Ice breaker: tell your happiest memory
Today we will look at the branches and leaves of a tree.
What do you know about branches and leaves? (write down
answers)
1) Branches spread out and reach for the sun. The branches reaching out are like our reaching out for the Son when we praise Him. And branches also look like us holding our hands up in surrender, which is what we do when we allow the Lord to be the lead in our life. Look up: Acts 17:27
2) Leaves take in carbon dioxide and give back oxygen. Sort of sounds like our being told to give a gentle answer in response to wrath. We are also like leaves when we listen to a friend’s problems and give him back encouragement. Look up: Romans 12: 21, Prov.15:1
3) Through photosynthesis leaves create food for the rest of the tree. This is like the work the Holy Spirit does when we meditate, ponder and journal on His Word. As we ponder God’s Truth the
Holy Spirit turns our knowledge into something we can live out. Look up: James 1:22
4) The branches and leaves form what is called the crown of the tree. This crown is the focal point of the tree. Our reaching out, our actions are the focal point of first impressions. What we
do or don’t do is what the world around us first sees.
5) The branches and leaves must be connected to the trunk. Without the trunk they die quickly. Look up: John 15: 5 Apart from Christ we can do nothing. We can give the allusion of living, but we have nothing to give on our own.
6) The crown of the tree cannot outgrow the roots without major problems. In order for a tree to stand firm it needs a strong base; a base that well anchored and able to with stand the weight of the crown. We too must not allow our outreach to outweigh our time with God. In order to remain strong we must walk with Him not just for Him.
7) The crown provides home, safety, comfort, shade and refuge for creatures of the forest. Our reaching out to others brings them comfort and strength. Our life is to be a gift to others; we are to edify and lift each other up. Look up: Mark 4: 32, I Thess. 5: 11
8) What happens to the crown of two trees if they grow up right next to each other? Unlike the roots of trees, including the big Sequoia trees that intertwine their roots to help hold each
other up, the crown of two trees will grow two different directions. They grow in such away though that from a distance they look like one tree. (feel free to draw a picture to show this concept) How does that relate to our reaching out? We are to complement each other, not compete with each other. Look up: Romans 12: 4(-21)
9) Lastly, a tree lives to create its crown. We live to one day receive a crown. Look up: I Cor. 9:25, II Tim 3: 10, Rev. 4: 9-11
Today in our alone time read Romans 12: 6-13 (hand out papers
with The Message version too)
After 10-15 mins come back together and discuss how these verses spoke to each person and how they related to branches and
leaves.
Take prayer requests and pray for the person on the
left.