ 16 But whenever anyone turns to the LORD , the veil is taken away. 17 Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom . 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD who is the Spirit.” REPENTANCE is taking a 180-degree turn from sin, not 360 degrees, because the latter would mean going back to where we started. Repentance is a “NO TURNING BACK” attitude towards sin and a firm resolve to “TURN TO” the LORD for freedom and transformation: Matthew 3:8 – “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

18. Acts 4:31 – “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly .” Acts 2:38-39 – “ 38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the LORD our GOD will call .’” Acts 4:31 – “Repent, then and turn to GOD , so that your sins may be wiped out , that times of refreshing may come from the LORD,”

19. 4 KEYS to REVIVAL 2 Chronicles 7:14 “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

23. God makes spiritual healing, transformation and revival possible through the faithful intercession of His people. God answers not according to our prayers but according to our faith!