03.08.10

Posted in Uncategorized at 5:00 pm by Bob

Building Through Small Groups

The Prestoncrest Church of Christ is seeking to transform God’s people into passionate and compassionate followers of Jesus through three powerful relationships:

Reaching Up
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” - Luke 10:27

Reaching In & Reaching Out
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Luke 10:27

The Prestoncrest Small Group Ministry is designed to help people find places of involvement and growth where relationships are formed and strengthened, where people are introduced to Jesus, and where leaders are equipped for service.

Small Group Plan - March 10, 2010

Posted in Small Group Plans at 4:00 pm by Bob

“On Course”
Worship
Small Group Plan
March 10, 2010

Dear Small Group Leader,

“The divine priority will always be worship first, service second.”

– Richard Foster

I think this is what Jesus meant when he said that the greatest command is to love God with all that we have, and that the second greatest command is to love people.

OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …

  • If God is the center of worship, how should worship flow? What should it look like?
  • What causes worship to drift from God to our preferences?

LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …

THE CENTER OF WORSHIP

Matthew 22:35-38
35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

  • Take each dimension of the human person and discuss them one by one: What does it mean to love God with our heart? Soul? Mind?
  • Why is this the “greatest” command?
  • How is it connected to the Ten Commandments?
  • What other current world-views compete with “love God?”

THE EFFECT OF WORSHIP

Matthew 22:39-40
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

  • How does our love for people naturally flow out of our love for God?
  • What is wrong when love for God doesn’t flow into love for people?
  • How is this command connected to the Ten Commandments?
  • What does it mean to love self?
  • Why is love for self a component of loving people?
  • What happens when love for self is not governed by love for God?

THE CHOICE OF WORSHIP

Mark 11:15-17
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

  • What is the significance of Jesus words, “a house of prayer for all nations” (v. 17)?
  • What were the temple merchants doing that angered Jesus?
  • How has Christianity been commercialized today?
  • Why are serious problems often more difficult to see when they occur in a religious setting?
  • What did Jesus see that others had simply gotten used to?

USE IT / APPLY IT …

  • Looking at the three love relationships mentioned by Jesus: loving God, loving people and loving self, which is your strongest area? Your weakest area?
  • What is your own clearest way of showing your love for God?
  • How do you connect your personal worship with our public worship?
  • How do we make our worship all about God?

03.02.10

Small Group Plan - March 3, 2010

Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob

“Praise Him in This Storm”
Worship
Small Group Plan
March 3, 2010

Dear Small Group Leader,

In his book, God’s Plans For You, J. I. Packer wrote (pg. 47),

The other day … as I sat in the hot tub savoring the warmth … adjusting to the feel of being bubbled over from all angles … it struck me that the hot tub is the perfect symbol of the modern route to religion. The hot tub experience is sensuous, relaxing, floppy, laid- back: not in any way demanding … but very, very nice, even to the point of being great fun. Many today want Christianity to be like that and labor to make it so. The ultimate step, of course, would be to clear church auditoriums of seats and install hot tubs in their place; then there would never be any attendance problems.

OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …

  • In your own words, what is Packer trying to say? Do you agree? Explain.
  • What is the worst physical pain you have experienced? How were you able to manage it?
  • If you had to lose either your eyesight, your hearing, or your sense of touch, which would you choose? Explain.

LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …

CAUGHT IN THE STORM

  • Read aloud the lyrics of the song, “Praise You in This Storm” by Mark Hall

    I was sure by now, God,
    that You would have reached down,
    and wiped our tears away,
    stepped in and saved the day.

    But once again, I say amen,
    and it’s still raining.

    As the thunder rolls,
    I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
    “I’m with you.”

    And as Your mercy falls,
    I raise my hands,
    and praise the God who gives,
    and takes away.

    I remember when, I stumbled in the wind,
    You heard my cry to You
    and raised me up again

    My strength is almost gone,
    how can I carry on,
    if I can’t find You.

    And as the thunder rolls,
    I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
    “I’m with you.”

    And as Your mercy falls,
    I raise my hands and praise the God who gives,
    and takes away.

    Chorus:
    And I’ll praise you in this storm,
    and I will lift my hands,
    for You are who You are,
    no matter where I am.

    And every tear I’ve cried,
    You hold in your hand.

    You never left my side.

    And though my heart is torn,
    I will praise You in this storm.

  • How would you summarize the message of this song?
  • Is there a line or phrase from the song that especially resonates with you?
  • How would you describe the decision in the chorus?

SOURCES OF THE STORM

  • Satanic Attack
    When have you felt Satan’s attack?
  • Our Fallen World
    Describe how far has our world has fallen.
  • Bad Choices
    How can our own foolish choices bring us suffering?
  • Good Choices
    How can good decisions bring personal suffering?

PRAISING GOD IN THE STORM

Abandoned By God

Psalm 22:1-5
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

  • As the Psalm anticipates Jesus on the cross, what is he thinking, how is he feeling?
  • Why was Jesus “forsaken?”

Despised By The People

Psalm 22:6-13
6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

  • In his view from the cross, describe what Jesus is seeing.
  • Elaborate on the animal analogies (bulls, lions). What do these images mean to Jesus?

Crucified By The Authorities

Psalm 22:14-18
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

  • List and reflect on the crucifixion images in these verses.
  • Which “authorities” wanted Jesus dead? Why?
  • Why didn’t they simply assassinate him – why did they want him killed in this manner, by crucifixion?

Rescued By God

Psalm 22:19-21
19 But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

  • How can Jesus be so confident in the middle of his storm?
  • Why does the “Son of God” need help?
  • Think carefully - From what plight did God rescue Jesus?

Praising God In The Storm

Psalm 22:22-25
22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.

  • What does it mean to “declare your name” “in the congregation?”
  • Imagine the content of Jesus’ praise – what does he say about God?

Expanding The Worship

Psalm 22:26-31
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him — may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him — those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn — for he has done it.

  • How has the message of God’s rescue spread all over the earth?
  • What has excited you the most as you have watched it spread?

USE IT / APPLY IT …

  • How have you seen Jesus worship in the storm played out in the lives of your family or friends?
  • What has been your most difficult storm?
  • Was there a time in the storm when you could hear God whispering through the rain, “I’m with you?” Describe it.
  • Close by asking God to fill our worship with His presence and power.

02.24.10

Small Group Plan - February 24, 2010

Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob

“Change You Can Believe In”
Worship
Small Group Plan
February 24, 2010

Dear Small Group Leader,

2 Corinthians 3:18
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …

  • Through the years, what has been the most noticeable change (to you) in your faith?
  • What brought this change?

LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …

WORSHIP MAKES ME HUMBLE

Psalm 77:11-13
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. 13 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

  • Notice the words: “remember” “meditate” and “consider.”
  • What do they mean? What do they have in common?
  • How do you do them? How do they contribute to worship?
  • How do they replace pride with humility?

WORSHIP MAKES ME SECURE

Hebrews 11:1-2
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

  • What truths are we rehearsing when we worship?
  • How can we be “sure” and “certain” of a faith that we cannot fully see or even understand?

WORSHIP MAKES ME GRATEFUL

Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

  • Describe the power of a song addressed directly to God.
  • How does gratitude affect your worship experience?
  • Why does “dwelling” upon God, through worship, produce a deep sense of thanksgiving?

WORSHIP MAKES ME HOLY

1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

  • How would you finish this sentence?
    “The more you love God, the more ______________.”
  • Why does worship help us to see things as God sees them?
  • What is the most difficult part of being holy in an unholy world?

WORSHIP MAKES ME LOVING

John 15:9-12
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

  • Why does God love such a corrupt and fallen world?
  • What kind of people do we tend to write off as beyond hope?
  • Why would God say they are never beyond hope?

WORSHIP MAKES ME MISSION-MINDED

Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

  • Who did Jesus give the Great Commission to — those who “worshipped” or those who “doubted?” (trick question)
  • How can our “Passion for God” provide the fuel and the energy for our “Compassion for People?”

USE IT / APPLY IT …

  • It has been said that — “Faith is not an evacuation plan, but a transformation plan.”
  • What do you think this means?
  • Close by asking God to fill our worship with His presence and power.

02.16.10

Small Group Plan - February 17, 2010

Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob

“The Price Of Love”
Worship
Small Group Plan
February 17, 2010

Dear Small Group Leader,

What is the price of love? Can it be totaled up or counted? What would God’s financial statement look like? John 3:16 is certainly a powerfully packed statement of God’s love for humanity.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.

It has often helped me to break it down into tiny phrases, all describing the price of love.

It goes like this …

“God” The Greatest Lover
“So Loved” The Greatest Degree
“The World” The Greatest Number
“That He Gave” The Greatest Act
“His One and Only Son” The Greatest Gift
“That Whoever” The Greatest Invitation
“Believes” The Greatest Simplicity
“In Him” The Greatest Person
“Shall Not Perish” The Greatest Deliverance
“But” The Greatest Difference
“Have” The Greatest Certainty
“Eternal Life” The Greatest Possession

OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …

  • When did you first become aware of the John 3:16?
  • How has your understanding and appreciation grown?

LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …

THE GREATEST LOVER

  • What image of God competes with the image of Him as a “lover” of humanity?
  • How has God loved humanity?
  • How has God loved you personally?
  • How do you keep the picture of God’s love in the forefront of your mind?

THE GREATEST NUMBER

  • List as many current ways as you can think of that God loves the world?
  • How does it feel to partner with God in loving others?
  • Why does the most self-sufficient being in existence (God) act in such unselfish ways?

THE GREATEST ACT

  • How is the act of giving so central to God’s nature and personality?
  • How does the act of us giving shape and change our hearts and minds?

THE GREATEST GIFT

  • Why couldn’t God have simply offered us forgiveness? Why did He make Jesus a part of that forgiveness gift?
  • With the gift of Jesus, what else did we gain beyond forgiveness?

THE GREATEST SIMPLICITY

  • How is faith both simple and difficult?
  • Faith, trust, belief, loyalty – they are all synonyms for the same concept. But they each reveal slightly different aspects. What does each term bring to the meaning of faith?

THE GREATEST PERSON

  • How is Jesus a model for your faith?
  • How is Jesus the “greatest” picture of love?

THE GREATEST DELIVERANCE

  • Norman Cousins once said, “The tragedy of life is not in the fact of death but in what dies inside us while we live.”
  • Without Jesus, what perishes in our lives, even while we live?
  • With Jesus, what begins to live, even surviving our own death?

THE GREATEST POSSESSION

  • I recently heard this quote: “Faith is not an evacuation plan, but a transformation plan.”
  • How does eternal life begin here and now?
  • How does Jesus transform our lives?

USE IT / APPLY IT …

  • In the breakdown above, which of the 12 is the most meaningful to you? Explain.
  • Which one is a new thought to you? How does it affect your thinking?
  • Close by thanking God for His amazing love.

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