February 5th - February 10th Life Group Notes

Open in Prayer 

• Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision – Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines– See bottom of this page.

•  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:  Who is your favorite sports team? What makes a great team?

• Share background for the passage: Paul is teaching the churches how to be in unity and work together with the gifts that God has given to His children.
• Thought/Focus: How can we have unity in our Churches as we focus on making Disciples?
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16

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

1. In verse 1, Paul urges us to walk worthy of the calling that we have received. What does he mean?
2. In verse 3, we are told to keep unity through virtue? Do you think this is always easy?
   In verse 7, Paul speaks of the gifts that were given to us. Why do you think these are important?
3.  In verse 11, Paul lists 4 gifts. Do you see yourself in any of these?
4.  Why did He give these particular gifts? See verse 12.
5.  Are you ready to step up to the level of your calling in God?
6.  How can you help with the unity of our Church?
7.  Do you often speak the truth in love? See verse 15.
8.  Do you think that you are an important part of your Church body? What gift helps you to be an important part of your Church?

Next week’s passage/story: Mark 10: 17-27 (Choose 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