BECAUSE IT’S WORTH IT - Amazon Web Servicesgccwired.s3.amazonaws.com/attachments/BecauseIts... · And as we worship GOD, serve GOD and help each other on the discipleship pathway,

BECAUSE IT’S WORTH IT

DEAR FRIENDS,

Granger Community Church is no accident.

The Church was started on purpose, with purpose and for GOD’s purpose. In fact, the Church was GOD’s idea.

The people of Granger Community Church have been on mission for nearly 30 years, helping people take their next steps toward Christ...together.

Much has changed in 30 years, but our commitment to the Great Commandment and Great Commission is stronger than ever. Jesus said GOD’s greatest command was simple, not easy. He said it meant we’d step into action, that we would love GOD and love our neighbor. He commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptize them and teach them to obey everything He commanded.

That’s what we are going to do.

And as we worship GOD, serve GOD and help each other on the discipleship pathway, we will live on mission with our children and the emerging adults of the next generation.

We will be grateful for GOD’s grace, trusting in GOD’s goodness and focusing like a laser on GOD’s mission…because it’s worth it! I hope this guide will help you grasp the "why" behind the "what" of our mission, and that you’ll be able to use it as a tool to become even more engaged and challenged in the world GOD has called us together to serve…because it’s worth it.

Sheila and I are with you. Let’s do this!

Mark Beeson, Lead Pastormarkbeeson.com

CONTENTS

30 YEARS OF HISTORY

ABOUT/BECAUSE IT’S WORTH IT

MICHIANA: HERE FOR A REASON

WEEKENDS

SERVE

DISCIPLESHIP

KIDS

STUDENTS

WHAT NOW?

GIVING STEPS

WHERE THE DOLLARS GO

SAMPLE COUNT ME IN CARD

WHAT'S NEXT

WAYS TO GIVE

WEEK 1 DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 2 DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 3 DEVOTIONALS

WEEK 4 DEVOTIONALS

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8

10

12

14

16

18

20

23

24

26

28

30

31

33

47

61

75

YEARS OF HISTORY

Back in the 80s, Mark and Sheila Beeson moved (against all popular advice) to Granger, Indiana, with their young children. They had a vision to start a church that related to people right where they were. They didn’t have all the answers, but they did have a dream. Nobody had done church like this before.

Mark and Sheila started in their living room with five people, and almost 30 years later, several thousand gather each weekend at Granger Community Church at two locations, with online attendees from around the globe.

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7

HE ANSWERED, ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND’; AND, ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’-LUKE 10:27HE ANSWERED, ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND’; AND, ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’-LUKE 10:27HE ANSWERED, ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND’; AND, ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’-LUKE 10:27

ABOUT GRANGER COMMUNITY

CHURCH

FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, the people of Granger Community Church have witnessed breathtaking moments of life transformation through Jesus Christ in ourselves, in our neighborhoods and even on the other side of the planet. We believe God is redeeming, restoring and rebuilding our lives because He says we’re worth it. “Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you." - Isaiah 43:4

We gather together to worship because His name is worth it. We sit on the edge of our seats, thirsty for Truth, because our souls are worth it. We are for Michiana because our community is worth it. We train pastors in India and send teams to work in Nicaragua because our world is worth it. We teach our kids because they are worth it. We train our students because our future is worth it. We make disciples because God’s mission is worth it. In a world divided, we are united, because it’s worth it.

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THESE ARE THE FIVE THINGS WE FOCUS ON, FIVE STRATEGIES THAT GET OUR TIME AND THE BEST OF OUR RESOURCES:

WE GATHER ON THE WEEKENDS TO WORSHIPStrengthening the ways we worship Jesus and inviting our friends to join us.

WE SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS Reaching our neighbors: here and there, in Michiana and around the world.

WE MAKE DISCIPLES FOR GOD’S MISSIONHelping each other pray, study, care and live on mission as Jesus’ disciples.

WE TEACH OUR KIDS Partnering with families to train up children to trust, love and serve God.

WE TRAIN OUR STUDENTSInvesting in the next generation as we worship, group up and serve...together.


We believe God wants Granger Community Church to be known as a church where people are warmly welcomed by us and surprised by the love of Jesus. A place where we help people take their next steps toward Christ…together.

The opportunities before us are tremendous. Just a few years ago, St. Joseph and Elkhart counties were among the “Worst Places to Live” in the country. Things are changing.

Recently, the “Money Under 30” group asked this question: “Where are young people making more money and also keeping more of it?” Today, South Bend is the number one city in the country for young people to move based on their ability to live a financially desirable lifestyle and save money.

St. Joseph and Elkhart counties are growing again. Construction activity is up more than 66%. Commercial construction investments of more than $480 million were projected in November 2015. Michiana is seeing growth in all sectors.

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MICHIANA:HERE FOR A REASON.

YOU ARE HERE

30YEARS

New people will be moving to our area. Families will be in transition as kids begin attending new schools and their parents take on new job responsibilities. Young people will be settling into first jobs and new friendships. As people navigate the stressors of transition, we must be ready to meet them where they are with the message of Jesus’ love and an invitation for them to experience abundant life.

Today, there are 320,000 unchurched people in our tri-county area. We must do whatever it takes to build relationships based on empathy and care. We're just getting started on the exciting work happening through Granger Community Church.

It’s who we’ve been for nearly 30 years now. It’s who we’ll continue to be: a mission outpost in Michiana, shining Christ’s love throughout our community.

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There are

320,000 unchurched people in our

tri-county area.

TIP: You'll see lots of fun stats from 2015 throughout this piece. These aren't just numbers. They represent people, changed lives and possibilities!

WEEKENDSThe church gathers on the weekends to worship Jesus and we invite our friends and community to join us. We are people of the Bible who discover our story wrapped up in the Story of God. We work hard to contextualize our weekend experience within our present culture, so that the Gospel is delivered with clarity and relevance.

Our prayer is that anyone attending Granger Community Church would choose to return because their spiritual thirst is being met by Jesus; because they experience the joy, excellence and practical biblical help that draws each of us closer to Him.

Because the arts honor God and inspire people, our consistent use of music, video and creativity makes the weekend experience ideally suited for helping people discover and take their next steps.

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What if our weekend services experienced double-digit percentage growth in the next two years?

What if we had room for everyone to have a seat at the Elkhart Campus? Had space for 150 kids each service? Had parking that was adequate?

What if we enhanced the environment of our weekend worship space to improve our focus on the delivery of the Gospel? Because the message of Christ is worth it.

WHAT IF...

There are some things we’re dreaming about. Asking big

questions. Like, "What if...this happened?" Read on to discover and ask these questions with us.

10,192 attended Christmas

Eve services.

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WE MUST...Each of us must consistently invite our friends to our weekend services to meet Jesus and experience the love and forgiveness He brings.

We must develop additional leaders and teachers, broadening our diverse team for maximum impact to reach a larger number of the 320,000 unchurched people in our area.

We must be a people God is using to see marriages healed, domestic violence reduced, and Michiana become a place families choose to move to…because our community is worth it.

We must reach thousands more each weekend…because people are worth it.

There are some things we’ve realized we must do in order

to fulfill God’s call on our church. Keep an eye out for these in the coming pages.

413 made a decision to

follow Christ.

2,400 total volunteerhours went into

#4MICHIANA, a local serving experience for

the whole family.

SERVEServing others is part of our DNA at Granger Community Church (GCC). We give our time and talents to extend God’s love in our kids’ and students’ ministries, in our guest services teams, in groups, in the arts and in caring for our campus and facilities. In our neighborhoods and work places. In our community, both here and there. We are for Michiana, because our community is worth it.

We want every student and adult at GCC to understand their God-given SHAPE, that is, their unique wiring to serve, so that thousands of us are living on mission in our church, in our community and around the world for the sake of Christ…because His mission is worth it.

4,150 man-hours were

required to pull off the Food Drop.

6,600 families were

supported with food.

More than

150 adults, students and children traveled to Nicaragua to feed people and help with community development.

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WE MUST...We must increase our efforts with #4MICHIANA. We’ll give more to feed more hungry people. We’ll innovate new ways for us to serve so our community knows God loves them and we love them…because our neighbors are worth it.

We must continue to deploy hundreds of volunteers to serve in the inner-city of South Bend through Monroe Circle Community Center (MC3) and our partner organizations. Through mentoring, financial literacy initiatives, community partnerships, Son City Kids and Carpenter’s Hands, we intend to see the love of Christ make more of an impact than in the past decade…because the city is worth it.

What if every on-campus volunteer team was inviting new people to join them, helping new people experience community in a fulfilling way with space to take their next steps toward Christ? Because the Kingdom is worth it.

What if our Elkhart campus family adopted a local public school to encourage their teachers and administrators and to support and care for their students, demonstrating the love of Jesus through our hands and our time?

What if, during the next two years, we could quadruple the current number of church planters in India?

What if we served the least of these by building a dozen more houses and helping 100 more kids receive exceptional education in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere…because God says they are worth it?

What if we move from 40% of us serving regularly to 60% of us making a difference through our time and talents?

WHAT IF...

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Almost

2,500 volunteers serve here

regularly within the church's walls.

DISCIPLESHIP

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God’s design for us is Christ-centered transformation in every area of our lives, which is what it means to be a disciple. We follow Jesus, learning how to love and live as He modeled for us. Because we are created for relationships and not intended for isolation, we group up...because His call is worth it.

Together, we are committed to studying the Scriptures, prayer and helping each other take steps to be more like Jesus. Together, we love and are loved; we care and are cared for.

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1,000+ are involved in

groups where people encourage and

challenge one another.

100+ groups gather regularly.

What if our people could engage a process where they would gain a comprehensive perspective on their unique wiring and develop a life plan that honors God’s purposes? What if new levels of intentionality for leadership development were possible for every leader in our church…because our influence is worth it.

What if our groups were places where people wanted to be, doing life together in such an explosive way that we see double-digit percentage growth in numbers of those participating?

What if each of us owned our spiritual journey in personal relationship with Jesus, committed to learning His way through the Bible? What if we lived lives of love, accepting our responsibility to invite others to follow Him with us?

WHAT IF...

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We must offer on-ramps to intentional, structured discipleship opportunities for everyone—especially new believers and new guests.

We must provide a way to help each of us understand and identify our place in God’s Grand Story, to understand and embrace His mission for our lives.

We must develop a track of Bible classes to equip us in our marriages, parenting, generosity and knowledge of Christ. We are committed to studying and applying the Bible to our lives…because our witness to the world is worth it.

WE MUST...

459 people were baptized across both campuses.

696kids attended

day camp.

166 kids received a

scholarship to attend day camp, thanks to the Christmas

Offering.

85 kids were baptized

at Granger and Elkhart.

125 little ones were dedicated

by their parents.

KIDSGranger Kids engages every child in 5th grade and below: on the weekends, through summer day camps, during key transition seasons and more. Families attending Granger Community Church (GCC) are definitely bringing their kids along. Nearly 900 kids experience the love of Christ through Granger Kids each weekend across both campuses. GCC believes our kids and students are the church of TODAY.

What if 800 kids attended day camp and 300 children were baptized or dedicated?

What if at the Elkhart Campus we relocated our offices to the lower level, to create additional space for children during each weekend service?

WHAT IF...

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SPECIAL FRIENDSWe also serve kids with special needs who may not be able to join regular weekend services due to challenges or impairments. We offer a loving, but more appropriate, program called Special Friends. For 5th grade and below, it's a one-on-one ministry where the family and ministry leaders work together to determine a comprehensive plan to help their child feel loved and take steps toward Christ. The teens and adults program (a small group-focused environment) meets on Saturday nights.

The Early Learning Center of Granger Community Church is a licensed, accredited, faith-based private school for young children 2 ½ years of age through Kindergarten. We believe there is tremendous opportunity to grow intellectually and spiritually during the early childhood years. Honoring the family as the child’s most influential teacher, our loving and professional staff provides safe, active learning in environments designed to inspire wonder and engage the whole child.

250 volunteers give

90 minutes each weekend to help

make the weekend service the best hour of every kid's week!

WE MUST...We must make provision for every child who wants to go to day camp, where they can make new friends, experience the love of Jesus and learn in a uniquely fun environment.

We must commit to involving parents through high-impact family opportunities that help them effectively navigate childhood transitions and take steps together toward Jesus.

STUDENTSGranger Student Ministries (GSM) has experienced 20% growth in weekends, camps, retreats and students taking next steps in their personal relationships with Jesus. Our weekend gathering has seen more students than any other point in our history. Our high school and middle school retreats have set new records in participation.

Still, there's work to do. In our immediate neighborhoods, recreational drug use is increasing, not decreasing. Accidental deaths and overdoses have profoundly impacted our community in the past year. We must intercept these trends; we must resource parents. Anything less than our best is simply not good enough. Together we must reach the next generation.

WE MUST...We must continue to increase with double-digit percentage growth, seeing more families healed and our students trained to be leaders. Growth requires more staff to serve and lead our students...because their future is worth it.

We must intercept the use of drugs, alcohol and self-harm with the hope found in Christ…because the next generation is worth it.

We must provide practical help (workshops, seminars and conferences) for parents to understand their students and equip them to model and train their students at home…because our families are worth it.

325 students connect

with each other weekly through GSM, to discover and apply God's truth to

their lives.

277kids attended

middle school camp.141

students (close to half!) received a

scholarship from the Christmas Offering to

attend camp.

107students and

26adult leaders

went on student mission trips.

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What if we made provision for every student who wants to go to middle school camp?

What if we helped more students put their faith into action through serving initiatives both near and far?

What if we raised up more student leaders who took ownership of their faith and led in the church and their community now, as students?

WHAT IF...

WE MUST...We must hire, develop and train more staff leaders to equip each of us to live on mission.

We must continue to improve two campuses that span 61 acres of land with 10 acres of asphalt and more than 1,300 parking spaces.

We must continue to streamline more than 130,000 sq. ft. of indoor facility space used for gathering, while maintaining a "like new" condition and modern décor.

We must develop innovative methods for gathering information and communicating powerful stories with each guest, new and old, in the most efficient and effective ways possible.

We must train young leaders and church planters.

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As we have for nearly 30 years, we are intentionally moving toward a way of living defined by love and generosity motivated by God’s love. This isn't about giving money to a specific project or goal—though we hope to accomplish a lot of those in the next few years. This is about each of us examining our hearts and determining to live in such a way that generosity defines us. Changes our DNA. Shapes our choices.

What if for the next two years, we all come together and do our part? What if we all give to one mission out of which all the work of the church is supported? One fund that will provide everything from maintaining the beautiful campuses we already have, as well as provide for kids and students, groups and more. One bucket of resources that, if filled, gives us the opportunity to turn all our "What ifs" into realities.

You've probably heard it said that to be healthy, fads don't work. Being healthy requires a lifestyle change. One visit to the gym and a single salad won't do the job. It requires consistent, daily discipline to eat well and exercise to be healthy.

Generosity works the same way. Giving daily of yourself, your time, your talent and your resources will develop in you the kind of generous spirit—a spirit of love—that enables all of us to advance the cause of Christ in Michiana, in a way that none of us could do on our own.

As each of us takes the next step God is asking of us in terms of generosity together, we will fuel the work of Jesus through Granger Community Church. Life change, hope and healing, that's our focus, through the weekend experience, serving, discipleship, teaching kids and training students.

Being generous is

EASYwhen it's a one-time thing. But it's a lot

more effective when it becomes a way of

LIFE.

So what does this mean for you? Where do you go from here? We hope this guide is a tool that spurs you on to discover what your next step is. Those steps will look different for each of us, but the impact will be huge. Take your step and watch to see what God will do!

One church. One mission.

One fund.

BECAUSE IT'S

WORTH IT.

WHAT NOW?

CONSISTENT

PERCENTAGE

TITHING

PROGRESSIVE

FEARLESS

GIVING STEPS

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Generositywill markmy life.

I will give more than 10%

of my income.

I will give 10% of my income.

I will begin to give a

percentageof my income.

I will beginto give

consistently.

CONSISTENT You might not have ever given anything to Granger Community Church, or you currently give occasionally. Make your first gift, or next gift and plan to give regularly.

PERCENTAGEMaybe you’ve given occasionally, or you give regularly. Accept the challenge to give in the same way you budget for other expenses: consistent percentages of your income. Will you move from giving something, to giving 2%, 5%, 7%, consistently?

TITHINGWhat if you accepted the biblical challenge to test God's faithful character by giving 10% of your income (tithe) consistently?

PROGRESSIVEAre you currently tithing, giving 10%? What might a step of love look like for you? Is your rent or mortgage 20% of your income? What if you increased your percentage giving to 11%, 13% or even 20%?

FEARLESSPerhaps you are already giving beyond your tithe to the work of Granger Community Church. If you find yourself here, consider setting a lifetime generosity goal (a specific number) for your family’s Kingdom giving during the course of your lifetime. What would that look like for the next year? Two years?

TIP: Wherever you are on the Giving Steps, consider additional resources God has blessed you with (like savings, stocks, etc.) that He might be asking you to give to His work through Granger Community Church.

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The Giving Steps are a tool designed to help each of us focus on the attitudes of our hearts. Each step represents growth in a lifestyle of generosity and sacrifice. These are not steps you ascend to get closer to God, but are a simple way for you to evaluate your personal growth in generosity. The Bible encourages us to grow in every aspect of our walk with Jesus, including the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

DISCIPLESHIP

SERVE

WEEKEND

19¢

18¢

26¢

FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE, HERE'S WHERE IT GOES.

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STUDENTS

19¢

KIDS

18¢

MATH TIME! Don’t stress! There’s no test at the end

of this. This space is for you to jot down some ideas

and numbers that you feel like God might be calling

you to give.

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If paper and pen isn’t your style, pledge online at GCCwired.com/worthit

Tell us why this vision has captured your heart and support. Share your story by emailing us at [email protected].

PLEASE PRINT

Name(s):

My Campus: Granger Elkhart Phone:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Email: Birthdate: / /

Signature: Date:

Contact me about donating stocks or other assets.

SAMPLE

COUNT ME IN

A

B

C

$5,000

$2,500

$7,500$15,000

$7,000

$22,000

A

B

C

John Smith faithfully gives 10% of his $50,000 salary.

After praying through this series, John feels led to become a generous giver, increasing his gift to 15%.

In addition to his expanded giving, John chooses to give a generous gift of stock, which the church then sells for $7,000.

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MY PROJECTED GIVING

MY PROJECTED GIVINGCALCULATE HERE

My Expanded Annual Generosity

x 2 years =

+

=

+

=

Through my faith in God’s provision,my intention is to give to GCC:

CONSISTENT

PERCENTAGE

TITHING

PROGRESSIVE

FEARLESS

I’m taking this step today and moving to this level of giving:

(Information to be used for budget purposes and your next step of trust in God’s faithfulness.)

WAYS TO GIVEIN PERSON AT A KIOSK

ONLINE TEXT

Text GIVE to 574.575.4114

Set it up atGCCwired.com/give

Stop by aneasy-to-use kiosk.

Drop it in the offeringbag during service.

31TIP: For electronic giving, be sure to select "general" giving. We are one church. One mission. One fund.

APPRECIATED ASSET

Learn about the benefits of giving assets. Contact

[email protected]

WHAT'S NEXT?

PRAY. You might feel ready to give right here and now. That’s great! But most of us will need time over the coming weeks to think and process through where we are and what God will want us to do next. Spend time in prayer each day this month.

TURN IN YOUR COUNT ME IN CARD. Evaluate and consider what next giving step you're going to take. There is no one-size-fits-all formula, no quick accounting, no percentage target. This isn’t something set in stone, but it will help us plan and be strategic about what we are able to achieve together for God’s purposes. If you'd rather take this step online, go to GCCwired.com/worthit to get started.

CONSIDER YOUR KICKSTART OFFERING. This is a very personal journey for everyone involved. One person might make a million dollar gift without changing their lifestyle, while another will give $100 and have to radically adjust their spending for the year. Consider what your kickstart offering will be and give. Pick the method that works for you: in person, at a kiosk, online, via text or through an appreciated asset.

TELL YOUR STORY. Tell others about why you believe in this vision. Let your friends know why this is so important to you that you’re making changes in your lifestyle to give. Send it in to [email protected]. Your story will challenge others to take a step in generosity, but only if you tell it!

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WEEK 1DEVOTIONAL GUIDES

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DATE: MESSAGE TITLE:

KEY SCRIPTURES:

WEEKEND SERIES NOTES

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WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN

SCRIPTURE READING: DATE:

EXPERIENCE JESUSHow or where did Jesus show up in your life this week?

How did you or will you respond?

Highlights and questions from the weekend:

EQUIP TO BE REPRODUCING DISCIPLES Who are you pouring into or how are you being equipped?

ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY How are you serving and who are you inviting?

MY NEXT STEP Before next week, I will...

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When did you first hear about the love of God? When has it felt most real to you?

KEY SCRIPTURE

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.-John 3:16

WEEK 1 | DAY 1

36

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:

WHERE OR HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN UP FOR ME TODAY?

HERE’S HOW I WILL RESPOND:

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WEEK 1 | DAY 2

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What in your life―your personal history or current circumstance―makes it difficult to trust the love of God? Is there anything that feels like it stands in the way of that love? If there is, take some time to reread this passage slowly and prayerfully, and ask God to help these words sink in.

KEY SCRIPTURE

If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:31-35, 37-39

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 1 | DAY 3

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Where in your life have you most needed the grace of God?

KEY SCRIPTURE

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 1 | DAY 4

42

Today, try writing a prayer of thanks to God. What words would you use to express to Him your gratitude for the ways He has loved you?

KEY SCRIPTUREPraise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.-Psalm 103:1-5

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 1 | DAY 5

44

How could you actively love God today? Is there an act of obedience, a greater attention to His Word, a special sacrifice you could make, that expresses your love for Him?

KEY SCRIPTURE“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." -Matthew 22:36-38

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



45



47


KEY SCRIPTURES:


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WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN








49

WEEK 2 | DAY 1

50

How has the Church–the people of God, whether at GCC or elsewhere–helped you discover God’s love? Where have you seen His power at work in the Church?

KEY SCRIPTUREI kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:14-21

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 2 | DAY 2

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KEY SCRIPTUREDear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. -1 John 4:7-12

Have you ever been well-loved by another follower of Jesus? What happened? What effect did it have on you?

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 2 | DAY 3

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KEY SCRIPTUREAnd the second [command] is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ -Matthew 22:39

Which neighbors come to mind when you ask God who He’s calling you to love? People on your street? Co-workers? Classmates? Name them and begin to pray for them, asking God how you might love them the way God has loved us.

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 2 | DAY 4

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KEY SCRIPTUREYou are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -Ephesians 2:19-22

What do you think our church should be like if we are “being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit”?

FOCUS QUESTION

NOTES

DATE:



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WEEK 2 | DAY 5

58

KEY SCRIPTUREWhen Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” -Matthew 16:13-18

When Jesus says the gates of Hades (or hell) will not overcome the church, He’s creating an image of a church that raids hell to rescue the people there. Have you seen the Church rescue people? What has that felt like?

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59



61


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62

WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN








63

WEEK 3 | DAY 1

64

KEY SCRIPTUREThen Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20

What has God given you that can help with this mission, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey Jesus?

FOCUS QUESTION

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65

WEEK 3 | DAY 2

66

KEY SCRIPTUREThey devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47

How could God use your generosity as He adds “to [our] number daily those who [are] being saved?”

FOCUS QUESTION

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67

WEEK 3 | DAY 3

68

KEY SCRIPTUREFor this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.-2 Peter 1:5-8

Where are you at in this path, taking steps from faith to love? What’s your next step?

FOCUS QUESTION

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69

WEEK 3 | DAY 4

70

KEY SCRIPTUREBut whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. -Philippians 3:7-9

What is it about knowing Christ that would cause a person to consider everything else worthless in comparison? What are you tempted to treasure more than your relationship with Jesus?

FOCUS QUESTION

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71

WEEK 3 | DAY 5

72

KEY SCRIPTUREI want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.-Philippians 3:10-11

How might you become like Jesus in his death? What can you lay down in life today as you remember Jesus laying down his life?

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73



75


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76

WEEKLY GROWTH PLAN








77

WEEK 4 | DAY 1

78

KEY SCRIPTURENot that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:12-14

What do you need to forget or leave behind as you strain ahead toward Jesus?

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79

WEEK 4 | DAY 2

80

KEY SCRIPTURECommand those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.-1 Timothy 6:17-19

In what ways are you rich? How are you tempted to put your hope in that wealth?

FOCUS QUESTION

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81

WEEK 4 | DAY 3

82

KEY SCRIPTUREOne person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:24-25

Have you ever given something away and discovered that you were richer after you gave than before?

FOCUS QUESTION

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83

WEEK 4 | DAY 4

84

KEY SCRIPTUREEach of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. -2 Corinthians 9:7-8

What are you sensing in your heart as you prepare to give to the good work we’re doing together as a church?

FOCUS QUESTION

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85

WEEK 4 | DAY 5

86

KEY SCRIPTUREThis service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! -2 Corinthians 9:12-15

What kind of impact do you dream of that will come as the result of your generosity?

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87

NOTES NOTES

8988

NOTES

90

FOR SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS UPCOMING EVENTS AND

GROUPS, VISIT GCCWIRED.COM.

“YOU WILL BE ENRICHED IN EVERY WAY SO THAT YOU CAN BE GENEROUS

ON EVERY OCCASION, AND THROUGH US YOUR GENEROSITY WILL RESULT IN

THANKSGIVING TO GOD.” -2 CORINTHIANS 9:11


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