growing generations that transform...

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G R O W I N G G E N E R A T I O N S T H A T T R A N S F O R M C O M M U N I T I E S

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984,

2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International

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STUDY GUIDE

a l l i n . t h e o a k s o n l i n e . o r g

GROWING GENERATIONS THAT TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

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Jesus said, 'But, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' This was the charge Jesus gave to his disciples in Acts 1:8 which was passed down to us.

We have been faithful over the years to this biblical mandate. As a result, God has blessed us with a series of record-breaking years in missions giving, church planting, community engagement, and ministry in our own church. In 2015, we gave more than $2.1 million to missions. We helped launch 12 new churches in the last 3 years. And each week, 1,894 kids and students receive ministry in our church.

God has given The Oaks a vision for the next two years to take our vision of 'Growing Generations that Transform Communities' to unprecedented heights. Our response to what God has called us do in Acts 1:8 is to equip the next generation in our church (Jerusalem), engage communities (Judea and Samaria), and expand God’s Kingdom (ends of the earth). The vision is so big that it’s going to take all of us to pull it off. That’s why we are calling the campaign, ALL IN. ALL IN is an all-out effort to make an even deeper impact than we’ve ever made before. It’s an opportunity to reach more people, impact more lives, and do more for His Kingdom.

Our church is growing. The opportunities to advance God’s Kingdom through our vision are increasing. An exciting season is ahead for us to continue to obey God’s command in Acts 1:8.

Jenni and I are praying for you. We love you and are very excited about what God will do in and through our church as we go on this ALL IN journey together. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing at The Oaks.

Blessings,Scott and Jenni Wilson

Senior Pastor

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THE ALL IN VISION

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

SESSION 1ALL IN is about legacy

SESSION 2ALL IN requires trust

SESSION 3ALL IN is about honor

SESSION 4ALL IN requires transformation

SESSION 5ALL IN requires surrender

APPENDICES

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Content

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VisionT H E

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Our church is about serving and investing in those who will follow us as we follow Jesus…our children and grandchildren, orphans and foster kids, students, church planters, teachers, artists, and business professionals who will shape the future of our communities. It starts with making disciples.

And isn’t this what Jesus told us to do? In Acts 1:8 He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in...Jerusalem, AND in all Judea and Samaria, AND to the ends of the earth.”

ALL IN is our church’s response to Jesus' command. We do this by:

GROWING GENERATIONS THAT TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

O U R C H U R C H I S A B O U T . . .

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the next generation in our church (Jerusalem)

our community(Judea and Samaria)

the Kingdom of God (the ends of the earth)

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Austin is a high school student. Like most teenagers, he described himself as “selfish and independent.” Through the love, mentorship, and godly example of older generations at The Oaks who invested in his life, he changed. During his senior year of high school, Austin led his small group to raise $15,000 to help church planters. He also led a service project to renovate a local shelter for homeless families in Waxahachie. He even distributed God’s Word to hundreds of students on a missions trip to Central America. Stories like Austin's are why we invest to grow generations that transform communities.

their floorO U R C E I L I N G

F U T U R E L E A D E R S

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Carol reads Bible stories to 2-year-olds. At that age, she wondered if they were getting anything out of it. One day when the children shouted out the names of the characters from the stories and recited the Scriptures with her, she realized that they’re getting it. Carol knows she’s right where she belongs– introducing God to our 2-year-olds.

Marcus and Charlie were skeptical about coming to The Oaks because the culture is a lot different from what they’re used to. Because of how much their daughter is growing through Powerhouse, our before and after school care ministry, they decided to give it a try. They loved it. Now, they both volunteer on Sunday mornings as team leaders for our children’s ministry. They say, “We are right where we are supposed to be”– helping grow the next generation of our church.

• EXPAND NEXT GENERATION MINISTRY

• NEW NURSERY CONNECTED TO WORSHIP CENTER

• NEW 550 SEAT WORSHIP SPACE FOR SEVEN

AND OAKS YOUNG ADULTS (OYA)

• 3 NEW EPIC KIDS AUDITORIUMS WITH SMALL

GROUP ROOMS

• NEW OFFICES FOR STAFF AND LEAD

• NEW PASTORAL CARE WING

• NEW CONNECTION SPACES: CUP CAFÉ, FAMILY

ROOM, AND LOBBY

• 1 BUILDING WITH 3 ALL-WEATHER DROP

OFF ENTRANCES

• NEW SPACE FOR TRADITIONAL SERVICE,

WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, AND CONFERENCES

JERUSALEM = Church

allin.theoaksonline.org

EQUIP

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• THE WAXAHACHIE PROJECT

• RED OAK CITY PARTNERSHIP

• ORPHAN CARE EXPANDED AT THE OAKS AND IN

5 STATES

• FREEDOM MINISTRIES: VISION FOR 5000 PEOPLE

• LIFE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP: MORE CLASSROOMS

AND PE SPACE

• CORE 1000 PARTNERSHIP WITH SAGU AND FFI

• BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE THROUGH

POWERHOUSE

• PASTORAL AND BENEVOLENCE CARE

• CLASSES AND GROUPS FOR MARRIAGE,

RECOVERY, FINANCIAL PEACE, ETC.

Fidel and Sara were on the brink of divorce. The church family was able to support, help, and walk through this difficult season with them. Their marriage is stronger than ever. Since then, they’ve become foster parents to children in the community who need a loving home. They’ve even taken the next step and adopted.

JUDEA AND SAMARIA =

Community

ENGAGE


Andy Lehmann, The Oaks Missions and Community Engagement Pastor, believes that transforming a community is too big of a job for one church. That’s why The Oaks is catalyzing a movement of churches, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to identify our community’s greatest needs and work together for the good of our city.

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Troy and Lacey planted Rock Hills Church in Manhattan, KS in 2015. They believe that the Church is God’s plan for the redemption and transformation of communities. The Oaks was able to help them plant the church. Since then, Rock Hills has seen tremendous growth, and recently had a party where they baptized 27 people in water!

Christian grew up in our church. He’s a student at SAGU right now through the LEAD program, and is getting ready to go into ministry. This past summer, he went on a missions trip to Panama where he helped give away over 2,000 copies of the gospel. That trip opened his eyes to see what kind of need there is for God’s love around the world.

• 1,000 CHILDREN FED DAILY IN HAITI:

CONVOY OF HOPE

• 2 MILLION KIDS REACHED WITH GOD’S WORD:

ONE HOPE

• 30 MISSION TEAMS SENT OUT

• 250 LEAD STUDENTS TRAINED

• 22 STRATEGIC GLOBAL PARTNERS RESOURCED

• 700+ EL SALVADORAN CHURCH LEADERS

TRAINED: ENLACE

• TRAIN AND EQUIP EDUCATORS IN AFRICA:

LIFE SCHOOL U

• NEW CHURCHES LAUNCHED: DENVER, CO;

INDIANAPOLIS, IN; COLLEGE STATION, TX

• …AND SO MUCH MORE.

ENDS OF THE EARTH =

Our World


EXPAND

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ALL IN is a God-sized vision. It will cost $32 million over the next 2 years to accomplish everything God has called us to do. God has given us an opportunity to grow personally and as a church. It’s going to take ALL of us to do this.

Growth is a noun to describe the act or process of growing, developing, or gradually increasing. Spiritual growth is the process we take, as Christians, to grow in our relationship with God. This walk, or relationship, is developed by spending time in His presence reading the Bible, praying, and increasing our willingness to serve and support our fellow believers and our local church. Walking this spiritual journey is a pilgrimage of discovery concerning God’s will for our lives and for the future of our church.

Giving cheerfully is part of our worship and is part of each believer’s journey of increasing faith and trust in God’s grace. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

We hope you are hungry to see what God will do in your life. We want to help you experience growth and increase in your commitment to trusting God.

S P I R I T U A L G R O W T H

The Cheerful Giver


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Traditional giving is separated into categories such as tithes and offerings, missions, special offerings, building campaigns, etc. You prayerfully consider what to give to each fund separately, or participate in some giving categories and not others. This may leave someone feeling left out of certain giving celebrations. We want to be a church that is ALL IN and ONE FUND is our unifying commitment that everyone that gives is ALL IN for ALL ministries, missions, and projects.

We are on ONE MISSION, to love God, love each other, and make disciples. We are excited to introduce ONE FUND, a single fund, to unify the generosity of everyone at The Oaks.

On May 1st you will be invited to make a 2-year ALL IN COMMITMENT. We believe God will reveal to you the ONE number that will represent your total, radical, sacrificial generosity to the Kingdom over the next two years.

“But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” Exodus 23:19

One FundI N T R O D U C I N G

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THE GIVING LADDER

Moving to the Next Step in Giving

GIVEREXTRAVAGANT

GIVERTITHE

GIVERCONSISTENT

GIVEREMERGING

GIVERPOTENTIAL

Before beginning any journey you must identify two things: where you are and where you want to go. The Giving Ladder is your guide to increasing your giving.

Generosity happens one step at a time, like the rungs on a ladder.


As you pray and discern how God would ask you to give during this time, ask God to inspire and challenge you towards greater generosity to fulfill our mission to: EQUIP, ENGAGE, and EXPAND.

This is someone who realizes that, although the tithe is the minimum the Bible asks, God has prompted and enabled them to give more for the Kingdom.

This is someone who has seen the blessing that comes with giving, and is ready to commit to giving the tithe - 10% - that Scripture (Malachi 3:10) asks of believers.

This is someone ready to be more intentional about their giving, has made an assessment, and determined to start giving consistently.

This is someone ready to take the exciting first step towards worshiping and growing through giving.

Everyone has the opportunity to impact the Kingdom through participating in God’s work and seeing the growth that comes through giving.

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As you pray and discern how God would ask you to give during this time, allow this giving chart to be a tool for you. Allow it to be something that inspires and challenges you towards greater generosity to fulfill our mission to grow generations that transform communities. Commitment Card

F A I T H

S A M P L E

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beginB E F O R E Y O U

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The study guide is broken up in the following sections:

• The ALL IN Vision • Before You Begin • Session 1 • Session 2 • Session 3 • Session 4 • Session 5 • Appendices

Familiarize yourself with these sections. Some of the Appendices will be used in the sessions themselves.

This is much more than a small group study guide. It has been designed as a constant companion for the ALL IN Initiative. What we do in worship, the messages we hear, and every aspect of our life together as The Oaks family will be guided by this study guide during the coming weeks.

If you are hosting or co-hosting a small group, check out allin.theoaksonline.org. You will find some encouragement and help so you can avoid common obstacles to effective small groups.

Use this study guide as an advisor. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected, but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it.

Enjoy your small group experience. Have fun.

Pray before each session—for your group members, for your time together, and for wisdom and insight.

Read the outline for each session on pages 30-31 so that you understand how the sessions will flow.

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HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE

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ABOUT THIS SESSION. Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session.

SERMON NOTES. Bring your study guide with you each Sunday and take notes during the sermon in the provided blanks.

COME TOGETHER. The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and God’s family. You build that connection by sharing your experience with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This is helpful preparation for being able to share what Christ has done in your life with anyone you meet—which is what a disciple is ready to do. This section includes some simple questions to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable doing.

WATCH THE VIDEO. When the study directs you to, you’ll start the video and watch a short teaching segment. You can watch the videos online at allin.theoaksonline.org or with the ALL IN DVD. Each session’s teaching will include biblical insights from Pastor Scott and interaction with brothers and sisters about aspects of the ALL IN life.

LEARN TOGETHER. In this section, you’ll have an opportunity to read a passage of Scripture and discuss both the teaching and the text. You won’t focus on accumulating information but on how you should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically and creatively, from your heart as well as your head. At the end of the day, our greatest aim should be allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform our lives in Christ.

A TYPICAL GROUP SESSION FOR THE ALL IN STUDY WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:


STUDY NOTES. This brief section provides additional commentary, background, or insights on the passage you’ll study in the Learn Together section.

GROW TOGETHER. God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change. It will require you to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) comes into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to know Him personally, carry out His commands, and help outsiders connect with Him. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living.

PRAY TOGETHER. Each week you will close off the meeting with a time of prayer together. We believe that prayer isn’t something that goes on the agenda; it is the agenda.

MEMORY VERSE. There will be a memory verse of the week that we hope you take the time to memorize. By “hiding God’s word in your heart” (Psalm 119:11) we believe that you open yourself up for deeper and more intimate times with the Father.

DAILY DEVOTIONS. Each week on the Daily Devotions pages we provide Scriptures to read and reflect on between sessions—a month’s worth of reflections to keep God’s Word near your heart. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read just a small portion of Scripture each day, and reflect and pray through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

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legacyA L L I N I S A B O U T

S E S S I O N 1

ABOUT THIS SESSIONYou are someone’s legacy. In fact, you are a result of many people who have stepped out in ways they didn’t have to. Start with your parents and grandparents and think for a moment about all the people who have spoken into and impacted your life. No, it hasn’t always been in positive ways, but even negative stuff can end up affecting you in good ways. Life’s hurts can help us become healers; and hardships can push us toward hope and character. The best way to be grateful for the legacy we’ve received is to decide and practice the legacy we want to leave those who come after us. The question we want to answer is, “Knowing what I have received, how will I provide the same for others?”

For the next 5 weeks, we will study Abraham’s life. Though he lived over four thousand years ago, his legacy is still touching people around the world. He was a man of faith and of failures. In other words, he was someone we can identify with if we let ourselves. Abraham had to make a decision about what kind of legacy he was going to leave behind: a stay put, “same old, same old” legacy of never following where God led or a “step out in faith,” obedient kind of legacy that God could bless in many ways. Abraham decided to go for it, even though he didn’t know where he would end up.

But our journey will be more than 5 weeks—we’re embarking on a 2-year adventure called ALL IN. We are trusting God to do a great work in bringing us together in ways we’ve never experienced before as we pursue our high calling of Growing Generations that Transform Communities.

“We are going to discover the ways the Lord wants to use each of us and all of us together to accomplish great things for Him.”

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as

his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he

was going. Hebrews 11:8

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S E R M O N

N O T E S

DAT E :

S E R M O N T I T L E :

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togetherC O M E

Each of us has a story. The events of our life—good, bad, wonderful, or challenging—have shaped who we are. God knows your story, and He intends to redeem it—to use every struggle and every joy to ultimately bring you to Himself. When we share our stories with others, we give them the opportunity to see God at work.

As part of Come Together, pass around a sheet of paper to collect names and contact information, giving all present an opportunity to fill it out. Have everyone introduce themselves, then write down their contact information. Ask someone to make copies or type up a list with everyone’s information and email it to the group this week.

Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to be with you as you meet. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion.

Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important to reflect on and review your values together. On page 114, there is a Small Group Agreement with the values we’ve found most useful in sustaining healthy, balanced groups. We recommend that you choose 1 or 2 values—and perhaps ones you haven’t previously focused on or have room to grow in—so that they can be emphasized during this study.

We’ve come to realize that healthy groups rotate responsibilities. This helps to devel-op every member’s ability to shepherd a few people in a safe environment. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside Him (Mark 6:30–44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendix for additional information about hosting the group.

Use the Small Group Calendar on page 114 to plan who will host each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts for your remaining meetings. Don’t pass this up! It will revolutionize your group.

What drew you here to this group? How are you anticipating God will grow you through this season of ALL IN?

If your group is new, welcome newcomers. Introduce everyone—you may even want to have name tags for your first meeting.

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QUESTIONS

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W A T C H

T H E

V I D E O

You can watch the video online at allin.theoaksonline.org or on the ALL IN DVD. This first session video will give you a sense of the tone for ALL IN. Included are not only Pastor Scott’s teachings, but also recorded interaction with others from The Oaks. Use the space provided to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and questions in the Learn Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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L E A R N

T O G E T H E R

God uses stories to guide us. In fact, the Bible is His story! When we read the true stories of Scripture, we learn what God is like and we see His plan unfolding. We also learn principles for our own lives. So how can we become a part of God’s story? By aligning our stories with His and not just understanding what it means to follow Him, but actually doing it—changing our attitudes and actions to live as He would live.

Use the following questions to guide your discussion of the teaching and stories you just experienced along with the Bible passage below. You may also want to refer to the study notes on the next page to guide your reading and discussion.

SCRIPTUREREAD: GENESIS 12:1-81The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

Think for a moment about being a member of Abram’s household. He announces at breakfast one morning, “Last night the Lord spoke to me. Today we’re packing up and hitting the road.” What would be some of your questions?

Based on this passage in Genesis, what kind of legacy was Abram creating by his actions in Genesis 12:1-8?

In the video we heard a number of people share about the legacy impact others had on their lives. What example(s) come to your mind about ways people have built a legacy into you?

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STUDY NOTESThe Lord said to Abram (v.1). Before God changed his name to Abraham (father of many) the patriarch of Israel was Abram (exalted father). When we see the title “Lord” (Large cap), it indicates God’s name Yahweh, which won’t be explained until Exodus 3. But since Moses was writing these chapters, he used the title for God that was most familiar to him.

I will bless (v.2, 3). We bless when we speak or deliver good into someone’s life. God not only promised to do good for Abram, He also promised to make Abram’s life into something good for others.

In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (v.3). The idea of legacy has a lot to do with understanding that the blessings of God aren’t supposed to stop with us. Blessings flow through us to others. We can’t even imagine how much God might bless others through us.

There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord (v.7). Abram was aware of God’s company and leading. But it was more than knowing He was there; he responded in worship. He acknowledged the Lord and expressed his confidence in Him.

QUESTIONS

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G R O W

T O G E T H E R

How do you put into practice your belief in the mission of The Oaks: Growing Generations that Transform Communities? Why do you believe it’s worth sacrificing for?

As He did with Abram, in what ways do you feel that God is calling you out from something or away from something, so that He can leave a legacy through you? What has been your response so far?

How does the challenge to leave a legacy change your perspective on how you’re living right now?

When it comes to stewardship and generosity, would you say that God wants something FOR you or FROM you? What’s the difference between those two perspectives?

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Our Creator is certainly after more from us than an acknowledgment that He exists. There are plenty of people who are willing to admit there’s a God, but they still don’t want to have anything to do with Him. God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change—to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By starting with small, simple choices, we begin to change our direction. We can build a legacy that will please God. The Holy Spirit helps us along the way—giving us gifts to serve the body, offering us insights into Scripture, and challenging us to love not only those around us but those far from God.

In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned.

P R A Y T O G E T H E R

Close your meeting with prayer.

Ask everyone to share, “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on our Prayer and Praise Report on page 120.

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Stewardship may be a new term in your Christian experience. It has long been used to refer to God’s entrusting us with the management of the resources He gives us: time, talents, and treasure. These things may seem to be ours, but they ultimately belong to Him. Even what we earn, we have earned using time, strength, and skill God has provided to us.

To close your time together, spend some time praying.

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By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his

inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

D A I L Y

MEMORY VERSE

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There are six days of devotions. On the last day, read back over your responses and let that guide a final time of reflection.

Use these daily devotions to go deeper into this week’s topic. Each day, take your time reading the verse given. Ask God to speak to you through His Word. Notice which word or phrase stands out to you. Then take some time to write your response back to Him. You can write whatever is on your heart. Answer the “Reflect” question only if it’s helpful. Feel free to go another direction if you sense God leading you. On the first day, you may want to read over all the verses for the week to get the “big picture” of the passage. But then walk slowly, verse by verse. Listen to what God wants to say to you through His Word, and respond to Him as you meditate on the truths of Scripture.

After Day 3 of each week, you will have an opportunity to take what you have learned and put it into practice. These “Action Steps” will challenge you to respond to these truths in your daily life.

devotionalsDAY 1Read Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

REFLECT

It’s easy to think, “If God told me to go, I’d go.” But, have you? Under what circumstances have you responded to God the way Abraham did?

DAY 2Read Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

REFLECT

In what ways are you personally ALL IN to The Oaks’ mission of Growing Generations that Transform Communities? What do each of those terms mean to you?

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DAY 3Read Proverbs 3:35 “The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.”

REFLECT

Note that legacy parallels inheritance. What would you say are 3 main examples of the faith legacy you have created (or are creating) to leave behind at this point in your life? What would you change?

ACTION STEPS

During this week spend some time thinking about 2 things:- What do you feel you are known for now? - What do you want to be known for towards the end of your life?

D A I L Y

devotionals

DAY 6Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your reflection time this week.

DAY 5Read Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

REFLECT

How can we know the truth of this promise unless we are willing to stop gripping on to the things of this life as if they were our true security? What are some things you need to release into God’s hands as you seek to be ALL IN to what He wants to do in you and in us?

DAY 4Read Ephesians 2:8-9"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

REFLECT

What you have in Christ you have not, in any way, earned. As you begin to engage with the ALL IN study, in what areas of life are you wanting to be more active in sharing the inheritance you have in Christ?

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trustA L L I N R E Q U I R E S

S E S S I O N 2

ABOUT THIS SESSIONWhen the Bible talks about faith, it means more than believing something other people don’t think is true. Biblical faith isn’t just on the inside; it affects everything. In fact, the faith commended in God’s Word is about trust and letting go; it’s about being ALL IN.

Trusting God is easy when it doesn’t really matter or when there’s nothing at stake. But what about when trusting God comes with a price tag? What about when having everything that God longs to give us requires that we let go of things we also want to hang on to? In one of Jesus’ shortest parables He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44). There’s a lot in this little story, but the main point is that in order to get the priceless treasure of the kingdom of heaven, the man is willing to sell everything. He goes ALL IN to get the treasure that is only found in God’s Kingdom.

“As we continue our journey with Abram, we’re going to see that he’s holding even the Promised Land loosely. He doesn’t own it yet but he’s not trying to hoard it in the meantime. He’s ALL IN for God’s plan, God’s timing, and God’s way of doing things. He’s trusting God even when the next step isn’t clear.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your

paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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togetherC O M E

Small Group Host Note: Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to be with you as you meet. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion.

Since this is only your second session, you may still be in the “getting to know one another” phase, so pass around a sheet of paper. Have everyone introduce themselves again and write down the contact information for any new people. Ask someone to make copies or type up a list with everyone’s information and email it to the group this week. Then, begin your time together by using the following questions and activities to get people talking.

Trust is one of the core values of healthy small groups. It’s normal to see our sense of trust in the rest of the group grow from week to week as we get to know each other better and better. Last week you may have looked at the Small Group Agreement on page 114 but if there are several new people this week it would be worth reviewing those basic agreements.

Take care of any housekeeping matters at this point, making sure the locations for upcoming meetings are clear, and talking about any other specific assignments.

Give newcomers an opportunity to ask any questions they might have for the group.

Describe a time when someone trusted you and it made a big difference in your life.

When you think of the expression “ALL IN,” what are some of the inspiring or funny pictures that come to your mind?

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W A T C H

T H E

V I D E O

You can watch the video online at allin.theoaksonline.org or on the ALL IN DVD. This second session video will take us more deeply into the experience of Abram as Pastor Scott teaches us about the trust factors in Abram’s life. Use the space provided to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and questions in the Learn Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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A small group is a great learning environment where there are enough people to create a variety of perspectives but few enough not to be overly intimidating. When Jesus wanted to create an atmosphere for training and passing on His key message to the world, He began by forming a small group of sorts. We expect that much of the success and effectiveness of the ALL IN Initiative over the next two years will be traced to the way in which the small groups have encouraged one another, worked through the questions, cheered on the new commitments, and let God speak to us.

Use the following questions to guide your discussion of the teaching and stories you just experienced and the Bible passage below. You may also want to refer to the study notes on the next page to guide your reading and discussion.

SCRIPTUREREAD: GENESIS 13:1-9So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Pastor Scott posed two questions to draw our attention to the heart of trust: “Is God reliable? Is He trustworthy?” As you think about what you’ve heard from the video and God’s Word just now, what examples of God’s trustworthiness jump out at you?

Based on verses 8-9, why did Abram give Lot the first choice of lands on which to settle? In what ways was this trusting God?

Clearly, Lot didn’t care what God thought about his choice of location; he was interested in what appeared to be the better choice. How does Genesis 13:10 indicate he was about to make a bad choice?

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STUDY NOTESWhere his tent had been at the beginning (v.3). Returning from his time in Egypt, Abram set up camp near Bethel. God had told him this was the heart of all the land that would eventually be his.

Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together (v.6). Both Abram and Lot had prospered on their travels and their livestock herds were so numerous that they couldn’t graze on the same lands, which caused strife between the herdsmen.

Let there be no strife between you and me (v.8). Abram valued his family ties. He and Sarai had no children of their own yet, and he was determined to keep peace in his extended household. If this meant creating some distance for practical reasons, he was willing.

QUESTIONS

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What does trusting God look like in your life right now?

What kinds of baggage from your past or barriers in the present might be hindering your ability and willingness to trust God and the people in church?

What’s wrong with this statement: “I want to be known as a follower of Jesus, but I don’t want to have to trust Him in any meaningful way”?

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One of the keys to healthy application is realizing that when God teaches us something, living out that lesson will almost always involve other people. Note how the following questions move you in that direction.


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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all

your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

D A I L Y

MEMORY VERSE

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Use these daily devotions to go deeper into this week’s topic. Each day, read the verse given. Take your time. Ask God to speak to you through His Word. Notice which word or phrase stands out to you. Then take some time to journal your response back to Him. You can write whatever is on your heart. Answer the “Reflect” question only if it’s helpful. Feel free to go another direction if you sense God leading you. On the first day, you may want to read over all the verses for the week to get the “big picture” of the passage. But then walk slowly, verse by verse. Listen to what God wants to say to you through His Word, and respond to Him as you meditate on the truths of Scripture.


devotionalsDAY 1Read Philippians 2:4 “...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

REFLECT

How does trusting God translate into less concern about self and more interest in helping others and the Body of Christ?

DAY 2Read Matthew 6:33"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

REFLECT

This is the alternative to worry Jesus offers in the extended passage of Matthew 6:25-34. In what ways is worry a clue that we’re not trusting God?

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DAY 3Read Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

REFLECT

How do these verses describe the way you’re approaching your participation in the ALL IN Initiative?

ACTION STEPS

During this week think about areas where you’ve struggled to really trust God. Every day this week, as you begin your day, pray that God will give you the strength to trust Him.

D A I L Y

devotionals


DAY 5Read Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

REFLECT

If faith and trust are closely related in our relationship with God, what evidence is apparent in your life that you believe “that He exists” and you believe “that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him?”

DAY 4Read Matthew 6:21"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

REFLECT

In what ways is your heart involved in your responses to the ALL IN Initiative?

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honorA L L I N I S A B O U T

S E S S I O N 3

ABOUT THIS SESSIONHonor is not a word or an action that shows up regularly in life today. The concept may be mentioned in military settings or in discussions about what it means to honor one’s parents, but honor is seldom part of our daily routine. When we begin our morning, we probably don’t think, “today I want to live an honorable life.” The absence of honor has a lot to do with the shallowness of our relationship with God and with other people.

So, what is honor? The word summarizes appropriate respect and actions toward someone’s character, role, or position. The more someone’s character, role, and position harmonize, the easier it should be to honor them. This is true of no one more than it is true of God. And yet, as we will see in this session, we often struggle with honoring God in consistent ways.

One of the passages we looked at last week included the phrase “In all your ways submit to Him” (Proverbs 3:6). Honoring God is not only submitting to Him, but submitting to Him in all our ways. Jesus was quoting Isaiah who was taking a direct quote from God when He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me..” We want to be a people who do a lot more than give lip service to the idea of honoring God.

“[Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you

hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but

their hearts are far from me.’” Mark 7:6

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Small Group Leader Note: Open the time with prayer. Then use the following questions and activities to get people talking.

How has this series caused you to re-evaluate how you use your resources?

Who have you run across that you would say was easy to honor? What was it about them that caused that response in you?

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V I D E O

You can watch the video online at allin.theoaksonline.org or on the ALL IN DVD. Use the space to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and questions in the Learn Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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When we come together as a small group, we each have our own observations and responses to what we’re hearing, but it often takes the impact of a group’s response to help us see what we’ve overlooked or missed. God uses us in each other’s lives for good in this way.

Use the following questions to guide your discussion of the teaching and stories you just experienced, and the Bible passage below. You may also want to refer to the study notes on the next page to guide your reading and discussion.

SCRIPTUREREAD: GENESIS 14:14-2414 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the three hundred and eighteen trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek King of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Why is it important to honor God?

How was giving a tithe to Melchizedek actually honoring God? What’s the parallel for us today?

Thinking about Pastor Scott’s teaching and the Scripture we just read, what different ways did Abram honor God?

In the video, when Pastor Scott was interacting with the group after his teaching, what stood out to you in the comments and questions?

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STUDY NOTESNow when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive (v.14). Abram honored his relationship with Lot by “having his back” when he could have stayed at a distance. He was ALL IN when he went after Lot’s captors. God calls us to live out our relationships with honor.

So he brought back all the goods (v.16). Abram routed the raiders and recaptured everything and everyone that had been taken. Every aspect of this episode has God’s fingerprints all over it.

Melchizedek king of Salem (v.18 ). This figure appears without any introduction or background. He is mentioned again in Psalm 110 and in Hebrews 7:1-22 in discussing the unique role of Jesus who is both our king and priest, much as Melchizedek served both those roles. It is clear that Abram and Melchizedek recognized in one another an allegiance to the God above all gods.

And he (Abram) gave him (Melchizedek) a tithe of all (v.20). When God blessed Abram with a victory, his first thought was “how can I honor God in return for this great blessing?” (vs. 17-24).

I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth (v.22). Abram understood that accepting bounty from the king of Salem would make him indebted to him and he insisted on giving credit for his abundance to God Himself and no other.

QUESTIONS

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What is a way that you are currently honoring God with your resources? Share with the group as a means for inspiring others.

During the ALL IN Initiative, what changes have you made or considered making about the way you honor God with your time, your resources, or your relationships?

If you were to truly ask yourself the question, “What am I NOT giving and why?” how would you answer that as it relates to honoring God with ALL that you have and ALL that you are?

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Like the people who were talking with Pastor Scott, we want our small groups to be safe places where we can ask questions and get biblical answers. The ALL IN Initiative is a special season to help us realize how much we need each other and discover the joy of helping one another. Each of us has a part, and we’re in this together—we’re ALL IN.




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[Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is

written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’

Mark 7:6

D A I L Y

MEMORY VERSE

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devotionalsDAY 1Read Mark 7:6 "[Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’”

REFLECT

In the solitude of your heart’s thoughts, how ALL IN are you to this challenge of honoring God with everything?

DAY 2Read Revelation 4:11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

REFLECT

How does this verse make the case for making everything we are and everything we have available to God 24/7?

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DAY 3Read Matthew 8:8-9 "The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

REFLECT

How did this centurion combine faith with honor to acknowledge Jesus’ power?

ACTION STEPS

Each day this week pick one person you can show honor to—someone from work, your family, etc.

D A I L Y

devotionals


DAY 5Read 1 Samuel 2:29-30 “Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.’"

REFLECT

God let Eli know that he was honoring his sons more than he was honoring the Lord. What promise did God also give that we can count on?

DAY 4Read Luke 19:8 "But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

REFLECT

What happened in Zacchaeus that would cause him to honor God with everything?

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transformationA L L I N R E Q U I R E S

S E S S I O N 4

ABOUT THIS SESSIONIt’s ALL IN time. This will be our last session together before we make our ALL IN commitment when we gather this Sunday. We will meet next week to celebrate and continue to grow, but what happens between now and then will mark a significant change in many people’s lives. We trust this small group will be able to look back on these days as a time when God worked in unexpected ways to bring about far more than we asked or thought.

For many of us, the ALL IN Initiative has been a defining moment in which God worked on the process of transformation in our lives. As we will see in this session, God never stops working on us. Even someone who was ALL IN, like the Apostle Paul was, could write, “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

We are trusting this has been and will continue to be a time of remarkable spiritual growth for the entire Oaks family. We’re ALL IN this together, and God is going to do a great thing in us and through us.

”For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good

purpose.” Philippians 2:13

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Small Group Host Note: Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to be with you as you meet. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion.

Then, begin your time together by using the following questions and activities to get people talking.

Before watching the video, go to names.theoaksonline.org. Type in your name to find out the spiritual meaning of your name.

Since we’re going to talk a lot about transformation in this session, let’s talk about what we mean when we use the word “transformed.” What are the differences between an appearance or surface transformation (getting made up to play a part) and core transformation (what happens to a caterpillar on the way to becoming a butterfly)? Why would one be more desirable (or more difficult) than the other?

What has stood out to you the most over the past four weeks since we’ve been doing the ALL IN series?

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V I D E O

You can watch the video online at allin.theoaksonline.org or on the ALL IN DVD. This fourth session video will setup our discussion and will lead us towards our commitment in the ALL IN Initiative. In the video, Pastor Scott is teaching on transformation and interacting with others from The Oaks about the way God wants to transform us. Use the space to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and questions in the Learn Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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SCRIPTUREREAD: GENESIS 17:1-8When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

Why did God change Abram’s name? Does acceptance of a name like “Christian” or “Christ-follower” make a difference in a person’s life?

Using Abraham as an example, how would you describe God’s transformation plan?

What was the most memorable thing Pastor Scott or one of the participants in the circle said during the video about change?

What are some areas of life that God would want to transform in each of us?

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STUDY NOTESI am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless (v.1). Cause, action, result—God was pointing Abram to a transformed way of living. The order is significant. We often try to reverse it: once I’m blameless, maybe I can walk before Almighty God. Our approach is impossible; but God’s approach is possible because He makes it so.

No longer shall your name be called Abram (v.5). In Abram’s case, God takes some beginning-of-life-stuff (like getting a name and the act of circumcision) and makes it much later-in-life-stuff. God changed his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude) and established a practice for each generation of sons of the Covenant before the first of those sons was born.

As you read this passage about Abraham, notice how God’s move in his life affected everything—name, property, offspring, and possessions. God was declaring His right to all of it.

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Share a significant past experience where God shaped you more into the image of Jesus.

What is a next step in your transformation process? What is God asking you to do to make you more like Jesus?

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The idea of transformation (change under God’s hands) sometimes seems rather intimidating – as if God needs to radically change who we currently are in order for us to be more like Him. The truth is that our experiences of transformation often come through multiple small transformations within us. The instant “radical” transformation is still possible, but does not happen as frequently as transformation by process. Since God designed you originally, it’s His plan to complete your “formation” into the likeness of His Son.

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For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

Philippians 2:13

D A I L Y

MEMORY VERSE

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devotionalsDAY 1Read 2 Timothy 1:12 "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

REFLECT

How is God going to be involved in the making and the keeping of your commitment next Sunday?

DAY 2Read 2 Corinthians 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

REFLECT

How does this verse describe the work of transformation Christ is currently carrying out in your life?

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DAY 3Read John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

REFLECT

As you prepare for next Sunday, are there any ways you are letting your heart be troubled or afraid? How might making the commitment take you into the peace Christ has for you?

ACTION STEPS

This week practice being grateful to God for His transforming work in your life. Simply thank God each time you identify how your life has been transformed. Ideas may include: new passions, new memories, old habits, new friends, or health.

D A I L Y

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DAY 5Read Romans 8:31-32 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

REFLECT

How do these verses confirm your confidence as you prepare for the ALL IN commitment this Sunday?

DAY 4Read Philippians 2:13"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose."

REFLECT

As the ALL IN study has unfolded, how have you experienced this verse to be true in your own life?

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surrenderA L L I N R E Q U I R E S

S E S S I O N 5

ABOUT THIS SESSIONLast Sunday many of us came out of the stands, suited up, and got into the game. It’s not too late to be a part of the team. God has great things ahead for all of us. At times in our lives we want to have it both ways—ours and God’s. It is not surprising that when we try to live this way the results are a mess. As we will discover with this last look at Abraham, sometimes we need to be reminded that God’s way is ultimately the best, even when it looks like it will cost us everything.

“The life of surrender is choosing God before anyone or anything else.”

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing

worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all

things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”

Philippians 3:8

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togetherC O M E

Small Group Leader Note: Open your group with prayer. Then, begin your time together by using the following questions and activities to get people talking.

Describe in three words or less what you are feeling about the next two years. How can others in this group support you and pray for you during this journey?

For more ideas and resources about continuing your Small Group, go to groups.theoaksonline.org.

Take a few minutes to decide what’s next for your Small Group.• Choose an opportunity to serve together (i.e. serve at The Oaks on Sunday

mornings with Epic Kids or Guest Services, serve in the community, or go on a missions trip).

• Choose a time to meet during the break for fellowship and reconnection.

Whether you have already made your ALL IN commitment this past weekend or you will make it this next weekend, would you share your story about what God has done in your life over these last several weeks to cause you to fully surrender to Him?

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W A T C H

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V I D E O

You can watch the video online at allin.theoaksonline.org or on the ALL IN DVD. After you watch the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and questions in the Learn Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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SCRIPTUREREAD: GENESIS 22:1-8 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

What is the meaning of the word “sacrifice” in verse 2 and how important is it in understanding the way God wants us to see everything in our possession?

What did surrendering Isaac do for Abraham?

After listening to Pastor Scott and the group, what does “surrender” mean in our relationship with Christ?

Is the value of surrender, like worship and trust, wrapped up in what these things do for God or in what these things accomplish in us?

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STUDY NOTESOffer him there as a burnt offering (v.2). God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son— the fulfillment of God’s promise— not because He wanted to kill Isaac, but because He wanted Abraham to experience as deeply as possible the truth that life is about doing it God’s way, even when it appears it will be too hard. We don’t really know what it’s like to “let God” until we are willing to “let go.” For a disciple, a follower of Jesus, every area of our lives is in some stage of surrender, including the resources we have… and He has a right to it all.

QUESTIONS

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Pastor Scott described the heart of surrender as “committing everything you know about self to everything you know about God.” What are the effects of having a “heart of surrender”?

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God is asking us to live our lives and give in a way that CHANGES us, to give in a way that COSTS us something, and to live in a way that truly honors WHO GOD IS in our lives.

In essence, these actions prove that we are surrendering our lives to Him and His plan for us. We are ALL IN.


G R O W

T O G E T H E R




If you haven’t decided on a follow-up meeting or time for small group to continue, do so now.

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What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of

knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them

garbage, that I may gain Christ.

Philippians 3:8

D A I L Y

MEMORY VERSE

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devotionalsDAY 1Read Philippians 3:7-8 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."

REFLECT

How is this a picture of joyful surrender for a good reason?

DAY 2Read Hebrews 11:6"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

REFLECT

In what ways does this verse describe basic surrender to God on our part?

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DAY 3Read Galatians 2:20-21 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

REFLECT

How do you identify with Paul’s description of the surrendered life in these verses?

ACTION STEPS

This week take time to praise and thank God for helping you surrender yourself to Him. Let God know the things you’re struggling to still surrender. Then ask God to help you surrender your fears to Him and believe He is able.

D A I L Y

devotionals


DAY 5Read John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

REFLECT

How has your commitment to the ALL IN Initiative affected the sense of freedom that you have in Christ?

DAY 4Read John 12:24"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

REFLECT

What are some aspects of your life that you still need to surrender to God for His plans?

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Appendices

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Planning and setting dates can help ensure the greatest participation at every meeting. At the end of each meeting, review this calendar. Consider rotating the host, and don’t forget birthdays, socials, church events, holidays, and outreach/ministry projects.

Our purpose is to talk about what it means to live a God-first life with a few friends.

Group Attendance: To give priority to the group meeting. We will call or email if we willbe late or absent. (Completing the Group Calendar will minimize this issue.)

Safe Environment: To help create a safe place where people can be heard and feel loved.

Respect Differences: To be gentle and gracious toward people with different spiritual maturity, personal opinions, temperaments, or “imperfections.” We are all a work in progress.

Confidentiality: To keep anything that is shared strictly confidential and within the group, and to avoid sharing improper information about those outside the group.

Encouragement for Growth: Accept one another as we are, while encouraging one another to grow.

Shared Ownership: To remember that every member is a minister and to ensure that each attender will share a small team role or responsibility over time.

SMALL GROUP CALENDAR

SMALL GROUP AGREEMENT

DATE SESSION HOST REFRESHMENTS

Sunday, April 3 1

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Scott Clayton

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FAQs

If we are committing to ALL IN, how does this change

my giving to the general fund, to missions giving,

community outreach, or to other Oaks initiatives?

During this 2-year period, every contribution to God through The Oaks will be a contribution to our ALL IN Initiative. Every aspect of the ministry vision God is calling us to for the next two years will be funded through ALL IN. There will not be a separate giving fund. Every gift made will be counted towards ALL IN. Therefore, every weekend becomes a time to celebrate and contribute towards what God is doing in us and through us to Equip, Engage, and Expand!

What are you asking me to do?

First and foremost we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him, and then listen to what He says. Engage in an ALL IN Small Group this season – doing LIFE together is better! Make time to engage in personal reflection with God in this ALL IN Study Guide. Talk with your spouse, your family, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next

exciting season of your life. We are asking that you make a sacrificial commitment to radical generosity – whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading.

Finally, we ask that you prepare to be amazed. It is an awesome God that we serve and He is going to show up in huge ways and we anticipate a huge impact from our collective ALL IN commitments. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, May 1, and prepare to experience a life-changing worship service! We are trusting this will be a defining moment for our church and for our faith.

Are there additional ways to give more towards ALL IN?

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards ALL IN. You might have some stock, property, or other items of that nature. You may have some stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He may be calling you to give out of during this time. Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we can assist you with that.

A B O U T A L L I N G I V I N G

Take a few minutes to review the following questions about The Oaks and our ALL IN Initiative. You may discover you have a question or two you didn’t know you had! We want everyone to be as informed as possible about the two exciting years we have ahead of us. The answers you find here may also help you respond to questions others have as the challenges unfold in the months to come.

What about designated gifts to specific ministries?

Gifts to a specific Oaks ministry or initiative will count towards your ALL IN commitment.

How long is my commitment?

We are asking that everyone make a 2-year commitment, totaling twenty-four months. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with our First Big Give Sunday on May 22 and will culminate in May of 2018.

What if I don’t have a job right now? What does that

mean for my ALL IN commitment?

ALL IN is about your total, radical, sacrificial generosity to God’s mission at The Oaks. We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship just as much as He does in times of abundance, and that looks different for every person. We believe God will use ALL IN to bring about a heart change in many as they surrender their lives completely over to God in the area of giving. So that may mean that you are being challenged to sell things, to pick up odd jobs, or even to trust God in faith by making a commitment that you don’t quite know how to fulfill right now, but that you believe God will provide for as you seek. We would like everyone to be a part of ALL IN so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually stretching season at The Oaks.

What if I am severely in debt right now? Am I still

supposed to give?

If you are currently seeking to make payments to pay off debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that; and you should continue to do so. Being in debt does not, however, make someone “excused” from giving. Giving isn’t about what God wants from you; rather, it’s about what God wants for you. So it should be our joy and privilege to give at all times.

What if I have never even given to The Oaks before?

ALL IN was crafted specifically with you in mind. ALL IN is a “one fund” generosity initiative; it’s different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving. ALL IN is a call to radical, sacrificial generosity for absolutely everyone at The Oaks. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with radical sacrifice.

What if I am new around here?

If you are a new Christian, welcome to The Oaks family! We want to encourage you to sign up soon for our NEXT class that unpacks our unique discipleship pathway for personal transformation in relationships, ministry, stewardship, and evangelism. You’ll learn about our mission and vision, and learn how God uniquely designed you. Log on to next.theoaksonline.org for more information.

We would also encourage everyone to join a small group. We believe that real life change happens best in the context of authentic relationships. Our small groups meet weekly in locations all around our county and provide a place for you to connect, grow, and share life with others. Log on to groups.theoaksonline.org to find your small group today!

ALL IN is about the vision for our church. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give towards, and we would really love for you to make The Oaks your home church and join us for ALL IN. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church. We need you on the team!


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What do we do on the first ALL IN Small Group

gathering?

Like all fun things in life – have a party! A “get to know you” coffee, dinner, or dessert is a great way to launch a new study.

Where do we find new members for our group?

The best way to grow your group is through personal invitation. Make a list of friends, coworkers, and family members, etc. that you can invite. Then make it a point to talk to at least five people every Sunday. Ask them if they are in an ALL IN Small Group yet, and then invite them to your group if they’re not already involved.

No matter how you find members, it’s vital that you stay on the lookout for new people to join your group. All groups tend to go through healthy

attrition – the result of moves, releasing new hosts, ministry opportunities, and so forth – and if the group gets too small, it could be at risk of shutting down. If you and your group stay open, you’ll be amazed at the people God sends your way. The next person just might become a friend for life. You never know!

How long will this group meet?

The ALL IN Study lasts for 5 weeks, but we’d encourage you to prayerfully consider continuing your group after ALL IN is complete. At the end of this study, each group member may decide if he or she wants to continue on; some groups launch relationships for years to come and others are stepping stones into another group experience. Either way, enjoy the journey.

FAQsA B O U T A L L I N S M A L L G R O U P S

Can we do this study on our own?

Absolutely! This may sound crazy, but one of the best ways to do this study is not with a full house but with a few friends. You may choose to gather with another couple who would enjoy some relational time (perhaps going to the movies or having a quiet dinner) and then walking through this study. Jesus will be with you even if there are only two of you (Matthew 18:20).

What if this group is not working for us?

You’re not alone! This could be the result of a personality conflict, life stage difference, geographical distance, level of spiritual maturity, or any number of things. Relax. Pray for God’s direction, and at the end of this 5 week study decide whether to continue with this group or find another. You don’t typically buy the first car you look at or marry the first person you date, and the same goes with a group. However, don’t bail out before the 5 weeks are up – God might have something to teach you. Also, don’t run from conflict or prejudge people before you have given them a chance. God is still working in your life too!

Who is the host?

Most groups have an official host who facilitates the group. But ideally, the group will mature and members will rotate the leadership of meetings. We have discovered that healthy groups rotate hosts/leaders on a regular basis. This model ensures that all members grow, give their unique contribution,

and develop their gifts. This study guide and the Holy Spirit can keep things on track even when you rotate hosts. Christ has promised to be in your midst as you gather. Ultimately, God is your leader each step of the way.

How do we handle the childcare needs in our group?

Very carefully. Seriously, this can be a sensitive issue. We suggest that you empower the group to openly brainstorm solutions. You may try one option that works for a while and then adjust over time. Our favorite approach is for adults to meet in the living room or dining room and to share the cost of a babysitter (or two) who can watch the kids in a different part of the house. This way, parents don’t have to be away from their children all evening when their children are too young to be left at home. A second option is to use one home for the kids and a second home (close by or a phone call away) for the adults. A third idea is to rotate the responsibility of providing a lesson or care for the children either in the same home or in another home nearby. This can be an incredible blessing for kids. Finally, the most common solution is to decide that you personally need to have a night to invest in your spiritual lives individually or as a couple and to make your own arrangements for childcare. No matter what decision the group makes, the best approach is to dialogue openly about the solution.


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P R A Y E R & P R A I S E R E P O R T S

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T E S T I M O N Y

MORE SPACE TO WRITE ON BACK

If you are willing to share your testimony for future event production, please sign your name.

Signature Date

May we contact you regarding your testimony? Print your name, phone number, and email address.

Name Phone Email Address

We would love to hear about and celebrate what God has done in and through you during the ALL IN series. Please give a brief testimony about how God ministered to you, tear off the page, and give it to your small group host.

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