Connected to the Core

At the core of each of lie a set of values. Right or wrong, good or bad, we all have deep-seated beliefs that shape what we do, how we spend our money, and the way we adjust our calendars. What is true for us individually is true for us as church family. Together, we live and function according to the values we share. Some of those values are good; others may have to be adjusted if we are going to be the people and the place that God has called us to be. In this series, we explore those core values that describe the church that God wants Anchor Point to become!

6. Getting Real

MARCH 25--From politicians, to athletes, to entertainers, to your next-door neighbors, it seems every where you turn there is scandal. With al the lies and secret lives it can be hard to figure out who to trust. Phonies and hypocrites are so common that it almost seems integrity has gone completely out of style. But then, do we really have to look outside of ourselves to find a pretender and a liar? When it comes to being genuine and real, rather than pointing the finger in someone else’s direction,
maybe we need to look inside our own lives...

In what ways do you feel as though your life is not really authentic?
How do you find yourself trying to cover up your weaknesses?
What are some ways that you avoid the discouragement of failures?
Name two or three things you could do to be more passionate, humble, God-focused, or dependent on God’s power.

5. Ministry "Jesus Style"

MARCH 18--Somewhere in time we let discipleship slip off into becoming one of the things we do in a church. For Jesus, it wasn’t just something He did, it was His entire approach to life. Making disciples is the mission. What could life be like if we were all walking through life constantly learning to follow Jesus and bring others along to gain from what we have learned?
What if discipleship wasn’t something we did, but how we lived? That would be ministry “Jesus Style”.

What is the main thing you are doing as you walk through life?
Would you describe yourself as an attendee or disciple? Why?
Who is inviting you and challenging you to grow? Who are you inviting to more closely follow Jesus? How are you challenging them?

Which of the three learning environments do you need to engage to become a more passionate follower of Jesus?

4. Listen Up!

MARCH 11--It's always best to go with God! The temptation we all face is to go our own direction and then ask God to bless our plans. But God desires for us to take the time to understand His direction, plans and purposes. Then we can join Him in walking out His plan knowing that He is with us and will direct our steps. In this message we explore the basic foundations of listening for God's direction and plan for our lives.

In what ways are you most likely to be discouraged from trying to hear from God?
What are you doing to make sure you have a regular, daily diet of God's word?
When is the last time you intentionally pursued solitude and stillness? How often do you seek it?
What are some tangible ways you will begin to risk sharing what you hear?

3. Go Together

MARCH 4--While many of us have been raised to celebrate the glories of rugged individualism, God’s plan for our lives is different. Rather than celebrating independence, God has designed us to flourish and be effective through interdependence. Almost all significant life change happens in the context of relationship. But effective relationship is not easy to find. How can we be related in a healthy way to each other? How do I find the relationships that help me to be fulfilled in heart and purpose?

Describe how each of the four spaces have been a part of your life in the past. Have any been missing in your past?
How is/could your current journey as a disciple be different because of the different groups that have been part of your life?
Which of the four spaces are you missing at Anchor Point?
How has God gifted you to be a part of your own process of becoming connected? Helping others get connected?

2. Bridges: There and Back Again

FEBRUARY 26--The church, as an agent of the kingdom of God, has been tasked to become a force of irresistible influence in our world. Sometimes it seems that we are neither irresistible nor an influence in our world. Instead, we have been coaxed and tempted into being an isolated island from a hurting and broken world. It may be nice on our island, but are we everything Jesus asked us to be? The more isolated we become, the harder it is to get out to the world that needs Jesus. Only those who are specially skilled or have special tools can cross the waters of hopelessness. How has this happened? What can we do to change the way it is?

Do you agree that there is a gap between “the church” and “the world”? Which side of the chasm do you most often find yourself on?
In what ways do you see Anchor Point being a people of influence for good in our community?
In what ways are you a person of influence for the gospel and the kingdom of God in our community?
In which of the four ways of “Coming Home” have you engaged?

1. Profile of Passion

FEBRUARY 19--A pretty small percentage of us could answer the question, “What is your passion in life?” We all have reasons why we keep our passions at arms length, but the failure to embrace the passion God gives you robs you of the opportunity to live out your call and destiny. . . the things God created you to do! At Anchor Point, we are not content to experience a safe, easy life! We want to be a place that is ardent in our desire to live “full throttle” for God. Peter’s life is a pattern of an ordinary man who saw God do extraordinary things through him. In this message we explore the journey of Peter’s life as he is transformed from ordinary fisherman to passionate follower of Jesus!

What does it mean to you to be invested in your call to follow Jesus? How would you assess your investment?
When God asks you to “just do it,” do you respond? Why or why not?
Describe a time when you saw God accomplish something through you that was more than you could have done on your own. How did that make you feel? How long has it been since you experienced that?
How valuable is God’s grace to you?