TRAIL GUIDE: Mind Marinade
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
EXTREME MAKEOVER, Section 3, Lesson 1: Mind Marinade
When we talk about our mind, what exactly do we mean? What are the functions of the mind? When we talk about the mind in the Bible we are talking thoughts, attitudes, imagination, will, purposes, convictions, intelligence, understanding, and memory. In the Bible, the mind and the
heart are closely tied together. Many times they are used interchangeably. They communicate and work together to influence our actions.
What would the mind of a Jesus follower increasingly look like? The transformed and renewed mind of the Christian will love God, seeking Him with the intellect, meditating on His Word in prayer, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ, deciding to fix its thoughts on Christ and the things of heaven, serving with the will, remembering who God is and what He has done, and employing all its power of imagination and creativity to glorify God. Worshiping God with the mind will have repercussions in the heart and soul.
Help the children understand that the life of a follower of Jesus is more than good works and nice words. It is a life of integrity that includes your way of thinking. This renewal happens as we marinate our minds in the Word of God.
“Don’t live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.” -Romans 12:2
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
2 Corinthians 10:5 | Numbers 15:40 | Col 3:2 | 1 Chron. 28:9
Sunday Rewind | 11.9.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
TEACHING: Missions Conference 2014 – His Great Name
During our annual Missions Conference, a variety of our global staff speak and share about how the gospel is going forth throughout the nations. Due to the sensitive areas of some of the places they work, we do not publish the audio or video to the web.
The Missions Conference opening night address by Steve Sanford of New Tribes Mission is available here.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Which service did you attend, and who did you hear speak? What stood out to you as they spoke?
- Do you have any personal experience with missions or missionary work? What was that experience like? What did God teach you about yourself and about Himself?
- As he was considering a call to overseas missions, one speaker noted a distinction between asking the question “What is God’s will for my life?” and “What is God’s will?” What is the difference between those two questions?
- What do you think God’s will or purpose is in missions? Where do you find this in Scripture?
- What do you feel your role is in missions? How do you feel you are doing in fulfilling that role?
- Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His missional provision for us through Jesus. Pray that His great name would continue to be glorified throughout the nations. Pray for those who are laboring faithfully in missions.
- How does the gospel necessitate missions?
- Discuss with your group and consider adopting a missionary to correspond with and pray for on a regular basis.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 7
Preparation is the distillation of all you’ve learned for a message into a single, portable thought.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 6
Pastor Mike shares some specific examples of how observation of the world around us lends credibility to the truth of Scripture in the minds of believers & unbelievers.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 5
Observation is seeing life through the lens Scripture and is a vital part of message preparation.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Sunday Rewind | 11.2.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Louder Than Creation by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 14
As the church, we should be known more for the good we do than the evil that we hate.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- Read and discuss Colossians 3:22-25 and Matthew 5:11-16, 1 Peter 2:11-17. What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus? What topics or themes do you note in these verses?
- In what ways do we tend to make government or education a savior? Can you think of other societal values we try to make saviors?
- Are you in a position of authority, servitude or both in your vocation? Do you find your position a difficult one? Why or why not? What would you change about those around you? What needs to change in you?
- How have you seen authority abused? How have you seen it used in godly ways?
- “Good deeds are the platform from which the world watches to see what Christians are like.” Have you seen this to be true?
- Do you think our church is known more for what we are for, or for what we are against? What about the church in general? Why? What change(s) need to occur in this area for the advancement of the kingdom?
- How does the gospel empower and instruct us in fulfilling the vocational roles in which God has placed us?
- How is kingdom living the ultimate apologetic for the Christian faith?
- Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 4
In this episode, Pastor Mike shares several personal insights from the book of Jonah as an example of the blessing of thorough meditation on biblical texts.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 3
In this session, Pastor Mike shares several benefits of seriously meditating upon the Scriptures.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Take 5: Anatomy of a Message, Part 2
Don’t confuse meditation with mysticism. In this session, Pastor Mike shares the biblical mandate and guidelines for meditating on the Word of God.
Take 5 is a series of videos for pastors & teachers of God’s Word. Mike Minter, teaching pastor and founder of Reston Bible Church, shares practical wisdom from over 40 years of ministry experience.
For more Take 5 videos, visit vimeo.com/channels/minter or subscribe via RSS here: blog.restonbible.org/category/resources/take-5/feed/
To suggest a topic for Pastor Mike to cover, send an email to questions@restonbible.org.
Sunday Rewind | 10.26.14
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 13
The gospel leads us to an ultimate hope in Jesus, not in a spouse or any other human relationship.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- What words come to mind when you think of marriage? What have been your biggest influences on how you view marriage?
- Read and discuss Colossians 3:18-21. What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus?
- What relationships are covered in these verses? What specific commands are given here in regard to these relationships?
- In the relationships that are applicable to you, how are you doing in regards to these commands? Where are you following in faithful obedience? Where do you need to grow in obedience?
- When you hear the word “submission,” what is your initial reaction?
- “Submission is an inner quality of willing obedience that is a gift to the husband based on Christ’s example of willingly submitting to His Father that affirms the leadership of the husband within the limits of obedience to Christ.” How does Pastor Mike’s definition of submission strike you? Is there anything you would add, qualify or omit?
- What do you think of when you hear the phrase “spiritual leadership”?
- “Spiritual leadership is servant leadership which is a husband’s gift to his wife based on Christ’s coming not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”How does Pastor Mike’s definition of submission strike you? Is there anything you would add, qualify or omit?
- Pastor Mike shared some “little foxes” that “spoil the vine” of marriage. Which can you relate to? What others can you think of?
- How does the gospel empower us to fulfill the relational roles God has placed us in?