Most of us are so busy, but are we making a difference? Sometimes it’s hard to know what really matters. In our new series, “Doing What Matters,” we will learn what God says that we can do to give us meaning, significance and lasting results.
Why do it now? As a church we are preparing for the celebrating the biggest event in history, the resurrection-Easter Sunday. Doing What Matters falls during the “Lenten Season,” which traditionally is a time of spiritual preparation. God will be drawing many people to Him. God will do a work in you. How will you spiritually prepare? As a church we will encourage personal spiritual preparation: fasting, time with God, prayer for others, caring for others and tools to invite others to Easter Sunday at The Ridge
A resource we will use is our “INVEST & INVITE cards.” We encourage you to Invest in: pray for, seek for ways to serve and love three people. And the Invite them personally to attend Easter at the Ridge with you.
Who will you pray for? Who will you invest 
in? Who will you invite?
Cards are located in the Connection Center and will be
found in the programs for two weeks during the series.
At the Leander location we will be inviting our communities through Door Hangers. Individuals, growth groups and a few specific outreach groups will be going out hanging over 15,000 door hangers the two weekends before Easter. Here are the details of the Outreach Groups. There are Saturdays: March 21st & 28th from 9:00 am – 11:30 am or 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM or Sundays: March 22nd & March 29th from 2:30 – 5:30 PM. Pick a time or two and make a difference.
You can sign up here: http://leander.ridgefellowship.com/form.php?pageID=73 Put your name, click “Outreach Groups” then select day/time and hit “submit.”
Our message topics will include:
1. Time With God Matters. Why does Time with God Matter?
- Only in Him will we find true freedom
- We will find rest.
- His truth replaces the lies we believe daily
- Only in Him can we truly Love others the way he does
Memory Verse: 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
Discussion Questions: Why do we allow tasks to define us and control us? Why is time with God important? In what ways can we balance rest and work?
2. Caring Matters. How do We Leave a Legacy of Care?
- Remove human aloneness – stop, look and listen “
- Meet relational needs – acceptance, encouragement and support
- Heal painful emotions – hurt, anger and fear
Memory Verse “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27
Discussion Questions: Which hindrances to care to you experience: inadequacy? cost? or lack of motivation? As you “go and do likewise,” who might benefit from more of your initiative of care toward her/him and how might it make a difference in your relationship?
3. The Way We Do Church Matters
Memory Verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
- The Problem we face? The Gravitational Pull of Every Church is to Insiders
- The Very First Church Business Meeting was about, “Who is the Church For?
- The Church’s Marching Orders: To NOT Make Church Difficult on Outsiders.
Discussion Questions: If God loved the world, and Jesus died for everyone, why do we often only focus on ourselves? Our needs, our friends? What are we doing to make it difficult on new people coming to our church? What are some ways we can be open, ready and happy to receive new people coming to Christ or our church?
- Praying For Others Matters. How Can I Pray for People?
- Pray for their Well Being
- Pray for their Spiritual Knowledge
- Pray for their Salvation
MEMORY VERSE: 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Discussion Questions: Name a time when you know people were praying for you. In what ways have you seen prayers answered? For you? For others? Who are you praying for to know Jesus and be saved?
5. Inviting Others Matters. How Can I Invite Others?
- Believe That Jesus Can Change Lives
- Recognize That Jesus Wants to Use Me
- Identify People In Your Sphere of Influence
- Extend an Invitation to Come to Church
Memory Verse: “Live wisely among those who are not yet Christians, making the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5
Discussion Questions: What if Andrew didn’t invite Peter to meet Jesus? Why is inviting to “come and see” easier than explaining? Who in your sphere of influence needs to meet Jesus? Who will you invite for Easter?
I pray this is our best Easter ever! I hope you will join me, our staff, Growth Group coordinators and members and do what matters: time with God, caring for others, church for others, praying for others and inviting others. Then we can watch and enjoy God work in our lives, our family, friends and our community!
Darrell
Upwards Church 