March 30th - April 4th 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? 

• Opening Question: How did you meet your spouse or “friend”? What was your first date with him or her?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: This passage explains how we have been given the ability to enter into God’s Kingdom, and how it changes our lives.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: Based on Christ’s sacrifice, what attitudes and actions does He want from us?
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Hebrews 10:19-25
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. Verse 19 says that we can have confidence. What is the confidence about?
2. What did Christ have to do to give us entrance to the “Holy Place”?
3. How does God want us to draw near to Him? See verse 22.
4. How would a guilty conscience get in the way of our service to the Lord?
5. Note the 4 “let us” statements in verses 22-25. What does each one mean?
6. Why do you think it is so important that Christians meet with each other? Vs. 25
7. Have you been able to encourage anyone lately? At home? At Church?
8. Will you look for ways to be an encouragement to those around you?
9. Do you think Church leaders ever need encouragement? Why or why not?

 

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