#2 Surrender Over Control “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and

he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5- 6

FEAR Is Generally Always The Root Cause Of Our Desire For Control. Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her

Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 16:2-4

What Are You Currently try To Control? Name it, Write it Down:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ask Yourself:

1. IS It WORTH My Concern?

2. Is It MINE To Control?

3. Is It GOD’S Alone?

Our Control Issues Are Merely A Symptom Of Our Fear Issues And Our Fear Issues Are Rooted In A Lack Of Trust In God

Four Steps To Surrender

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew

16:24-25 (ESV)

#1. Accept The INVITATION To Be A Disciple

#2. DENY Yourself

#3. Take Up His CROSS

#4. FOLLOW Jesus “The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. ”

~A W Tozer~

Talk It Over We believe that Christian faith and knowledge grow best in the context of authentic, life group community. Where believers can study together, pray together and play together. Join a group today and start to grow. Copy the link below into your browser for the latest Life Group Directory http://waipunachapel.com/church-life/life-groups Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• If you could actually have full control over something, what would it be?

• Who rules the TV remote in your house?

Start thinking. Ask questions to get your group thinking.

• Even if you've read Proverbs 3:5-6, read it again like you've never seen it before. How is this Scripture inconsistent with culture?

• Why do you think we tend to naturally choose control over surrender?

Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.

• In which areas of your life are you most controlling: family, work, money, friendships, or something else? How does this impact people you care about?

• Talk about the last time you felt completely out of control. What did you learn?

• Reflect on Abraham and Sarai’s story from Genesis 16:1-4. Have you ever tried taking God’s plans into your own hands? How did that turn out?

• Share a past or present experience where you’ve given God your trust. How are you practically doing this? What does it look like to give this to God?

Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.

• Write down the thing you’re trying to control on paper. Put this paper somewhere you spend time every day and repeatedly give it to God in prayer.

Start doing. Read Matthew 16;24-25. Prayerfully commit to a step, and ask Jesus to show you how to live it out this week.

Step #1: Accept The Invitation To Discipleship (To learn from Jesus)

Step #2: Deny Yourself (lay down your rights, ambitions, desires)

Step #3: Pick Up His Cross (Share in the suffering of Jesus)

Step #4: Follow Jesus (relinquish control to his leadership)

Sources: Content, Video & Images For This Series “I Choose” Has Been Provided Courtesy Of Pastor Craig Groeschel And The Creative Team At Life Church https://www.life.church Additional sources: Colin Smith – Unlocking The Bible http://unlockingthebible.org

Please send feedback or questions to shaun@waipunachapel.com