Surrender Weekend, in short, it’s about saying yes to Jesus, not just in this moment today, but continuously every day.

This weekend is more than an event in the church calendar, it’s about living a continued lifestyle of surrender. I love that we earmark this in our calendar, it’s a reminder of the type of life that we are called to as Christians.

The dictionary defines adventure: as “an unusual and exciting or daring experience.”

God tailor makes for each one of us a mission to extend his kingdom here on earth and it will be something that will require us to trust and depend on him. Most likely it will be unusual, exciting and daring.

Antonym words to adventure include:
• Assurance
• Certainty
• Fact
• Plan
• Protection
• Safety
• Reality

We see an adventurous life in action when Jesus calls and sends out his disciples – Read Matt 10:1-15.

Read Matt 10:16-37 – Jesus gives his disciples a final pep talk.

Key verse:
Matt 10:38-39 -
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Jesus doesn’t hide the fact that living a surrendered and adventurous life for Him will cost. It will cost us time, energy, finances, our desires, relationships and yes, even our very lives if that is what Jesus calls us to.

How do we live a surrendered, adventurous life?

It starts in the little. Every day decisions small decisions, allowing you to be shaped and moulded to Jesus’ thinking, speaking, acting.

What will our attitude be in those moments when the Holy Spirit prompts and asks us to respond?

Will it be like Moses? See Exodus 4: 1-13

Or like Jonah. See Jonah 1:1-3

Or Gideon? See Judges 6:13-15

God desires that his people will adopt a willing and courageous attitude.

Eg: David (see 1 Sam 17:37)
Eg: Queen Esther (see Esther 4:15-16)
Eg: Mary (see Luke 1:38)

All these people were out of their depth, out of their comfort zone and ultimately chose to surrender to God and as a result lived an adventurous life bringing God’s kingdom to earth: setting individuals free and changing nations.

God’s call is always backed by heaven’s resources. His response is always the same:

• He said to Moses: “I will be with you …” (Ex 3:11)
• He said to Gideon: “I will be with you …” (Jud 6:16)
• And he said to Joshua: “(I), the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)

And he says the same words to us: I will be with you.

Connect Group Questions

• Where have you learnt to surrender to Jesus in the past?
• What points of view do you have that aren’t allowing or perhaps blocking you to surrender?
• What scriptures come to mind when you are going through that, which can help you?
• What did you experience when you did surrender to Jesus’ purpose and plan?