November 17th- November 22nd Life Group Notes

Open in Prayer 

• Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision - Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines- See bottom of page.

•  Doing the Mission: Did anyone share Jesus or last week's passage?  

• Does anyone have a God story? An undeniable encounter or experience with God that creates an impact or breakthrough in your day-to-day life. These moments can be extraordinary or very humble, but always personally powerful. 

• Opening Question: Who was one of your favorite teachers/mentors? What made them special to you? What did you learn from them?
   
• Share background for the passage: This is Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his ‘son’ in the ministry. Paul is instructing and encouraging Timothy to make disciples of others, just as he has done for Timothy

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: What do you believe is the main point Paul intends Timothy to get from this passage?
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: 2 Timothy 2:1-16
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. Field answers to the Thought/Focus question.
2. What did Paul encourage Timothy to be strong in? (vs.1) How does that apply to you?
3. What method of passing on truth is taught in verse 2? What kind of disciples was Timothy to mentor?
4. Have you been or are you being taught by others? Are you passing it on to others? Who?
5. In vss. 3-7, what does Paul assume Timothy will face in discipling others? Have you found this to be true in your life?  Share a reflection you may have from this section.
6. What key quality does Paul highlight in vss. 10 & 12? How has God developed this quality in your life?
7. What warnings or instructions do we receive about ‘words’ in vss. 14-16? Which speaks to you the most?
8. How will you apply the instruction of this passage in your everyday life? Who do you think God may want you to share it with? How & when will you do it?

 Next week's passage/story: Psalm 136  [ Challenge your group to memorize half this Psalm. ;-) ]
Select someone to tell next week's story
Dismiss in Prayer  

CONFIDENTIALITY: What is said in the group stays in the group.
 
LISTEN: Let's value one another during the  discussions by really listening to what is  being shared. Try to avoid thinking about  how you are going to respond or what you  are going to say next.
 
PAUSE: Allow a pause in conversation after someone shares. Give the person sharing a  chance to finish and the group the  opportunity to consider what was just  shared before responding.

NO "CROSS TALK": Be considerate of others  as they are sharing- no side conversations.

NO FIXING: We are not here to fix each  other. Jesus does that part. Speak truth is love, give  
encouragement, empathize,  point to Jesus.  You may share  solutions God has led you through. The  other person should never feel shame or  failure, but rather connection & hope.

NO HIJACKING of shared stories.

NO RESCUING: When people are sharing  something deeply personal, there can be a  tendency to try to make them feel better  about themselves or the situation by  providing immediate condolences. This will  often cause them to stop sharing. Resist the  temptation to rescue people.
 
SHARING: Be sensitive about the amount of time  you share.
 
SILENCE: It is important to allow silence in the  group as it provides an opportunity for someone  else to share and for members in the group to  process the topic or question being considered.

BE SELF-AWARE: Be self-aware of how you are  personally affecting the environment through your  words, actions, and non-verbal communication.
 
"I"STATEMENTS: It's easy to talk about the issues  of others, but for our purposes, we want you to put  yourself on the table. Try to use "I" statements rather than "them', "they", "you", "the church", "us", "we", etc.
 
FIGHT FOR RELATIONSHIP: We will commit to resolve conflict  biblically. When conflict or sin issues arise between  group members, we want to make sure that  we are honoring God and each other in the way we  deal with these issues. We will fight for  relationship.  I will discuss the struggle with the person I am in conflict with first, & if not resolved, seek wise advice. The following are a few key Scriptures  in this regard (there are many others.)

• If someone sins against you: Mat. 18:15-20
• Restoring someone in sin: Gal. 6:1-5 
• Forgive a sinner: Col. 3: 12-13 
• Reconciling differences: Mat. 5:23-24, Mat. 7:1-5