April 27th - May 2nd Life Group Notes

April 25th, 2026
by Nancy Wiltshire

GOSPEL OFFENSE- No Overtime

Luke 16:19-31

LEADERS - Take attendance in the TLC app. Read group guidlines.

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: When is a time where you know you should have helped someone and didn't? How did you feel after? What lesson did you learn from that experience?
Share background for the passage: Jesus tells a story about a rich man who, despite having everything in life, lost it all for eternity. Meanwhile, the poor beggar outside his house who had to beg for his meal was ushered into paradise and comforted by the Lord.

Thought/Focus: We all will come to the end of this life sooner or later. When that day comes, it won't be our finances, our status, or any good works that matters but whether or not we submitted our life to Jesus.

Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Luke 16:19-31

Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

What did the rich man do with all his wealth to help the poor man outside his gate?
When the two men died, where did each one end up?
What was the rich man's experience like in Hades?
What did the rich man want Abraham to do? What was he concerned about?
If the rich man had a second chance to go back to his life, what do you think he would do with that opportunity? How would his perspective change?
In verses 30-31, what does Jesus want us to learn about people and the power of God's word?
What is the overall message Jesus is trying to convey through this story?
How do you think Jesus wants you to respond personally to this message?

Next week's passage/story: TBD
Select someone to tell next week's story
Dismiss in Prayer

Life Group Guidelines

This needs to be a place where people feel comfortable opening up and sharing with one another. Below are some group guidelines that will help create a safe environment.

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.)