Correcting Double Vision

This Week's Bible Passage: Mark 3:20-35 / Matthew 28:16-20

Everyone needs to know how they fit into God’s vision in a specific place. As we journey, there are moments where we realize God is moving in us differently than He is in the place where we are currently serving.

Our goal should not be to change the vision, but to ask questions about who we are and where we are headed.

Be sure to watch this week’s video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42C70VJ4FQs and read the passages above. The first passage concerns how Jesus’ family reacted to His vision. The second passage contains the marching orders He left the church.

Think about:

1. What is God’s vision at ORBC?
2. Does God have different visions for different churches?
3. How do I understand my fit in God’s vision at ORBC?
4. When God shows that people are on a different vision quest, how should I respond as a leader?
5. How did Jesus respond to His family?

Knowing my Role in the Whole…

Check Out This Week's Scripture Passages: John 1: 40-42, John 6: 7-10, Mark 3: 13-19

One of the issues many of us struggle with is fitting into the role God has for us in certain seasons.

One Apostle that did this so well is Andrew and we hear so little about him from commentators and preachers. He is not typically listed as a hero by many Christians.

Be sure to watch this week’s video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNeu0gRgExs and check out the passages above. 

Come ready to talk on Thursday about our role in what God is doing specifically here at ORBC.

Things to think about:

1. What is my current role?
2. What gifts do I have that may shape my future role?
3. What will happen when I step out of my role and into others?
4. How do I feel when others step into my ministry role without permission?
5. What can I do better to fit into what God wants to do vs. what I want to do?

Values + Authenticity = Authority

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.  

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”  

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.  The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:21–28 (NIV)

Last week Doug led us through a devotion on the core of leadership. This week we want to look at one of the necessary components of leadership: Authenticity

Be sure to check out this week's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0AL4L-DT5o and think about these questions:

1. Why was Christ seen as having authority?
2. How are authority and authenticity connected?
3. In what way do values shape our authenticity?
4. What happens when there is a disconnect between our values and our living?

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts this week!

Leadership

^"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.  While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)

I will be in California both Thursday and Sunday this week. So, Doug DeWitt will be leading our devotion time. Doug has a PHD in Leadership and I am sure that his insight will be great for this week’s topic!

This week we want to talk about what leadership is at its core. There are a lot of opinions about what leadership is and there are allot of books written about the topic. Take a look at the scripture passage above and see if you can find the principle of leadership in Christ’s interaction with Matthew.

As you watch this week's video (CLICK HERE), think about these questions:

1. What cultural components affected Christ’s interaction with Matthew?
2. How does your personality and gifts affect your leadership?
3. What part do relationships play in leadership?
4. How do your past experiences (successful and unsuccessful) affect your leadership?

Have a great time talking about this foundational truth and I look forward to seeing you all again next week.