November25th- November 30th Life Group Notes
Following The King- Are You Thanking the King?
Matthew 3: 1-12
LEADERS - Take attendance in the TLC app. Read group guidlines.
Open in Prayer
Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.
5. What was meant by the statements in vs. 10?
6. John said “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. What do you think he meant? Is it a message for us too?
7. Thinking of the personalities of John and Jesus, what are the differences? Are both men effective? Why?
8. We are Jesus’ disciples and messengers today. Can you think of anyone that you could tell about the coming of Jesus this next week? How will you thank our King before others this week?
Next week's passage/story: Matthew 4:1-11
- 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? 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: Has there ever been a Preacher whose appearance shocked you? Was the message that was preached truthful? How did it affect you?
- Share background for the passage: The reason for John the Baptist’s life was predicted in the Old Testament in the book of Isaiah. “A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” Now he has come & is fulfilling the prophecy of preparing the way for Jesus the King to come.
- Thought/Focus: Why do you think people were willing to listen to someone as strange as John the Baptist? What do you believe it was about his ministry that drew everyone to go out into the wilderness to hear him?
- Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 3:1-12
Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.
- What was the very first thing John told them to do? What does that mean to you?
- Who all came to hear him? What different social strata did they represent?
- What did he say to the Pharisees and Sadducees? Why do you think he was so harsh?
5. What was meant by the statements in vs. 10?
6. John said “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. What do you think he meant? Is it a message for us too?
7. Thinking of the personalities of John and Jesus, what are the differences? Are both men effective? Why?
8. We are Jesus’ disciples and messengers today. Can you think of anyone that you could tell about the coming of Jesus this next week? How will you thank our King before others this week?
Next week's passage/story: Matthew 4:1-11
- 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.)
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
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