May 12th- May 17th Life Group Notes

Perfectly Blessed-With a Perfect Inheritance

Luke 1:39-56

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? 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:  For those of you who have kids, who did you call first when you found out that there was a baby on the way? What was the reason for sharing your news with that particular person?
     
  • Share background for the passage: Mary decides to go and visit her relative Elizabeth. They are both pregnant, Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John the Baptist.                                                                                   
  • Thought/Focus: Mary was going through a difficult time being a single pregnant girl. She found ways to praise God anyway!
                                                                                                                              
  • Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Luke 1:39-56

Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.
  1. Can you imagine what Mary was feeling, knowing that she was carrying God’s Son? Explain what you think.
  2. What was the response from Elizabeth when she saw that Mary had come into her home?
  3. What happened to Elizabeth when she heard the greeting from Mary? Was she excited at all?
  4. How do you think that Elizabeth knew to call Mary’s baby “Lord”?
  5. Mary’s Song is in verses 46-55. What does Mary praise God for in her song?
 6. Why do you think Mary left her own home to visit with Elizabeth? (Speculation                         welcomed!)
 7. How did Mary view herself? How did Elizabeth view herself and Mary?
 8. Who is Mary talking about when she talks about the proud, the rulers and the rich being       brought low?
 9. Do you see yourself in any of the descriptions Mary talks about? If so, explain.

 Next week's passage/story: Daniel 1:8-20
 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.)
  • 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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