Are you part of a bigger story?

We are all drawn to great stories—whether that’s on the big screen, small screen, in a book or elsewhere. But we may be completely unaware of one simple truth—that our lives are a story as well. The decisions we make every day are shaping the plot. The things we do, believe and trust determine what is being written. And for many of us, the story we are scripting could be so much more if we let God write, or even rewrite, our story. It’s the story we long for, the one our hearts truly desire.

Session One: A Bigger Story (January 11)
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or someone who minimizes risks, we all long for a great story. A great romance. A great adventure. A great mystery. And it could be that the reason we yearn for something so big is because God made us that way. Believe it or not, a big story is unfolding around us, a story God is telling that started long before us and will continue to unfold long after we are gone. The things that draw us, that captivate us, that pull us in are the things that make God’s story great. The question is, are we a part of that story? Are we telling His story? In other words, are our lives reflecting something bigger?
Session One Parent Cue:
• What are some of your favorite stories (in movies, books, etc.)? What specifically about those stories do you love?
• Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. Do you ever wish your life was “more” than what it is now? If yes, why?

Session Two: Lost in the Story (January 18)
So if we all long for God’s story, then how do we settle for so much less? How does our story get so off track? It happens subtly. Oftentimes, without ever realizing it, the focus of our story shifts—God is moved from a place of prominence, to a place of convenience. But stay this way for long, and it is easy to see a story that has gotten off track. Small changes, seemingly harmless, can take our story to a place it doesn’t belong. Sometimes we think the story is better left in our own hands. But what if we allowed God the control, the freedom and the power He deserves? What if we allowed Him to tell the story? Where would His story take you?
Session Two Parent Cue:
• (This question is for the parent to answer.) Have you ever found yourself in a place in your life where you wondered, “How did I get here?” If you retraced your steps, what were the decisions you made that led you there?
• Each one of you take a decision in your life (whether good or bad) and track the steps that led you to the end result.

Session Three: Rewriting the Script (January 25)
If you find yourself living in a lesser story, how do you begin to let God rewrite your story? You follow Him. You follow His lead. And that path may sometimes be very clear, and other times it may feel very mysterious. But following Him wholeheartedly, regardless of what we may or may not understand as we go along, is the only way to allow God to write your story. Instead of taking the reigns, embrace God’s direction—join Him, get on board and embrace everywhere His story just may take you.
Session Three Parent Cue:
• What holds you back from trusting God completely?
• What would it take for you to surrender that reluctance?
• How might your life become a bigger story than the one you live now?

Let’s all get excited about living in God’s story–the one He has written with YOU in mind!

Team Nepal Updates…

Please visit our facebook page for updates on our Nepal Team.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbrier-Church/373561061381

Men’s Day @ the Brew Ranch

Day: Saturday, November 5th
Time: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $25 per person

Men of Greenbrier UNITE!
Come spend an awesome day @ the Brew Ranch with the Men of Greenbrier. There will be team competitions, grilled meat, a challenging message, and a bonfire. FUN, FOOD, and FIRE!!! Every guy should save the date and make sure to join us for this special time.

Here’s the schedule:
2:00 PM Welcome
2:15 PM Team Competitions
5:15 PM Awards Ceremony
5:30 PM Meal Time
6:15 PM Worship
6:30 PM Message
7:00 PM Smore Fellowship
7:30 PM Head over to Triple R
7:45 PM Pray over our Teens
8:00 PM End

YOU don’t want to miss it! Get your ticket this Sunday @ the Information Center. For more information, contact Pastor Curtis @ 819-1070.

There’s a lot more to prayer than just having our needs met!

September is here, the kids are back to school, and CrosStone is in full swing!  We are excited to welcome the new 6th grade members of CrosStone this Wednesday night.  We have a great night planned as we kick off our new series entitled, “Can you hear me?” 

The following is an overview of what we’ll be talking about for the next three weeks.  Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help parents dialog with their child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by parents, but to be responded to by BOTH of you.  Families can use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching their CrosStone student, and allow the CrosStone student to see what God is teaching his/her parents as well.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Doesn’t it seem like there should be more to prayer than just our typical “Help me, bless me, protect me, give to me” prayers? Prayer has to be more than just talking to God—because He knows our thoughts, right? It has to be more than just us making our requests known to God—because doesn’t He already know everything that’s going on in our lives? It’s like there’s some secret, some mystery we hope to unlock so we can “get through” to God. If we could just say the right words, maybe we can break the code and get a “yes” to all our requests. But what if prayer was something much bigger than that? What if prayer went beyond us getting what we wanted, and became about how to grow closer to God’s heart instead? What if prayer wasn’t just about changing our present situation, what if it was about changing us?

 

Session One (September 7)

Have you ever noticed how relationships seem to drift apart when we don’t get to spend time together? There’s just something significant that happens when we intentionally carve out time to connect with a friend or a family member. We get to hear what’s on their minds and hearts. We get to see the person beyond just what he or she can do for us, and see who he or she really is. That’s the heart of prayer—it’s our chance to connect with God in a way that goes beyond “Help me, bless me, protect, give to me.”

Session One Parent Cue: Do you have time every day or every week when you intentionally carve out time to spend with God? How do you guard that time? What are some challenges in keeping that time?  

Session Two (September 14)

If we spend time with God intentionally, if we make time for Him, then what do we say to Him when we get alone with Him? What are the things we talk about? After all, He knows everything about us, our lives and our world. It’s not like we have any “news.” It’s not like we have to give Him an update on how things are going. So what do we talk about? In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus focuses on three things, and leads us through a process that will not only change our perspective about what is going on around us, but also our perception of God.

Session Two Parent Cue: How does spending time with God put things going on in my life into perspective? How can we do a better job of honoring this time and making it a priority?

Session Three (September 21)

We can’t talk about prayer without addressing the obvious question—what happens when God doesn’t answer? Jesus has a surprising response to that—you keep asking. Because if something is that important to you, if something has captured your heart that strongly, then it’s something that you can’t let go. It’s something you can’t simply walk away from. So keep asking. And Jesus says that maybe, just maybe, God will honor your persistence.

Session Three Parent Cue: Is there anything on my heart, anything that I feel so strongly about, that I would keep asking God about . . . even if He doesn’t answer for a long time?

Nazareth Costumes, PLEASE??

We are missing some of our Bible time COSTUMES. Please check your closets and see if they may still be in your possession.

Please return any that you may have to the PowerKids Room or to Sheri Gaughan. Thanks SO much.

Power to Create, Propel, CrosStone, and PowerUp ALL ON for Wednesday Night

ALL regularly scheduled meetings will STILL be taking place Wednesday night, July 27 at 7PM. Come and be BLESSED!!

 

Power to Create Workbooks are still available for $10 each.

God Wants to Speak to You

Truth:  The words of God have great power to create, comfort, direct the present and shape the future.  The good news is that God is by nature good and not evil.  He wants to bless you, to speak good things into your life and reveal His heart and nature to you. Listen and discover Him.

Scripture:  “The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.” 1 Sam 3:1 NIV

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I will still my heart and quiet my mind today so that You can fill it with Your goodness and revelation.  I know that You want to reveal Your plans to those who will listen and desire to their path straight.  Help me to listen and obey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

It ALL starts on Sunday…

Calling ALL kids Ages 4-Rising 6th Graders…

Just a reminder to you that “Hometown Nazareth” starts this SUNDAY, June 26 at 5PM. It will continue on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights at 6PM. Come be a part of this amazing 4 night event.

Register Here: https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/greenbriervbs2011/gpgs/Home.aspx

 

God is the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe

Truth:  God is the expert in taking things that don’t fit, are broken and not even formed and making them into something beautiful. He brought order from chaos and created the heavens and the earth.  As the God of order who is in charge of everything, life works best when you and I follow the structures that He has put in place in the family, the church, the workplace and in the government.

Scripture:  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1

Prayer:  Eternal Creator, I trust You today.  You created the earth and everything in it.  You have ordered my days, designed my present and can see my future.  Help me to follow the good and righteous plan that you have put before me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3 Events this Weekend

Please put these events on your to do list for this holiday weekend:

Good Friday Service, Friday, April 22 at 6:00PM.

Easter Eggstravaganza, Refreshments, Puppet Show, Prizes and More, Saturday, April 23 at 10:00AM.

Easter Services, Sunday, April 24 at 9:00AM and 11:00AM.

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