July 27th- Aug 1st Life Group Notes

THE COMMAND TO BE GENTLE

I SAMUEL 25: 1-35

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 you were growing up, what holiday do you remember where there was enough food to feed a whole army? What was your favorite holiday meal?
                                                                                                 
  • Share background for the passage: This is about a time when David got extremely angry at a man named Nabal, and Nabal’s wife showed a great deal of gentleness to calm David down. 
                                                                                       
  • Thought/Focus: Has there ever been a time when your anger got out of control? When you are angry, which are you most like? (a) a match on gasoline? (b) slow-burning fuse? (c) smoldering underground fire?

  • Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: I SAMUEL 25: 1-35

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

  1. Can someone briefly explain what happened between Nabal and David?
  2. Why do you think David is so violently angry at Nabal?
  3. Abigail heard what was about to happen. Do you think that she was right to step in and intercede for her husband?
  4. What would’ve happened had she not interceded? Would it have affected David’s leadership?
  5. What blessing did Abigail pronounce over David? (see verse 26).
  6. In verses 27-31, Abigail asks the Lord to do certain things for David. What were they?
  7. David was grateful for what Abigail had done. What did he thank Abigail for? See verses 32-34.


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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