Uncommon Study - Week 4
Lesson Four - Uncommon Transitions
Part of Uncommon Study
January 30, 2020

Lesson Four: Uncommon Transitions

Everyone one of us makes transitions in life. Sometimes they are slow - transitioning from high school to college, from working to retirement, from being engaged to getting married, a parent’s gradual memory loss, or a child slowly walking away from God. Other transitions are sudden and earth shaking - your boss says your job has been eliminated, a child has an accident, the tumor is malignant, “mom, dad… I am pregnant”, your fiancé says out of the blue they’re rethinking the marriage.

Whether slow or cataclysmic the landscape is much the same. Jeff Manion in his book, The Land Between, says “this space where we feel lost or lonely or deeply hurt, is fertile ground for our spiritual transformation and for God’s grace to be revealed in magnificent ways. Transitions are a place where our faith can thrive or the place it can dry up and die. The choice is ours.” In this study we are going to examine what it means for us to meet God in these times of chaos and emotional upheaval.

Goals for the Lesson
• To be challenged and equipped to accept times of transition as an opportunity to meet God in a deeper way.
• For the group to learn what it means to walk with others through difficult times.

Warm Up Question
• What is the hardest transition you have gone through?

Bible Study
For our study today we are going to examine Philippians 4:4-20. Each person read through the passage and then discuss the questions. As you read, underline key parts and make notes on what the Lord is saying to you.

Philippians 4:4-20
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you learn about God from this passage of scripture?
  2. What do you learn about mankind from this passage?
  3. What insights do you discover from this passage as it relates to living in times of transition?
  4. Each person share one application from the study.
  5. Who are you going to tell about what you learned today?

Talk by Jeff Manion

Listen to the message by Jeff Manion that was given at the 2020 No Regrets Men’s conference. The talk is called: “The Land Between” and it can be found on the No Regrets app, under Conference Media/ 2020 Platform talks.

Jeff Manion is the senior pastor of multi-campus Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for over thirty years. He is the author of The Land Between, Satisfied, and his most recent book, Dream Big, Think Small. His great joy is digging deeply into Scripture and passionately teaching the story of the Bible in a clear and relevant way. Jeff enjoys running, cycling and hiking. He and his wife, Chris, have three adult children and are proud grandparents.

Notes from Talk

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you experienced a span of time when your circumstances were undesired, when you were waiting or expecting something else? Describe what it was like when you were in the land between. Did you complain to God; what did your complaints sound like?
  2. How do you know God will provide when you have a Moses melt down and you can’t carry the burden?
  3. What makes the land between so dangerous?
  4. If the land between where you are and where you wish you were is truly good ground, describe why. What challenges do you currently have that can be seen as opportunities? How can you build trust in God when you’re in the land between?

Sharing and Prayer Time

Take time for each man to share one thing they would like the men in the group to pray for them about this coming week. Then pray together. Some of you may never have prayed out loud before and this makes you nervous. If you don’t feel comfortable with it you don’t have to pray out loud.
Here are the ABC’s of group prayer:
A – Audible. Speak up so people can hear you.
B – Brief. There are no awards for lengthy prayers; keep it to the point.
C – Christ-Centered. Keep it focused on Christ - who He is and what He can do. Prayer time is not the time to impress the guys with your knowledge or piety.

Assignment for next week

For next week you will be listening to a talk given by Brady Boyd at the 2020 No Regrets Men’s Conference. The talk was entitled: “Remarkable Marriage” and can be found on the No Regrets app, under Conference Media/2020 Platform speakers. There is a place for notes in Lesson Five.

Important - The app will not necessarily save your fill-in notes. Please click on “EMAIL” and email this devotional (with your notes) to yourself.