When has someone been there for you in a big way?

When in your life have you looked back on a situation and realized that it all worked out in the end?

Why is it hard for us as human beings to go through change? Think of a time in work or school that you had to go through change. How did you deal with it? What did you learn from the situation?

Read Romans 12: 1-2. What change is God calling us to? Can we be a living sacrifice and be transformed by the world if we just come to church once a week and read a devotional during the week? What has to change in us to have the radical acceptance/surrender that Jesus had in Luke 22:42?

When have you found yourself negotiating with God? In a Christian walk, how do you feel about the idea that it’s ok not to like what you are going through? Read 1 John 4: 7-10 Even if we don’t like the situation, what is true about God that should help us get from the negotiating phase to the surrender phase? When have you seen 1 John 4: 7-10 play out in your own life?

What is the power of saying something out loud? In Luke 22:42 we read that Jesus spoke out loud when praying at the toughest time of His life. Read John 11:41-42, Psalm 103: 1-2, Matthew 26:39. Why is it important to speak to God out loud at times?

Read Matthew 16:24-26. Examine these three verses closely and explain what they are addressing about “Radical Acceptance.” How does our culture today try to keep us from surrendering to God? What can we do to overcome this both personally and as a Christian community? Discuss some practical ways to “remain in Jesus and let Him remain in you” throughout your daily walk.

This week ask God to show you an “if” you are saying to Him and replace the “if” with a yes?

This week make it a priority that your ears hear your acceptance. Speak out loud to the Lord that you trust Him, and you are accepting His will for your life.

Lord, thank You for loving me even though I so often find it hard to surrender everything to You. I realize that I am guilty of playing the “I will IF…” game with You, and I ask that you help me get out of the negotiating phase and into the submission phase. Help me to utilize different ways of praying, especially speaking out loud to you. I realize that there is power in the spoken word and I ask that Your power move me to more confidently come to You in such a manner. I know that throughout my life storms will come, but please help me to trust and surrender to You knowing that although I may want circumstances to change, You are building me through those circumstances. Give me the strength I need and never let me forget that You are the Waymaker, a loving Father who’s got me. I ask all of this in Your name, Amen.