The Dream Giver IntroductionSTOP! Read this before you start!

Welcome to The Dream Giver! I hope this study will take you another step in your relationships... in your relationship with Jesus Christ... in your friendships in your small group.

Here are a few pointers as you begin this study:1. Please have every person in your group get a copy of this and if possible a copy of The Dream Giver book by Bruce Wilkinson.

2. You can do the study together in your small group time.

3. There is a notes page before every set of questions. I dare you to take sermon notes. In case you miss the sermon, you can find it at sermons.hopewdm.org/podcast.xml

4. Each study is broken up into 3 different sections.

a. Opening 15 minutesi. This is designed to reflect on the previous weeks topic and build a bridge into this weeks sermon and lesson.

b. Into the Word 30 minutesi. These Scriptures take the theme of the sermon to a deeper level. ii. Come up with as many questions/observations as you can. Be curious about the Scriptures.iii. Dont feel like you need to answer all the questions you come up with.iv. If you have questions about the Scripture, use other Scriptures to find the answers using a Bible with cross-references is a great tool for this! Bring one with you to the study.

c. Application 15 minutesi. These questions are just that Application to take what you have heard and find a way to live it out.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns that I can help you with. May God grant you big dreams to meet big needs in our world!

Blessings!Jen ParkerSmall Groups CoordinatorJen.parker@hopewdm.org515-422-9132

The Dream Giver, Week 1You Were Born For ThisSept. 25 & 26, 2010Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 1-8

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsOne morning, Ordinary woke up with these words echoing in his mind: What youre missing, you already have . . .Could it be? Ordinary looked and looked. And then he discovered that in a small corner of his heart lay a Big Dream. The Big Dream told him that he, a Nobody, was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things. (pg 72, Dream Giver)

OpeningWhat do you want to be when you grow up?

What drives you crazy?

Into the BibleIn Exodus, we see that Moses was born into a time of conflict and oppression. He was supposed to be thrown into the Nile (Exodus 1:22) with the rest of the boys but he lived. God had a plan and purpose for Moses life from the very beginning. Gods plan for our lives is seen on other scriptures as well. Take a look at:

Read Isaiah 6:1-13 Write down any key insights observations, or questions.

What do you have in common with Isaiah?

Read Ephesians 2:8-10 Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

What good things did you contribute over this past week?

ApplicationMoses and Isaiah both give us clear pictures of God calling them directly to pursue big dreams to meet a big need in the world. Is there a big dream God may be asking you pursue in the big needs of the world? What might that be?

What is one thing you can do this week to help someone? (This may be the big need someone has this week, and you helped their big dream come true).

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to begin next week)

Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 2 Living Past the EdgeOct. 2 & 3, 2010Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 9

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsStill trembling, Ordinary picked up his suitcase, turned his back on Familiar and walked to the sign. And even though his fear kept growing, he shut his eyes and took a big step forward right through the invisible Wall of Fear. . . .And there he made a surprising discovery . . .On the other side of that single step the exact one Ordinary didnt think he could take he found that he had broken through his Comfort Zone. (pg. 86, Dream Giver)

OpeningDid any needs get met this week? What happened?

If you could summarize the sermon in 2 points, what would it be?

Have you overcome a fear in your life? What was it and how did you overcome it?

Into the BibleFear is defined as: A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc. whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid (www.dictionary.com)Is fear good or bad? Why?

Read Esther 4:1-17 Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

Put yourself in the story. What character are you? What emotions are you experiencing?

Read Romans 8:28-39 Write down key insights, observations, or questions.

Why is fear a distressing emotion harder to overcome than simply accepting Gods love a true fact. What matters most, facts or feelings?

ApplicationHow can you get out of your comfort zone this week?

What fear (distressing emotion) can you ask God to help you with this week? (Maybe pray for each other to close your time.)

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to begin next week) Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 3Unexpected OppositionOctober 9 & 10, 2010Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 10

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsOrdinary was speechless and bewildered. Hed heard a rumor about Border Bullies. But he had supposed that if it were true, Bullies would Nobodies he didnt know. He never imagined theyd be some of the Nobodies who knew him best! Now his mother, uncle and best friend all stood silently before him, blocking his view of the bridge to his Big Dream. How would he ever get past them? Should he even try? (pg 100, Dream Giver)

OpeningWhat did you do this week to step out of your comfort zone?

What is one thing from the sermon you hoped we would talk about this week?

Have you ever been bullied by someone? What is that like? What happened?

Into the WordJesus and his disciples were no strangers to bullies of different kinds. Check out their situations and answer these questions:Who were the bullies?

Who are the people being bullied?

Why were they being bullied?

How did the people being bullied handle the situation?

Read Luke 20:1-8 Write down key insights, observations or questions you have.

Read Acts 4:1-22 - Write down key insights, observations, or questions you have.

ApplicationWhat can you learn from how Jesus and the disciples handled the bullies?

Can you identify some bullies in your life? How influential are they?

How can you encourage someone this week?

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to begin next week) Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 4Diamonds in the DesertOct. 16 &17, 2010Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 11

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsWhen the wind finally stopped, Ordinary stood to his feet. But as far as he could see, there was only sand. The path to his Dream had disappeared completely. Obviously, his entire trip through the WasteLand had been a waste! Hot tears coursed down his dirty cheeks. Youre not a Dream Giver, he shouted at the sky. Youre a Dream Taker! I trusted you. You promised to be with me and help me. And you didnt! (pg 112, Dream Giver)

OpeningHow were you the voice of encouragement to someone this week?

As you reflect on last weeks sermon, what one principle or insight stands out to you as being particularly helpful?

In your travels, have you ever been to a desert? What was it like? If you have only watched movies with a desert in them, you can skip this question.

Into the WordWe can read in the Scriptures about desert experiences. Can you think of different characters in Scripture having these? We will look at Elijah and one of his desert experiences.

Read 1 Kings: 19: 1-18 Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

What do you learn about Elijah in this passage?

What do you learn about God in this passage?

Read James 1:2-4 Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

When you look back at some of your troubles can you now consider them great joy? How did you view your troubles when you were going through them?

ApplicationAre you in a desert experience right now? What is that like for you? How can your group pray with you about it?

Is there a Scripture you can memorize that can help you this season?(Tip: write it on a sticky note & put it everywhere!)

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to begin next week) Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 5 A Surprising Invitation Oct. 23 & 24, 2010 Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 12

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsWalking across the floor of the forest, he felt hushed and small swallowed up by Greatness. Then he began to climb. Higher and higher he climbed, following the stream, until suddenly he entered a level clearing filled with bright light. His heart told him that this was Sanctuary, and he was in the presence of the Dream Giver. (pg. 125, Dream Giver)

OpeningWhat was a Scripture you memorized or put on a sticky note this week?

If your child asked you, What was the sermon about this weekend? What would your simple answer be?

Have you been invited to a surprise party before? What was the occasion? Have you ever been the person that was surprised by the party?

Into the WordRead 2 Samuel 22:17-20 - Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

Read Philippians 2:1-11 - Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

What surprises you about God in these passages? About Jesus?

ApplicationIn what ways are you surprised at what God is doing in your life right now? Or in someone elses?

How can you be someones surprise this week?

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to begin next week) Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 6 Living Out Your Big Dream Oct. 30 & 31, 2010Recommended Readings:The Dream Giver Ch. 13

Sermon Notes

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Study QuestionsOne day, Ordinary took a stroll near the city gates. As he walked, he talked with the friendly Anybody children who followed him. Then he heard the Dream Giver say, What do you see? Ordinary stopped. He looked down in to the childrens faces. I see beautiful Anybodies in great need, he said. Yes, said the Dream Giver. What else do you see? Then Ordinary looked up. He could hardly believe his eyes. Carved on the inside of the gate was the name of his dream! Your Big Dream lies here, the Dream Giver said. (pg 146, Dream Giver)

OpeningAny surprises this week?

What is one thing you hoped we would talk about in our final week of this series in our group time?

Into the WordAfter Jesus ascended to heaven, his disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out. The big dream of Jesus making disciples was about to meet a big need and the disciples were meeting the challenge head on.Read Acts 3:1-10 - Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

What do you think the big dream was for the disciples?

Read Revelation 21:1-7 - Write down any key insights, observations or questions.

Describe what you think this big dream that John has of heaven will be like.

ApplicationAre there any big dreams you have been given during this series that you havent talked about yet? Now would be a great time to get them on the table.

In Gods big story, he has a big dream to meet the worlds big need. He sent Jesus to us to fill that need. Spend time thanking God for His big dream to redeem the world. Thank Him that YOU have become part of that dream. Pray that God would continue to reveal himself to us . . . to help us be people that have big dreams to meet big needs!

Lutheran Church of Hope 2010