Aug 24th- Aug 29th 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: On a scale of 1-10, how many “wild oats” would you say you sowed during your youth?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: Freedom in Christ makes us free to do what we are saved to do!

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: This passage shows us that if we live by the Spirit, we don’t have to wrestle with living by the law.

• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Galatians 5:16-26

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

1. What motivates you to live a good life?
2. Look at verse 17. What 2 things are in conflict as we live this Christian life?
3. If we are made alive by the Spirit, why do you think that we still struggle with sin?
4. Look at verses 19-21. Can a person who lives according to the “acts of the sinful nature” be a true Christian?

5. How can you make sure that you are growing “spiritual fruit” – (verses 21-23) in your life?
6. Which of the spiritual fruits do you think you are strongest in?  Which are the weakest in your life?
7. After reading this passage, what are you feeling the Holy Spirit is asking you to work on?



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