January 22nd, 2017

Own Worst Enemy — If you sow better, you’ll reap better. Have you ever been hurt by someone you love? Maybe they said some cruel words to you. Or maybe they did something that betrayed your trust. No matter what it was, when it happened, you probably wanted to separate from them for a little while. It’s normal to want to put a little distance between yourself and someone who’s making you unhappy. But what if we told you that the person who has the potential to make you unhappier than anyone else is the one person you can never get away from? What if we told you that person is you? Think about it. When it comes to things in your life that have brought you the most pain, unhappiness, and regret—things you said, things you did, people you dated, places you went—they all have on thing in common: you. You’re making choices now that ultimately have the potential to rob you of your happiness later. But thanks to Jesus, it doesn’t have to be this way. He gives us access to a life that not only saves us from unhappiness now, but will also lead us to even greater happiness down the road. As we close our series this week, we’ll see that we have the power to choose a life that makes us happy—a life with Christ.

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Share a high and a low from the past week.
When were you the happiest?
​When were you unhappy?

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John 10:10-11 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Romans 6:16 (NIV)
16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

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If someone didn’t know what the phrase “You are your own worst enemy” meant, how would you explain it to them?
What are some ways you have damaged your own happiness without meaning to?  
In your opinion, what’s the difference between pleasure and happiness?  
What happens when you prioritize pleasure over happiness?  
What do you think it means to “reap what you sow”?  
Why do we need the help of people around us to choose happiness over pleasure? Why is a support system so powerful?  
​Describe the type of life you want. This week, what’s one way you could sow better in order to reap that type of life?

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Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. AMEN.

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Go in peace, living life to the fullest in Christ.
Thanks be to God!

Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...

"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."

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