Por encima de todo
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Above It All
What Did You Expect?
Above It All
What Did You Expect?
Por encima de todo
¿Que esperabas?

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

The Art of Joy: I Can't Lose

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

John 15:9-11

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete


REFERENCES: Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:15-18, Philippians 1:18-26, Philippians 1:27-30

Main Idea

We always have an opportunity to choose joy, even in the midst of our suffering. We win in life when we lean into God's joyful nature because we are learning and growing through the dark times, instead of letting it paralyze us. In our suffering, we can tap into the joy of the Lord that renews our strength every day. By being present and patient in God's presence and leaning into His promises in His word, we can experience His joy.


When you are in Christ, you can’t lose

1.  Someone Needs to See You Suffer Well

It’s not easy to stay joyful in the valley, but if we keep in mind that this suffering is creating a stage for God’s glory in our life we can change our perspective. God always can change our situation or use it for His purpose.


Philippians 1:12-14

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Suffering reveals our priorities like comfort can only dream of
What the enemy planned for evil, God will turn for good
Our perspective on perseverance produces joy

Don’t let your chains break your joy, let your joy break your chains.

Share a time when God used a season of suffering in your life to produce something good.

2. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him

Happiness is a feeling, JOY is a choice and our weapon to continuing in strength through Christ. What does it even matter what others think or say about us or even if they preach from a different posture? As Christians we are called to be the bridge for others to get to Christ, even if that means them walking over us.


Philippians 1:15-18

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Joy begins with obeying God
Joy is thinking about the progress of others before ourselves.
Glorify the Lord for the work he is doing in your life, breaking chains or using you through your suffering.

Jesus is winning even if it looks like I’m losing

What is something you do daily that helps you remain in God’s love and joy?

Summary

God would either break your chains of affliction or use it. At the point when you are encountering suffering, look towards the chain breaker and remember that others need to see the delight from Jesus in you.

Call To Action

Download the Philippians journal Get Your Free Journal


Challenge yourself to highlight a joyful moment of the day this week. Write out in your Philippines  journal what made you joyful through the week and look back on it this upcoming Sunday!

Announcements

New VOUS Text Platform

All of you that are already in our database will receive a text this upcoming Thursday from our new text platform. It isn’t spam, it’s really us! This will become a primary way for us to resource, equip, and update you. We encourage you to save this number and opt in for more updates.

VOUS Junior High | Sunday Services

VOUS High is youth community of VOUS and we are creating a space for middle schoolers to gather for service every Sunday.

Students will start with worship in the main auditorium and then be dismissed to their junior high space. This will be a moment to connect with other students, hear a message, and then discuss in small groups.

For more information and to RSVP your student, click here

VOUS Thanksgiving Bash and VOUS Bowl 2024

Join us at the annual ILMC Thanksgiving Bash to distribute meal kits and turkeys. Also, bring a chair and cheer on your favorite team at our annual VOUS Bowl.

To serve, click here

Date: Saturday, November 23rd

Time: 9:00AM - 12:30PM

Location: Charles Hadley Park

1350 NW 50th St

Miami, FL 33142

VOUS Turkey Trot

Ready to kick off Thanksgiving with a burst of energy and community? Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Whether you're a runner, a walker, or somewhere in between, this is a chance to start your day with some fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! See you at the starting line!

To sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here

Date: Thursday, November 28th

Time: 6:00AM

Location: Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Miami, FL 33133

VOUS Tree Lighting

On Sunday, December 1st we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to both our SoMi and Miami Gardens Locations! Sign up to serve and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!


Please note: There will not be a 6PM service at VOUS City.
Instead, join us at VOUS Miami Gardens for the 6PM service, followed by the tree lighting celebration.

Date: December 1st

Time: 7:30PM

Location:

VOUS Miami Gardens

17801 NW 2nd Ave

Miami, FL 33169

VOUS SoMi

6767 Sunset Dr

South Miami, FL 33143


To serve, click here

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español

Visit VOUS


Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Sign Up

Crew Leader

Introduction (2 minutes)

Use the Zoom chat feature to keep everyone connected. As people join in, ask for their first and last name, email address, and where they are tuning in from. Save the chat as an attendance record.

Reflect

Ask Crew members to share their favorite points from the talk. What phrase or moment did they relate to the most?

Icebreaker: Reflection or Conversation Starter or Virtual Icebreaker (5 minutes)

For your icebreaker, choose from the options below. Have Crew members unmute themselves to share.

Conversation Starters (Choose One)
  • What's something you did this week that you feel proud of?
  • What did you eat for breakfast?
  • Name the best book you’ve ever read.
  • What’s your morning routine?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • If your life was a story, what would the title be?
Virtual Icebreakers (5 minutes)

Preaching Game - Choose random items and allow individuals to find ways to encourage others using that item. (Pick 2-3 volunteers)

Show-and-Tell - Pick an object in your home that has significance for you, something with a funny story behind it, anything unique, or something you've used to simply pass the time.

Crew Discussion

What Did You Expect?

Pastor Luke Barry

Continuing the Conversation
VOUSCon 2023: Reflect

VOUSCon was nothing short of a miracle! We're still praising God for all He did. Reflection builds gratitude. Spend the first few minutes of Crew sharing a testimony or reflection from VOUSCon 2023.

Continuing the Conversation
Last Crew's Call to Action

God calls for us to forgive while maintaining boundaries necessary to steward and nurture our souls. This week, lean in to the wisdom of Solomon and study the book of Proverbs to help you develop tools for cultivating Godly relationships while asking God for the courage to forgive. Don’t forget to check out additional resources at https://www.vouschurch.com/care.

Scripture

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Additional Scripture References: John 11:32; Job 13:15; John 11:5; Matthew 14:31

Main Idea

Life often doesn't meet our expectations, leading to frustration and disappointment. We may hope for one outcome, only to be met with something entirely different, creating a gap between what we expected and what we experienced. This gap can lead us to question God, our faith, and our hope. But through stories like that of Lazarus and Job, we learn that God isn’t in the business of just meeting expectations, He’s in the business of exceeding them.

God’s power to perform exceeds our ability to ask

1. Hope and Expectation

Faith grows through hope and trusting God’s timing. Positive expectations can fuel faith, while unmet expectations can lead to disappointment. Often, we expect something specific from God but find ourselves limiting Him to only a particular outcome. When we don’t see Him come through just as we expected, we can find ourselves frustrated and disappointed — where was God? The truth is, God is always at work. We may not always see Him moving, or understand His plan, but He has something greater in mind.

Disappointment can tempt us to give up on expectations, but it’s an opportunity to strengthen our faith
God’s plans always exceed our expectations
Don't allow your expectations of what God was “supposed” to do get in the way of what He wants to do

If God always met your expectations, how could He ever exceed them?

What areas of your life are you waiting for God to show up? How can you operate from faith in the present as you hope for the future?

2. Endurance and Enjoyment

Job’s story is a powerful example of enduring pain and disappointment without losing faith. Even in his suffering, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Despite the immense loss, he continued to trust God, showing us that our hope can remain, even in the midst of struggle. Endurance is the ability to trust that God is working, even when we can’t see it.

Endurance strengthens our faith through trials
God hasn’t called us to merely endure life, He’s called us to enjoy it
Enjoying life is appreciating the little, it’s not a pain-free life, but a grateful one

We can say: “God, I don’t understand everything but I trust you in everything”

How has a difficult season strengthened your appreciation for God’s blessings?

Summary

Possibly the greatest source of frustration in life is unmet expectations. The difference between what we expected versus what we experienced often leads us to stop expecting. But there’s an invitation of faith amidst the frustration. Don’t lower your expectations; lift your faith. Give God something to exceed. God can do it, the question is: can you believe it?

Call To Action

Identify areas where you may be limiting God by expecting a specific outcome. Practice finding gratitude by celebrating the little things.

Announcements

New VOUS Text Platform

All of you that are already in our database will receive a text this upcoming Thursday from our new text platform. It isn’t spam, it’s really us! This will become a primary way for us to resource, equip, and update you. We encourage you to save this number and opt in for more updates.

VOUS Junior High | Sunday Services

VOUS High is youth community of VOUS and we are creating a space for middle schoolers to gather for service every Sunday.

Students will start with worship in the main auditorium and then be dismissed to their junior high space. This will be a moment to connect with other students, hear a message, and then discuss in small groups.

For more information and to RSVP your student, click here

VOUS Thanksgiving Bash and VOUS Bowl 2024

Join us at the annual ILMC Thanksgiving Bash to distribute meal kits and turkeys. Also, bring a chair and cheer on your favorite team at our annual VOUS Bowl.

To serve, click here

Date: Saturday, November 23rd

Time: 9:00AM - 12:30PM

Location: Charles Hadley Park

1350 NW 50th St

Miami, FL 33142

VOUS Turkey Trot

Ready to kick off Thanksgiving with a burst of energy and community? Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Whether you're a runner, a walker, or somewhere in between, this is a chance to start your day with some fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! See you at the starting line!

To sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here

Date: Thursday, November 28th

Time: 6:00AM

Location: Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Miami, FL 33133

VOUS Tree Lighting

On Sunday, December 1st we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to both our SoMi and Miami Gardens Locations! Sign up to serve and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!


Please note: There will not be a 6PM service at VOUS City.
Instead, join us at VOUS Miami Gardens for the 6PM service, followed by the tree lighting celebration.

Date: December 1st

Time: 7:30PM

Location:

VOUS Miami Gardens

17801 NW 2nd Ave

Miami, FL 33169

VOUS SoMi

6767 Sunset Dr

South Miami, FL 33143


To serve, click here

Sundays at VOUS

VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM

VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM

VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM

Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español

Visit VOUS


Growth Track

After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack

Sign Up

Sign Up for a Crew ->