July 20th- July 25th 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: What was your first paid job? Was it hard work? What did you do with your money?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to stand firm in what they have been taught and to not be idle, but to work hard.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: Have you ever had a friend who “disappeared” at the first sign of hard work? How did you feel about that?

• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-15

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

1. In verse 6, why do you think Paul tells the Thessalonian people to keep away from idle people?
2. In verses 6 and 7, Paul tells these people to follow the example he left for them. What do you think that example was?
3. From reading this passage, does it appear that Paul let people wait on him? Why or why not?
4. What example does Paul say that he left for them in verses 7-9?
5. What was the command Paul gave in verse 10 that might spur someone on to work hard?
6. In verse 11, Paul says that he has heard that some are not busy, but are _______________. What did he call them?
7. Working can make us tired, but what did he say we should never tire of? See verse 13
8. Should we ever at any time try to make people feel ashamed? See verse 14.
9. In verse 15, Paul tells us not to regard lazy people as enemies, but to warn them as we would a___________.

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