How To Live Out Why We Are Really Here Was Paul just another hypocritical Christian? Acts 21:15-26, 1 Corinthians 9:20, Romans 9:1-3, 14:4-6 Paul’s decision making: If we can see life through the lens of the and , everything else will fall into place. Gospel: Jesus is either Lord or not Lord . Eternity: We were created to , and what we do with the in this life determines where we spend our eternity. Finding our aim? Acts 20:24, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:1-8 My decision making… for what it’s worth: I know I’ve crossed the line when I put: • point ahead of LOVING people. • winning the ahead of winning . • my ahead of their . • my ahead of my . I know the enemy is winning when my rob me of my . How many Christians right now are walking in , , , , , , , , ? Philippians 4: Finally, my brothers and sisters… ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Weekly Digital Bulletin The Digital Bulletin can be found at myncc.info ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of January 17, 2021 WELCOME TO THE WINTER QUARTER OF LIFE GROUPS! This week we kick off our Winter Life Group Quarter. Your first meeting is designed to give you time to get acquainted 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. Have a great meeting as you come together to connect, encourage one another to grow and see how God might work! Online Groups - If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. Use this link for help on meeting with your group online - https://lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/pro-tips/ GETTING TO KNOW YOU Tell us a little bit about yourself… • What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid? • If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? • If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to? No matter what we face, God is alive and well, wanting us to experience His love, grace and purpose. What are one or two things you’re looking forward to in 2021? 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 / FINDING YOUR AIM The enemy wants to do all he can to distort how we live out who we are and how we define success. He wants to keep us “off aim” so we miss how God wants to work in us and through us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. As we heard this weekend, the Apostle Paul helped the Philippians “keep their aim” in the midst of life’s challenges. As you read Philippians 4:4-8, circle three things that catch your attention and will help you “find your aim” in 2021. Philippians 4:4-8 New International Version (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. As followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is changing us from the inside out. Galatians 5:22-23 reveals to us the fruit of the Spirit. As you read over the list, are there any you have seen God grow in your life? Is there one you find more challenging than others? Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. LOOKING AHEAD Whether your group is meeting online or in person, God is at work as you connect, care for one another and encourage each other to follow Him and live out His Word. What are you looking forward to in your Life Group this quarter? Looking back at the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, which one or two would you like to see God sustain and/or grow in you this next quarter? Is there anything specific you need prayer for, or is there any other focus you would like to have in order to grow this next quarter? 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, called “Getting To Know You.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable and will be called “My Story”. 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. FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY FLEX VIRTUAL CLASS Mondays beginning January 25 (8 weeks), 7-8:30pm New year, new goals! Join us for North Coast Church’s virtual Financial Peace University (FPU) Flex class! FPU presents practical steps to help you get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely and much more! https://www.northcoastchurch.com/north-coast-classes/