HANDLING THE “FALL SEASON” OF LIFE

Student Notes
From the series How to Manage the Seasons of Life
Speaker:  Pastor Bong Abagon
(You may request a transcript of sermon thru email at michaelabagon@gmail.com) 
  • o   The Winter Season, a time for planning, self-reflection, hibernation,
  • o   The Spring Season, a stage of dynamic thinking and learning opportunity and
  • o   The Summer Season, where there is a sense of reward, fulfillment and celebration. 
The Fall Season is where there is problem, mistake or characterized by transition.   This triggers disappointment, stress and frustration.


TWO EXAMPLES OF "FALL SEASON" OF LIFE IN THE BIBLE.  Two bible characters you need to be studying this week and the weeks to come:   (1) Abraham.  Gen. 12:1- 5 (2)  Job.   Job 1:13-20.   These are two things that we immediately learn from Abraham and Job:  Obedience and Worship.  

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN A “FALL SEASON” OF LIFE

  • 1.     Your conscience feels very uncomfortable.   A season in your life where you carry this feeling that something is wrong.  
  • 2.     Your community feels your burden.  People can tell if something is going on.  They often blurt it out, "Are you ok?" 
  • 3.     Your do not have peace. At the end of the day, you don't have enough sleep or enough rest.   This has robbed you from living a fulfilled life.   
Psalm 51 is a record of King David’s confession on what he felt when he tried to ignore his sin of immorality and murder.  We understand from God that “all things work together for good.”  How can we experience maturity in the “fall season” of our lives?  


How To Manage the “FALL SEASON” of Life

1.     Take a step back immediately.  It's normal for people to react when there are problems. There are moments however where one must take a long walk or a deep thought before even taking an action.   

2.     Console and Consult.  To console means to emote yourself.  The Bible encourages that we cry out unto the Lord and that it is ok to express our feelings within the boundary of righteousness.  However, you need to move to consulting and figure out what the next steps are.  Consult with God and consult others.  

3.     Follow a Path and Trust.  Those consulting would have solidified a plan of action from your part.  Enact those plans and begin the process of trust.  Sometimes, things don't make sense - but as you take further step to progress, you begin to see that slowly your Fall Season changes to a new one.   
And we know that in all things God works of the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  (Rom. 8:28) 
He did not say all things are good, but rather all things “God will work out for the good.”  That means you have to trust the planner (God)  and you have to believe his purpose (for the good).  But you must become the person (who love him).



Questions for small group. 
  1. How would you describe some “fall season” you’ve experienced in the past?
  2. State some lessons you learn from Abraham or Job.
  3. Which of these three indicators in How do you know you are in a fall season relates to you?
  4. What plan of action will you take mentioned in  Things To Do In The Fall Season? 

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