08.13.08
Small Group Plan - August 10, 2008
“Growing Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 10, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
In his book True Fellowship, Jerry Bridges writes,
God does not save groups; He saves individual people. Each of us must respond individually in repentance and faith to the gospel invitation. But though God saves us as individuals, He immediately incorporates us into the Body of Christ. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.” (Pg. 63)
When we come to God and make him the foundation of our lives we come as individuals. But, as soon as we are inside the door of faith, spiritual brothers and sisters immediately surround us and our faith is developed through these spiritual relationships. In fact, God has always worked through relationships to develop individual faith. In the Old Testament it was with patriarchal families, through the nation of Israel, or through the individual tribes within the nation of Israel. In the New Testament God developed faith through the church community. Whatever the time period, God has consistently used community.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How would you describe a “friendly” church?
· What factors make some churches “cold” or “unfriendly?”
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
“Teflon” Or “Velcro”
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
· How can the large size of Prestoncrest make it difficult for some to “connect?”
· What other factors can begin to coat our church with relational “teflon?”
· How is it possible for someone to feel “alone” even in a large group?
· Most people who walk into an unfamiliar church come with some kind of pain or stress. List some.
· What do these people need from a church?
· What made Jesus an “approachable” person?
· Do you think His qualities can be “learned” or do some people innately have them while others do not?
· Describe the relationship between Jesus and the Twelve — the motives behind their relationship.
· Why were the Twelve with Jesus? What did they want? What did they offer?
· Why was Jesus with the Twelve? What did He want? What did He offer?
· How can a “consumer” spirit threaten and fragment a fellowship?
· How can a “servant” spirit unify and strengthen a fellowship?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Who has helped you to “stick” here at Prestoncrest? How did they do it?
· Without using a name, describe the kind of person who needs help in “connecting” at Prestoncrest?
· What can be done to help them?
· How can this group pray for you this week as you follow Jesus in service to others?
Close with prayer.