07.16.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Working Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
July 13, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
Henry Ford
None of us are as smart as all of us.
Ken Blanchard
The key elements in the art of working together are
how to deal with change,
how to deal with conflict,
and how to reach our potential.
Max DePree
Do you want a collection of brilliant minds
or a brilliant collection of minds?
R. Meredith Belbin
A group becomes a team
when each member is sure enough of himself
and his contribution
to praise the skills of the others.
Norman Shidle
If you can’t pass, you can’t play.
Coach Dean Smith
to Michael Jordan
his freshman year at UNC
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What is your favorite team sport?
· Describe the value of individual accomplishment for that sport?
· Now describe the value of teamwork for that sport?
· Why are both essential?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Seven By Seven
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
· First, identify the seven graces or attitudes in verses 2-3.
· Give a brief definition of each.
· Of the seven, is there one that is central to all the others? How?
· Which attitude is most urgent for churches today? Explain.
· Which attitude is most difficult for you to accept or live by? Explain.
· Give a brief definition of each of the seven essentials listed in verses 4-6.
· What is the significance of Paul giving a highly detailed list of unity essentials to a church needing unity?
· What happens to our unity when we pick and choose our own doctrines and attitudes?
Two By Two
Ephesians 4:7-16
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
· After focusing on our unity Paul turns to our uniqueness. What is the difference between the two?
· What is the purpose of spiritual gifts (Vs. 11-12)?
· How and why have spiritual gifts been abused?
· What is mark of a mature church (Vs. 13, 15)? Explain.
· How would you explain the balance of “truth” and “love” (Vs. 15)?
· How does the “whole body” depend upon “each part” (Vs. 16)?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How have you observed someone “speak the truth in love” (Vs. 15)?
· What is needed for “each part” to do “it’s work” (Vs. 16)?
· What will help Prestoncrest to “keep the unity of Spirit through the bond of peace” (Vs. 3)?
· What would help you to “grow up into Him (Jesus)” (Vs. 15)?
Close with prayer for our unity through this time of transition?
Permalink
07.09.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Better Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
July 6, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
In his classic, Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote,
Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.
God Himself concluded that it is not good for one of us to be alone. He created us social. He wants us to be together and deep down we want to be together. Why? We are better together.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· If you could design and build your own home, what would it look like?
· What might be the difficulties of building your own home?
· How could a partner make the task easier and more enjoyable?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
A Pile Of Rocks?
1 Peter 2:1-8
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message — which is also what they were destined for.
· What is the source of a Christian’s nourishment (Vs. 2)?
· List all the phrases that describe Jesus.
· What does Jesus actually do as “the living stone” (Vs. 4)?
· What does it mean that we too are “living stones” (Vs. 5)?
· How can Jesus be a “capstone” (Vs. 7) for some and a “stumbling” stone (Vs. 
for others?
· How is Jesus still being rejected today?
· What attitude and spirit is required for human individuality to be “built into a spiritual house” (Vs. 5)?
A Holy House
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
· How does being chosen by God for a special task make you feel?
· How would you describe the “darkness” that God called you out of?
· How does it feel to live and walk around in the “light”?
· What “praises of Him” can we share with others?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What is the challenge of being “holy”?
· Why is living “holy” the best style of life?
· What must “individuality” give up for “partnership” to grow?
· Why do we think we (Prestoncrest) are better together?
Close with prayer for our unity over the next two months?
Permalink
07.01.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“We’re in This Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
June 29, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
At the end of his life, Moses last act was to call a new generation of God’s people to renew the covenant their parents made at Mount Sinai. He said, “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Since that time Israel has crossed the Jordan and taken the land. Many have died and their children have grown up. Like Moses, Joshua now stands before a new generation and calls them to renew their covenant. He says, “Choose for yourselves this day, whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:5.)
Throughout the book of Joshua, God’s faithfulness has been clear. Every promise God made was fulfilled. Every battle God fought was won. And now, He asks Israel, and us, to make a decision. Who will guide our lives? Who will steer our ship? Whose core values will we follow? “Choose for yourselves this day, whom you will serve.”
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What have been the “turning point” decisions in your life?
· Why is a refusal to quit so important to leadership in ministry?
· People today don’t usually think of being tempted by “other gods” but if we were to personify the things that do tempt us, who are the “gods” that our faith must resist?
· Why do people forget the lessons of the past so easily?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Joshua 24:2-8, 13
2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your forefathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the River and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt. 5 “‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. 6 When I brought your fathers out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. 7 But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the desert for a long time. 8 “‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands … You did not do it with your own sword and bow. 13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’
· What is the theme of the first 13 verses?
· Why did God want Joshua to recount Israel’s history?
· Explain the joy, the pleasure, and the power of getting together and telling old family stories.
Joshua 24:14-15
14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
· Why is the word “serve” mentioned 13 times in Vs. 14-27?
· In this story, what does serving include and exclude?
· Today, what does it mean to serve the Lord?
· Why might serving God seem “undesirable” to Israel?
· Honestly, when is serving God “undesirable” in today’s world?
· What makes serving God worthwhile?
Joshua 24:19-24
19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” 21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.” 22 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. 23 “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”
· Why did Joshua not simply accept the words of the people at face value? Why did he make the whole process a longer, more drawn out experience?
· When did you make the decision to serve God? What changes did this decision make in your life?
· Explain the wisdom of both Joshua here, and Jesus later, in saying that no one can serve two gods.
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why is it important for us to remember where we came from?
· For those who are willing – What is a faith decision that you need and want to make?
· What kind of help do you need in order to take that decisive step?
· Write down, for no one else to see, the name of the “god” that you want to “throw away.” Symbolically wad the paper up and throw it away.
Close with prayer for our unity over the next two months?
Permalink
06.24.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Pulling Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
June 22, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
I am quite sure that the best way to promote union
is to promote truth.
It will not do for us to be all united together
by yielding to one another’s mistakes.
– Charles H. Spurgeon
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What to you is an unmistakable picture of love?
· As a child, who loved you in an extra special way? Why does the memory stay with you?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
A Picture of Disharmony
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
· How would you describe the Corinthian problem?
· To what extent should we try to “agree with one another” (Vs. 10)?
· Paul was concerned about “quarrels” (Vs. 11). What kind of quarrel is normal and what kind is dangerous? Explain.
· How can having a spiritual hero go too far and lead to division (Vs. 12)?
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
· In this context, what does Paul say is the basic difference between “spiritual” and “worldly” (Vs. 1)?
· What is the evidence that someone is ready for “solid food” (Vs. 2)?
· In this text “infant” means immature. How is disunity a sign of immaturity?
· How did Paul and Apollos feel about being used as dividing wedges?
A Picture of Harmony
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
· How is Paul’s confrontation an act of love?
· How does the love described here differ from the love defined by our culture?
· From this text, describe what love is and isn’t
· From this text, describe what love does and doesn’t do.
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How does Jesus bring diversity of opinion together?
· What does it mean when a person wears the name of Jesus but can’t get along, go along or cooperate with almost anyone?
· What are the first few steps towards healing a damaged relationship with a fellow Christian?
· What’s the best way to learn how to love?
· What would build our unity at Prestoncrest?
Close with prayer for our unity over the next two months?
Permalink
06.15.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“The Loving Father”
Small Group Plan
June 15, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
What should we call the third parable in Luke 15? Most call it the parable of the prodigal son, but we could just as easily call it the parable of the loving Father. In fact, the future of everyone in the story, the younger son who wastes his life and the older son who can’t accept his brother, both of them are taught and changed by the Father. He is really the central character in the story.
So yes, there are lessons to be learned by looking at the sons and the servants. But the most power lessons come from watching the Father.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Is it difficult for you to trust people in general? Why or why not?
· Is it difficult for you to trust people who have failed you? Explain.
· What does it usually take for someone to win back your trust?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The Father’s Trust
Luke 15:11-12
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
· How is the Father trusting his son in this story?
· What has God, our Father, entrusted to us?
· What does this story teach us about trusting our children?
The Father’s Pain
Luke 15:13-19
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’
· If this father received a report on his son’s poor choices, what would he feel – what would you feel: anger, pity, apathy?
· If he learned of his son’s lowest point, what should he do? What would you do? Explain.
· Why was the son confident that he could return home?
The Father’s Joy
Luke 15:20-24
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
· Why was the father watching for his son?
· Imagine their reunion as it unfolded - seeing each other, touching each other, talking to each other. Describe all the emotions you imagine.
· Why did he respond so lavishly?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· In view of those to whom this story is told (Vs. 2), what does Jesus want them to learn about God?
· When/how did first see the joyful side of God’s nature?
· What role does risk taking play in trust?
· What is God risking in giving the human race choice?
· Which of the father’s qualities do you most need? Explain.
Close by reflecting in prayer on the love and compassion of God.
Permalink
« Previous entries · Next entries »