09.09.07
Small Group Plan - September 9, 2007
“A Vision For God’s Mission”
Small Group Plan
September 9, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
The Summit II Conference again faced us all with the power of vision and mission. As Paul wrote:
“A great door for effective work has opened to me.”
1 Corinthians 16:9
Paul had a spiritual vision that gave him hope, direction, and purpose. It helped him to see his opportunities. He had a vision that was moving him forward.
Like Paul, we need vision to shape our plans and to be our point of reference. As Proverbs 29:18 says, without “vision” we “perish.” Here the word “vision” refers to a revelation from God. In other words, without God’s direction we perish. His plans for us slip through our fingers.
We need God’s vision to transform us. He takes nothing and creates a universe. He takes a lost soul and makes a saint. He takes a broken heart and fills it with joy. And when we take God’s vision into our church and into our lives, transformation takes place. We change. Have you ever noticed that God never calls anyone to remain exactly as they are? He never gives a person a vision for the status quo. Of course, God is the same and His message remains the same, but we are not all that we can be. And so God is constantly asking us and helping us to change.
But His transformation can only happen when we are willing to accept His vision as our own.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How would you explain the power of “vision” in a family, a marriage, or an individual?
· How have you seen God’s vision at work at Prestoncrest?
· Why will God’s people “perish” without vision?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
PASSION FOR GOD – Matthew 22:37-38
Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
· What is Jesus trying to communicate by listing the heart, soul, and mind?
· Why does he call this the “first” and “greatest” of the commandments?
· What helps you to Reach Up and experience God?
· What is the greatest obstacle to your own personal Passion for God?
COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE – Matthew 22:39-40
And the second is like it:
Love your neighbor as yourself.
All the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments.
· Since Jesus is only asked for the greatest commandment, why does he volunteer a second?
· Distinguish between the right and wrong way to “love … yourself.”
· Consider the following short poem:
To live above with the God we love,
that would be grace and glory.
But to live below with the ones we know,
well … that’s another story.
· How would you describe the difficulty we have with our “Neighbors” — the “ones we know”?
· On the other hand, how have you experienced the positive power of Reaching In?
· Who Reached Out to you, and how did they do it (manner, spirit, attitude)?
· Is Reaching Out difficult for you? Why or why not?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How do “All the Law and the Prophets,” — all of God’s will — “Hang” on these two commands?
· Which is most exciting for you to think about, Reaching Up, Reaching In, or Reaching Out?
· Of the three, which is the most difficult for you? Why?
· How can all three occur in a small group?
Pray for our vision. Pray for unity, conviction, change, and revival.