The Promise of a New Year
January 17-21, 2005

So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God better leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)

God faithfully keeps his promises.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (GW)

At the start of a new year, we often make resolutions, set goals, and outline plans for the year to come. The problem is that our resolutions can be and are frequently broken. Our goals are unclear and our plans can change. This sets us up for failure. To avoid these problems and have a meaningful year, we need to do something radically different and base our year on God's promises. God's promises will never let us down. However, we can't build our year on God's promises if we don't know what they are. The Bible contains over 7,000 of God's promises but most people know only a few. Seekers, and long-time believers alike, struggle with learning to trust God's promises. One reason we struggle with trusting God's promises is because we don't do a good job of keeping our promises and we attribute our weaknesses to God. Unlike us, God keeps his promises. To be able to claim God's promises, we must think big but start small. Thinking big means realizing how big God is compared to our problems. It does not mean focusing on ourselves or letting our egos, fears and failures get in our way. Starting small means to start with small steps of faith that build to greater faith. We can start by listening to God, telling God what we need and thanking God for what we have. This year we can let the promise of the New Year be God's promise, or we can let it be another human promise destined to fail.

MONDAY

GOD PROMISES

[Your Objective: Realize how God's immensity and power can resolve our problems and overcome our challenges to do great things in His name.]

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

THINK BIG, "...nothing will be impossible for you."

  • In Matthew 17:20, what analogy did Jesus use to tell His disciples how large their faith needed to be?
  • Why is it easy in our world to place faith in the wrong things?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

  • According to Ephesians 3:20, where is God's power at work?
  • How can we recognize when God's power is at work in us?

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater [works] than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12 (NKJV)

  • What does John 14:12 tell us about the things people can do if they believe in Jesus?
  • In what ways can we do great things in the name of Jesus?

The master answered, 'You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.'

Matthew 25:23 (NCV)

  • What did Jesus say in Matthew 25:23 needs to be done first before the impossible is accomplished?
  • Why is it hard for us to believe God is big enough to handle our problems?
  • In what ways can we show God we are trustworthy?
  • How do our ego, fears and failures keep us from thinking big?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Think of the problems or challenges you are facing this year that seem like mountains. Resolve to pray about them and put it in God's hands on a daily basis. Keep a prayer journal and see what responses you get to these prayers.

TUESDAY

LISTEN TO GOD

...If you have faith as small as a mustard seed...

Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

[Your Objective: Learn how to build faith daily by listening to, praying and thanking God through all circumstances.]

I want to hear what God the LORD says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity.

Psalm 85:8 (GW)

  • How does Psalm 85:8 say we should listen to God?
  • How can we listen carefully to what God says?
  • If we don't listen carefully to what God says, what happens?

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 15:14 (NIV)

  • According to Proverbs 15:14, what is a wise person hungry for?
  • What does a fool eat?
  • What is Proverb 15:14 referring to as "folly"?

WEDNESDAY

TELL GOD WHAT YOU NEED

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

  • Rather than worry, what are we to do according to Philippians 4:6?
  • Why do we worry over a problem or a need instead of talking with God about it and asking for His help?

You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

James 4:2 (NIV)

  • What reason is given in James 4:2 for why we don't have what we want?
  • How does praying to God about our needs and wants show our dependence upon Him?
  • Why doesn't God always give us what we ask for?
  • How might God change your desires?

But I pray to you, Lord, for favor. God, because of your great love, answer me. You are truly able to save.

Psalm 69:13(NCV)

  • According to this verse, what is God's response to the prayer?
  • Why are we to tell God what we need and ask for His help?

THURSDAY

THANK GOD

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable [are] His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Romans 11:33 (NKJV)

  • In this verse, what attributes of God that are being praised?
  • How does thanking God help us realize what we have rather than what we don't have?

Truly the light is sweet, and [it is] pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun. But if a man lives many years [And] rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming [is] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (NKJV)

  • What reason to rejoice is given in in these verses?
  • Even when life is not going the way we want it, how can thanking God help us focus on the future?

For all the promises of God in Him [are] Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

  • Who turns God's promises to "Yes" in 2 Corinthians 1:20?
  • How does having a relationship with Jesus make it possible for us to realize the fulfillment of God's promises?

Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

  • According to this verse, why should we hold fast to our faith and hope according?
  • Why is it good to know that God always keeps His promises?

Worship (Magnification) - As we have learned, God wants us to start small and grow closer to Him. As we face a new year, start by making a commitment to increase your faith one small step at a time regardless of where your faith is now. God knows where everyone is in his or her walk of faith. So take the opportunity to glorify God by trusting Him more everyday in everything you do.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT

[Your Objective: Realize God's promises for you and how He is faithful in keeping His word. Apply this to your life by taking action, relying on your group for support and growing your faith in worship to God.]

Think what you would like God to do in your life so He can make a big difference through you. Now, turn your dreams and desires over to God and put Him in control. God wants to use you to make an impact for His Kingdom in this world through His will. You will be amazed how God takes your idea, expands on it beyond your wildest dreams and impacts others in ways you never thought could be made. History shows how God uses people who have trouble thinking big to accomplish great things. How can you start small and then follow the great big ideas God will develop in you as you fully trust Him?