08.27.08
Small Group Plan - August 24, 2008
“Staying Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 24, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Find a clock, and watch five seconds tick by. For allied soldiers driving tanks through the Iraqi desert, that’s a generous amount of time in which to do the following: spot a vehicle through the optics system, consult the last available coordinates for all known battlefield combatants, try to identify the vehicle’s type, check if it has a special panel that appears as a cold spot through a thermal sight, add it all together and decide whether the image on the screen is friend or foe. If it’s the latter, the crew, under pressure to shoot before being shot at, is likely to pull the trigger—then hope … it has not accidentally blasted a group of comrades.
“Misfiring In The Fog”
Time Magazine (3/30/03)
Amanda Bower
It’s called “friendly fire” and it occurs when allies fire on each other. In battle it is almost always a mistake, but sadly in religion often it’s on purpose. People are difficult. Some are more difficult than others. But some shoot their own wounded. Which are you?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Name some people who have made great sacrifices to benefit you. What did they do for you?
· Why is there a sense of fulfillment that comes with helping someone?
· How does it feel to sacrifice for someone who doesn’t care or appreciate what you have done for them?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Paul And Difficult People
2 Corinthians 12:11-18
11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
· What led Paul to write this part of the 2 Corinthian letter?
· Try to read between the lines and see how Paul is feeling as he writes?
· Why does Paul feel uncomfortable when he describes his daily work and accomplishments?
· Why are the Corinthians Christians demanding that Paul “measure up”?
· How is Paul able to maintain his humble attitude even when he being attacked?
You And Difficult People
Matthew 6:12-15
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
· How is Vs. 13 a part of Jesus’ discussion on forgiveness in the verses before and after?
· How is the request in Vs. 12 a frightening part of the Lord’s Prayer?
· Why does Jesus tie God’s mercy to our willingness to forgive?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Who are you more like in this story?
… are you more like the critic, unaware but critical of Paul?
… are you more like Paul, humble though unappreciated?
… are you more like the Corinthians, quiet and unsupportive?
… are you more like God, aware and thankful for Paul’s work?
· Are you more likely to encourage people in ministry or criticize them? Explain.
· Ask God to help us be encouragers rather than critics.