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Rescued From Darkness

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can still yourself, giving to God any burdens from the day. Take a few slow, deep breaths, inviting God into this time. When you are ready, ask God to remind you of His rescuing in your life. What has He delivered you from? Pause and offer God your gratitude for how He has intervened in your life. Next, ask God to reveal your approach toward Him: Where in your life are you “trying” too hard to serve God? Ask God instead to show you where you need to lean on Him in trust more than in your own efforts to be close to Him. Ask God to show you when you shift to “trying” throughout the week. As He does this, view this as an invitation to a deeper intimacy with and trust in God. Close your time by thanking God for His pursuit of you. Write down any reflections in the space below, sharing them with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE Have you ever felt like a stranger in a strange land? What was that like for you?
  2. START HERE: Who first told you about Jesus?
  3. START HERE: Take a moment as a group to pause and reflect: What fills you with overwhelming gratitude?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT). Looking back on your life, what has God rescued or delivered you from?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Psalm 139: 7-10 (NLT). Was there a “defining moment” where God got your attention to bring you where you are today?
  6. KEEP GOING: Where in your life do you find yourself ‘trying’ for God versus ‘trusting’ in God?
  7. KEEP GOING: Can you share an experience where you've encountered genuine kindness or goodness from followers of Jesus?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Who could you share your story of deliverance or God’s “defining moment” with?
  9. KEEP GOING: What practices and reminders can you incorporate into your life this week in order to remind yourself of who you are and whose you are?
  10. KEEP GOING: “God’s weapon of rescue is kindness and grace.” Choose someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus; what is one radical thing you do to show the love of Jesus to them?