Week One - Status Critical

á   Which age group/generation do you best represent? 

Þ      Children / Youth (0-17)

Þ      Mosaic (18-24)

Þ      Generation x (25-44)

Þ      Boomers (45-64)

Þ      Elders (65à) 

á   Looking at the ethos of America, what do you see?

Þ      A cracked, granite slab?

Þ      A diseased and dying Oak Tree?

Þ      A volcano about to erupt?

Þ      A sleeping monster

Þ      Or…?

á   Read Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Þ      What burden has God laid on men? (v. 10)

Þ      How has God made “everything” beautiful in its time? (v. 11b)

Þ      What thoughts have you had about eternity? (v. 11b)

Þ      How does man be happy and do good while he lives? (v. 12)

Þ      If we could see heaven and hell before we die, would it affect our decisions in a positive way? (v. 14)

á   Several for the Road…

1.     Do you ponder eternity more than you would like to admit?

2.     Do you have a respect and desire for God that drives you to live honorably?

3.     Where is your moral compass headed?

4.     Will you appreciate your compass when your account is settled before God?

The Gilmore Group will not meet on Resurrection Sunday

There will be no small groups meeting on Easter Sunday.

I encourage you to spend the time with your families/friends and worship our Resurrected Savior among them.

See ya next week!

God Bless

The Trouble With Tomorrow

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-- Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Facts to Consider:

þ God has a plan for a society that seems to be a “Chapter 13 / Bailout” culture.

þ Just (22%) has never been married and (33%) have divorced at least once.

þ At least 25% of all people have been affected by some sort of marital split.

þ 8 out of 10 businesses fail in the first three years

þ 80% of those within the first year – Why?

þ The greatest step in starting a business is a business plan.

1. “Do not conform any longer…”

Þ It is likely that we will all have to turn around midstream somewhere along the way.

Þ Many times today’s practices negatively affect the outcome of tomorrow.

Þ Is there something that you could stop today that would benefit you tomorrow?

2. “…the pattern of this world,”

Þ Pattern – n. Any thing cut or formed into the shape of something to be made after it.

Þ We see that the pattern of the world has always been a practice to avoid, why?

Þ In those patterns where is there a presence of “unhealthy” thoughts?

3. “…be transformed”

Þ The Scriptures tell us that in more than one passage, that change is the result of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ…why is that so?

Þ Is praying a prayer merely the ultimate pass code for needed change?

4. “…by the renewing of your mind.”

Þ Is the renewal process a matter of mental adjustment or lifestyle change?

Þ The word “renewing” indicates a continual, repetitive process – why not an “easy button” or “quick fix”?

Þ Is Jesus the reason that things cannot be handled in that particular manner?

5. “…test and approve” [choose at each point – (a) Troubled or (b) Spirit-led]

Þ Responsibility (a or b)

Þ Negativity (a or b)

Þ Worship (a or b)

Þ Attitude (a or b)

Þ Self-esteem (a or b)