12/03/2023

BHAM

Connect Group Study Notes:   12 March 2023  

Message: Pastor Troy Rist  

Theme: “BHAM…” (Big Hairy Audacious Mission) Lent 3 

Devotion to God brings: A Godly vision, requiring Godly strength, for a Godly purpose. 

 

Reading:  Daniel Ch. 10 

 

This format is a guide to you for your small group meeting. Feel free to change and adapt it according to the needs of your group. The objective is for you to build authentic relationships within the group, relationships that enable you to learn to love others who are different to you, and to discover as a reality the treasure of relationships that are built on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus, his life, and his teaching.  

 Fellowship 

Begin with general conversation and sharing about how the past week has gone. Try not to go over time. 

Worship and Prayer 

Click on the link below on your smartphone, Smart TV, or computer, to select songs to sing; and then spend a few minutes in song and prayer.  

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL SONG’S PLAYLIST:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1vXdZVPkZ0_tQW5n9RqeZX0 

And if you need to check on the Message for the week again, then click on: 

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL (MESSAGE): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1X4YYw1KLpda1yGnqKgfw/videos 

This time of worship and prayer will encourage you to move your thoughts from daily worries and pressures to our time of Bible study and prayer. 

 Read:  Daniel Ch 10 

Warm up for the discussion time: 

Share with someone close to you, a vision you have/had for your life. 

 Discussion Questions: 

In your discussion time think carefully about this sentence: Prayer and fasting can bring about: A Godly vision, requiring Godly strength, for a Godly purpose. 

Godly Vision: 

  • How long did Daniel fast for (vs. 2)?  
  • What is it that Daniel saw in the first part of his vision (vs. 4-6)?  
  • What does the word “vision” mean in the context of this reading (vs. 8)? 
  • How did Daniel and the others with him react to the vision? (vs. 7-10)?  
  • Why did God respond to Daniels’ prayers (vs. 12)?  

We fast and pray for a new Godly Vision for Plett. 

 Godly Strength:  

  • Have you ever been overwhelmed at the thought of something that you need to do, in such a way that you felt “helpless”?  
  • Do you think that God has a vision for our world? 
  • Are you willing to participate with God to bring about God’s vision for all people? How does this make you feel? 
  • The angel interacts with Daniel and gives him strength to “stand” (vs. 10):  
  • Touches Daniels’ lips (vs 16) enabling him to speak.   
  • Put God’s strength into Daniel (vs.18).  

We fast and pray for a Godly strength to enable the Godly vision to become a reality in Plett. 

 Godly Purpose: 

God was able to fulfil his purpose through Daniel, and others such as the Apostle Paul in New Testament times, because of their devotion to God.  

They were both devoted to God, and both received heavenly visions, and a purpose, that not only impacted them, but also generations to come. 

Maybe, when Daniel began praying and fasting, and continued to do so for 3 weeks God said to his heavenly hosts “here is one who is not only highly esteemed, because he has humbled himself before me and looks to me for understanding, but here is someone I can trust with my vision for my people in the world.” And maybe God said something similar about Paul. Are we trustworthy here at STMC? Can God trust us with the heavenly vision he has for Plett? Because of our devotion to him …?  

Faith building: 

Pray this simple daily prayer, as you commit the day to the Lord, and as you pray for our country; “Come Holy Spirit Come”. 

 Prayer: Share prayer requests and then pray together. 

 Closing Prayer:  And now may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and forever more. Amen 

Have a wonderful week. God bless. Tim.