07.29.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“From Many To One”
Small Group Plan
July 29, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
Jesus prayed “that all of them may be one … so that the world may believe” (John 17:20-21). Here is His stated purpose for our unity. Getting along with each other touches a much larger audience than ourselves. Preserving unity, sacrificing for unity is the doorway to evangelism! It touches those outside. And, according to Jesus, the rigidity of disunity kills evangelism.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How do you feel about the viewpoint that says, “To have unity we must all be uniform”?
· Why do leadership studies say that consensus decision-making is really “minority rule”?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Unity Is Not An Option – Ephesians 4:1-3
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.
· Why does Jesus give His last teaching moments with the disciples (Jn 17) to unity? Why did they need it?
· In the same way, why does Paul give so much of his letter to unity? Why did the first Christians need a heavy dose?
· Which takes more work, unity or separation? Explain.
· Why is unity more fulfilling?
· How do “humility” “gentleness” “patience” and “love” (vs. 2) help protect unity?
· Why do some Christians “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Vs. 3), which others do not?
Unity is Defined by Diversity –Ephesians 4:4-10
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. 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.)
· How would you describe the power of diversity?
· Why are some Christians afraid of it?
· How can Paul so easily talk about unity (“one”) in verses 5-6 and diversity (”gifts”) in verses 6-7?
· How did “He who descended … ascended” (Jesus) manage such a diverse group as the Twelve?
The Goal of unity is maturity –Ephesians 4:14-16
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.
· What “work of service” do you think is most needed?
· How does spiritual infancy differ from spiritual maturity?
· What does Christian maturity look like?
· How would God’s view of maturity differ from our culture’s view?
· What “waves” and “wind” are tossing Christians around today?
· What does love without truth sound like?
· What does truth without love feel like?
· What does “speaking the truth in love” mean?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What can we do to better protect our congregational diversity?
· List the areas in our church where you think diversity should be more clearly seen. Explain your reasons.
Close by praying for hearts that will truly make every effort to encourage diversity and protect unity.
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07.22.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Relationship Upgrade”
Small Group Plan
July 22, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
This small group study can be “aimed” at Christian marriages. But since some of you are not married, feel free to broaden these principles and apply them to your general Christian relationships.
It’s been said that marriage is when you decide to spend the rest of your life sleeping in a room that’s little too warm, beside someone who is sleeping in a room that’s a little too cool. How true! But only if your love “doesn’t keep score” (1 Cor. 13:5 – The Message).
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Why doesn’t love “keep score” ?
· What happens to a relationship where people DO track mistakes and keep score?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The gift of listening – James 1:19
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
· How do you know when someone is really listening to you?
· How can you tell when someone is pretending to listen to you?
· When you truly listen, what is happening both practically and emotionally to the relationship?
The Gift of acceptance – Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
· To what degree has Jesus accepted us – fully, partially, conditionally?
· How does one person actually accept another person?
· How is God praised when we accept each other?
the gift of time – John 4:9
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
· How does our society value time?
· What do we mean when we talk of “wasted time” ?
· Was Jesus wasting his time with the Samaritan woman? Explain.
· Would his disciples say he was wasting his time? Why?
· What are the different ways in which we can give our time to another?
the gift of encouragement– Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily.
· What does encouragement actually do? How does it work?
· How does it feel to be given courage?
· In what situations have you needed courage?
the gift of forgiveness – Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
· Forgiveness assumes that failure has occurred. How do we usually relate to those who fail us?
· How do “kindness” “compassion” and “forgiveness” highlight and define each other?
· Why does Paul connect God’s forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others?
the gift of Trust – 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7
Love is patient, love is kind … It always protects, always trusts
· Why is trust a part of true love?
· What else is missing in a relationship that lacks trust?
· If God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and love “always trusts” then God’s trusts us. In view of our flaws, how can God trust us?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Of the “gifts” listed above, which is the most difficult for you to give? Why?
· Which is the most special for you to receive? Why?
Close by thanking and praising God for His many gifts?
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07.15.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Light The Fire”
Small Group Plan
July 15, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
The Holy Ghost did not fall upon the Upper Room until they had prayed and sought God for ten long days. Daniel did not receive the outline of Israel’s history from God’s messenger until his twenty-first day of prayer and fasting. Saul, who later became Paul, did not receive sight for his blinded eyes until he had prayed and fasted for three days. There never has been and there never will be such a thing as spontaneous revival. Revival did not come like that in Bible times and it will not come like that today. We may never now who prayed the revival down. But if it comes you can be sure that somewhere a hungry soul sought God.
– James Hamby, Evangel (4/28/75):16
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Our culture says that if you want to change the responsibility is ________?
· Do you agree? Why or why not?
· What does revival mean?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
THE PAST — Vs. 1-3
1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah 3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
· As a group, list all the words describing God’s action.
· How do they show the two sides of “revival” – His part and our part?
· How does God’s work in the past shape and change your heart?
THE PRESENT — Vs. 4-7
4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
· What kind of heart is behind the request to “restore” (4)?
· Are all the “will you” questions signs of impatience or sincerity? Explain.
· How does “restoration” (4) lead to “joy” “love” and “salvation” (6-7)?
THE REFLECTION — Vs. 8-9
8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
· What decision and plan do you hear in the Psalmist words, “I will listen?”
· What reputation does “reflection” have in our culture? Explain.
· Are we supposed to be afraid of God? Why or why not?
· If so, how would you describe this fear?
· How can confidence in God and fear of God exist side by side?
THE RESOLVE — Vs. 10-13
10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
· Notice the word pictures:
· How do His “love” and our “faithfulness” meet (10)?
· How does His “righteousness” result in our “peace” (10)?
· What happens when our “faithfulness” sees His “righteousness” (11)?
· What grows when He “gives” to our “yielded” lives (12)?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· We turn, then He renews. He rains down on us, our lives grow up to Him.
· How has God’s rain nourished your life?
· How have you responded in spiritual growth?
· Why will God not work in our lives against our will?
· How can “believing backward” help us to “believe forward?”
· Pray for deliverance from sin’s penalty and also sin’s power.
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07.08.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“God’s Future People”
Small Group Plan
July 8, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
It would be a mistake to patch old jeans with a piece of new denim that still has a lot of shrinking to do. In the same way, fresh wine, which has yet to do its fierce fermenting and expanding, would rupture an old leather wineskin that has lost its ability to stretch. Jesus uses this imagery to target a religion that has become rigid, unyielding and unable to receive the freshness that he is bringing.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Paint a picture of rigid inflexibility — what does it look like?
· Paint another picture of open flexibility — what does it look like?
· How have these two related to each other in the past?
· Which one receives God’s vote of confidence? Why?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
THE FAST — Mark 2:18-20
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
· Why was Jesus often in conflict with the religious establishment?
· How is Jesus’ attitude different from the Pharisees?
· What is the difference between External Ritual and Internal Faith?
· What had fasting become and how did Jesus think it should shift?
· Why does Jesus hint at the cross?
· How can Jesus speak of joy in the face of death?
THE PATCH — Mark 2:21-22a
21 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.
· What does rigid and unyielding religion look like?
· What attitudes lie behind such a cold and hard religion?
· How is God’s “wine” constantly growing and changing?
· How can the faith of an individual lose its ability to stretch and change?
THE POINT — Mark 2:22b
No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.”
· How has Jesus been “fresh air” to you?
· What in your life has been challenged the most to change?
· What in your life has most resisted God’s change? Why?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How is worship a lifestyle rather than an event?
· Why is spiritual leadership influence rather than control?
· How can we learn to speak God’s message in the language of our community?
Close by asking God to give us flexible, changeable hearts.
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07.01.07
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“What He Really Wants”
Small Group Plan
July 1, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
Saul’s leadership went through several descending stages:
Stage One: Impatient Warrior (1 Samuel 13)
Stage Two: Shortsighted Commander (1 Samuel 14)
Stage Three: Careless Leader (1 Samuel 15)
Saul’s downward spiral highlights what is most important to God. What God really wants is our obedience. Nothing fancy. Just seek and follow His will.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What makes a true “hero” today?
· What would cause your heroes to lose your admiration?
· Who has been a simple, quiet hero in your life? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Samuel’s Arrival – 1 Samuel 15:13
When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”
· Why does Saul greet Samuel in this way?
· Do you think Saul is anticipating a reaction from Samuel? Explain.
Samuel’s First Rebuke – 1 Samuel 15:14-15
14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” 15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”
· How does Saul’s response change?
· How does his cover-up have a “religious” veneer? Why?
· How does Samuel feel about confronting Saul (Vs. 10-11)?
Samuel’s Second Rebuke – 1 Samuel 15:17-21
17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” 20 “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”
· How would you characterize Saul’s attitude now?
· What were Saul’s motives for sparing Agag and the spoils when God had said destroy it all?
· What happens to a conscience that regularly rationalizes sin?
Samuel’s Third Rebuke – 1 Samuel 15:22-25
22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”
· Why does Saul’s tone change?
· Why does Samuel compare Saul’s disobedience to idolatry?·
· How could someone with Saul’s physical presence be afraid of people?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How do you feel when you need to confront someone?
· How would you explain the power of “peer pressure?”
· How can it damage faith?
· What is wrong with “partial confession?”
· Why is “full confession” more powerful and healing?
· What are our common ways of blaming others for our mistakes?
· Why do we do it?
Close in humble prayer, asking for God’s strength to be obedient?
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