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

Seven: The Root of the Problem

Pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson

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

REVELATION 3:1-6

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


REFERENCES: JAMES 1:22, JOHN 15:-11

Main Idea

Trees are meant to grow, produce and branch out. But in order to do so they must be well rooted. A tree that bears no fruit defeats its purpose. In the same way as followers of Christ we must be rooted in Him to produce good fruits and ultimately branch out these good fruits to those around us. We can’t just look “Christian,” we must actually live out what His word says. And to do so, we must abide in Him, who is the vine. If our faith isn’t challenged by the values of the world, our works can become dead. Ultimately, the challenges we face allow us to connect to the source of all that is good.


Fruit without God is empty

1. Rotting away from the Vine

Jesus makes it clear that those who are not united in Him resemble a branch that has been removed from the root. Drawing our lives to Christ and building a relationship with Him is the same way a branch draws its life from the root of its vineyard and becomes fruitful.

Abiding in Christ, opens our hearts to receive the fruits of the Spirit
Blessings cannot sustain you, connection with God does
When we detach ourselves from God’s presence, we will attach ourselves to the temporary pleasures

When you lose your source, what was once a movement becomes a monument

How does being disconnected from God’s source show up in your life? Your work? In the church?

2. Rooted in the Vine

As Jesus gave His correction to the church of Sardis, He reminded them to remember and keep what they had already heard. Jesus’ instructions are simple yet powerful. Sometimes we don't need a new word, but rather a renewed conviction to obey the word we’ve already received. Today, He calls us to remember the Gospel and action out our love for God and others.

It’s Jesus’ job to do the healing and saving; it’s our job to have a relationship with Him
Being rooted requires us to be doers of God’s word
Root yourself in the word of God and the community of the Church

I am the true Vine…if you look to me, I can give you the direction you need

How can we keep adding fuel to the fire of our ministry and our relationship with Jesus?

Summary

The church of Sardis is an example of what can happen when we're not rooted in Christ. We can easily drift from what we are called to do and be deceived by our circumstances. Jesus warns us that he can remove His protection and provision if we're not careful. We must be proactive as followers of Jesus by continually building His church and developing the fruit of the spirit. It is a lifetime process to be obedient to God. His blessings for us must be guarded and protected until the day we get to spend eternity with our Lord and savior.

Call To Action

Show your love to God and his people by serving your community this month. It is a time for Thanksgiving for provision and blessings Jesus has entrusted you with. Find a few ways you can serve and give back.

Here's some examples to start:

  • Sign up to serve at Thanksgiving Bash
  • Donate supplies to help a family in need

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

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