Send us a Text Message.

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?

Send us a Text Message.

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?

Send us a Text Message.

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?

Send us a Text Message.

ENCOURAGING WORDS
Word Power – Part 3
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 23, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #wordpower #encouragingwords #encouragment #words #changelives #beanencourager #barnabas
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Find Expanded Message Notes here:
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/mt-content/uploads/2024/06/240623-expanded-message-notes-wp-3.pdf

G.K. Chesterton (an English journalist) once wrote, “The really great person is the person who makes every person feel great.” Have you ever been someone else's motivator or inspiration? When was the last time you told your kid how special, how capable, or how uniquely gifted they are? Have you ever had someone come alongside you and give you courage to take a bold step that changed your life forever? Encouragement is one of the most powerful forms of word power there is. This Sunday, we’re going to learn how to use this power to change the lives of the many who surround our lives day by day.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How do the disciples in Jerusalem respond to news of Paul’s conversion? Why might they have been skeptical? How do you think you would have responded? How might Saul’s ministry have been different had he not had a Barnabas in his corner?
​
2. Have you ever judged someone based on their past? Why is that so common? Why do you think that it’s so hard for us to let go of who a person used to be? When should we be cautious and why?
​
3. Do you know someone who seems to know exactly what to say or do to make you feel better? Maybe it’s one of your parents, teachers, or a really good friend. Is there someone who has had your back when others didn’t? What is about them that makes them so effective as an encourager? Have you ever thanked them?

4. Can you identify a positive mentoring relationship in your life? What made it good? Have you had a negative mentoring relationship in your life? What made it bad? Who are the Barnabas’ in your life? I’m not talking about the flatterers or the one who tells you what you want to hear, but the person who always points you in the direction of God’s greatest good.

5. Who needs to hear a good word from you? Who are you going to be a Barnabas to? What specific thing can you do this week to encourage that person?

Send us a Text Message.

DIVISIVE WORDS
Word Power – Part 2
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 16, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #wordpower #divisivewords #gossiphttps://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Expanded Message Notes:
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/mt-...

At the office, suddenly no one is talking to you. There’s a distance between you and your fellow employees that’s unmistakable. What changed? You have been the victim of the office gossip. Someone has been talking to others behind your back, engaging in character assassination, and destroying your relationship network. But whether it happens at work, school, or church, the result is always the same, you feel betrayed and left unsure as to who you can trust. God has a lot to say about those who engage in divisive behaviors; why it grieves God’s heart, how to deal with the divider, and how God’s people are supposed to be different. Join us Sunday for a challenging message on Divisive Words.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. The Bible tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death... (Proverbs 18.21).” Describe a time in your life when someone spoke words of life or words of death to you. How did it affect you? What staying power did those words have? How are you a different person today because those words were once spoken to you?

2. Describe the things you learned today from this verse…
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Proverbs 6.16-19

Have you any other insights from this passage? Why does God hate these things?

3. Gossip wouldn’t get very far if it were not for those who are more than willing to listen. Why is gossip so tempting? How have you seen it used to harm others? What can you do to prevent it from spreading?

4. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is a great example of what He came to do. One of things for which he prayed was unity. First, oneness with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And second, with one another. Why is it impossible to achieve oneness with one another without first having oneness with God? Why is division a sign of the enemy’s work? Why is oneness a sign of the work of God? In what ways has God stretched you to embrace those different from yourself? How have you witnessed the power of unity?

Send us a Text Message.

CRITICAL WORDS
Word Power – Part 1
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 9, 2024

#realspringcreekchurch #wordpower #criticalwords #sticksandstones #criticism
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Find Extended Message Notes Here:

https://www.springcreekchurch.org/mt-content/uploads/2024/06/240609-expanded-message-notes-wp-1.pdf

Critical words are powerful regardless of whether or not they are true. Many of us heard critical messages in childhood we never questioned. As a result, we've based our lives on an erroneous and hurtful message and we demonstrate the power of words. Let's find out what God has to say about this.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What hurtful words were spoken to you in your formative years? What effect did those words have on you? Now as an adult, what would you say to your younger self after hearing the sting of those words? What would you say now to the person who said that to you?

2. Who do you trust to give you honest critique when you need it? Why do you trust that person? Is there anyone in your life who tends to be critical all the time? What’s it like to be around them? Three of the big motivations behind criticism are that some people hate themselves, some people envy you, and some people criticize because they love you. Where does your critic fall?

3. When we’ve been criticized relentlessly by those we cared about and trusted, we develop a resistance to all criticism. It triggers us. It causes a stronger-than-normal emotional reaction. Yet not all criticism is bad for us. How do you develop a more open mind and heart toward criticism?

4. It’s easy to allow critics to cross a line and become our judge. But Paul makes clear that no one, not even yourself, is competent enough to be your judge. How have you allowed critical remarks to define you? How do you change your inner thinking to be more consistent with the way the Father sees you? It’s God's desire that you lead a condemnation-free lifestyle. Write this verse out: Romans 8.1. Read it every day. Remind yourself that this is the truth about you regardless of what others have said!

Send us a Text Message.

PRESCRIPTION FOR A DULL SPIRITUAL LIFE
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
June 2, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #prescriptionforadullspirituallife #prescription #spirituallife #connect #grow #serve
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/

Is your spiritual life not what it used to be? Has the fire gone out? The hunger you once felt for the things of God, is it growing or has your appetite been diminished? Believe it or not, people experience dullness in their spiritual life for very predictable reasons. It doesn’t have to be that way. On Sunday (June 2), Pastor Keith will walk us through the root causes of spiritual dullness and explain God’s prescription for a growing, vital and life-giving connection to Christ. This may be the most important message you will hear this year.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Richard Swenson in his book Margin talks about many different kinds of overload. From the list below, which of these forms feel the most relevant to you right now?

• Activity overload

• Change overload

• Choice overload

• Commitment overload

• Debt overload

• Expectation overload

• Information overload

• Media overload

• Noise overload

• Fatigue overload

Guide the group through the following prayer exercise. Close your eyes and spend a minute or two in silence, calling to mind some kind of image that represents the limit that you are struggling to accept. Now, imagine Jesus walking up to you. Slowly imagine yourself handing Him that object, and with it, your finiteness in that area. How does He respond? Take some time in silence imagining His response.

2. What practices have you adopted, presently or in the past, to facilitate life with God? Which were “upstream” (challenging, but good for you) and which were “downstream” (easy for you and your personality)? What time of day and what space works best for you to spend time alone with God?

3. What current habits in your life are moving you toward the goals of being with, becoming like, and doing what Jesus does? What current habits and rhythms are getting in the way? What is one daily rhythm that you’re excited about adding? What is one weekly rhythm that you know you need to add?

4. The three spheres of spiritual growth or what Pastor Keith referred to as Christ’s sacred rhythm, are growing, connecting and serving. It’s time to do a spiritual check-up. Where are you strongest and where are you weakest? In what ways did today’s message challenge you to devote more time to the area where you have room for growth?

5. The spiritual disciplines are all various ways of creating space for God in your life. Which disciplines have you tried and what has been your experience? Which ones have you never tried? How has God met you during your engagement with the spiritual disciplines?

RESOURCES

BOOK - Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

For more information on developing a rule of life and use of the spiritual disciplines

(https://www.practicingtheway.org)

Two booklets – How to Unhurry and Rule of Life can be downloaded from Springcreek’s resource page (https://www.springcreekchurch.org/resources)

Pastor Keith’s prior teaching on spiritual growth can be heard here (https://www.youtube.com/@RealSpringcreekChurch) In particular, listen to the following series, The Way, Rooted, Discipleship, Prayer, Ghost.

Send us a Text Message.

SEASONS OF REST
Seasons – Part 2
Springcreek Church | Dr. Jessica Fernandez
May 26, 2024

#god #realspringcreekchurch #seasons #seasonsofrest #rest #sabbath

The seasons of rest invite us to slow down and savor God's restorative peace. In our fast-paced world, rest can seem elusive or even unnecessary. However, the Bible emphasizes its spiritual importance, offering us a model for recharging and reconnecting with God. We'll examine biblical examples of rest, understanding its role not only as a command but as a gift from God. This message aims to transform our perspective on rest, encouraging us to integrate it into our lives as a vital component of our spiritual well-being.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's demands. How did you cope, and what would you change about your approach to rest?

2. Considering the statistic that 59% of U.S. adults found the last year to be the most stressful, how can we as a church community support each other in finding rest?

3. Discuss the implications of Mark 2:27-28 ("The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"). How can this understanding change the way we view rest?

4. What practical steps can you take this week to observe the Sabbath in a way that truly rejuvenates your spirit and body?