08.27.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Staying Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 24, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Find a clock, and watch five seconds tick by. For allied soldiers driving tanks through the Iraqi desert, that’s a generous amount of time in which to do the following: spot a vehicle through the optics system, consult the last available coordinates for all known battlefield combatants, try to identify the vehicle’s type, check if it has a special panel that appears as a cold spot through a thermal sight, add it all together and decide whether the image on the screen is friend or foe. If it’s the latter, the crew, under pressure to shoot before being shot at, is likely to pull the trigger—then hope … it has not accidentally blasted a group of comrades.
“Misfiring In The Fog”
Time Magazine (3/30/03)
Amanda Bower
It’s called “friendly fire” and it occurs when allies fire on each other. In battle it is almost always a mistake, but sadly in religion often it’s on purpose. People are difficult. Some are more difficult than others. But some shoot their own wounded. Which are you?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Name some people who have made great sacrifices to benefit you. What did they do for you?
· Why is there a sense of fulfillment that comes with helping someone?
· How does it feel to sacrifice for someone who doesn’t care or appreciate what you have done for them?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Paul And Difficult People
2 Corinthians 12:11-18
11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
· What led Paul to write this part of the 2 Corinthian letter?
· Try to read between the lines and see how Paul is feeling as he writes?
· Why does Paul feel uncomfortable when he describes his daily work and accomplishments?
· Why are the Corinthians Christians demanding that Paul “measure up”?
· How is Paul able to maintain his humble attitude even when he being attacked?
You And Difficult People
Matthew 6:12-15
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
· How is Vs. 13 a part of Jesus’ discussion on forgiveness in the verses before and after?
· How is the request in Vs. 12 a frightening part of the Lord’s Prayer?
· Why does Jesus tie God’s mercy to our willingness to forgive?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Who are you more like in this story?
… are you more like the critic, unaware but critical of Paul?
… are you more like Paul, humble though unappreciated?
… are you more like the Corinthians, quiet and unsupportive?
… are you more like God, aware and thankful for Paul’s work?
· Are you more likely to encourage people in ministry or criticize them? Explain.
· Ask God to help us be encouragers rather than critics.
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08.20.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Our Life Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 17, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
His name was Joseph, but he earned a nickname because of what he did — Barnabas, which means, “son of encouragement.”
How did he encourage? When the church in Jerusalem was struggling, he sold his land and gave the money to the apostles - financial encouragement. When the new gentile Christians in Antioch needed support and teaching, the elders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas – relational encouragement. When the new convert Saul was struggling to find his way in ministry, Barnabas sought him out and brought him to Antioch – mentor encouragement. When a young man named John Mark was struggling with failure, Barnabas made sure he got a second chance – mercy encouragement.
There are only 15 passages that mention Barnabas. And many of the people he so carefully nurtured far surpassed him in notoriety. Yet, he modeled a quiet spirit of humility and encouragement that all of us need today.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How would you define “encouragement?”
· In what situations do you need it the most?
· Are you encouraged most by words or by actions? Explain.
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Encouragement Personified
Acts 11:22-24
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
· How did Barnabas encourage the Christians at Antioch?
· What was the purpose or goal of this encouragement? Explain.
· How did his character contribute to his ability to encourage?
Encouragement In Action
Acts 15:30-35
30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
· Why is encouragement always well received?
· How can encouragement be a powerful tool for building unity within diversity?
Encouragement Overcoming
Acts 15:37-39
37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.
· Why did Paul and Barnabas reach such a “sharp disagreement?”
· Does disagreeing and parting company have to lead to anger and broken fellowship? Explain.
· How can an encouraging person also be involved in conflict?
· What potential did Barnabas see in John Mark?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Today, instead of “Son of Encouragement” we might say “Mr. Encouragement.” Who at Prestoncrest would you name as “Mr. or Mrs. Encouragement?” Why?
· Share ideas of encouraging strategies that you can implement this week.
· Ask God for help in putting them into action.
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08.13.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Growing Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 10, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
In his book True Fellowship, Jerry Bridges writes,
God does not save groups; He saves individual people. Each of us must respond individually in repentance and faith to the gospel invitation. But though God saves us as individuals, He immediately incorporates us into the Body of Christ. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.” (Pg. 63)
When we come to God and make him the foundation of our lives we come as individuals. But, as soon as we are inside the door of faith, spiritual brothers and sisters immediately surround us and our faith is developed through these spiritual relationships. In fact, God has always worked through relationships to develop individual faith. In the Old Testament it was with patriarchal families, through the nation of Israel, or through the individual tribes within the nation of Israel. In the New Testament God developed faith through the church community. Whatever the time period, God has consistently used community.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How would you describe a “friendly” church?
· What factors make some churches “cold” or “unfriendly?”
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
“Teflon” Or “Velcro”
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
· How can the large size of Prestoncrest make it difficult for some to “connect?”
· What other factors can begin to coat our church with relational “teflon?”
· How is it possible for someone to feel “alone” even in a large group?
· Most people who walk into an unfamiliar church come with some kind of pain or stress. List some.
· What do these people need from a church?
· What made Jesus an “approachable” person?
· Do you think His qualities can be “learned” or do some people innately have them while others do not?
· Describe the relationship between Jesus and the Twelve — the motives behind their relationship.
· Why were the Twelve with Jesus? What did they want? What did they offer?
· Why was Jesus with the Twelve? What did He want? What did He offer?
· How can a “consumer” spirit threaten and fragment a fellowship?
· How can a “servant” spirit unify and strengthen a fellowship?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Who has helped you to “stick” here at Prestoncrest? How did they do it?
· Without using a name, describe the kind of person who needs help in “connecting” at Prestoncrest?
· What can be done to help them?
· How can this group pray for you this week as you follow Jesus in service to others?
Close with prayer.
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08.06.08
Posted in Small Group Plans at 8:00 am by Bob
“Transparent Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
August 3, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Small groups, prayer partners, confession, accountability. Are these frightening words? On this side of transparency, yes. But on the other side, they are protection and life. As Eugene Peterson translates Paul’s words:
11 Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. 12 We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. 13 I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!
The Message
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What place comes to mind when you think of the beauty of God’s creation?
· Do you enjoy God’s still creation (mountains, forests) or God’s active creation (rivers, oceans)? Explain.
· What does being out in God’s creation do for you? What is repaired or refreshed in your soul?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The Birth Of Transparency
Genesis 2:22-25
22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
· What would it feel like to live at the beginning, before the time of failure and mistakes?
· Why were Adam and Eve so unguarded and transparent?
· Imagine the kind of relationship with God that involved long, slow walks and talks. How would it feel? What would you talk about?
The Attack On Transparency
Genesis 3:1-7a
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked.
· Why did Adam and Eve shift their focus from God to themselves?
· How did this shift change their relationship with God? With each other?
· Think through each of these words – worry, defensiveness, self-absorption. What does each of them do inside of a person? How does each of them wound a relationship?
The Death Of Transparency
Genesis 3:11-13
11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
· Describe Satan’s strategy here. How is he destroying transparency in the first human family?
· Even though everyone is pointing fingers, how are all to blame?
The Rebirth Of Transparency
2 Corinthians 1:12-14
12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
· How has Paul been open or transparent with the Corinthians?
· This is a church that has attacked Paul’s character. How can he continue to write so openly to them?
· Why isn’t he withdrawing or even retaliating with his own attack?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Is there someone with whom you can be completely transparent?
· What does it mean to be completely known by someone?
· On the other hand, why would someone be afraid to be known?
· What tempts you to hide and build walls?
· How could someone use our openness as a weapon? Should we use any caution or balance in being transparent? How?
· Close by making your small group a safe place to be open. Allow time for anyone to share what is on their heart?
· Ask God for integrity and protection to keep anything that is shared in the group. Ask Him to courage to be more transparent.
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