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.