June 29th- July 4th Life Group Notes

SIMON SAYS- Embrace Suffering Like Jesus Did

I Peter 4: 1-7, 12-19

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: Have you ever suffered so much you thought that you would die?
    How did it affect how you live now?
                                                                                                 
  • Share background for the passage: Peter is teaching the church about how to live while surviving suffering.
                                                                                       
  • Thought/Focus: Peter is telling us that the will of God is more important than our own will, even when it involves suffering.

  • Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: I Peter 4: 1-7, 12-19

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

  1. How do you think suffering can change a person’s life for the better?
  2. Have you seen this to be true in your own life?
  3. Why would a radical change (for the better) in your lifestyle upset your non-Christian friends?
  4. Have anyone ever made fun of you because you would not join them in something that would go against your own conscience? How did it make you feel?
  5. What kind of pain affects your life the most? Physical or emotional pain?
  6. How often are you surprised at the trials of life that you go through?
  7. How does rejoicing in suffering differ from just enduring suffering? What are the benefits?
  8. Has suffering ever effected your commitment to God?
  9. Read verse 19. Will you look at suffering any differently now? Is verse 19 a comfort to you? Why?


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.)
  • 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 

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