The Kingdoms of this World | A HOPE TO COME SERIES | 6.22.25

Follow Along with the Message

1. As part of our mission of transformation in following the way of Jesus, Providence has adopted the practice called
the Daily Office. This is about communion with God, not consumption. Spend 3-5 minutes, 3 times each day: stop,
center, read scripture and pray. Two suggested resources are Pete Scazzero’s Day by Day or the Lectio 365 app.
Discuss in your groups how you are incorporating these or similar practices into your daily rhythm.
Pete Scazzero guided example of daily office: https://youtu.be/6zNCxAWO75A
Lectio 365 website: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/

2. We said ‘yes’ to the way of Jesus. The world’s way wants to deform you. The way of Jesus transforms you. Many
of us are being drawn away from spiritual disciplines, not by technology itself, but by the unrestrained use of it.
How well do you separate yourself from technology?
Note: If you cannot make time to read the books The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt or Tech-Wise Family
by Andy Crouch, check your favorite podcast platform for author interviews.

3. Can you commit to the Providence 1-1-1 discipline – to be present with Jesus and transformed by him?
What strategies can you use to overcome the barriers to practicing this discipline?
1 Hour a Day: unplug daily
1 Day a Week: go screen-free for a full day
1 Week a Year: step away from all non-essential technology

4. Phil mentioned 10 covenants we may unknowingly sign and feel bound to live by. Discuss these or any others that
may be binding you.
a) Performance – “My worth is in what I achieve.”
b) People-Pleasing – “I must keep everyone happy.”
c) Control – “If I’m not in control, things will fall apart.”
d) Self-Sufficiency – “I can’t rely on anyone—not even God.”
e) Appearance/Beauty – “If I’m attractive, I’m valuable.”
f) Scarcity – “There’s not enough to go around.”
g) Comfort – “If it’s hard, it must not be God.”
h) Fear – “If I stay small, I’ll stay safe.”
i) Success – “Winning is everything.”
j) Identity-by-Comparison – “I only know who I am by measuring myself against others.”

5. Phil gave a warning about pattern vs. principle. The stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lion’s den are
illustrations of pattern, both situations resulting in delivery. The pattern says, “God will always deliver you like this.”
The principle says, “God is sovereign, faithful, and present—no matter how He chooses to act.” God does not
always rescue us from trials but promises to walk with us through them. Is your faith driven by a formula (pattern)
trying to get something from God or is your faith grounded on the character of God (principle)?