The Dream Giver Introduction

STOP! Read this before you start!

Welcome to The Dream Giver!

I hope this study will take you another step in your relationships... in your relationship with Jesus
Christ... in your friendships in your small group.
Here are a few pointers as you begin this study:
1. Please have every person in your group get a copy of this and if possible a copy of The Dream
Giver book by Bruce Wilkinson.
2. You can do the study together in your small group time.
3. There is a notes page before every set of questions. I dare you to take sermon notes. In case
you miss the sermon, you can find it at sermons.hopewdm.org/podcast.xml
4. Each study is broken up into 3 different sections.
a. Opening 15 minutes
i. This is designed to reflect on the previous weeks topic and build a bridge into this
weeks sermon and lesson.
b. Into the Word 30 minutes
i. These Scriptures take the theme of the sermon to a deeper level.
ii. Come up with as many questions/observations as you can. Be curious about the
Scriptures.
iii. Dont feel like you need to answer all the questions you come up with.
iv. If you have questions about the Scripture, use other Scriptures to find the answers
using a Bible with cross-references is a great tool for this! Bring one with you to the study.
c. Application 15 minutes
i. These questions are just that Application to take what you have heard and find a
way to live it out.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns that I can help you with. May God grant
you big dreams to meet big needs in our world!
Blessings!
Jen Parker
Small Groups Coordinator
Jen.parker@hopewdm.org
515-422-9132

The Dream Giver, Week 1

You Were Born For This
Sept. 25 & 26, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 1-8
Sermon Notes

Into the Bible

In Exodus, we see that Moses was born into a time of conflict
and oppression. He was supposed to be thrown into the Nile
(Exodus 1:22) with the rest of the boys but he lived. God had a
plan and purpose for Moses life from the very beginning. Gods
plan for our lives is seen on other scriptures as well. Take a look at:
Read Isaiah 6:1-13 Write down any key insights observations,
or questions.

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What do you have in common with Isaiah?

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Read Ephesians 2:8-10 Write down any key insights,

observations or questions.

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What good things did you contribute over this past week?

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Study Questions
One morning, Ordinary woke up with these words echoing
in his mind: What youre missing, you already have . . .Could it
be? Ordinary looked and looked. And then he discovered that
in a small corner of his heart lay a Big Dream. The Big Dream
told him that he, a Nobody, was made to be a Somebody and
destined to achieve Great Things. (pg 72, Dream Giver)

Application
Moses and Isaiah both give us clear pictures of God calling them
directly to pursue big dreams to meet a big need in the world.
Is there a big dream God may be asking you pursue in the big
needs of the world? What might that be?

Opening
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What is one thing you can do this week to help someone? (This
may be the big need someone has this week, and you helped
their big dream come true).
What drives you crazy?
(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to
begin next week)
Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 2

Living Past the Edge
Oct. 2 & 3, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 9

Into the Bible

Fear is defined as: A distressing emotion aroused by impending
danger, evil, pain, etc. whether the threat is real or imagined; the
feeling or condition of being afraid (www.dictionary.com)
Is fear good or bad? Why?

Sermon Notes
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Read Esther 4:1-17 Write down any key insights, observations

or questions.

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Put yourself in the story. What character are you? What emotions
are you experiencing?

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Read Romans 8:28-39 Write down key insights, observations,

or questions.

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Study Questions
Still trembling, Ordinary picked up his suitcase, turned his back
on Familiar and walked to the sign. And even though his fear
kept growing, he shut his eyes and took a big step forward
right through the invisible Wall of Fear. . . .And there he made
a surprising discovery . . .On the other side of that single step
the exact one Ordinary didnt think he could take he found
that he had broken through his Comfort Zone. (pg. 86, Dream
Giver)
Opening
Did any needs get met this week? What happened?

If you could summarize the sermon in 2 points, what would it be?

Have you overcome a fear in your life? What was it and how did
you overcome it?

Why is fear a distressing emotion harder to overcome than

simply accepting Gods love a true fact. What matters most,
facts or feelings?

Application
How can you get out of your comfort zone this week?

What fear (distressing emotion) can you ask God to help you
with this week? (Maybe pray for each other to close your time.)

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to

begin next week)
Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 3

Unexpected Opposition
October 9 & 10, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 10
Sermon Notes
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Into the Word

Jesus and his disciples were no strangers to bullies of different
kinds. Check out their situations and answer these questions:
Who were the bullies?

Who are the people being bullied?

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Why were they being bullied?

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How did the people being bullied handle the situation?

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Read Luke 20:1-8 Write down key insights, observations or

questions you have.

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Study Questions
Ordinary was speechless and bewildered. Hed heard a rumor
about Border Bullies. But he had supposed that if it were true,
Bullies would Nobodies he didnt know. He never imagined
theyd be some of the Nobodies who knew him best! Now
his mother, uncle and best friend all stood silently before him,
blocking his view of the bridge to his Big Dream. How would he
ever get past them? Should he even try? (pg 100, Dream Giver)

Read Acts 4:1-22 - Write down key insights, observations, or

questions you have.

Application
What can you learn from how Jesus and the disciples handled
the bullies?

Opening
What did you do this week to step out of your comfort zone?
Can you identify some bullies in your life? How influential are
they?
What is one thing from the sermon you hoped we would talk
about this week?
How can you encourage someone this week?
Have you ever been bullied by someone? What is that like? What
happened?

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to

begin next week)
Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 4

Diamonds in the Desert
Oct. 16 &17, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 11

Into the Word

We can read in the Scriptures about desert experiences. Can
you think of different characters in Scripture having these? We
will look at Elijah and one of his desert experiences.
Read 1 Kings: 19: 1-18 Write down any key insights,
observations or questions.

Sermon Notes
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What do you learn about Elijah in this passage?

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What do you learn about God in this passage?

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Read James 1:2-4 Write down any key insights, observations or

questions.

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Study Questions
When the wind finally stopped, Ordinary stood to his feet.
But as far as he could see, there was only sand. The path to his
Dream had disappeared completely. Obviously, his entire trip
through the WasteLand had been a waste! Hot tears coursed
down his dirty cheeks. Youre not a Dream Giver, he shouted at
the sky. Youre a Dream Taker! I trusted you. You promised to be
with me and help me. And you didnt! (pg 112, Dream Giver)
Opening
How were you the voice of encouragement to someone this
week?
As you reflect on last weeks sermon, what one principle or
insight stands out to you as being particularly helpful?
In your travels, have you ever been to a desert? What was it like?
If you have only watched movies with a desert in them, you can
skip this question.

When you look back at some of your troubles can you now
consider them great joy? How did you view your troubles
when you were going through them?

Application
Are you in a desert experience right now? What is that like for
you? How can your group pray with you about it?

Is there a Scripture you can memorize that can help you this
season?(Tip: write it on a sticky note & put it everywhere!)

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to

Lutheran Church of Hope 2010
begin next week)

The Dream Giver, Week 5

A Surprising Invitation
Oct. 23 & 24, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 12

Into the Word

Read 2 Samuel 22:17-20 - Write down any key insights,
observations or questions.

Sermon Notes
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Read Philippians 2:1-11 - Write down any key insights,

observations or questions.

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What surprises you about God in these passages? About Jesus?

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Study Questions
Walking across the floor of the forest, he felt hushed and small
swallowed up by Greatness. Then he began to climb. Higher
and higher he climbed, following the stream, until suddenly he
entered a level clearing filled with bright light. His heart told
him that this was Sanctuary, and he was in the presence of the
Dream Giver. (pg. 125, Dream Giver)

Application
In what ways are you surprised at what God is doing in your life
right now? Or in someone elses?

Opening
What was a Scripture you memorized or put on a sticky note
this week?

If your child asked you, What was the sermon about this
weekend? What would your simple answer be?

Have you been invited to a surprise party before? What was the
occasion? Have you ever been the person that was surprised
by the party?

How can you be someones surprise this week?

(See next weeks opener on how we will reflect on this application to

begin next week)
Lutheran Church of Hope 2010

The Dream Giver, Week 6

Living Out Your Big Dream
Oct. 30 & 31, 2010
Recommended Readings:
The Dream Giver Ch. 13

Into the Word

After Jesus ascended to heaven, his disciples were filled with
the Holy Spirit and sent out. The big dream of Jesus making
disciples was about to meet a big need and the disciples were
meeting the challenge head on.
Read Acts 3:1-10 - Write down any key insights, observations or
questions.

Sermon Notes
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What do you think the big dream was for the disciples?

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Read Revelation 21:1-7 - Write down any key insights,

observations or questions.

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Describe what you think this big dream that John has of
heaven will be like.

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Study Questions
One day, Ordinary took a stroll near the city gates. As he walked,
he talked with the friendly Anybody children who followed him.
Then he heard the Dream Giver say, What do you see? Ordinary
stopped. He looked down in to the childrens faces. I see
beautiful Anybodies in great need, he said. Yes, said the Dream
Giver. What else do you see? Then Ordinary looked up. He could
hardly believe his eyes. Carved on the inside of the gate was the
name of his dream! Your Big Dream lies here, the Dream Giver
said. (pg 146, Dream Giver)
Opening
Any surprises this week?

What is one thing you hoped we would talk about in our final
week of this series in our group time?

Application
Are there any big dreams you have been given during this
series that you havent talked about yet? Now would be a great
time to get them on the table.

In Gods big story, he has a big dream to meet the worlds big
need. He sent Jesus to us to fill that need. Spend time thanking
God for His big dream to redeem the world. Thank Him that
YOU have become part of that dream. Pray that God would
continue to reveal himself to us . . . to help us be people that
have big dreams to meet big needs!

Lutheran Church of Hope 2010