SCRIPTURE:

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your
own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a
mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
TEACHABLE CONCEPTS:
The power of the small, kind act. Serving others. Selflessness.
Have you ever thought to help someone and then you stopped yourself,
figuring, what good could it really do? How did it make you feel? You
were you right in your assumption?
Have you ever been the recipient of a small gesture of kindness that
turned into something of great meaning? What was it?
Think of a character in the Bible who did a small thing, only to have
history-altering affects. Example, a woman pours perfume over Christ’s
feet. What does it tell you about how God can use a seemingly small act
of love? (Read Matthew 26:6-13)
Recall the final scene of the movie, where the real Ashley Smith is on
Oprah in front of millions. Discuss in your group the magnitude of how
God can work through someone’s life, both the woman who gave the
book and Ashley.
Are you a generous and thoughtful person? If not, how can you become
one, and therefore begin to affect people’s lives?
Today love is often centered around our needs being met. How is doing
something kind for someone else an act of love? Explain your thoughts.
Very generous people say that it is actually fun and gratifying to give.
Why do you think that might be? What does one receive in return?
Think of the generous people in your life—people who did small and
large things on your behalf. How have they affected you? What do they
mean to you?
P R AY E R :
Lord, help me to be mindful of the great and mighty
things you can do through my small acts of kindness. Let
me feel your compassion, and love more fully so that I
may more readily act upon the things I see around me,
and that through generosity, I may bless others, as well as
live in the joy of your work through me. May others see
you through these small acts.
THE SEED: A SMALL ACT CAN LEAD TO GREAT THINGS
THE TRUTH: EVERYONE HAS A PURPOSE
SCRIPTURE:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.”
Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
TEACHABLE CONCEPTS:
The antidote to a meaningless life. Purpose. How God sees our value.
Have you ever felt doubt as to whether you had meaning, or a purpose in
life? What drove you to arrive at that point?
When you look around you, does it appear to you that other people have
found their purpose while you haven’t? Why do you believe that?
The Purpose Driven Life says, “God deserves your best… He shaped you
for a purpose, and expects you to make the most of what you have been
given.” How might those words change your life?
If Jesus saves, would He save us for no reason? Why would he suffer in
vain but for the purpose of loving you?
If you’ve ever felt that your life was meaningless, does a look at the cross
give you a new perspective? What is that new perspective?
If Jesus saves, would He save us for no reason? Or is there a plan for our
lives? What does it feel like to say that aloud, ”God has a plan for my life”?
Do you feel you have made the most of what you have been given? If
not, is it too late? What can you do to get your life back on track?
What does the world, or our culture, have to tell us about our purpose in
life and how is that different than what you believe God would say?
It says in Psalm 127, “How precious to me are your thoughts, oh God!
How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber
the grains of sand.” If God has an incalculable number of thoughts
toward you, what does that lead you to believe about your purpose/
value?
T H E S C E N E :
Even as Nichols believes
that his life is essentially
worthless, the words of
‘The Purpose Driven Life’
combined with Ashley’s
compassion, his anger
slowly subsides and his
heart begins to soften.
Little by little, Nichols
gradually realizes there
is a purpose to his life.
P R AY E R :
Lord, thank you so much for creating me with such value
in your eyes, that You would also give me a special purpose,
one you have planned long before my birth. Thank
you, as well, that no matter how I have conducted my life,
I can still live out your purpose for me. Let me also see
the value in each person I encounter.
T H E S C E N E :
As Ashley reads from “The
Purpose Driven Life”,
Nichols learns that to offer
someone forgiveness is to
free your own soul. When he
asks her if she could forgive
him if he were to murder her
husband, she responds,
“I don’t know. But God can.”
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 103:8-12 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding
in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our
iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast
love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he
remove our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is
near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let
him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon.
TEACHABLE CONCEPTS:
Forgiveness. How God views the sinner. Our responsibility as forgiven
people.
Have you ever felt distant from God? Can you explain what it felt like?
How does sin become a wedge between you and God?
What sins are so bad that God will not forgive?
Can a man who has killed multiple people in one night and taken another
hostage, be forgiven? Does this rub your sense of justice the wrong way?
Why or why not?
What must happen for God to forgive sin?
Synonyms for the word abound are overflow, flourish, swell, teem, spillover.
Now read again Psalm 103:8 replacing the word “abound” with the
synonyms above. How does that change the way you look at yourself,
even though you are steeped in sin?
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit.” How does forgiveness fit into the hope you have in
Christ?
Matthew 6:12 says, “Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” How
good are you at forgiving others who have wronged you? Do you hold
grudges and resentment?
What would your life be like if you were grudge- and resentment-free?
What would be the condition of your heart?
P R AY E R :
Lord, thank you that there is nothing that we have ever
done, and nothing that we will ever do that can permanently
separate us from you because you are a forgiving
God. Help us to be just as eager to confess and repent as
you are to forgive. Thank you, God, that you are a God of
second chances. May we live in that joy and hope.
THE GIFT: GOD CAN FORGIVE EVERY SIN AND SINNER
THE PRAYER: “OH GOD, PLEASE HELP ME”
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he
delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the
waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were
quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Psalm 5:1-2 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry
for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord,
you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait
expectantly.
TEACHABLE CONCEPTS:
The power of the small, kind act. Serving others. Selflessness.
Have you ever thought to help someone and then you stopped yourself,
figuring, what good could it really do? How did it make you feel? You
were you right in your assumption?
Have you ever been the recipient of a small gesture of kindness that
turned into something of great meaning? What was it?
Think of a character in the Bible who did a small thing, only to have
history-altering affects. Example, a woman pours perfume over Christ’s
feet. What does it tell you about how God can use a seemingly small act
of love? (Read Matthew 26:6-13)
Recall the final scene of the movie, where the real Ashley Smith is on
Oprah in front of millions. Discuss in your group the magnitude of how
God can work through someone’s life, both the woman who gave the
book and Ashley.
Are you a generous and thoughtful person? If not, how can you become
one, and therefore begin to affect people’s lives?
Today love is often centered around our needs being met. How is doing
something kind for someone else an act of love? Explain your thoughts.
Very generous people say that it is actually fun and gratifying to give.
Why do you think that might be? What does one receive in return?
Think of the generous people in your life—people who did small and
large things on your behalf. How have they affected you? What do they
mean to you?
T H E S C E N E :
With her assailant high on
meth and standing just
outside her bathroom door,
Ashley makes the briefest
of pleas to God. One might
wonder, what good could a
prayer like that do?
P R AY E R :
Dear God, thank you that you delight to receive the
prayers of your children. Thank you that you are just as
receptive to the prayer that is given through long, heartfelt
petition, as you are to the prayer given in the burst of
urgent need. And thank you that through prayer You give
us the power to change our lives. Help us to love and pray
for others as You do.
T H E S C E N E :
Nichols wants Ashley to get
high with him. A spiritual
battle rages on inside
Ashley. Considering she’s
been powerless against the
temptation thus far, it’s an
easy excuse for her to give
in one more time. Finally,
she’s gathers all her courage
and strength and chooses to
refrain. Even when ordered
by Nichols to do it, she
defies him at the risk
of her life.
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 20:6 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He
answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his
right hand.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of
the weak.
1 Corinthians 10:13 But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way
out so you can endure it.
TEACHABLE CONCEPTS:
Choosing to defy sin. The power of God in us. Submission to God.
Is there something in your life that you feel powerless to overcome?
Write it down.
Have you lost your battle against it so often than you have begun to accept
it as a part of your life? When it’s time to do battle with it again how
might it be different?
In your opinion what does it take to make a permanent change? Can you
do it on your own?
If you’re certain that a battle against sin will result in defeat, just like
times before, read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What does it mean for you?
Read Luke 4:1-13. Every time Jesus is tempted, how does He respond?
What is He quoting?
Read James 4:7. What are the two action words in that verse that are
intended for you to do?
Romans 8:31, 37 says we are more than conquerors. How would your life
be different if you claimed this truth for your own life?
P R AY E R :
Dear Lord, I have things in my life that pull me down and
separate me from you. Please help me to fix my eyes
on you, the Author and Perfecter of my faith, and to be
constantly renewing my submission to your will, love and
care. Only you provide me a way out from my temptation.
Set me on a new course of strength in the face of temptation
and so that victory is a reality in my life.