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?
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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?
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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.
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06.11.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Life: Looking for Relationship”
Windows on the Soul
Small Group Plan
June 8, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
The Sermon on the Mount consistently presents a radical way of life. Jesus calls those who follow Him to be completely different from the world in which we live. Our morality is to be deeper because it reaches our hearts. Our love is to be larger because it covers even our enemies. The message of Jesus confronts us on every level, asking us to choose which way we will live. He places before us two kinds of riches, two sources of control, two ways to dream, and now, at the end of the sermon, two gates, two roads, two crowds and two destinations. Will we be persuaded by majority or ruled by God alone?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Where did our taste for “options” come from?
· How has this taste effected or changed us?
· How do we feel when “options” are reduced or removed?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
People: Gates — Roads — Crowds — Destinations
Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
· Why is the road to life “narrow”?
· Does “narrow” mean “closed-minded” or “difficult”?
· Why does “broad” accurately describe the way to destruction?
· When Jesus says a few will “find” the way to life, what does this say about the character of those searching?
· Why does Jesus say that those traveling to destruction will simply “enter” rather than “find”?
Religious People: Trees — Fruit
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
· Where does bad religion draw its power?
· Jesus says “false prophets” wear “sheep’s clothing.” What disguises does bad religion wear today?
· Why does Jesus use such a vicious description as “wolf”?
· Contrast the “fruit” or bad and good religion?
Christian People: Sincerity — Submission
Matthew 7:21
21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
· How is it possible to think of Jesus as “Lord” without submission and obedience?
· What will grow in the life of the one who continues to be in God’s presence while resisting God’s power?
Active Christian People: Words — Deeds — Relationship
Matthew 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
· How is it possible to be very involved in Christian ministry without really knowing Jesus?
· If Jesus in not in the picture – “I never knew you” – why is ministry performed – “prophecy, miracles”?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What broad roads did you travel before you met Jesus?
· How did He narrow your road or bring focus to your life?
· What did you have to leave behind in order to travel His narrow way?
· Why do people today dislike the idea that there is only one gate or road to life?
· Which “fruit of the Spirit” is especially significant to you? Why?
· Why does God put relationship even above words and deeds?
· How can we really know Jesus?
Close with a time of quiet, personal prayer.
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06.04.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Wait: Looking for Growth”
Windows on the Soul
Small Group Plan
June 1, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Prayer is not a way
of being busy with God
instead of people …
[It’s] standing in front of him
without anything to show, to prove,
or to argue,
and … allowing him to enter
– Henri Nouwen
Be not afraid of growing slowly,
be afraid only of standing still.
– Anonymous
What grows makes no noise.
– Anonymous
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Who in your family (current or growing up) could grow anything? Why?
· Who killed everything? What made the difference?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
QUIET GROWTH
Mark 4:26-29
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.
· Spiritual growth is sometimes hidden and sometimes visible. Where do you see these two aspects at work in spiritual growth today?
· This story is filled with the theme of patience.
· Why is patience difficult for some, but natural for others?
· Why do so many want “quick” results?
· The farmer anticipates the harvest but is not impatient. How can a person be eager and expectant, but not impatient?
· What does “the harvest” mean?
AMAZING GROWTH
Mark 4:30-32
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.
· Why did Jesus choose the mustard seed to represent the kingdom?
· Why is it powerful for greatness to come from smallness or weakness?
· What hope does this story give you when you feel that your life, your family or your church is insignificant?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Does knowing that the power to grow is ultimately in God’s hands cause you to rest more or work more? Explain.
· At what stage of growth are you: A seed? Sprouting? Growing? Producing? Drying up?
· Where do you want to be?
· When did you see something small grow into something big? How did it happen?
· Which of the three lesson applications is the most difficult for you:
- Waiting for God?
- Stilling the noise?
- Yielding control?
Close with a time of quiet, personal prayer.
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