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DIAGNOSIS
Healing from Toxic Religion – Part 1
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
July 14, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #healingfromtoxicreligion #toxicreligion #toxic #religion
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Over the past several years and in recent days, we have seen wave after wave of exposures involving high-profile pastors embroiled in scandals - child molestation, infidelity, and abuse of all varieties. With every exposure, you can know that there are many innocent victims whose lives are ruined, congregations that are left reeling, and our witness to the world in tatters. Why does this keep happening? What are the warning signs? And is there anything that can be done to prevent it? That’s what this Sunday’s message is all about - diagnosing toxic environments. Unless and until we really understand what’s happening and why, we will repeat what we refuse to repair. The path to healing begins with defining the reality of what we’re up against. Don’t miss this message.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. The Bible is very upfront and honest when it comes to dealing with toxicity in leadership. It treats it as a given. In the same way, you will find bad actors in every arena of life, you will also find them among God’s people. Why are we so shocked when things like this are discovered today? Have you ever had to deal with something like this personally or have you known others who have? If you are comfortable sharing your own story, please do so. If what you know is regarding someone else’s story, make sure you have permission to share it.

2. Pastor Keith began today’s message by describing the environment that sets up all leaders to be tempted and that is in being given great influence or power. Why is power such a corrupting influence? What can we do as individuals to guard against the abuse of power?

3. Thinking in terms of Steven Berglas’ study in the Success Syndrome, the four great temptations that have brought down many leaders can be described as the four A’s: Arrogance, Aloneness, Adventure-seeking, and Adultery. We have all seen this pattern played out in the lives of leaders both inside and outside the church. What would a healthy leader do to guard against going down this path? What do you have in place in your life to ensure you don’t become part of the 20% of leaders who succumb to these temptations?

4. What stood out to you in the section where Pastor Keith dealt with narcissism? Have you seen or known people who were malignant narcissists? Without naming them, what characteristics stand out about them? How much is fear a part of their regular discussions or interactions? Have you noticed any of the signs of narcissistic wounding in your own life? How much do apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok feed our need to be noticed, appreciated, or loved? If you know you have narcissistic wounding, what have you found helpful in healing that wound?

5. We have likely all seen churches whose leaders were removed, rally around the fallen leader even to the point that victims experienced an even greater sense of abandonment and hurt from the defense of the perpetrator. In the final point, Pastor Keith explored how churches can be complicit in the platforming of leaders not qualified to lead in the church largely because of two reasons. What were the two reasons? What do you think of those reasons? Are there others you would add? Why do people tend to value gifting over fruit?

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BOUNDARIES THAT BLESS:
Living Free from Toxicity
Dr. Jessica Fernandez
July 7, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #boundariesthatbless #boundaries #blessings #toxicbehavior #peace #integrity #healthyrelationships #relationships

https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

In this message, we're discussing setting healthy boundaries with toxic individuals. Drawing wisdom from Scripture, we explore how to recognize toxic behavior, understand the importance of boundaries, and learn practical steps to protect our spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. Discover how Biblical figures modeled boundary-setting in their interactions and how we, too, can follow their examples to maintain peace and integrity in our lives. Join us as we seek God’s guidance in creating boundaries that honor Him and foster healthy relationships.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. We discussed the harmful effects of toxic relationships on our well-being. How have you experienced or witnessed toxicity in relationships, and what impact did it have on your mental and emotional health?

2. Balancing biblical commands to love and honor others with the need for self-preservation can be challenging. How do you reconcile the command to honor others with setting boundaries when their behavior is harmful?

3. Nehemiah faced significant opposition but remained focused on his mission. What can we learn from Nehemiah’s response to toxic opposition that can help us handle difficult people in our own lives?

4. We discussed various strategies for setting and maintaining boundaries. Which strategy for setting boundaries do you find most challenging, and how can you apply it in your current relationships?

5. The importance of building fences (healthy boundaries) instead of walls (complete barriers) was emphasized. How can you ensure that your boundaries are like fences, allowing healthy interactions, rather than walls that isolate you from meaningful relationships?

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HEALING WORDS
Word Power – Part 4
Springcreek Church | Pastor Keith Stewart
June 30, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #wordpower #healingwords #love #words #transformation
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Every human being was born with an innate craving for love. We want it, need it, and seek it more than practically anything else in life. This is why words of love are among the most powerful words in the human vocabulary. In this final installment in our series, we’re going to discover what has happened in our broken world that has exasperated this search for love and how God has unleashed us as agents of transformation – speaking and sharing His love with a desperate and hurting world.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. We were made to crave for love. What have been your most formative positive and negative experiences as they relate to love?

2. Even our best experiences in love leave us desiring something more simply because no human being is capable of meeting our need for perfect, unconditional love. Ultimately, this either leads us to God or we attempt to fill our love hunger with lesser things. How have you seen this truth played out in your life and the life of others?

3. Pastor Keith referenced part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 (John 17.21-23). In it, Jesus clearly prays that you and I would know that we are loved as much and in the same way as He is by the Father. Is that the way you see yourself? Why or why not? If not, what is your biggest struggle with this truth? If so, how does that manifest in your life?

4. Take some time to re-read this section from 1 Corinthians 13…
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13.4-7

What did you learn about this passage today? What words or phrases stand out to you and why? How do you see these characteristics in the life of Christ?

5. In Biblical Christianity, love is the central controlling ethic. Everything revolves around the two great commandments – love God and your neighbor as yourself. In truth, Christian growth is best defined as love formation. You and I are to be continually immersing ourselves in God and as a result, becoming more like Him in our capacity to love. Why is love so important in the Christian faith? What happens to our witness when we fail to love as Christ did? What are churches and Christians best known for today? How might God want to use you in your family, neighborhood, job, or school to express His love to someone who desperately needs to experience it?