March 8th - March 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: As a child, did you ever have a ‘falling out’ with your best friend? How did you resolve it? Or how did your parents restore unity when you & your siblings were fighting?
                                                                                               
  
• Share background for the passage: Paul is giving crucial instruction to the church at Ephesus on reflecting Christ through their actions.

                                                                                       

• Thought/Focus: What main illustration did Paul use here to get the church to understand unity in diversity?
• Have someone read or tell this week's passage/story: Ephesians 4:11-16
• Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

1. What does Paul liken the church to in vs. 15?  What part is Christ?
2. What groups of leaders are listed in vs. 11? What are they to do according to vs. 12?
3. What is the goal in vs. 13? Why do you think unity is so important?
4. What can happen if we don’t mature in Christ according to vs. 14?
5. Have you ever been deceived, tricked or ‘tossed to & fro’ by other’s deception in spiritual things?
6. How did God set you free & get you on a solid footing? Have you been able to help others in the same way?

 7. Why is it so important to use love when speaking the truth? How do you do this?
 8. Are you doing your part to grow the body? What do you believe you supply for the body to help it grow?
 9. How will you do this going forward? For whom?



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