Walking In the Presence of God

We exist to Fill the City with Jesus. 

We empower the willing to come fully alive in God’s presence for the renewal of our cities.

  Imagine a group of people in an authentic community, loving each other honestly, covering each other’s sins with forgiveness, prayer, confession, and encouragement, and serving and supporting each other genuinely. It’s in spaces like these where we begin to see the supernatural work of God within our relationships. 

Use this guide with your community, in concert with the Field Journal, as you Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, Manage Your Household, and Fill the City with Jesus.

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Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Sermon Summary

To truly abide in Christ, we must learn to live entirely in the present moment. God is eternal, meaning He exists outside of linear time—He lives in the “now.” Therefore, the only place we can actively encounter and experience God is in the present. Are you awake to His presence now? Do you desire that? Jesus made it possible on Calvary. Let’s take Him with us everywhere we go. His promise is “ I’ll never leave or forsake you.” That’s good news right there!

Scripture References from the Sermon

1 John 3:2   |   John 15:5 | Colossians  3:3   |   Matthew 6:33-34   |   Psalms 118:24   |   Luke 23:42-43   |   Joshua 1:3   |   Exodus 33:15   |   Psalms 16:11   |    Luke 18:35 -19:10

Discussion Questions

• When life gets noisy and your mind begins to drift, what is the main distraction that keeps you from recognizing that God is present in the moment? Take a second to reflect on this, then share your experience.
• Read 1 John 3:2 and Colossians 3:3. What does it mean to you practically that God sees you and Jesus together right now, completely independent of your past?
• Using the “House” Analogy: Do you find your mind wandering more often into the “Attic” (worrying about the future) or the “Basement” (dwelling on the past)? How does that affect your peace?
• If God only operates in the present moment, what spiritual opportunities might we miss when we are distracted by yesterday or tomorrow?
• What is one practical step you can take this week to “come back to the living room” and consciously abide with God in the present?

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Manage Your Household 

Practical spiritual activities:

• Worship together–Dedicate time each week to worship with those in your household.
• Pray together–Dedicate time each day for listening to and speaking with the Lord individually, and as a household. Record ongoing prayer requests into your journal or Field Journal.
• Intercede for one another–Ask those in your household what is on their heart, then pray for one another. Refer to “Prayer Requests From Our Community” below and prayer recorded in your Field Journal and pray together for your city.
• Read together–Spend time together reading God’s Word. Consider the Bible reading guide on our website.
• Journal & Share–Share insight from what you’ve been hearing from the Lord and capturing in your journal weekly.
• Take communion together–For those who are followers of Jesus, consider taking the elements together. There is a communion guide on our website.

Event Highlight 

• Bless Moore Schools on Aug 9. Meet at the flagpole on any Moore County school campus. Prayer facilitators will be there to welcome you and provide a prayer guide.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/events  

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Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray that God grants clear direction for those seeking the right job or navigating relocation, and provides for every financial need.
• Pray that God provides correct treatment and healing for those battling cancer.
• Pray for Open Arms Community Church of Vass and Pastor John Brown.

Serve Opportunities 

• In the Church – GStudents exists for students to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. Come serve alongside and help guide middle and high schoolers as they discover who they are in Christ!
• In the City – Re|planted is launching a new Families Count class on August 6th to support broken families working to get their children back. We are looking for volunteers to serve during this church-led parenting course and help restore families in our community. Visit Adoption & Foster Care – Grace Church.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/serve 

Your City

• There are six areas of the city: family, health & wellness, business, education, government, and media. What are ways you can serve in your city?
• Share Your Story about what God is doing in your life and your city here: https://gracechurchsp.org/story/