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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
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Week 1. Changing Perspective
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Week 2. Free Dirt
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Week 3. The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall
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Week 4. One Mind > Two Minds
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Week 5. Pride’s Prerogative
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Week 6. Green-Eyed Girl
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Week 7. What Lies Beneath
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Week 8. Out of the Mire
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Everyone’s got a story, and if God has been at work in your life, we want to hear about it! We look for all kinds of stories of how God is moving through our members and our community. If your life is impacted through this series, maybe it’s time to tell His story.
Unless noted, all scriptures are from the New King James Version (NKJV). ©1982 Thomas Nelson.
FUSION GROUPS
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 1 .
Changing Perspective
ICEBREAKER: Give an example of a time when your perspective of something was different from reality. ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What are the dangers of having the wrong perspective? _________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 5:7 - “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Colossians 3:2 - “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 - “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2. How can the negative perspective of others affect your perspective? _____ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits. 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
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Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: Identify something you have a wrong perspective about, then address it and make it an issue of prayer that God will change your perspective. Start everyday with quoting Romans 12:2 and making the following your prayer: “Renew my mind and give me clarity so I may have the right perspective today.”
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, renew our minds and give us clarity so that we may have the right perspective.”
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 2 .
Free Dirt
ICEBREAKER: Give an example of a time that you broke the law and got away with it. _____ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What illegal “giants” have you allowed in your personal life? Why have you allowed those things? How do you justify those things staying in your life? _____________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Colossians 3:1-2 - Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. James 1:15 - These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
2. How do you carry out the authority that comes through Jesus in your everyday life? ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Ephesians 6:12 - “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
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HOMEWORK: This week when you are confronted with “giants,” practice making this your declaration: “I boldly come to the Throne. I walk in authority. I kill giants.”
PRAYER STARTER: “Jesus was the ultimate giant killer. Lord, help us to be like Jesus.”
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WE EK 3 .
The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall
ICE BREAKER: What are some of the craziest fears and phobias you’ve heard of people having? _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What are your greatest fears? What have you missed out on because of your greatest fear? _______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2. What are you doing to feed your fear and confusion? What are some steps that you could take to stop feeding that fear in your life? __________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Judges 7:15a - And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped.
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Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: When you are confronted by your fears this week, make this your declaration: “I will not spend my life wandering in the wilderness. I will take the Sword of the Spirit and stand in the Blood of the Lamb and with my voice say, ‘Those days are over and I am not taking that any more, because God said, God promised and I am able to overcome because of my God.’”
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, increase my faith.”
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WE EK 4 .
One Mind > Two Minds
ICE BREAKER: Give an example of when indecisiveness cost you a great opportunity. _____ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What is double mindedness? What are some areas where this can appear in your life? ______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ James 1:6-8 - But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 4:8 - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
2. What are some ways we combat the tendency to be double-minded? ____ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: Memorize this verse and begin each day by declaring it over your life and thoughts: Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from my mouth, but I shall meditate in it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will have good success.
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, help us to be decisive, intentional, and focused. May we develop a passion to know Your Word.”
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 5 .
Pride’s Prerogative
ICE BREAKER: Share one of your most embarrassing moments. ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Give some characteristics of pride. How does a person detect these in his/ her personal life? ________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ James 4:6 - But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
2. Give some examples of how pride becomes a giant. _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: This week, take some time to answer these questions and see if pride is really at work in your life: 1. Do you see a need for having a time of prayer in your everyday life? 2. Do you have a hard time asking for help? 3. Do you speak negatively and/or harshly towards other people? 4. Do you have a hard time saying that you are sorry or asking for forgiveness? 5. Do you have a hard time serving others? If the answer is yes to any of these, pursue humility -- pray and ask God for humility (James 4:10). Study to understand that your identity is in Christ (I Cor. 6:19-20) and seek opportunities to serve someone else (John 13:8).
PRAYER STARTER: “God, give me humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, and accepts correction. Help me to always praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst.”
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 6 .
Green-Eyed Girl
ICEBREAKER: Talk about the greediest character you can remember from a book or a movie. List the characteristics that made them greedy. _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What are the dangers of greed? How has the greed of others affected you? ____________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2. What are the positives of giving? How has the giving of others affected your life? ________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: This week, do a random act of kindness for a stranger and leave them a “Just Because” card.
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, help me become more sensitive to the needs of others. Give me your eyes to see the hurting and give me your heart that what breaks yours breaks mine.”
NOTES: __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 7 .
What Lies Beneath
ICEBREAKER: What is the biggest lie you have ever told? ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. How do we get to the place where we are spiritually unprotected? What does it look like when we are “spiritually unprotected?” How do we keep our “spiritual walls” strong? ______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Proverbs 25:28 - Whoever has no rule over his own spirit, is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
2. How can spiritual vulnerability distort our ability to make quality spiritual decisions? _______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 10:7 - Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. 1 John 2:15-16 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: Ask God to reveal the areas where you are spiritually vulnerable and go about setting boundaries in those areas. Focus on becoming spiritually minded when faced with decisions.
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, renew my mind. Let the same mind be in me which was in Christ Jesus.”
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
WE EK 8 .
Out of the Mire
ICEBREAKER: Go around the room and have every person say one encouraging thing about the person sitting next to them. ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What are some signs and characteristics of depression? _________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 1 Peter 5:7-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2. Name some ways we can overcome thoughts of depression and depression itself. ________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 - Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. Psalm 51:10-12 - Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
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GIANT KILLERS findafusion.com
HOMEWORK: Every time you are confronted with an opportunity to think a negative thought, counter it with a positive one and a scripture. 2 Corinthians 10:5 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
PRAYER STARTER: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
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PARTICIPANT GUIDE
