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Unlocking My Full Potential

TO UNLOCK MY FULL POTENTIAL I MUST:

INVITE OTHERS TO HELP ME DISCOVER MY GIFTING

20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” MATTHEW 20:20-21 NLT

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 1 TIMOTHY 4:14 NLT

EMBRACE THE DIFFICULT ROAD TO PERSONAL GROWTH

22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”  MATTHEW 20:22 NLT

The five steps of suffering:

To find the will, I must find my why.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. JAMES 1:2-4 NIV

TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN FOR MY LIFE

23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” 24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.   MATTHEW 20:23-24 NLT

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. PROVERBS 19:21 NIV 

Emotions are a mirror not a map.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. PROVERBS 3:5-6 BSB

SEE THE VALUE OF BEING A SERVANT

25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” MATTHEW 20:25-28 NLT 

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Who in your life sees you more clearly than you see yourself? Why do you think that is?
  2. START HERE: What words of affirmation have been spoken to you that are still meaningful today?
  3. START HERE: What strength do you carry today that was forged in difficulty?
  4. KEEP GOING: When you hear “unlocking my full potential,” what comes to mind: excitement, pressure, doubt, or something else? Why?
  5. KEEP GOING: Pastor Matt said, “Life is not your story; it’s God’s story.” How does this challenge or encourage you?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 20:20-28 NLT. What can you learn from Jesus’ conversation with James and John?
  7. KEEP GOING: Why do you think it’s often easier to ask for position, rather than embrace the process that shapes us?
  8. KEEP GOING: What usually helps you move from “I can’t” to “I will”? What usually gets in the way?
  9. KEEP GOING: What’s the “difficult road” in front of you right now; something that could lead to growth? Which of these stages feels closest to where you are today: I won’t, I can’t, I will, I am, or I did?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What might God be asking you to release control of and how can you trust His plan instead of trying to manage the outcome?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one way you could grow as a servant, like Jesus? (See Matthew 20:25-28)