REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

"Trees of Righteousness!"

 

ICEBREAKER:  What is your favorite Christmas cartoon or movie?

 

INTRODUCTION:

Just like the Christmas tree is a symbol of hope and right standing we are called to be trees of righteousness! We are called to be beautifully decorated with the fruit of the Spirit. We have to be nourished by the Son and well watered by the Word. We should provide shade from the elements of life and withstand the storms of life. We must be planted. We do not run from the darkness. We are called to arise and shine! We are privileged to be wrapped in God's light. We should be a place where people are not afraid to bring and display their gifts. According to Isaiah 60, the darker the world gets the brighter we appear to be. The passage says as Israel arises to its position of enlightenment the world will be drawn to the light as we point the way to Messiah. It says they will bring Israel their treasures, gold, silver and even their sons and daughters. I believe the world is waiting for a church that they can believe in enough to trust with what they value most. When the church assumes its true role as a beacon of light and its role as a value adder, I believe the world will be drawn to her too!

 

CONFESSION: 

I decree that I am the light of the world and the salt of the earth. 

I am a tree of righteousness decorated with ornaments of grace.

I have been beautified to be a beacon of hope to my generation!

I decree that I am part of the Church, the Body of Christ! 

I am not afraid of the darkness in this world. I along with all of God's people have been raised up to produce the following results:

1.   The Darker the world gets the brighter the church looks

2.   The Poorer the world gets the richer the church looks

3.   The Deader the world gets the more alive in Christ the church looks

4.   The more Barren the world gets the more fruitful the church looks

5.   The more Foolish the world gets the wiser the church looks

6.   The Weaker the world gets the stronger the church looks

7.   The more Hateful the world gets the more loving the church looks

 

PROPHETIC POEM:

Light Up

 

If you have been depressed I'm stirring the nest and I'm about to bring you forth out of a place of unrest 

 

If you have lost your song and cried all night long I'm about to heal your hurts and right your wrongs

 

If you have been under attack and even in a place of lack I'm about to bring you back

 

If you have felt confused and betrayed, and even at times afraid I'm about to bring you out of the shade into my marvelous light

 

If you have been weary and downcast and even broken down in the past I'm about to show you my salvation at last

 

If you have gone through cycles and seasons and that without logic or reasons I'm about to cause your life to come forth and to break even

 

If you have felt like you’re stuck in a bubble and everywhere you look all you see is trouble I'm about to reward your faithfulness with double.

 

If you have been lost in the dark and your enemies are circling like sharks I'm about to release a sound and even a holy bark

 

If you have sowed till you have no more and have fallen with your face to the floor, I'm about to raise you up on eagles wings and cause you to soar

 

If you have decided to just quit and said this is it I'm about to restore your resolve and renew your heart every single bit

 

If you have lost your way, and said all you know to say, I'm about to release new mercies for a brand new day

 

If you have been bent out of shape and been in and out of scrapes I'm about to lead you out for my name sake

 

If you have been bruised to the core and said I can't take any more I'm about to renew your vision to go through the next open door

 

If you have been weighed down by debt and it's caused you to fret I'm about to pay it off you ain't seen nothing yet

 

If you have been carrying shame and you've got no one else to blame I'm about to forgive you, release you and change your name

 

If you have felt restrained, in a box and contained, I'm about to cause you to break out with a  holy fire and a holy flame

 

If you felt dead inside and have no one in whom you feel you can confide I'm about to draw you close to my side

 

If you are tired of the race and feel like a basket case I'm about to surround you with a holy embrace

 

DEFINITION:  Light up: Show forth the light of God by giving, giving thanks, forgiving, sharing, serving, witnessing and blessing others

 

OUTLINE:  Trees of Righteousness

Just like the Christmas tree must be...

1.   Cut down, I must be cut free from bondage

2.   Decorated, I am beautified and decorated with joy and praise

3.   Covered with lights, I was lit up with the countenance of the King

4.   Kept green by staying well watered, I must be continually watered by the water of God's Word and the Holy Spirit

5.   Topped off with a star, I must point others toward the bright and morning star

6.   A fruit bearer, I must bear the fruit of the Spirit

7.   A gift and a place where others are not afraid to bring their gifts, so must I

 

TEXT:

Psalm 1; Isaiah 60, 61

 

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1.  How are we to be like a tree, according to Psalm 1? What does it mean symbolically if our leaves do not wither?

2.  Isaiah 60 says the world is getting darker. Identify one thing that proves that the world is getting darker.

3.  Name one thing that Christians can do to arise and shine in a dark world.

4.  Identify one way that God's people are richer than the world.

5.  Why do you think people get so depressed around the holidays sometimes?

6.  How could you make a difference in the lives of others this Christmas?

 

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

ACTION POINT: 

10 Gifts for God That Will Release the Blessing in Your Life

This week I'm going to light up my world like a Christmas tree of righteousness so I’m going to...

1.   Forgive someone who does not deserve it

2.   Serve someone who could never serve me

3.   Bless someone I do not know

4.   Encourage someone that is down and out

5.   Restore dignity to someone who has disqualified themselves

6.   Give thanks for what I already have before I open my first Christmas gift. Thank God for even the empty space.

7.   Release someone or something to God that I cannot fix or change

8.   Make a Prophetic Decree over some impossible situation (Peace goodwill toward men)

9.   Give away something that is precious to me and watch what God will do with it.

10.Clear the clutter to make more room for God in my life.