August 5, 2018

MAIN POINTS & SCRIPTURES Valley Creek is a movement of Jesus-focused, Spirit-filled, life-giving people.  We live a life of restful movement; we rest in Jesus and yet we never stop moving forward with Him. Where God is leading us is better than where we’ve been, and we follow His leading one next step at a time.  (1 Corinthians 2:9) We follow the cloud; we hear God’s voice and follow Him, by faith, into a life of freedom. (Exodus 13:21-22) The Old Testament cloud is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. Today, the cloud of God’s presence doesn’t just surround us but is within us. (Galatians 5:25) 

Here’s three thoughts on what it looks like to follow the cloud: 1. God leads us in small steps, not giant leaps. By taking a series of small steps, we learn that His faithfulness yesterday provides the faith we need for today. God talks to us in sentences, not paragraphs, because we can only handle one small step at a time. God is the lamp that shines on our next step and the light that points in the direction we are headed. (Psalm 119:105) 

 Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will show us what we need to know, at the appropriate time. (John 16:12-13) In the kingdom of God we obey and then we understand, even if we’re unsure of where we’re going. His plans are always better than ours. (Proverbs 16:9) We place our focus and trust on Jesus not the step we’re taking. (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

2. Each next step is designed to help us discover who we are, who God is and what we’re created to do. A journey of next steps isn’t about where we are going, it’s about who we’re becoming. Taking next steps is the process, the outcome is freedom. Salvation sets us free; following empowers us to live free. The fact that God provides a next step shows His grace and kindness in our lives.  When we Receive His Grace, we realize what is said of Jesus is true of us, and our identity changes. Once we realize our identity, the only natural response is to move into relationship with Him and Experience His Presence. Once we’ve experienced His presence we will be able to Release His Kingdom, which is our purpose.

 When we know who we are, who He is and what we’re created to do, we are drawn into the Father’s heart.  Jesus is the way and the Father’s heart is the destination, (John 14:6) our responsibility is to follow Jesus, one step at a time. (Matthew 4:19). We don’t take next steps to do something for God, we take next steps so God can show us all He’s done for us. 

3. We have a next step. We all have a next step to take. To find out what our next step is, we ASK, LISTEN and RESPOND to God who is always speaking and wants us to hear His voice. (John 10:4) A next step is any belief or behavior that moves us forward on our journey with Jesus. We rest in Him but we never stop moving forward with Him. (Psalm 32:8) Jesus is the way out and Jesus is the way forward. So, focus on the Shepherd, not the next step, because the Good Shepherd is carrying His sheep. (Deuteronomy 1:31) The steps we take today will determine the freedom we will experience tomorrow.

DISCUSSION

1. God speaks to us in sentences not paragraphs. What was the last sentence you heard from God?  What was your response to the sentence? (See point #1)

2. In Jesus we have nothing to achieve, earn, or prove but everything to receive, discover, and explore. This week, how can you intentionally focus on Jesus and what He’s done for you? (See points #1 & #2)

3. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? What is your next step? 

CHECK OUT ALL JOHNS TEACHINGS ON THEIR WEBSITE.

www.valleycreek.org

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SCROLL DOWN TO ALL THE LESSONS ON FOLLOW THE CLOUD WHEN FIRST TAUGHT IN AUGUST 2017.

BLESSINS

THANKFUL FOR VALLEY CREEK AND JOHN STICKL

THE OUTLINE LESSON BELOW IS WORD FOR WORD FROM VALLEY CREEK CHURCH - PASTOR JOHN STICKL. 

YOU WILL SEE PDF OF EACH OUTLINE ALONG WITH THE LINKS TO VIEW ALL THE PREACHING/TEACHING LESSONS ON THIS BOOK HE WROTE. THIS IS NOT ANYTHING FROM BARBARA CHAPMOND...

THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL DISCUSSION NOTES WHEN JOHN FIRST SHARED THE BOOK AND LESSONS ON "Follow The Cloud" in 8/2017 

August 17/20, 2017 Follow the Cloud BIG IDEA: God leads us one next step at a time into a life of freedom. KEY VERSE By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13: 21-22

THIS WEEK I WILL FOLLOW THE CLOUD BY


MAIN POINTS & SCRIPTURES Following the cloud is about hearing God’s voice and following Him, by faith, into a life of freedom. Our example of Following the Cloud comes from the Israelites freedom from Egyptian slavery and their journey to the Promised Land. (Exodus 13:21-22) God’s heart is always drawn to the cries of man. God gave the Israelites a cloud to follow; a personal and ever present cloud to show the Israelites that God is intimately personal and ever present. The Old Testament cloud is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. Today, the cloud of God’s presence isn’t above us but rather within us. (Galatians 5:25 NLT) We may not always understand where the cloud is leading us but we can be confident that with each step God is leading us out of our bondage and into a life of freedom.

A few thoughts on living a lifestyle of next steps: 1. God leads us in small steps, not giant leaps. By taking a series of small next steps, we learn that His faithfulness yesterday provides the faith we need for today. That is why God talks to us in sentences, not paragraphs, because we can only handle one small step at a time. God is the lamp that shines on our next step and a light that points in the direction we are headed. (Psalm 119:105) Withholding the details forces us to be dependent on Him. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will show us what we need to know, when we need to know it. (John 16:12-13 NLT) We may be unsure of where we’re going, but His plans are always better than our plans. (Proverbs 16:25, Proverbs 16:9) In the kingdom of God we obey and then we understand. God’s detours are always faster than our freeways.

2. Each next step is designed to help us discover who we are, who God is, and what we were created to do. Next steps are the process, but freedom is the outcome. A journey of next steps isn’t about where we go, what we do, or what we accomplish; it’s about who we become. When we receive His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we realize that what is said of Jesus is true of us, (1John 4:17 NKJ) and our identity changes. (Romans 5:19) Once we realize our identity the only natural response is to move into relationship with Him and experience His presence. Once we’ve experienced His presence we will be able to release His kingdom, which is our purpose. (Genesis 1:28 AMP) When we know who we are, who He is, and what we’re created to do, we are drawn into the Father’s heart. Jesus is the way and the Father’s heart is the destination. (John 14:6)

DISCUSSION

1. Share a time in your life that God’s faithfulness yesterday gave you the faith for today? (See point 1)

2. When has God asked you to take a next step that seemed off course to you? What was the outcome? (See point 2)

3. Where in your life do you need to trust and receive more freedom from God? (See point

Follow The Cloud – Bible Study Notes RECAP BFC NOTES ONLY                                                                                     Valley Creek Church – John Stickl

• Following the Cloud=Following the Holy Spirit of God
• God goes before me
• One step at a time
• Day and night guidance
• God never leaves us
• Points: Follow-Hear-Listen-Obey-Act = Builds our FAITH
• Following the Holy Spirit = Freedom
• Freedom from slavery
• Journey to Promised Land
• Today cloud not above us, but within us. – Holy Spirit
• Small steps
• Gods faithfulness yesterday gives us faith for today
• God talks in sentences not paragraphs.
• Withholding details forces us to depend on Him.
• Holy Spirit shows us what we need to know when we need to know it.
• All about who we BECOME when following the cloud
• Don’t hurry – fret- strain – TRUST

Bible Verses to look up:

Exodus 13:21-23  - Galatians 5:25  -  Psalms 119:105   -  John 16:22                    Proverbs 16:25 and 16:9  -  Ephesians 2:8-9  -  1 John 4:17  -  Romans 5:19

• Ø Sermon notes: God gives us assignments to take our eyes off of ourselves and put them on Him.
• Ø You won’t get out of the boar if you don’t hear God’s voice.
• Ø Cloud followers won’t go on their own way.
• Ø If satan can’t stop you, he will get behind you and PUSH
• Ø Enjoy God where you R.
• Ø You can’t be in relationship with someone you never talk to.
• Ø If you don’t hear Gods’ voice, you’ll live in doubt.
• Ø If you want to hear Gods voice, you have to read your bible.
• Ø Seek confirmation from Gods word.
• Ø The Cloud is within us.
• Ø At the end of the day you R as close to God as you want to be.
• Ø Do we want to move into His presence?
• Ø God will never leave us.
• Ø Our obedience determines our intimacy
• Ø Life is all about relationship with God
• Ø The cloud was God saying “I’m right here”
• Ø In His presence is the fullness of JOY
• Ø If God is with you, where are you in a hurry to go?
• Ø Don’t move on your own.
• Ø Do a good thing at the wrong time??
• Ø Is God inviting me to go OR am I going on my own?