January 08-13th Life Group Notes

Open in Prayer 

• Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision – Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines– See back of sheet Doing the Mission: Did anyone share Jesus or last week’s passage?  

• Does anyone have a God story? An undeniable encounter or experience with God that creates an impact or  breakthrough in your day-to-day life. These moments can be extraordinary or very humble, but always  personally powerful. 

• Opening Question: Have you ever had a nickname? Did you like it, or hate it? How did it come to be your nickname?

• Share background for the passage: Jerusalem has been besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. He has  taken as slaves many people, but four young men were captured and trained to serve in this foreign kingdom.  Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Misharel and Azariah. Their names were changed to Belteshazzar,  Shadrach, and Abednego. 
  • Thought/Focus: God is sovereign over our lives, through the good and the bad. 
  • Have someone read this week’s passage: Daniel 1:1-20. 

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

1. Where was Daniel from, and where did he end up?
2. What kind of families did Daniel and his friends belong to in Jerusalem? (vs. 3)
3. What foods did Daniel give up and why?(vs. 8)
4. How does Daniel show his true loyalty to God?
5. What did God give these four young men for honoring Him? (vs. 17)
6. Would you be able to give up rich foods for simple foods if God asked you to? Why would He ask you to?
7. In your current state of Spirituality, do you think you would be loyal to God if tested? Even if it meant something  very unpleasant would happen to you?
8. Do you have friends as Daniel did to do life together with? Good times and bad? 

Next week’s passage/story: Daniel 10:1-3, 10-19

• 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. Give  
encouragement, empathize, speak truth,  point to Jesus. Don’t try to fix each other  like a mechanic & a car. 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 forsomeone  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”, “the church”, “us”, “we”, etc.
 
CONFLICT: We will commit to resolve conflict  biblically. When conflict or sin issues between  group members arise, 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. 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