Message Action Plan1. ACCEPT THEIR UNIQUENESS COMPLETELY
"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
"God works through different people in different ways…" 1 Corinthians 12:6
Enemies of Uniqueness
- COMPARING
"We do not dare to compare ourselves. . . it is foolish!" 2 Corinthians 10:12
"Do your own work well, then you will have something to be proud of. But never compare yourself with others!" Galatians 6:4 (CEV)
- CONFORMING
"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by changing how you think." Romans 12:2
". . . Love does not demand its own way . . ." 1 Cor. 13:5 (LB)
Action Plan: Go out on a nature walk and find a leaf for each person in your family. Find ones with unique positive qualities that reminds you of each person and give it to them and tell them why it reminded you of them.
2. AFFIRM THEIR VALUE CONSTANTLY
"Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing it . . . and YOU are far more valuable to God!" Matt. 10:29, 31 (NLT)
WHY ARE YOU SO VALUABLE?
- GOD CUSTOM-MADE YOU Psalm 139:13-14
- JESUS DIED FOR YOU 1 Peter 1:19
- GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU 1 Corinthians 6:19
WAYS TO AFFIRM VALUE
"Your Father in heaven pays great attention to you, down to the last detail – even numbering the hairs on your head!" Matt. 10:30 (Mes)
VISUAL ATTENTION
(God) "I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and I held them to my cheek." Hosea 11:4 (TEV)
PHYSICAL AFFECTION
God SAYS "You are precious to me! I treat you with honor, and I love you!" Isaiah 43:4
"A word of encouragement does wonders!" Proverbs 12:25 (LB)
VERBAL APPRECIATION
Action Plan: Find your Saddleback Kids or Saddleback Students Director at your campus and ask how you can be of service. Get involved in young people's lives with your presence and attention.
3. TRUST THEM WITH RESPONSIBILITY INCREASINGLY
"Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot. And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own?" Luke 16:10, 12 (NCV)
2 MISSING QUALITIES TODAY
- RESPONSIBILITY
"We are each responsible for our own conduct." Gal. 6:5 (NLT)
- RESILIENCE
"Even good people fall seven times, but they always get back up." Pr. 24:16 (CEV)
4. CORRECT WITHOUT CONDEMNING
"The Lord disciplines those he loves, just like a father corrects the child thathe delights in." Proverbs 3:12
Punishment = penalty for the past No!
Discipline = correction for the future Yes!
"If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you'll be prompt to discipline them." Proverbs 13:24
Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don't, you are helping them destroy themselves." Pr. 19:18 (TEV)
NEVER CORRECT IN ANGER
"FATHERS, don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Instead, bring them up with the loving discipline that God approve, with suggestions and godly advice." Ephesians 6:4 (LB)
CHOOSE MY WORDS CAREFULLY
"Don't use harmful words . . . Use only helpful words, the kind that build up . . ." Eph. 4:29 (GN)
Action Plan: Instead of judging yourself harshly for a past failure, write out a plan for positive action towards a character quality you want to cultivate in your life. Some areas to grow might include daily quiet times with God, prayer, hospitality, generosity, encouraging others.
5. LOVE THEM FIERCELY WITH GRACE
"Be kind and loving to each other, forgiving each other justas God forgave you in Christ." Eph. 4:32 (NIV)
"Love knows no limitto its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything." 1 Cor. 13:7 (Ph)
"The mountains and hills may crumble but my love for you will never end; so says the Lord who loves you." Isaiah 54:10 (TEV)
"Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security." Proverbs 14:26 (LB)
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship continues looking at relationship principles of Jesus. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
