How to Prepare for Difficult Days Ahead
- Chris Brown
- Sep 23, 2022
- 5 min read
Pastor Chris Brown
September 17-18, 2022
Message #37 / 2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
How To Prepare For Bad Days Ahead
Another tragic ending:
2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
The power of a chapter 17:
2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
There are three stages of adulthood:
We are currently DEALING with a PROBLEM.
We just got OUT of a PROBLEM.
We are about to HEAD INTO a PROBLEM.
We must be PROACTIVE to avoid being REACTIVE to
our problems in life.
What your church needs from you:
Galatians 6:1-10
Our CHRISTIAN relationships have to look different
than our SECULAR relationships.
This is far more than just our ATTENDANCE; it is about our:
AUTHENTICITY
APPROACHABILITY
AVAILABILITY
The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info.
Pastor Chris Brown
September 17-18, 2022
Message #37 / 2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
How To Prepare For Bad Days Ahead
Another tragic ending:
2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
The power of a chapter 17:
2 Samuel 17:24-18:33
There are three stages of adulthood:
We are currently ___________ with a ___________.
We just got _______ of a ___________.
We are about to ______________ a ____________.
We must be _____________ to avoid being ____________ to
our problems in life.
What your church needs from you:
Galatians 6:1-10
Our _____________ relationships have to look different
than our ___________ relationships.
This is far more than just our ______________; it is about our:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info.
Life Group Study Questions
For the week of September 18, 2022
WELCOME TO THE FALL QUARTER OF LIFE GROUPS!
This week we kick off our Fall Life Group Quarter. Your first gathering is designed to give you time to get acquainted, enjoy a meal together and
connect with each other, as well as time to discuss how to make your Life Group meetings great! The study questions have been shortened this
week to allow ample time to accomplish all of this. To prepare for your first meeting, take some time to focus on the questions below and be
prepared to share your answers with the group.
Online Groups - If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. Use this link for tips on meeting with your
group online: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/pro-tips/
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
One of the great parts of being in a Life Group is getting to know others better. Take a moment to jot down your
answers to the questions below and be ready to share with your group.
ð Tell us about yourself …
• What are your five favorite foods, with the most favorite first?
• When you were a kid, what was your dream job?
• Would you rather have your dishes or clothes be magically clean?
ð How was your summer? What are one or two things you enjoyed the most?
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that
caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
DIGGING DEEPER
This weekend’s message spoke of how, as followers of Jesus, our relationships look different than others. As you read
the verses below in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, what unique relational attributes is he saying are essential for
followers of Jesus?
Ephesians 4:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and
by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become
in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by
every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:20-24 New International Version (NIV)
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the
truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted
by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:29, 31-32 New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate
to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
What, if anything, was a bit surprising when you read it?
How would you want someone to speak the “truth in love” to you?
We all want to be connected in quality relationships. Which verses above could be a good theme verse for you in
relating to others this next quarter?
LOOKING AHEAD
Life Groups meet every week to gain the encouragement and support we need in life as we follow Jesus. Take a moment
to jot down some of the reasons you joined a group this fall, along with what you are looking forward to the most.
THE PURPOSE OF LIFE GROUPS
Life Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of
God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen:
SHARE
Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.”
But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable.
STUDY
Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal
growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life.
SUPPORT
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms,
such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs.
SERVE
Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to
others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the
community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in
the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.
NORTH COAST MEN’S CONFERENCE
It’s back because the first year was incredible! Join us Friday evening, October 28 & Saturday morning, October
29, for the second North Coast Men’s Conference held at the Vista Campus! Come ready to recharge and refocus
on God’s call for us with teaching led by pastors Chris Brown and Ricky Jenkins, along with worship, activities and
tourneys! Register at northcoastchurch.com/mens-conference/.
All of us realize that we live in a broken world that is not getting any better, yet few of us are doing something ahead of time to prepare for when that brokenness hits us. Today’s two passages shed some incredible insight on what we need to do to prepare for the bad days that are sure to come.