December 29th- January 3rd 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: What have you been told about the events surrounding your birth?
                                                                                                  
  
• Share background for the passage: This is the foretelling of the birth of Jesus from an Angel to Mary.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: God becoming a man is a miracle of all miracles. He didn’t come as a powerful invincible leader, but as a little baby crying in a stable. The plan was in place for Him to save all of us.
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Luke 1:30-33, Rev. 11:15, 22:3-5
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. What do you think was the hardest thing that Mary had to comprehend about what the Angel told her?
2. Do you think that Mary was surprised to find out that God had favored her? How do you think she felt about it?
3. The Angel told her not to be afraid. What might she have been afraid of?
4. How do you think Mary felt about giving birth to the Messiah? Scared? Honored? Burdened? Overjoyed?
5. If an Angel were to reveal God’s plan for your life, what would you do? Wonder if you had any say in it? Ask a lot of questions? Worry? Run away from it? Gladly obey?
6. Look at Revelation 22:3-5. Do you think that you will be one of the servants serving God? What do you think it means that there will no longer be any curse?
7. Jesus is “the Light of the World”. Is this why there will be no need for the sun in Heaven?
8. Verse 5 says “they” will reign with Him for ever and ever. What do you think this means? Who is He talking about?

 Next week's passage/story: TBD
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