January 25th- January 31st 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: Has there ever been a time when you were betrayed because someone was jealous of you?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: Daniel had been exiled to a land where he was trained to serve a pagan King. His life was blameless in his service to King Darius, which made others who were “ladder climbers” in the Kingdom very jealous, so they devised a plan to have Daniel killed.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: How big is your faith when you face people who are trying to cause you harm? Do you look to get back at them, or just act in a way that makes you blameless?     
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Daniel 6            
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. Why were King Darius’ administrators so jealous of Daniel?
2. What kind of trap did they set for Daniel? Why did they choose to do this in the way that they did?
3. How did the government administrators get their way with the King? What did the King sign?
4. When Daniel was caught praying to his own God, what did the administrators do?
5. Why was the King so distressed when he found out that Daniel had prayed to his own God?
6. Tell what happened in the lion’s den. Who shut the mouth of the lions?
7. When the King went early the next morning, what did he shout? See verse 20.
8. Do you think that King Darius became a believer? Tell us why you believe he did or did not.
9. Will you be as intentional as Daniel was about God in your workplace, school or community?

 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