02.25.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“You’ve Got to Show Me”
Involvement
Small Group Plan
February 25, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
In 1899 Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs spoke at a banquet in Philadelphia. In his speech he said,
“I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”
Today the state of Missouri has adopted the “Show-Me” slogan, even using it on their license plates.
Prove it to me … Show me … I won’t believe it till I see it … I’ll have to have evidence. There is one man in the New Testament that has been marked as a “show me” individual. However, we have given him another nickname. We call him “Doubting Thomas.” But does he really deserve this nickname?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Did you have a nickname growing up? How did you get it?
· How can nicknames help or hurt a person?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
A Courageous Man …
John 11:7-8, 16
7 Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” … 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
· How would you describe Thomas’ attitude here?
· What is both commendable and defective about this attitude?
A Confused Man …
John 14:1-6
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
· What did Jesus say that confused Thomas?
· Was he alone in his confusion? Why did he speak up?
· Why didn’t Jesus reprimand his question?
A Doubting Man …
John 20:24-25
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
· What had Thomas been through that would make faith without sight difficult?
· Do you think Peter, Matthew, or another disciple would have had a different reaction? Explain.
A Faithful Man …
John 20:26-29
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
· Do you think Jesus’ tone with Thomas was strict or gentle? Explain.
· Put yourself in Thomas’ place. What did he think and feel when he saw Jesus?
· Do you think it is more difficult to believe today than in the past? Why?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Thomas’ question gave us a wonderful statement from Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What does this statement mean to you?
· What helps you when you experience times of doubt?
· Has the past year been more a time of uncertainty or confidence? Explain.
· John 20:31 was written to a generation that did not know Jesus directly. It says, “These are written that you may believe.” How does the Thomas story help you to believe?
Close by praising Jesus for coming back just for Thomas and for helping us in our moments of uncertainty and doubt.
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02.18.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Called or Driven”
Involvement
Small Group Plan
February 18, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
Dr. Herbert J. Freudenberger calls it, the “Super-Achiever Sickness” and the “Occupational Hazard For High Achievers” (Burnout: How To Beat The High Cost Of High Achievement). Dr. Joel Elkes, of the University of Louisville, says, “Our mode of life itself, the way we live, is emerging as today’s principle cause of illness.”
These are modern terms, but the condition is as old as Biblical history. One simple contrast will make this very clear – Saul in the Old Testament and John in the New Testament. Two high-profile men, two very clear leaders, but two very different styles of life. One was driven. The other was called.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Describe the characteristics of a “driven” person.
· Describe the typical relationships in the life of a “driven” person.
· Just how “driven” would you say you are? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Saul - The Driven man …
1 Samuel 8:4-7
4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
· Why did Israel want a king?
· When and how have we wanted something because someone else had one?
1 Samuel 8:9
Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.
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Vs. 11 He will take …
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Vs. 18 You will cry out
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Vs. 13 He will take …
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Vs. 14 He will take …
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Vs. 15 He will take …
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Vs. 17 He will take …
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· Why did the Israel ignore the warning about a king?
· Why did God even allow them to have a king?1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites — a head taller than any of the others.
· What were Saul’s “unearned” characteristics?
· How could they become either strengths or weaknesses?
· Why are “Driven” people often very impatient and self-absorbed?
1 Samuel 14:24
I have avenged myself on my enemies.
1 Samuel 15:12
There he has set a monument in his own honor.
1 Samuel 15:30
Saul replied, “I have sinned.
But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel.”
· Several things are “out of control” in Saul’s life – What are they?
· Before his “fall” what was Saul primarily focused on?
· What are all his energies now given to?
John - The called man …
John 3:26-30
26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan — the one you testified about — well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.
· Vs. 26 - How would you describe someone with a “territorial” way of thinking? Why doesn’t John have such an attitude?
· Vs. 28 – How would you describe John’s sense of “identity”? How did it help him to know who he WAS by first knowing who he WASN”T?
· Vs. 29 – John knew his “purpose.” What was it?
· Vs. 30 – Could a “Driven” person ever say, “I must become less”? Explain. How could John step aside so easily?
· Vs. 29 – As John faces a dangerous, uncertain future, how can he joyful?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Does the “Driven” life help or hurt our health and our relationships? Explain.
· How can the “driven” way of life be replaced by the “called” way of life?
· What in Dallas promotes the “driven” mindset?
· How can we open our hearts to a “called” way of thinking?
· What did you grow up thinking “called of God” meant?
· Even though it’s Biblical, why are some even afraid of this language?
Close by asking God for the faith to listen for His “Call” rather than given in to the “Driven” push of our culture.
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02.11.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Extreme Makeover”
Involvement
Small Group Plan
February 11, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
Basketball Great Michael Jordan once said,
I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s precisely why I succeed
Fear of failure is powerful and fear because of failure can paralyze. But failure forgiven and learned from can lead to success and fear of God can be amazing.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Describe a dramatic positive change that you observed in someone’s life. What were they like “before” and “after”?
· What made the change possible? What drove it or pushed it along?
· Is positive change always painless? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Jesus calls Peter …
Luke 5:1-7
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
· If you had been fishing all night with no results, what would you have thought, said, or done, if Jesus told you to “let down the nets for a catch”?
· Why does Jesus even involve Peter in this miracle? Why did he make Peter a “partner” rather than simply produce the fish alone?
· What does Peter mean when he says, “Because you say so”? How does Jesus use this small opening of faith to move deeper into Peter’s heart?
Peter Fears The call …
Luke 5:8-10a
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
· Why did Peter’s mind immediately go from Jesus’ miracle to his own failure?
· Didn’t he feel honored to be a partner with Jesus in this miracle?
· When Peter said, “go away … I’m a sinful man” what was he revealing about his view of God and religion?
Jesus Reassures Peter …
Luke 5:10b
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”
· What was Jesus seeing that Peter wasn’t?
· Why couldn’t Peter see what Jesus saw?
· How could Peter’s fear interfere with the future that Jesus could see?
· How did Jesus’ prediction for Peter come true?
Peter Embraces his call …
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
· With the old fearful Peter in mind, why is it significant that the “Made-Over” Peter would say such things as:
- “Prepare your minds”
- “Set your hope fully”
- “Do not conform”
· When Peter said, “As He who called you is holy,” what was he remembering about the One who called him?
· Imagine … How would Peter look back and what would he say about that day on the lake of Gennesaret?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why and how does personal failure paralyze?
· Who are we listening to when we, like Peter, conclude that being “sinful” means that God would probably want to “go away” from us? How does this Jesus/Peter story change this viewpoint?
· Think of a time when “Don’t be afraid” brought comfort to you. How old were you? What were the circumstances? How did it reassure you?
· What is the difference between the paralyzing fear of failure and the amazing fear of God?
Close by asking God for the faith to listen to Jesus rather than Satan and to His Word rather than our culture.
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02.04.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Off The Bench”
Involvement
Small Group Plan
February 4, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
Thanks for handling your own Small Group curriculum during the month of January. I am resuming writing the weekly Small Group Plan and below is the plan for this week. Next week we will resume the printed version in the Sunday bulletin as well as the emailed form for those who want to see it even earlier. Enjoy your group!
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How would you describe the power of fear?
· When has fear prevented progress and growth in your life?
· What has helped you to work through fear and continue to move forward?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
God’s call …
Exodus 3:10
“I am sending you to Pharaoh
to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
· How would you feel to receive a specific call from God - capable, uncertain, afraid, proud?
· Is it easy or difficult for you to attempt a completely new endeavor? Explain.
Moses’ Excuse …
Exodus 4:1
“What if they don’t believe me?”
· How does fear of the future (which has not occurred) stop progress in the moment (which is now occurring)?
· Brainstorm together and name as many “what ifs” as you can think of (put it in a sentence. “What if …”).
· How would you describe the problems and weaknesses of “What if”?
Exodus 4:10
“I am slow of speech and tongue.”
· Moses says my speaking ability disqualifies me.
· What leadership or service deficiencies are most commonly offered as excuses today?
· What are some other ways that people try to remove themselves from involvement?
God’s Response …
Exodus 4:2
“What is that in your hand?”
· How would you explain the wisdom of God in starting with whatever Moses happens to be carrying in his hand?
· We don’t usually carry a staff, so how would you answer God’s question?
Exodus 4:3
“Throw it on the ground.”
· God is showing Moses how to use his talents. How has God helped you to use yours?
· Moses was initially afraid when his staff became a snake (Vs. 3). Why does God sometimes stretch us by taking us into new areas of ministry?
Exodus 4:14
“What about your brother, Aaron the Levite?
I know he can speak well.”
· How did Moses’ leadership ability find expression in Aaron’s speaking ability?
· How does God use a relationship to help an individual find greater use of their ability?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What abilities has God given you? Don’t be shy – list a few.
· How has God used some of those abilities?
· Who has God used to develop or refine your talents?
· What has been your most common “excuse”?
Close by asking God for a “burning bush” experience. Pray for a powerful awareness of His Holy Ground. Then ask Him for help and guidance as you join Him in His mission.
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