January 12th- January 17th 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: Did you ever get burned playing with fire?
                                                                                                  
  
• Share background for the passage: The people were wavering between believing in 2 gods. Elijah wanted them to see and experience who was the real deal.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: Elijah is bringing before the people the truth of who God is. Do you think he went about this in a good way?
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: 1 Kings 18:20-39
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. In this story, who is Elijah challenging? Why the challenge?
2. Look at verse 21. Why didn’t the people answer Elijah’s question about who the real God is? Why do you think they were doubting? Do you sometimes doubt God yourself? When?
3. Why do you think Elijah gave the prophets of Baal the first try?
4. Is this a battle of doctrine, or power or logic?
5. Do you think Elijah was being over dramatic by dowsing his sacrifice three times? What did it prove?
6. Do you think the people were just going to follow the biggest miracle they saw that day?
7.  Look at verses 36& 37. Why did Elijah set up this event? What did he want the people to know?
8. Would it take a miracle for you to believe how powerful God is?
9. Have you ever boldly asked God for a miracle? Was it for you or for someone else to see who God really is?

 Next week's passage/story: Acts 4:1-22
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