Connect:

Pastor Keith shared a story about his experience with Running Rivers, where his initial understanding of how rivers flow was completely wrong, leading him to work against himself. Have you ever experienced something similar with a new sport, hobby, or activity? What was it like when you realized you were going about it the wrong way?

Discuss:

1. Have you ever felt something similar in your walk with Jesus?  Living out the disciplines in a way that was exhausting or where you were working against yourself?

2. Romans 12 describes the sequence of motivation that leads to worshipful surrender. Where does the sequence begin? (Vs. 1)

3. Pastor Keith suggested that what often triggers this sequence in the life of a believer is an “aesthetic experience with the Mercy of God” or an encounter with beauty. Can you relate to this? Have you ever had such an experience?

4. Timothy Keller says that “Religious People find God Useful, but people who’ve been transformed by God, consider Him beautiful.” Which of these do you feel best describes you?

5. Pastor Keith encouraged us to seek out practices which remind us of this. (Corporate, Personal, and Missional).  What practices have you personally found helpful?

Pray:

• Ask God to help you recognize His beauty and mercy in your daily life.
• Pray for a deeper understanding of how worship and surrender are intertwined in your walk with Him, and for the strength to embrace spiritual practices that draw you closer to His heart.
• Spend time praying for any prayer requests that came out during discussion.
• Pray for Thailand team as they return to Canada and process all that they learnt and experienced.
• Pray for our local Muslim friends at the Ahmadiyya Mosque on Eastgate Drive as they fast during Ramadan.