What's Next?

Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.

this week's next steps

Memorize James 4:7

Pray through the 5 Rs this week

Attend Breakthrough Night on Monday, 10/6

Say yes to Jesus - click here

This week's Bible reading plan

This week's fill-in notes

THIS WEEK'S PRAYER & FASTING FOCUS

Week Three — “Break Free” Sermon Series

We have a real enemy—one who is actively seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. His strategies are not always loud or obvious. Often, he works quietly: sowing discord, dividing relationships, desensitizing our hearts, and distracting us from who God has called us to be. Yet Scripture calls us to stay alert and resist him, standing firm in the truth. The lies of the enemy, when recognized, are not just deceptions—they're clues to where he may already be at work. Though he masquerades in subtlety, many times the enemy hides in plain sight. But no matter how he appears, his character never changes: he is always a liar, a deceiver, and a thief.

Like rodents entering through an open garage door, the enemy needs only a small crack in our spiritual defenses. These “open doors” may be unconfessed sin, unresolved anger, hidden compromise, or even wounds left unhealed. They seem small at first—an outburst of anger, a moment of jealousy, a dabble in something unholy—but they give access. Once inside, the enemy gains a foothold. Left unchecked, that foothold can become a stronghold, fortified by habit, agreement, and spiritual oppression. But here’s the good news: those doors can be closed, and the ground can be reclaimed.

This devotional and prayer guide is meant to help you identify those places of vulnerability, discern the lies of the enemy, and step into the freedom Christ has already won for you. Through repentance, renouncing sin, rebuking the enemy, resisting temptation, and receiving the Holy Spirit, you can close every door that once gave him access. Our hope and prayer is that you will find breakthrough and freedom—and that as you draw near to God, you will feel His nearness like never before.

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This guide is based on “The 5 Rs.”

The 5 R’s For Freedom and Breakthrough:
Repent - Acknowledge areas of sin, carelessness, dabbling, etc., and then confess the sin that provided the foothold to begin with.
Renounce - Cancel the authority, ground, or permission previously given over to the enemy or his army (demons), removing their right to stay.
Rebuke - Command the enemy to go, standing on the authority, victory, protection, and position God purchased and delegated to every Christian through the cross, resurrection, and intercession of Jesus Christ.
Resist - Stand strong, be alert, and guard ourselves by abiding in Christ.
Receive - Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with The Truth that replaces the lies of the enemy, bringing deep healing.

Study each of the 5Rs over the next five days using the links below.

Questions to Consider:

What "open doors" in your life have you sensed the Holy Spirit highlighting recently?
How can unresolved emotions like anger, bitterness, or fear quietly leave us vulnerable to the enemy's influence?
In what ways can the church community support each other in closing open doors and tearing down strongholds?
What step from the 5 R’s—Repent, Renounce, Rebuke, Resist, Receive—feels most needed in your life right now?
How do you personally experience the Holy Spirit "filling" and strengthening you in areas where you once felt weak or defeated?
What spiritual practices or boundaries might help you stay alert and guard your heart moving forward?