REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“The Art of Illusion”

ICEBREAKER: Name one of your favorite flavors of Ice Cream, Custard, Frozen Yogurt or Gelato.

CONFESSION:

I am setting my affection on things above

I am setting my perceptions on things above

I am setting my imaginations on things above

I am setting my emotions on things above

I am setting my aspirations on things above

I am setting my inspirations on things above

I am setting my cognitions on things above

I am setting my conceptions on things above

I am setting my reflections on things above

I am setting my obligations on things above

I am setting my suggestions on things above

I am setting my contentions on things above

DEFINITION: Illusion: A deceptive appearance or impression; A false idea or belief; A thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted.

OUTLINE: Principles of Wrong Perception

· Wrong perceptions will color how you view everything in life if you let them

· Wrong perceptions will often emerge in times of trauma and will often result in panic if you let them

· Wrong perceptions are often passed from generation to generation by what we see modeled before us if we let them

· Wrong perceptions can steal your destiny and kill your influence if you let them

· Wrong perceptions create the illusion of a false reality, often leaving us disillusioned when we are unable to realize our dreams if we let them

TEXT: Judges 7:1-22

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. God scaled Gideon’s army back. How many men did Gideon start with and how many did he end up with? For what reasons were the men dismissed?

2. Why did God have Gideon’s men blow trumpets and break their lamps?

3. What do you think Gideon’s men thought when they saw the enemy killing themselves?

4. How often are we in the majority with God and His angels? Always! So why do we act like we’re in the minority?

5. What wrong perceptions have you had to change, or do you need to change, in your life?

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS:

ACTION POINT: This week I will seek to open my natural and spiritual eyes to see things as they really are and as they could be when I obey God.