Is that You God?... Where are You?

Series: Is that You God?
Where are You? by John Burke - August 17, 2008
John began a new series this week on gaining the perspective that lets us see God in our lives. The focus this week is on seeing God through the gifts He has given us. Everyone will need some scratch paper and something to write with this week.

1. John started by asking us to make a list of the “gifts” in our lives – that’s a great place to start your discussion too. Take a two minutes and write down as many “gifts” as you can think of in that time. Pick one or two of the things on the list that are the most important to you, put a mark next to them, and then go around the group and talk about each person’s most valued gift(s).

2. As John pointed out, often times we don’t really notice or think about the gifts in our lives – particularly to see them as gifts from God. Why is that? Take a few minutes to talk about why it is so easy forget about the gifts we have.

3. So, what about you? Think back over the last week. Is there anything big or small that you can think of that really “bugged” you about your life… something that you complained about – even if only internally? Pair off and with your discussion partner, describe the thing that was a problem for you. Next, zoom out and see if you can get a different perspective. For example, maybe the complaint was about the downside of a larger positive (i.e., traffic on the way to work… but you DO have a job) or maybe the negative was something that leads to a good thing (i.e., studying for a test – so you can get a grade, pass a course, and get a degree). Talk this through with your discussion partner and try to come up with as many “upsides” as you can.

4. In one of his stories in the message, John told us about John Ortberg’s “lesson” of the Happy Meal: a child thinks they will get “happy” with the meal, but it never lasts. Invariably, we all have our own “happy meals”… things that we thing will make us happy, but in the end, we still want more. What about you? Can you identify something that was/is a happy meal for you: You thought it would make you happy, but it doesn’t? Take some time for people to share about their own happy meals?

5. At the end of his message, John challenged us to make a point this week of thanking God for the gifts in our lives. He also challenged us to go one step farther and try to imagine what that “gift” tells us about the character and nature of the giver. So now, do that. Look at your list from #1 and think about what that gift could tell you about God. Take some time for people to talk about this in the group. Thinking about the “lessons” of God’s character could be hard, so feel free to brainstorm in the group about what each others “gifts” might say about God.

6. Close with some time for prayer for each person who is comfortable to thank God for the gift(s) that are most valuable to them. (Remember what John said: If you are not sure there IS a God who gave them to you… try to suspend disbelief and just try on the thanking anyway… as an experiment). If there is any time remaining, share any tips for how be more regularly thankful for our gifts.

Bible verses from the message:

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Matthew 13:14-16

For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me! Ps 81:10-13

We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them…He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. Acts 14:15-17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17

“The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak. Night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word. Their voice is silent in the skies, yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalm 19:1-4

"How gladly would I treat you like sons and daughters and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me `Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me…declares the LORD. Jeremiah 3:19-20

"Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" Mark 8:17-19

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8

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