Team Building Message #8
LOOKING AT JESUS
When Jesus walked here on earth He was under a lot of pressure and faced many temptations. These things could have
caused Him to lose focus or respond negatively to the failings of His friends or the attacks of His enemies … But they didn’t. Jesus
stayed on track and completed His mission by practicing five (5) key habits that helped Him overcome the negative forces in His
life.
These five (5) habits that Jesus practiced are habits we should also practice.
FIVE (5) HABITS TO PRACTICE
I.
THE HABIT OF SOLITUDE
Solitude is ….
 Being alone with God away from all human contact.
 Stepping out the back door of your noisy life of things to do and demanding
relationships to view God’s beautiful creation.
 Being refreshed and restored by focusing on things that are not impacted by
your strivings or the needs and demands of others.
 Taking the time to listen for the “still small voice” through which God often chooses to speak to your soul.
Note: The scriptures are filled with examples of Jesus practicing the habit of solitude.
Solitude will help you …
 Make the difficult choices that you must make.
 Deal with the criticism that comes your way.
 Properly handle the praise that comes your way.
Note: Proverbs 27:21b – But the man is tested by the praise he receives.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
When are some times you can practice solitude?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you?
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II.
THE HABIT OF PRAYER
We should seek God’s will through prayer.
Often we discover, just like Jesus, that doing God’s will is painful and difficult. It may
involve criticism, ridicule and rejection. Praying and seeking God’s will help to give us the strength we
need.
We should practice preemptive prayer.
Far too often we turn to prayer as a last resort. Think about it … prayer is our most
powerful, most accessible, most useful resource for all the challenges we face.
It is far better to pray before acting.
Someone has suggested that we use our “to do list” as our prayer list.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
How is your prayer life? _____ Excellent;
III.
_____ Consistent;
_____ Need’s Improvement
THE HABIT OF FEEDING UPON GOD’S WORD
The Bible is filled with practical wisdom on how to relate to people.
The Bible has much to say about how you can overcome the internal and
external challenges you face.
The Bible is an intimate love letter written to you from your Father in heaven.
Here are five ways you can feed upon God’s Word:
Hear God’s Word
Read God’s Word
Study God’s Word
Memorize God’s Word
Meditate on God’s Word
PAUSE AND REFLECT
How are you doing when it comes to feeding upon God’s Word?
_____ Every day;
_____ Often;
_____ Sometimes;
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_____ Need Improvement
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
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IV.
THE HABIT OF FELLOWSHIP (RELATIONSHIPS)
Life and serving can be draining. We all need:


Some safe harbor relationships where we can relax in confidence knowing we
are accepted.
Some people who are trusted truth tellers.
Proverbs 27:6a – Wounds from a friend can be trusted.

Some people we can “count on”.
The Bible places great importance upon fellowship with others who believe in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Do you have a relationship with another Christian who you know will tell you the truth even when you might not want to hear
what they have to say? _____ Yes _____ No
Do you have some Christian friendships where you can feel safe? They are aware of your shortcomings but still care about you?
_____ Yes _____ No
Do you have some Christian friends you know you can count on when you need a hand? _____ Yes
_____ No
What do you need to do in order to improve your fellowship with others?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
V.
THE HABIT OF ACCEPTING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
We live in a world that fuels the fires of pride and fear. We are led to believe we can
acquire a sense of meaning and safety by purchasing better goods and services. The truth is
only in a relationship with God can we find a never-ending supply of what we really need …
God’s unconditional love.
Read the following verses inserting your name where indicated.
“For God so loved (your name) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.” – John 3:16
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate (your name) from the love of God that is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39
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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you (your name) and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –
Matthew 11:28-30
God’s love for you is not based on your performance. You can’t do anything to earn His love. You already have all the
love there is through Jesus.
Once you understand and accept that you are unconditionally loved by God it helps to keep you from being misled by
earthly things and prepares you to respond to others in love.
The question you need to ask yourself is the question Jesus asked Peter.
John 21:16a – “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
How you live your life hangs in the balance of your response to that question. Look at the rest of John 21:16.
John 21:16b – He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
If you do not really love Jesus, then you will not truly love people. Jesus says that how you treat other people is how
you treat Him.
Matthew 25:37-40 – Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we
see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers of mine, you did for me.”
When you can get rid of any doubts and reservations you have about God’s love for you and accept that you can’t earn
it, add to it, or lose it, you are then free to love Him by loving others.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Do you know that you are truly loved by God?
_____ Yes
Can you truly say that you love Jesus? _____ Yes
_____No
_____ No
John 14:23a – “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.”
Are you showing your love to Jesus by loving others?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Give an example of how you are loving others.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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