Bible Study Notes 6/20/2023

Word Alive! © 2023 Spring/Summer Series Dare To Dream And Grow Your Faith! Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 Lesson 2, Part 1

Rick Warren, Created To Dream, © 2023

Quiet Time: Rick Warren, “Dream,” pp. 19-37

Discovering Your Dream – We’ve discussed in the previous lesson that God as Creator has always known what He intended to create, This sense of divine purpose is how God has set everything in its proper order in heaven and on earth. We all seek to know, what is God’s plan for us. Arriving at an understanding of what God’s plan is, will help us gain knowledge of what the focus of our dreams or desires should be. We must first be confident in the knowledge that God is in us, and will always work on our behalf. (Read, Philippians 2:13, NLT). When we align with God in prayer and obedience, we will develop a passion for those dreams which are in accord with God’s plan for us. God never gives us a passion or dream, without providing the resources necessary to accomplish its end. The early Christians were assured of Christ’s provisions and guidance, which were necessary for the fulfillment of their dreams. (Read, Hebrews 13:21, NLT). We also need to be assured that the Christ in us, will always be with us. In his helpful study book, author Rick Warren says:

“God has a good, pleasing, and perfect will for your life. It’s not a one-size-fits-all plan. God’s dream for you is personal. It’s custom made for the way he shaped you.” Warren says further what shapes us are: spiritual gifts; heart; abilities; personality; and experience. These distinct aspects of who we are can best be remembered by the acrostic: SHAPE. Each of us has been uniquely shaped by God to accomplish His will. (Read, Psalm 139:1:13-14, NLT). To discover our dream, we must be intention in our time with the Lord. We should search deep within ourselves to find the passion, that aligns with God’s purpose; and, would please Him. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment, and lead us to understand whether our dreams are from self or from God. (Read, John 16:13, NLT). The Holy Spirit will also help us understand God’s will for our intermittent future. Pastor Warren delineates three types of dreams, and how they can be understood:

1. One category of human dreams occurs at night, which involves thoughts, events or images. These dreams can be good or frightening; but are the brain’s settling from its work.

2. Another category of human dreams are personal ambitions or passions we’ve had when awake; and, they’re replayed at night.

3. The third dream is our coming to terms with God’s plan for us; its fulfilment requires the testing of our faith, and God’s assurance of His will for us. (Read, Psalm 105:19-21a, NLT). It is in this latter sense, that God reveals to us His plan for our destiny!

KEY IDEA

What We Believe!

“Discovering your dream, requires spiritual discernment.”

1. “The dreams in God’s will are assured; and our faith is tested!”

KEY VERSES

Philippians 2:13, NLT

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

Hebrews 13:21, NLT

“May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

Psalm 139:1;13-14, NLT

“O Lord you have examined my heart, and know everything about me…You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.”

John 16:13, NLT

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Psalm 105:19-21a, NLT

“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household.”