June 9th- June 14th Life Group Notes

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: When was a time you decided to pursue peace in a difficult situation. What was the outcome?
   
  
• Share background for the passage: The Jewish leaders bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus and ask Him what should be done. Their hope is to catch Him and accuse Him in some way based on His response. Jesus, who taught "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God," not only overcomes their trap, but does so by showing grace and pursuing peace for all involved.                                                                                      
• Thought/Focus: To be sons of God, we must learn to seek peace for ourselves and those around us in the love of Christ.
                                                                                                                            

Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Matthew 5:9; John 8:1-12

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

1. What was the problem presented to Jesus?
2. How did Jesus respond to this problem?
3. How did Jesus respond to the woman?
4. What do you think the crowd expected Jesus to do, and what do you think they felt about Jesus' actual response?
5. How do you think the woman felt after based on Jesus' response?
6. How does Jesus seek peace in this situation while staying true to God's word concerning sin and forgiveness?
7. Why is Jesus' command in verse 11 necessary before His offer in verse 12?
8. Peacemakers don't just pursue peace as a means of escaping conflict, they interject the peace of Christ as the solution to conflict. How does this story show us that being a peacemaker can be a means of sharing Christ with others; give an example.

 
Next week's passage/story: TBD
Select 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