SoMi / Online
I Have Enough
City
It's Time to Grow Up

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

Breathe: Don’t Stop Breathing

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Continuing the Conversation
VOUSCon 2023: Reflect

VOUSCon was nothing short of a miracle! We're still praising God for all He did. Reflection builds gratitude. Spend the first few minutes of Crew sharing a testimony or reflection from VOUSCon 2023.

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

Mark 7:31-35

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.


REFERENCES: Philippians 4:6-7, Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 2:7, John 20:21-23, Mark 7:31-32, Mark 7:33, Luke 7:34-35, Psalm 144:15

Main Idea

Many of us might be able to recall falling and scraping a knee or elbow as a child growing up. Perhaps this is one of the first anxiety inducing experiences some of us have had, as we felt the pain, fear, and trauma setting in. Thankfully, if a good parent or guardian was around when this happened, we can probably also recall the comforting and soothing experience of them breathing or blowing on our wounds. Then, suddenly everything seemed to be right with the world again. Sometimes we face seemingly impossible circumstances that literally and figuratively wound our minds, hearts, and bodies. Life will often force us against the wall, presenting ‘giving up’ as the only viable option. Whether it’s losing a job, dealing with a sick loved one, having personal health issues, or grappling with marriage struggles, it’s important for all of us to know that God has not left us. He breathed life into you and he’s not done with your story. Our breath is a gift from God. Remember God loves you and he cares about your mental health. Don’t stop breathing. It’s always too soon to quit.


God cares about your mental health.

1. Breath is a Gift from God

Throughout scripture we are given a plethora of examples of God using breath to create, bless, transform, steady, and heal us. Breath is a Gift from God that anchors us back to his peace in times of chaos, distress, and unease. Recognizing our breath as a gift reminds us of the nearness of God. Anxiety attacks our breath and depression slows our breath, however we can take comfort in remembering that God's breath hovers over the chaos, and that on the other side of the chaos lies creation.


Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7

Our breath anchors us in the present moment.
Breath is always available and teaches us to let go.
The spirit of God breathes on us and is our greatest comfort + counselor .

Creation comes from chaos

What are some ways you combat anxiety in your own life?

2. It’s Not a Sin to be Sick

We live in a broken world, and at some point in life, we will all likely experience brokenness. The truth is that our brokenness doesn’t define us. For too long mental illness has been ignored or treated as a personal problem or weakness of the individual. Illness is not a moral failing, but it does require a healer. Jesus loves you too much to leave you as you are. He meets you where you are to bring you real peace.

Silence doesn’t protect you. What you can’t talk about controls you.
Crowds won’t heal you. The crowd inspires, but Christ heals.
Medicine can benefit you even if the medicine you need may not be the medicine you want.

Sickness is not weakness. Sickness is not your identity.

How can you structure your daily routines and boundaries to help with managing stress, anxiety, and even depression?

Summary

In the world today there can be a pressure to thrive. However, sometimes we come face to face with a season where thriving is not the goal and surviving is all we can manage. We survive by breathing, even if it is just a sigh. When we focus on our breathing we come back to the present, anchoring us to our creator, the very source of life. In fact, every breath we take, is saying God’s name YHWH. Jesus is the only one who can truly heal us. It is important that if we are going through a season of anxiety we break the silence before it breaks us. So speak up even if your voice shakes, and run to the counselor and messenger of hope. God breathes divinity into the dirt, and creates life in the middle of chaos. He loves you with an everlasting love. Remember, if all you did today was breathe, you are more than okay.

Call To Action

Take a few minutes to complete this breathing exercise. Remember to breathe deeply. Inhale in grace, exhale worry.

Announcements

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español

Visit VOUS


Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Sign Up

Easter at VOUS

Good News: Hope is here! Celebrate Easter in community. With gatherings all weekend, there’s something for everyone.

Friday, March 29 – Good Friday

Saturday, March 30 – Easter Egg Drop

Sunday, March 31 – Easter Sunday

Learn More

Help host Easter Egg Drop, one of our largest outreaches of the year!

Sign Up To Serve

VOUSCon 2024

We live in the tension of present hard times and coming good times. In this gap, our faith is formed. The gathering of the saints produces perseverance for you to run your race of faith. VOUSCon is this moment.

June 20-22

Miami, FL

Get Your Ticket

Serve at VOUSCon

As we create an atmosphere that glorifies God, we create space for Him to move. As servant leaders, we carry the culture. Because we value Con, we invest in it.

Sign Up to Serve

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

It’s Time to Grow Up

Pastor Manouchka Charles

Continuing the Conversation
VOUSCon 2023: Reflect

VOUSCon was nothing short of a miracle! We're still praising God for all He did. Reflection builds gratitude. Spend the first few minutes of Crew sharing a testimony or reflection from VOUSCon 2023.

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity….” ‭

Additional Scripture References: ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NIV‬, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 17:15, ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17:38-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Main Idea

Have you ever tried to run a long distance? If you have, you know that it requires real and consistent training to achieve your goal. No matter what your intention, without training, you may find it difficult to arrive at the finish line. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. In the same way, our journey of faith is one of endurance. Training at every stage of our development is important. Time does not dictate maturity, but our training will. You can be old and immature, and young and mature. It’s not about arriving, but simply starting. We can trust that God will give us everything we need at the time that we need it. We’re not delayed, we’re destined!

If you want to win the battles of life you need training.

1. You Are Set Apart

Our becoming comes from our believing. Do you believe that you’re called? That you’re chosen? That you’re cared for by God? Securing our identity in Christ allows us to develop and mature with him. If we don’t know who we are, we will never know who we can be. You’re not like the world, you’re not like everyone else, you’re not missing out.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [1 Peter 2:9]

What God has for you is for you
You can’t be like what you are called to lead
It’s not about being more gifted, it’s about being more disciplined

You are not delayed, you’re being developed.

In what area do you find it difficult to believe what God says about you?

2. You Are Growing

You are called and chosen by God. You are anointed but may not yet be appointed. Maturity prepares you to steward what God has called you to. An untrained David could never beat Goliath. He was able to fight appropriately because he had trained for years. Spiritual maturity is the process of becoming more Christ-like in character, attitude and behavior. You can’t go where God’s taking you without maturing along the way. 

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7]

Time will not dictate your maturity, your training will
The mark of maturity is not just hearing the word, but listening to what the Word says
Although you might have not walked in it yet, you are it

If you never train, you will never become

What are you doing today to mature for tomorrow?

Summary

Availability unlocks the door of maturity in our lives. King Saul was supposed to fight but David made himself available for growth. His willingness to embrace the season he found himself in and make himself available to be developed allowed him to step up when he was called upon. Are you open to maturity? Are you open to growth? Are you open to change? The world will try to put on fear, insecurity, and failure. Pick up courage, security, and peace. God’s strength is with you as you daily surrender to Him.

Call To Action

Reflect this week on how you are investing your time to mature. Commit to spend time in one of these 5 areas:

  1. Dedicated time to prayer 
  2. Time off of social media
  3. Sabbath/Rest 
  1. Reading the word
  2. Serving others 

Be prepared to share your experience at Crew next time!

Announcements

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español

Visit VOUS


Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Sign Up

Easter at VOUS

Good News: Hope is here! Celebrate Easter in community. With gatherings all weekend, there’s something for everyone.

Friday, March 29 – Good Friday

Saturday, March 30 – Easter Egg Drop

Sunday, March 31 – Easter Sunday

Learn More

Help host Easter Egg Drop, one of our largest outreaches of the year!

Sign Up To Serve

VOUSCon 2024

We live in the tension of present hard times and coming good times. In this gap, our faith is formed. The gathering of the saints produces perseverance for you to run your race of faith. VOUSCon is this moment.

June 20-22

Miami, FL

Get Your Ticket

Serve at VOUSCon

As we create an atmosphere that glorifies God, we create space for Him to move. As servant leaders, we carry the culture. Because we value Con, we invest in it.

Sign Up to Serve

Sign Up for a Crew ->