September 8-9, 2018
Renewal is a continuous process for a disciple of Jesus. Renewal is God taking our lives, which are broken by sin and the issues of this world, and renovating us to become more like Jesus - changing us to be the person God has created us to be. Renewal is a process where we participate with God by surrendering more and more of our lives to Him. Renewal is intentional.
Renewal Weekend is an opportunity for us individually and as a congregation to intentionally open ourselves to God seeking His renewing of our lives. We are suggesting that everyone have at least one specific Renewal Weekend block of time in which they focus on renewal. The time is yours to be used in prayer, study, fasting, meditation, and in doing whatever will help you be alone and open before God.
Renewal Weekend is an opportunity for us individually and as a congregation to intentionally open ourselves to God seeking His renewing of our lives. We are suggesting that everyone have at least one specific Renewal Weekend block of time in which they focus on renewal. The time is yours to be used in prayer, study, fasting, meditation, and in doing whatever will help you be alone and open before God.
Fasting. We are suggesting that each prayer participant include a time of fasting. Perhaps this may be during the block of time in which you are praying or for a more extended period of time. You should make sure that your fast is something that will not harm you physically. You should check with your doctor if you have any questions.
Fasting can include abstaining from food or some other item or activity, either completely or partially, for a specific period of time. In Scripture there are many reasons why people fast...when challenged by personal concerns, when facing danger, etc. Fasting is a spiritual discipline which allows us to set aside the normal distractions of our lives in order to focus on repentance from since and to humbly seek God. In Scripture, fasting is often shown accompanied by prayer (Ezra 8:23, Nehemiah 1:4, Pslam 35:13, Daniel 9:3, Luke 5:33) and worship (Nehemiah 9:1-3)
Fasting can include abstaining from food or some other item or activity, either completely or partially, for a specific period of time. In Scripture there are many reasons why people fast...when challenged by personal concerns, when facing danger, etc. Fasting is a spiritual discipline which allows us to set aside the normal distractions of our lives in order to focus on repentance from since and to humbly seek God. In Scripture, fasting is often shown accompanied by prayer (Ezra 8:23, Nehemiah 1:4, Pslam 35:13, Daniel 9:3, Luke 5:33) and worship (Nehemiah 9:1-3)
Bible Study. We are inviting everyone to participate in "One Thing Studies" focused on Renewal. A "One Thing Study" involves three steps focused on discovering one thing that God speaks to you. Feel free to do more than one study. The four steps are:
1. Pray and ask God tohelp you understand the meaning of the passage and to hear HIm as He speaks to you.
2. Read a passage and consider what the passage is saying. What is the meaning of the passage?
3. Highlight or underline one thing (a word or phrase that stands out to you). Think about what that phrase meay mean to you personally.
4. Pray about it asking God to help your understanding and to work in your heart. What difference will what you have read and consider make in your life?
Write down what God reveals to you through your One Thing Study. We encourage you to share what you are learning with others. This may be a great encouragement to them as well. We also want to encourage you to connect with other believers in your study of God's Word. God has given us each other to help us grow in our understanding and application of God's Word. Renewal Weekend is a great opportunity to commit to joining a Life Group of other Bible Study opportunity at Creekside.
1. Pray and ask God tohelp you understand the meaning of the passage and to hear HIm as He speaks to you.
2. Read a passage and consider what the passage is saying. What is the meaning of the passage?
3. Highlight or underline one thing (a word or phrase that stands out to you). Think about what that phrase meay mean to you personally.
4. Pray about it asking God to help your understanding and to work in your heart. What difference will what you have read and consider make in your life?
Write down what God reveals to you through your One Thing Study. We encourage you to share what you are learning with others. This may be a great encouragement to them as well. We also want to encourage you to connect with other believers in your study of God's Word. God has given us each other to help us grow in our understanding and application of God's Word. Renewal Weekend is a great opportunity to commit to joining a Life Group of other Bible Study opportunity at Creekside.
Prayer. As you pray we are suggesting the A.C.T.S. pattern of prayer:
- Adoration is prayer focused on God as we affirm our love for Him, reflect on His greatness, majesty, and sovereignty. Adoration is our opportunity to praise God for who He is and what He has done.
- Confession is prayer focused on acknowledging our sin, turning from our sin, and committing ourselves anew to God.
- Thanksgiving is prayer expressing our appreciation to God. It is an opportunity to stop our busyness and to consider all of God's blessings to us and others.
- Supplication is prayer asking God to respond to the concerns of our hearts. God invites us, as His children, to come before Him earnestly and in humility to bring our needs, the needs of others, and God's ministry before Him trusting that God in His time and in His way, according to His will, will take care of them.