Title: Digging Wells of Revival (part 2)

Icebreaker: Are you someone who tends to expect everything to go well or someone who often expects the worst?

This Sunday our Bishop picked up on last week's message and called us all to do the work of digging the wells of revival. We may have experienced supernatural moves of God in past seasons, but God wants to move again. To experience this revival requires us digging in and doing the work to prepare. We began the work last week discussing prayer and having a heart for the lost, these are foundational. There’s more to be done, but we must remember that everything else is secondary and powerless without the foundation of prayer.

Genesis 26:18

I. Digging Starts with Prayer 

• Digging is hard work, it requires perseverance and strength to go against the grain. We learned last week that prayer is the only way you can start successfully digging. Nothing happens through the church or for the kingdom of God without prayer (Mark 11:17). Prayer is the launchpad for every move of God and the only way this work can be sustained.
• We also learned that prayer is where our hearts are turned toward the lost, and we need a heart for souls that stirs us to reach out and share the gospel with others.
• Having a heart for souls is what leads us to not only share the gospel with strangers, but to build relationships and disciple others to live for Christ. Jesus' instructions in Matthew 28:19 were not only for church leaders, but for every believer. The leaders of the church equip us for the work (Ephesians 4), but each of us has someone we can help grow.
• Making disciples is not just for reaching out to strangers, but it starts in our homes. We are responsible for raising up the next generation to know and serve the Lord (1 Samuel 1, 3). Before the world gets the chance to influence them, we should ensure that our kids are raised in the house of God, serving in the ministry even at a young age, and learning to hear the voice of God so they won't follow the voice of strangers later.

Discussion:

What other steps might be involved in digging? So far we know prayer, evangelism, and discipleship - can you think of other aspects of this work?

II. The Next Steps

• As we continue digging our wells we will face opposition, and we must know how to confront the demonic rather than allowing the enemy's attacks to knock us down (Matthew 16:18). We must learn to wage war in the spirit. As born again believers we are filled with the Spirit of God and his power, and we have to wield that power to experience deliverance and true freedom in Christ.
• For some of us, it's not demonic forces hindering us but our own words that have held us back (Proverbs 18:21). Expectation can be scary because no one likes to be disappointed, but expectation is the seed of faith and without it we will not be prepared to see God move. If we really expect to experience revival we need to speak what we're believing for until we see it come to pass.
• As you live with great expectations you must also learn to endure suffering (Acts 14:22). Trials will come no matter how hard you fight against the enemy, but just as Jesus suffered and expected to be victorious on the other side, we must endure suffering with the knowledge that we will overcome in Christ.
• There is much to expect as we dig the wells of revival, but there is also great responsibility. Again, we each have a role to play and our own well to dig. Remember, the well is not just for you but for those you are called to reach - meaning there is an eternal reward or consequence attached to this work of digging. Keep in mind that we will reap the benefits of digging, or suffer the consequences of our inaction (2 Peter 2:17).

UPCOMING EVENTS + REMINDERS:

Spanish Services at City Church: Spanish services are now in full swing at City Church! Every Sunday you can worship with us in the chapel at 10 AM, alongside our English service. We look forward to seeing you there!

GriefShare: Grief is one of life’s most difficult journeys, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you, or someone you know, has lost a loved one you can begin your journey from mourning to joy through GriefShare at City Church. Meetings are held on Saturdays at 9:00 AM in the District Pastors’ Office. For more information please visit citychurchnola.life/GriefShare.

Wednesday Morning Prayer: You can participate in corporate prayer every Wednesday morning at 7 AM on Facebook. Join us each week as we continue to pray for our church, our city, and our nation.

City Life TV: You can watch our Bishop deliver thoughtful messages throughout the week. Tune in to WHNO, channel 20, Saturdays at 10:00 PM.

REPORT:

Please continue to report your in-person and virtual group meetings!

By using the same email you would normally receive, you may update your group information and report your weekly meetings.

If you need help with reporting, please contact your district pastor.

Have an amazing and spirit-filled group!