40 Days of Life Additional Resources
Use the following resources in your small group. Click on the video link to view and follow with discussion questions provided below.
Week #1: Setting Your Course
Video: The Momentum of Decision | Steven Furtick | https://youtu.be/77Tebh7Z220
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
- What is the difference between an event and a decision?
- What was the chain of events that led these disciples to leave everything and follow Jesus. What was the chain of events in your life?
- From a human perspective following Jesus is a dumb decision for the disciples? Why?
- What is the difference between receiving God’s grace to be saved and becoming a disciple?
- “The deepest things He will do in my life start shallow.” What does this mean in the context of Luke 5? Before they left everything they did a little thing? What was it? Can you think of a little thing you can do or have done that can make a great difference?
- “Sometime you need to ____________something that’s defeating you.” Is this true for you?
- Why did Jesus choose Peter?
- “Don’t use the wisdom of today to beat you up for yesterday's decisions.” Can you think of an example of this?
- What is the significance of Jesus choosing Peter’s boat?
- What does 1 Peter 1:21 tell us?
Week #2: For His Pleasure
Video: Watch the Throne: 24Ever | Michael Todd | https://youtu.be/a65p4ZvNVJs
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
- What is the definition of worship?
- It's not worship if it's not________.
- It's not worship if it's not________.
- Why does your heart really look like the bridge of the USS Enterprise?
- What are the seven things that make up your heart (command central)?
- Who should be in the captain's chair? What things in life tend to jump in the captain's chair?
- What is the definition of an idol?
- Read Proverbs 23:7. How does this relate to the phrase, "all your issues are heart issues"?
- Read 2 Kings 17:32-41. What can we learn about worship from this?
- How can idols hinder your worship of God?
- Write out Proverbs 4:23. "We let people who are unqualified speak into our hearts." What are some ways we let unqualified people have access to our hearts?
- Devotion time is important because it is a time to dethrone something. What things do you need to dethrone?
- What is the vision statement of the USS Enterprise?
Week #3: Shaped for God's Family
Video: Start Going to Church | Robert Morris | https://gatewaypeople.com/series/3-steps-to-victory?sermon=Start-Going-to-Church
Discussion Questions:
We go to church for God's __________.
We go to church for God's __________.
We go to church for God's __________.
Discussion Questions:
We go to church for God's __________.
We go to church for God's __________.
We go to church for God's __________.
- How would you answer someone asking, "Why should I go to church?"
- Can you think of a time when you experienced God's presence in a real way during worship?
- Read Hebrews 10:25. How is being assembled together different that simply coming together?
- Pastor Robert uses the example of a sheep being on the fringes and needing to work its way to the middle of the pack. What does it look like to move to the middle and how do we do this?
- Can you think of a time when you experienced edification, direction, or protection as you assembled with God's people?
- Pastor Robert shares testimonies of God's power being released in people's lives when they assembled together. How do you need God's power and God's presence to be released in your life? Discuss.
- What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
Week #4: Fighting Temptation
Video: A Way Out: Fighting Temptation | https://youtu.be/Y4yL0J9a2kU
Discussion Questions:
- On a scale from Craig to “cat people,” how do you feel about the feline family?
- What one idea from the message is playing over in your mind?
- Think about your response to temptation. Are you stronger on defense or offense?
- Do you respond to temptation differently from someone who does not follow Christ? How?
- Read James 4:7. Talk about what it means to submit to God in relation to your greatest temptations.
- Talk about sneakier temptations like pride, comfort-first living, and selfishness. How can you address these in your life?
- Thought > Imagination > Justification > Choice > Sin. Share a story of going through this temptation process. Talk about how to fight your way out.
- Share a story of a time when you overcame temptation. What was the key to your success?
- What doors to temptation are you keeping cracked open that you need to slam shut?
Week #5: The Two Most Dangerous Lies
Video: The Two Most Dangerous Lies | https://youtu.be/qw3737O8H9U
Discussion Questions:
- God’s thoughts are higher than ours. What does this mean?
- Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.
- What does it mean to “offer the sacrifice of fools”?
- What kind of person is God looking for?
- If God is a loving God, then how could He punish people?
- There are many passages about God’s wrath (Rev 4:1-11; Rev 19:1-3)
- Worship is going on in heaven. What are they saying hallelujah about?
- Does anyone ever praise God for his wrath?
- What is Noah’s ark really about?
- What are the two jobs a prophet is given?
- Why does God warn us about his wrath? (2 Thes 1:6-10, Nahum 1:2-6, Zeph 1:14-18, Rev 21:1-8) How do these verses make you feel?
- Read Romans 2:4-8
- How do we store up wrath for ourselves?
- What’s the blessing in these verses?
- What’s the warning in these verses?
- Open Up: Do you have a passage that changed your entire life? Share that passage and how it has changed you.
- Read Matthew 16:24-26; What does this passage mean to you?
Week #6: Mastermind- Reframing & Pulling Down Strongholds
Video: Mastermind- youtu.be/A9lL_z4DIwY
Discussion Questions:
Key Scriptures
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14 NIV)
God, thank You for protecting me, for guiding us, for drawing us closer to You, especially when we can’t see it. You are so good to us. You are worth every bit of affection, worship, and time we could ever give You. Holy Spirit, give us the power to reframe our thinking through the goodness of God. Amen!
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
Pastor Craig’s Daily Declarations (edited list)Because of Jesus …
- Name one random pet peeve about your life. Okay, now practice reframing the way you talk about it.
- How would you describe this recent message to someone who doesn’t believe in God.
Key Scriptures
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14 NIV)
- Share your gut response to this statement: Perspective is reality.
- Pastor Craig said what we believe determines how we behave. How do you see this statement played out?
- Do you have any default filters or “frames” that change the way you see life experiences?
- Read Philippians 1:12-14. Describe a situation you’re facing that you’d like to reframe your perspective about.
- What can you thank God for about your situation? How can you grow from it? How will you look for God’s goodness in it?
God, thank You for protecting me, for guiding us, for drawing us closer to You, especially when we can’t see it. You are so good to us. You are worth every bit of affection, worship, and time we could ever give You. Holy Spirit, give us the power to reframe our thinking through the goodness of God. Amen!
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- This week, write down the difficult situations you’re facing. Then, thank God for the good in each, daily.
- If you haven’t yet, take a look at Pastor Craig’s daily declarations: www.life.church/declarations https://openblog.life.church/the-power-of-personal-declarations/
Pastor Craig’s Daily Declarations (edited list)Because of Jesus …
- I am a child of God. (Galatians 3:26)
- I am a spiritual contributor, not a spiritual consumer.
- I am alive. (Romans 6:11)
- I am a faith-filled, life-speaking, fully devoted follower of Christ.
- I am Christ’s ambassador. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
- I am a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
- I am content in Christ alone.
- I am chosen. (Ephesians 1:4)
- I am determined to love God and people with everything I have.
- I am a child of God. (John 1:12-13)
- I am strengthened by God who upholds me, protects me, and defends me.
- I am joyful. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am gentle. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am not easily offended and will not hold onto bitterness.
- I am patient. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am faithful. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am self-controlled. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am kind. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- I am known—even before I was born. (Jeremiah 1:5)
- I am steady. (Psalm 91:1)
- I am not alone—God is with me.
- I am loved. (John 3:16)
- I am fierce in confidence and boldness because God is with me.
- I am free. (John 8:32)
- I am healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
- I am unashamed. (Romans 8:1)
- I am called and equipped to go after the righteous desires God puts in my heart.
- I am strong. (1 John 2:14)
- I am fearless. (Isaiah 43:5)
- I am secure. (John 10:28-29)
- I am not a people-pleaser because I answer to God first and seek to please Him.
- I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- I am not shaken. (Psalm 62:6)
- I am not stuck in worry because Jesus offers a peace this world cannot give.
- I am born again. (1 Peter 1:23)
- I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
- I am named by God, not labeled by man.
- I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)
- I am mighty in His power. (Ephesians 6:10)
- I am the Church and I exist for the world. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
- I am the daughter of the King of all kings.
- Because of Jesus, I lack nothing.
- God has given me everything I need to do what He’s called me to do.
- I speak encouraging, life-giving words and build others up.
- The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
- I will not compare myself to other women. God made us all beautifully unique.
- I will hold myself to God’s standards and measure myself with grace.
- I will love and laugh rather than fight and complain.
- I refuse to waste my life on meaningless things.
- I will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. (Micah 6:8)
- Through Christ I am strong, gentle, fierce, and compassionate.
- I will fight the good fight for what matters most. (2 Timothy 4:7)
- I am the son of the King of all kings.
- I lay down my pride and selfishness, giving all glory to the one true God.
- I love my family like Christ loved the Church—giving Himself up for her.
- I fight for purity, guarding my eyes and heart from tempting situations.
- I seek friendships with other godly men to sharpen my perspective. (Proverbs 27:17)
- I wait for God to open the right doors and take action when He does.
- I’m not defined by my failures or successes.
- I finish what I start.
- I never give up!
- I will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. (Micah 6:8)
- Through Christ I am strong, gentle, fierce, and compassionate.
- I am a warrior! I stand firm, even when the pain is crippling because God is my strength.
- I will fight the good fight for what matters most. (2 Timothy 4:7)