07.30.08
Small Group Plan - July 27, 2008
“Responding Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
July 27, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
“A great door for effective work has opened to me.”
1 Corinthians 16:9
“The Lord … opened a door for me”
2 Corinthians 2:12
“Pray … that God may open a door for our message.”
Colossians 4:3
We have all encountered “door openers” — the people or the words that mark our transition from one position in life to another. They give us entrance to new opportunities and new relationships. Sometimes the door opener is a business associate who refers us to a potential client or a new account. Or there’s the friend who introduces us to one who will become our future spouse. Often, door openers are simply a good choice of words to open and set the stage for an important conversation.
At many times throughout our lives we have benefited from various “door openers.” And sometimes, we have played that role ourselves. But how would you like to have God as your “Door Opener?”
It really shouldn’t surprise us. It’s not a new role for God. He has always been opening doors. The door of life at our birth. The door of consciousness each morning. The doors of opportunity with each day. New relationships … exciting opportunities … fresh starts. That’s God … constantly opening doors.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· When you hear the word “door” do you think of privacy or entryway? Explain.
· Are you the kind of person that likes all the doors to be open so you can see and hear everything or do you like to be closed off and secluded from everything? Explain.
· When you see a door barely open, do you usually go ahead and shut it or open it further? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The Open Door Directives
1 Corinthians 16:5-9
5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you — for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
Opportunity
“a great door for effective work has opened”
· From what you know of Paul’s ministry what made the Ephesus opportunity seem like a “great door” (Vs. 9) to him?
· What made Ephesus a strategic city for ministry to the entire region?
· From Acts 19, how would you describe Paul’s schedule while in Ephesus?
· What did Paul mean when he said the door “has opened” (Vs. 9)?
Responsibility
“to me”
· Why did Paul take this mission personally? Why did he say that the door “opened to me” (Vs. 9)?
· Why would God take an opportunity away from one person and give it to another (Matthew 25:24-29)?
· Like Paul, how could a Christian today be ready to seize the moment and walk through the door?
Opposition
“there are many who oppose me”
· Describe the evil that is also seeking entrance at the door of people’s lives?
· Where does evil get its boldness?
· How does Satan block a Christian’s attempt to walk through God’s door?
· Why are some afraid of God’s opportunities? What are they afraid of?
· Should mistakes slow down or stop a person from moving on through a door or opportunity? Explain.
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why can one person see an open door while another can’t?
· Describe the process that leads to ignoring “open doors”? What takes a person to that stage of life?
· On the other hand, describe the process that builds the courage we need to walk through “open doors.”
· What is most likely to stop you from walking through God’s door?
· Who has been an example to you of courageously walking through open doors?
Close by asking God to help you see, understand, and get up from your own meal to serve others.