Crossroads Community Church
“CHANGE OF PLANS” | Milan Bittenbender | Crossroads | January 19, 2025
Locations & Times
119 N Broad St, Adrian, MI 49221, USA
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:15 AM
“CHANGE OF PLANS”
Milan Bittenbender
Crossroads
January 19, 2025
Milan Bittenbender
Crossroads
January 19, 2025
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:18-19) (NIV)
You don’t have to understand the _______________ to trust that God has a ____________________________.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21) (NIV)
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their
sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21) (NIV)
sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21) (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) (NIV)
Sometimes, God’s greatest _____________________________ feel like our worst ___________________________________.
You can _________________ in His plan when you _______________________ God’s purpose.
Be still and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10) (NIV)
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) (NIV)
Unexpected changes can drive me ___________________________, or drive me _______________________.
Those who are __________________________ to God’s purpose will ultimately ___________________________ His plan.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good... (Genesis 50:20) (NIV)
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they may have LIFE; and have it to the full. (John 10:10) (NIV)
But...no matter what, God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His PURPOSE! (Romans 8:28) (NIV)
TALK IT OVER
1. Think of a few times when your plans were interrupted. In what ways have you responded negatively?
2. In what ways have you responded positively (faithfully) in the past?
3. What have you learned from your experiences?
4. In the Old Testament, Job’s life plans were violently interrupted. His friends came to “comfort” him, but really demonstrated lots of things are not helpful to do or say when a friend is hurting. How can we comfort someone else when they are going through a time of distress because of a disruptive change of plans?
5. On Sunday, Milan said, “You don’t have to understand the plan to trust God has a purpose.” How does that resonate with you?
6. What does it mean to you that you can “rest in His plan when you trust God’s purpose?”
7. Do you have an example you can share (your own experience or someone else’s) that demonstrates how those who are committed to God’s purpose have over time come to understand His plan?
8. What is a next step or takeaway you plan to implement based on this message or discussion?
9. Are you in the middle of an interruption right now? How are you doing with that? (If in a group setting: How can we pray for you or help you deal with that?)
1. Think of a few times when your plans were interrupted. In what ways have you responded negatively?
2. In what ways have you responded positively (faithfully) in the past?
3. What have you learned from your experiences?
4. In the Old Testament, Job’s life plans were violently interrupted. His friends came to “comfort” him, but really demonstrated lots of things are not helpful to do or say when a friend is hurting. How can we comfort someone else when they are going through a time of distress because of a disruptive change of plans?
5. On Sunday, Milan said, “You don’t have to understand the plan to trust God has a purpose.” How does that resonate with you?
6. What does it mean to you that you can “rest in His plan when you trust God’s purpose?”
7. Do you have an example you can share (your own experience or someone else’s) that demonstrates how those who are committed to God’s purpose have over time come to understand His plan?
8. What is a next step or takeaway you plan to implement based on this message or discussion?
9. Are you in the middle of an interruption right now? How are you doing with that? (If in a group setting: How can we pray for you or help you deal with that?)