December 15th- December 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: If you could pick an ideal height, how tall would you be?                                                                                                        
  
• Share background for the passage: This story is about a tax collector, Zacchaeus, who has a life changing encounter with Jesus.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: Do you think that meeting Jesus face to face would change the way you live?                                                                                                                                             
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Luke 19:1-10
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. Jesus first found Zacchaeus up a tree. Where did He first find you? Were you out on a limb?
2. Why was Zacchaeus up in that tree?
3. Why do you think Jesus stopped underneath that tree and looked up to speak to Zacchaeus?
4. What have you done in your own personal life to find out who Jesus really is?
5. When Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus, how do you think it made him feel?
6. Jesus invited himself to dinner at Zac’s house. How would you react if Jesus did the same to you? What emotions do you think you would be feeling? What would you serve for dinner?
7. The people standing around hearing this invitation criticized Jesus for going to eat with a “sinner”.  Why?
8. When Zacchaeus spoke to Jesus, he promised to do lots of things. (see verse 8) Why do you suppose he said all these things?
9. In your own encounter with Jesus, has it caused you to make some changes in the way you live?

 Next week's passage/story: Luke 2:8-20
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