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Discussions Questions to Consider 1) Mirror of truth Jesus is a mirror of truth. When we look at him, we see what is in us that needs to change as well as what is in us that reflects who Jesus is. Jesus is the most accurate mirror - he shows us the most accurate reflection of ourselves. Have you ever had this experience (“big or small”)? To see yourself through the “mirror” of Christ? What was that like? What did the mirror reveal? 2) "Message vs Messenger" Standing for truth is important in the life of a believer. Especially discerning specifically the WHY and WHAT we believe. We are to speak Truth always in love. Mik talked about the difference in offense when this is done - Message vs Messenger. Jesus’ Gospel “message” offends, but we as the “messengers” are not called to communicate offensively (unkindly). Have you ever spoken the truth outside of love & caused offense (as the messenger). What have you changed since that encounter / situation? 3) "For Whose Glory?" A good question that helps us to check our heart motive is: Why do I do the things that I do and who do I do them for? God's Glory or My Own? In Mik's story he mentioned “You don’t have to do ‘what you do’ (i.e. lead worship) to serve, you can just be who you are ” He also talked about Vance, a man that discipled him. Vance was simply just being Vance. Do you have people in your life that have had an impact in your life by doing something purely for God’s glory? 4) "Excellence vs Success" Mik talked about how we are not to confuse the pursuit of godly excellence for the pursuit of personal success. Godly pursuits call us to keep our focus on the Lord, while the pursuit of personal success shifts our eyes away from God and onto lesser things. Have you ever caught yourself putting a man or something man made in God's place? How did the Lord help reorder back to focusing on Him?

Discussions Questions to Consider 1) "If you hold to my teaching..." Grabbing a hold of Jesus' teaching requires us to let go of other things we have been holding onto in our lives. Other things we hold on to keep us from being disciples of Jesus. Obedience to Christ words/teaching leads us into truth which brings us into freedom. Why would God not be “kind enough” to allow us to discover truth outside of obeying Him? 2) "Never been slaves of anyone..." Interestingly enough, the people of Israel has been slaves to others. At the moment of them saying this they are enslaved (oppressed by Rome) and in the book of Exodus, Moses frees God's people (Israel) from slavery to Pharaoh. In our modern times, we do experience a lot of freedom. When Jesus talks about setting free or the idea/topic of "salvation" it's hard for certain hearers , ourselves included, to think that they actually need saving. Connecting this back to Jesus being the light and "walking in darkness", why is it so hard for us to see those things in our lives and in our culture that can enslave us? 3) What are words that have been spoken over is love & in the spirit of Christ , that have been helped shaped us in our walk with God? Were those words easy to receive? Did they take time in prayer and Gods word to process & accept. Opposite : What are words that you needed to reject (lies) and have the Lord rebuke because they didn’t come from a place of Love or the spirit of Christ?

Discussions Questions to Consider 1) In Jesus' claim that he is the light of the world, their is a promise that comes to us when we follow Him. Light brings visibility and light brings "life" as in regards to plants, what are things in your life that you now see and/or now are able to enjoy because of the "light of life." Examples: • Maybe you now see how God had people in your life that did love you when you thought you were truly alone and not loved. • Maybe you can see now how harmful sin was to yourself and others when in "darkness" you thought it couldn't do anything harmful. • Perhaps you are experiencing life in areas of patience and forgiveness when you thought those things could never grow out your heart. This could be similar to way Nick needed to wrestle with issues from his mom after 15 years but it in no way has to be. 2) "My testimony is true, for i know where I come and where I am going..." Connecting this verse to a practical application regarding identity. Have you noticed that when we know where we come from and when we know where we are going, we are more confident to speak truth and live out our faith. Why do you think that is? 3) This doesn't have to be done out loud, but take a moment to end in prayer and silence. If people have a journal, or they can use their phone, ask the Lord during prayer, "Lord, how do you want to heal me?" and just write down whatever He says. If people feel comfortable sharing, they can if time allows, but they don't have to. People can also connect during the week if they want to share with one another about what the Lord wants to heal them from.

Designed in partnership with The Phase Project, Parenting Your… is an 18-part series to help you parent your child through every year. < Back Parenting Your... Book Series Discover what's changing about your kid or teen over the next 52 weeks, the 6 things your kid needs most, and 4 conversations to have in each phase. The Phase Project, including these guides, is a synthesis of personal experience, academic research, and gatherings of leaders and educational experts from across the child development spectrum. Designed in partnership with The Phase Project, Parenting Your… is an 18-part series to help you parent your child through every year. Preview the Phase Guides here . (Books sold separately. Purchase a set of all 18 guides here .)

Don't Miss It: Parent Every Week Like It Counts You know what your kid is going through is just a phase, but what does that really mean? < Back Don't Miss It You know what your kid is going through is just a phase, but what does that really mean? Don't Miss It (by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy) reminds parents that phases are not just periods of time to be survived, but opportunities to be maximized. It gives parents a simple strategy for parenting every week like it counts. It can help them reprioritize their time with their kids; it may even change how they see their kids and themselves. (And because parents are busy, it's designed to take an hour or less to read.) It's just a phase. So don't miss it. To read more about the Phase Project, visit JustAPhase.com . For more resources like this, visit OrangeBooks.com .

Intentional Parenting: Autopilot Is for Planes This is about you, not just your child. The book helps you discover first who you are and then takes that healthy person into a discovery of being more intentional, playful, consistent, merciful, and connected to your children. < Back Intentional Parenting This is about you, not just your child. Regardless of age, parenting requires a certain amount of uncertainty. But you can be certain that your children look to you to help them discover who they are. And you can only offer that to the degree that YOU know who you are. Over the years, Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan have helped countless families through their ministry known as Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN. Due to the unique setup of Daystar, each is frequently counseling not only the child but the parent as well. Having both perspectives provides an opportunity to speak into some of the most common struggles that parents face in today's fast-paced society. Intentional Parenting is built around 12 chapters that each dispel some of the most common parenting myths and reminds all parents of truths that can empower them to be not only the parents that their children need but that God has called them to be. The book helps you discover first who you are and then takes that healthy person into a discovery of being more intentional, playful, consistent, merciful, and connected to your children. Understanding your child. Understanding you.