Aug 3rd- Aug 8th 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: When you were growing up what were your biggest temptation?  For example.. Books, Video Games, Bikes, etc.  Did you ever lie, cheat or steal to get them?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: We are using biblical examples to illustrate the consequences of failing to address temptation, such as David’s adultery and Judas’s betrayal, contrasted with the Apostle Paul, whose transparency regarding his own fleshly struggles contributed to his impactful ministry 

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: Temptation in and of itself is not a sin, but how we respond to it can be.

• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: James 1:14-15, Matt. 26:41, 1 Cor. 10:13, Romans 7:15-25

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

1. According to our reading in James, Who gets tempted? Why do you think so?
2. Staying within our reading in James, What are the stages of temptation?
3. Based in our reading in Matthew, What is he telling us to do?
4. What does it mean that “The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak”?
5. Focusing on Corinthians 1:13, What do you think it means that “no temptation has overtaken us except such as is common to man”? Could this mean that we are not alone in our battles?

6. According to Paul in Romans 7:15-19, What paradox does he describe regarding his own action and his understanding of them?
7. In Romans 7:20-23, Why does Paul say that if he does what he does not want to do, it is no longer he who is doing it, but sin dwelling within him?
 8. Who does Paul Identify as the deliverer from his “body of death,” and how does he describe his own dual nature in serving God?
9. How will you overcome your temptations after tonight’s study?

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