Bandwidth: Energize

Series: Bandwidth
Energize by Ted Beasley - January 20, 2008

If we want more bandwidth in our relationship with God, we need to find a way to energize the relationship. How to do that was Ted’s focus in this message. Based on Bill Hybel’s book Spiritual Pathways, Ted outlined seven possible approaches to capturing or recapturing a more alive spiritual connection.

1. Most this discussion will be centered around identifying and then applying your own spiritual pathway. But first, start with the idea of personal spiritual responsibility that Ted developed at the start of his message: Ted talked about how most of us had someone or something that “fed” us spiritually. Did you? What were you fed in your spiritual babyhood, and who did (or does) your feeding? Are you trying to feed anyone now? In the group, spend some time to talk personally or “in general” about how people get spiritual feeding before they begin to feed themselves spiritually. (10 minutes)

2. Ted said he was 15 year old, and away from home and church before he decided to really start feeding himself spiritually. How about you? Have you reached that point – (or points for some of us…)? What motivated you to take that step? Think about that and then talk about the types of things that motivate people toward a “turning point” in their relationship with God. (10 minutes)
3. The main point of Ted’s message was that we all have basic “roads” we take toward God… a spiritual approach that just feels "right" for each of us. For the rest of the discussion, you’ll focus on identifying your own pathway, along with some of the best “travel aids” to use on that route. First, review the spiritual pathways below. Can you pick out one as being the one that best energizes you to move toward God? If your path is not on the list, what does work for you?

• Intellectual: stretching your brain with new thoughts about God and His ways


• Relational: deeper closeness with God when sharing the experience with others


• Service: helping others brings you closer to God’s heart for service


• Worship: thinking, singing, praying about how good God is


• Activism: spiritual connections with God strengthened when you’re making a difference in the world


• Contemplative: getting energy from time away thinking through God’s role in the world and your life


• Creation: closeness to God when in nature and appreciating His creation.
  

Take some time for each person to talk about their own spiritual pathway. As you go around, be sure to talk about the specific kinds of things that really energize you on your journey. If none of these fit, can you describe the kinds of things that DO make you feel energized spiritually? (30 minutes)

4. At the end of the message, Ted challenged us to step up and take responsibility for our own growth. He also suggested that we develop our ability to see God through routes that are not our own well-worn paths. Close with some personal time for each person to think about that. Are you thinking that maybe you need to start your own feeding rather than waiting for others to push you along? Or maybe you need to re-energize your walk? If so, what is your best route forward? If your are pretty charged up right now, maybe there is another way you can start to know God through a different path? Is there a new/different route you think God is prompting you to use to come to Him? Whatever your place or path, write down one thing you can do in the next week to start down that road, and then pray and ask God to energize you to take that step. (5 minutes)

Bible verses from the message:

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.
Galatians 5:16 – 17

You should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
Hebrews 5:14

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psalm 108:1 – 4

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

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