01.27.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There”
Myspace or Ourspace?
Small Group Plan
January 27, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Marcia Hornok struck a nerve when she took the Psalm that most expresses our need for quiet and rest and rewrote it in the style of our tired, stressed-out culture.
The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy
for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically
from task to task,
I will never get it all done,
For my “ideal” is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval,
they drive me.
They demand performance from me,
beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines.
My in-basket over flows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure
shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell
in the bonds of frustration forever.
– Discipleship Journal (Nov-Dec 1990)
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What is the over-all message of this rewritten Psalm 23?
· Which part captures our culture most clearly? How?
· Which line or phrase points a finger at you? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Slowing Down Is Not A Suggestion
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mark 6:31
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
· In the past, have you usually thought of “slowing down” as a suggestion or a command? Why?
· How does our culture discourage slowing down?
· Mark describes the “coming and going” of Jesus’ day. What would it look like in our day?
· How can a “quiet place” provide rest?
· What is the difference between the “rest” of our world and the “rest” described by Jesus?
· When is recreation not a time of being “re-created?” What would true re-creation look like?
Following The Rhythm Of Jesus
He Receives – Mark 1:11
A voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
· In contemporary language, what three messages did Jesus receive from His Father?
· Why did He need them?
He Shares – Mark 1:32-34a
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.
· How would you have felt if, opening the door, you saw the whole town?
· How did God’s three messages prepare Jesus to open the door?
He Replenishes – Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
· Why was it important for Jesus’ “place” to be “solitary?”
· Imagine Jesus’ words as He describes His experience the day before. What would He be saying to God?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How can a couple’s marital “rest” affect their individual “rest?”
· How can two people slow down together?
· How can having a margin built around a family protect that family?
· If you were giving the advice, what would you say are the first steps to take in building that margin?
· Why do our children need us to slow down?
Close by asking God for an obedient heart as we choose to slow down and more fully give God our time and our hearts.
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01.21.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Yada, Yada, Yada”
Myspace or Ourspace?
Small Group Plan
January 20, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
You’ve heard it, but it’s not true:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones
but words will never hurt me.”
Self-confidence has been crushed by words. Wrong turns have been made because of words. Relationships have ended due to words. Trust has been destroyed by words. Words are a great gift and they come to us neutral. We add the tone, the intent and volume. And we turn them into selfish weapons or selfless gifts.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Why do people abbreviate conversations?
· What are the strengths of words?
· What are the weaknesses of words?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Influential Words
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death.
· How would you describe the power of communication?
· How can the use or abuse of words damage a relationship?
· How can words be used to nurture a relationship?
Impulsive Words
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
· What does someone mean when they say, “I wish I hadn’t said that?”
· How and why do hasty comments usually create relationship problems?
· What does verbal manipulation look like?
· How does it feel and what does it do to a relationship?
Honest Words
Proverbs 16:13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
Proverbs 24:26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
· How does honesty strengthen a relationship?
· Is it possible to be too direct? Explain.
Few Words
Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
· Why is silence often “wise?”
· How can we know when it’s time to “hold our tongue”?
Calm Words
Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
· Where have you seen a gentle tongue?
· How would you describe its power?
Powerful Words
James 3:3-10
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
· What does James mean when he warns, “no man can tame the tongue?”
· How could a person praise God and curse people at the same time?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What helps you to listen before you speak?
· How do find the courage to finally talk when it’s time?
Close by asking God for wisdom and courage use the best words.
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01.14.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Ground Zero”
Myspace or Ourspace?
Small Group Plan
January 13, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
I read of a middle-aged woman who unloaded years of frustration when she told her husband of a new insight she had gained. “The only reason our marriage has stayed together all these years is that we are both in love with the same person – you!” Selfless love and selfish love. Two people, but only one extending love. Frustrating, unhappy and very much at risk. How different is the relationship where both are selflessly loving the other. Working to outdo the other in patience, kindness and sacrifice.
Success in marriage is more than finding the right person:
it is a matter of being the right person.
– Rabbi B. R. Brickner
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Broadly list all the ways the term “love” is used today?
· Is our use of “love” too broad? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
MySpace
1 Corinthians 12:14-20
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
· How is our individuality a gift from God?
· Why were we given it?
· What does it look like when individuality is over-played or pushed too far?
OurSpace
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
· Come up with a working definition of the two levels of love - “love because of” and “love in spite of.”
· What are the weaknesses of, “I love you because of _____” ?
· What are the strengths of, “I love you in spite of _____” ?
· Why is love greater than both faith and hope?
GodSpace
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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.
· Which of these qualities of love has helped you the most to be more flexible in your relationships? How?
· Which has brought you closer in your relationships? Explain.
· On Sunday we used God’s name and our name to convert these verses into a very personal chart – (example: “God is patient with Bob.”) I asked you to pick the one(s) that were the most difficult for you to believe. What did you choose and why?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How can we practice selfless love without losing our self?
· What is the connection between accepting God’s love in MySpace and using God’s love in OurSpace?
Close by asking God for a clear understand of His amazing love.
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01.06.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by collodi
“The Invitation Paradox”
Small Group Plan
January 6, 2008
Every encounter between human beings is a critical moment. Sometimes those moments significantly impact those who are meeting. A carefully placed compliment can, perhaps unintentionally, reverse a negatively-coursed life and plant seeds of greatness. This is especially true when an adult life intersects with a child’s life.
Unfortunately, there are also times when words and actions can do irreversible harm to another. James warns us that the tongue is a fire. Sometimes, fire purifies… sometimes it destroys.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Share a time when someone told you something or treated you in a positive way that you never forgot.
· Share a story of an unhealed wound that someone cut into your life, perhaps long ago, that is still with you.
· Why do we hold on to those critical moments in life where others impacted us irreversibly? Is this spiritually healthy?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
An Invitation to Die – those who did or would use the word of God to wound or destroy others: Ex: Judaizers (discussed at length by Paul in the book of Galatians), Spiritual leaders, Pharisees, etc (Matt 23:23-24), False Prophets (2 Peter 2)
· Consider these people who drew criticism from Jesus, and later Paul, because of their religious failings. Discuss the negative impact each had on early Christianity.
· Do they still exist? How & what is their impact on today’s church?
An Invitation to Live – Jesus, on the other hand, brought a message of “abundant life” to His followers, a message of hope, an invitation to life
· In Jn 10:10, what does Jesus mean when He says He came to give us “life to the full?”
· Sunday’s sermon gave examples of how Christ’s life story invites us to live fuller lives. Give other examples where He, through word or deed, invited others to live fully.
· Of all the invitations of Christ (or about Christ), which one is most important to you in your daily walk?
· If you could send one scripture to a lost friend that would sum up the invitation of Jesus, what would that verse be? Why?
The Invitation Paradox – Read Matthew 16:24-25
· How does one “lose his life” for Jesus?
· What does the life “gained” feel like? What does it look like? Why is it worth dying to self?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Do you consider yourself an “inviting person?”
· Do you feel a responsibility to invite others to a relationship with Jesus?
· What could you change about yourself in order to attract more people to Jesus?
· What steps will you take this year to make those changes?
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