How to Find Freedom from the American Dream
Happy Camper
December 4, 2022
Dr. Clayton Chisum
How do we find freedom from our stuff?
The simple and direct answer is God’s call on your life to..
Be a sheep
John 10:1-3 (ESV)
John 10:4-5 (ESV)
How to Find Freedom as a Sheep:
1. Adjust your ears
What you’re listening to (the world) is a thief. You have to start listening to God through scripture, prayer, and daily walking with Him.
A sheep is focused on the shepherd and is not distracted by what else is going on.
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
John 10:6-9 (ESV)
2. Trust that behind the door, you are safe
1 John 5:10-13 (NLT)
3. Trust that through the door, you will be satisfied
Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)
No matter what life brings, there is freedom from worry through Jesus.
John 10:11-13 (ESV)
4. Remember that the Shepherd is for you
A shepherd is willing to sacrifice for his sheep.
Matthew 20:28 (NLT)
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Sheep know that the shepherd is there for them.
Psalm 23:1-4 (ESV)
5. Follow the shepherd
John 10:27 (ESV)
Discussion Questions
- Start with prayer. Take requests and pray as a group.
- This week the message focused on finding freedom by being like a sheep. What thoughts come to your mind when you hear the words “sheep” “shepherd” or “flock”?
- In what ways does the American Dream feel like a race that can never be won?
- Read John 10:1-13 again. Do you see any other parallels between sheep and people? What about parallels between the door/shepherd and Jesus?
- This message seems to be all about putting your trust in Jesus in your current situations and in your future. Share with the group what this means to you.
- Sheep sometimes wander from the protection of the shepherd and from the pasture. Share when this has been real in your life. How are you prone to wander?
- How does being a sheep trusting in the shepherd speak to your life about your relationship with your possessions and spending habits? How does this message help you to be content and find margin in your life with your finances and time?