September 15th- September 20th 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: Apart from our salvation, what is your favorite story of forgiveness in the Bible?
   
• Share background for the passage: Jesus has performed many miracles, been transfigured before His disciples on the mountain & even foretold His death, now He shares this profound truth about forgiveness with His disciples after Peter asks Him about this life-changing subject.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: What do you think Jesus wants His disciples to understand about the value & importance of forgiveness from this parable?                                                                                                                  
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Matthew 18:21-35
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. Discuss answers from the thought/focus question.
2. What do you think Peter was thinking when he came up with the number of 7 for times to forgive someone?
3. Why do you think Jesus gave the answer He did? Does He want us all to start keeping lists numbered to 490?

 4. So, for how often & for how long must we forgive others?
 5. Who do you think the king in the parable represents? Who does the forgiven servant              represent?
 6.How great of a debt would 10,000 talents be? Why do you think Jesus used hyperbole          on this point? In contrast, why would He use a very realistic debt amount between the           two servants?
 7. What value does God put on forgiveness in this parable? Is there anything or anyone             more valuable to you than forgiveness? If so, how do you think God would feel about           that in view of what our sins cost Him?
 8. What does He call the servant who is unwilling to forgive? What does He do to him? For         how long?
 9. What must we each do in order to be set free from the tormentors?  Have you done it? If       not, will you?


Next week's passage/story: Matthew 22:1-14
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