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Week One -John Spooner

Journaling Questions for Message #1 “Whose Army?” 

with John Spooner

 

The goal is NOT to answer every question!

The goal is to HEAR what God is telling you, AND take steps of faithful OBEDIENCE in what He told you. 

So begin by asking God the Holy Spirit to stir and illuminate your heart and mind, then answer ONLY the questions He stirring within you.   

 

We want to be sensitive to those who have served in the military and may suffer from PTSD. We want you to know how much we care for you and appreciate your service. 

 

As you listened to this message  

  • What impacted you, PERSONALLY, most? 

  • How was God nudging or challenging you in your personal relationship with Him, or another specific relationship you have?

 

In the opening quote by Matt Chandler

  • Which “Fear” or “Fear Not” statements do you struggle with most?

  • Where or when do you think that fear originated?  

 

John spoke about four key areas of being a good soldier: Tactics, Buddies, On-Point, and Attitude Reflects Leadership.  Below you will see questions under each key area. Journal/Answer ONLY the questions that stir your heart and mind.   

 

“TACTICS” = Knowing your enemy.

  • In what particular ways have you seen the enemy personally attack you? 

  • How and where have you been under pressure, and possibly, not  responding well? 

 

The Battle (storm), are you currently...

  • Which are you, “entering a battle”, “currently in a battle” or “exiting a battle? And,

  • What does/did that battle look like? 

 

Fears

  • Where have you been “isolating” or “getting tired”, and how might that be connected to a fear you have?

  • Where are you, or How are you, currently unable to handle your fears? 

 

Absorbing Faith. The speaker said, “Ignore the battle around us by living our salvation dated to the past”

  • What does that look like in your life?

  • What does that look like in the ministry you’re involved in?

  • What does that look like in your relationships (spouse, family, friends)? 

  • What impacted you the most when Gary Seelye share about battling the enemy. 

 

“BUDDIES” = Enduring Hardships WITH Us.

  • Where do you find it difficult to invite others (buddies) to join you in your hardships (pain, struggles, failures)?

  • What are the characteristics you want in a good “battlefield” buddy?

  • Who or How might God be calling you to be a buddy to (join them in their hardship)? (Pause and ask the Holy Spirit to lay someone’s name on your mind and heart.) 

  • What impacted you most about what Gary Seelye said about buddies?

 

Based on Ephesians 4:1-2

  • Where do you find it most difficult to be “COMPLETELY humble, gentle, patient, or bearing with others in love”?

  • Where do you find it difficult to “MAKE EVERY EFFORT to keep the unity…”?

 

Based on 1 Corinthians 12:21

  • Who are the Christians in your life, that you believe you really don’t need? 

  • What would it look like for you to practically demonstrate Ephesians 4:1-2 with them? 


“ON-POINT” = Mission Focused. 

  • With all the noise and distractions, How are you clearly finding and defining your mission?

  • What does it look like for you to be “on-mission every day”? 

  • How does your family play a role in your everyday mission? 

  • How are you currently tempted to get entangled in civilian affairs

  • Who or What are other things that distract you from your mission? 

  • How do these entanglements and distractions draw you away from embracing your mission?

 

Based on 1 Timothy 2:4

  • Who is currently a non-believer in your weekly, if not daily, life that God wants them to experience salvation? List the top 3-5 the Holy Spirit lays on your mind and heart. 

 

“ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP” = “... wants to please their commanding officer.”

  • As you meditate about God, what expression do you see on His face? (Joy? Smiling? Concerned? Distant? No expression at all?)

  • What are the current Christ-like attitudes God is working to develop in you? 

  • What are the current Christ-like priorities God is calling you to develop? 

  • In what other ways is God calling you to go deeper with Him?

 

Based on Hebrews 12:2-3

  • Who could you discuss and study the life of Jesus (and other biblical characters) and how they refined their “Tactics, Buddies, On-Point, and Attitude Reflects Leadership” with?

 

Being an ambassador for Christ

  • What does reflecting Christ mean for your leadership?


Knowledge alone does NOT equal transformation. Holy Spirit illumination and God directed intentionality leads to transformation. 

 

KEY QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

  • What are your next steps with God? 

  • What are the next steps God is calling you to take with someone (who specifically)?

  • What are the next steps God is calling you toward in the ministry you’re involved in? 

  • Turn your answers above into a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely)

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