Oct. 26th- Oct. 31st Life Group Notes

October 22nd, 2026
by Nancy Wiltshire

APPOINTED BY GOD

Romans 13:1-8

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 was the last time you got a traffic ticket? How did you treat the officer who stopped you?
Share background for the passage: Paul had recently introduced himself to the Roman churches. This passage is just one of many ways that Paul is teaching Romans how to live the Christian life.

Thought/Focus: Paul is teaching about submission to governmental authorities.

Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: ROMANS 13:1-8

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

Why does Paul say we should submit ourselves to governing authorities? See verse 1.
What do you think the difference is between submitting to authorities and unconditionally obeying them?
Who are the authorities in your life?
Is it difficult for you to submit to your authorities?
In verse 2, if you rebel against authority, what does Paul say that you are doing?
What do you do when you know you are speeding, and you see a highway patrol car?
If the patrol car made you fearful, why do you think that is? If you were not speeding, how did you feel?
What aspects of our government do you find most difficult to accept?
Our government officials need our prayers. Will you begin to pray faithfully for them and for our country?

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.)