the Power of a name

The power of a name

Connect:

§ Do you know what your name means?

§ If not, do you know how your parents chose your name?

§ If not, what are some nicknames you have been given over the years?

Surrender: In Revelation alone, Jesus is given 17 different names. Each of us can read one and remember our Lord. If someone feels led to pray something between names, they should feel free to, though it isn’t necessary.

The faithful witness, first to rise from the dead, commander of all the rulers of the world, son of man, first and last, living one who died, son of God, Lion of the tribe of Judah, lamb, shepherd, faithful and true, word of God, King of kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, root of David, bright and morning star.

By Faith we believe that Jesus is living up to and will live up to each of these names. By this same faith, we believe that we can live up to our individual names.

Grow:

What does it mean to you that you might receive a new name in heaven?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:15. Talk about the difference between a guardian (teacher) and a spiritual parent. How are these lived out in the family of the church?

As a generation passes off the scene of our church, what responsibility do you feel to “fill the gaps” that are left behind? In what area of ministry do you feel your gifts are best used?

In 1 Corinthians 4:16, Paul urged the people to imitate him as their spiritual father. The idea was that they should become spiritual fathers to others. What does that ministry look like today? How do you see this ideal being worked out in your life?

Is there someone in the church that you might come alongside and “mentor?”

Is there someone outside the church that you might “mentor?”

How do you feel about these two ideas?

Develop:

Talk about when/if the group will end for the summer.

You might ask for specific feedback on what you can do as a leader to make the group better next time around.

Blessing chair or prayer: you might offer the blessing chair to someone tonight or you might spend some extra time in prayer tonight (since there are less discussion questions than normal).

Perhaps someone in your group might be developed to organize an outreach type group this summer…

My wife is doing a “For Women Only” group either at a local bookstore. The idea is women from our church inviting pre-Christian women to join them for this study.

There are lots of other ideas out there already:

Science and the Bible discussion, knitting group, book club, etc. Anything that interests pre-Christians can become an opportunity for us to reach them with the good news. See if anyone in your LIFE Group is interested in starting one of these type groups. I will help them.

This past week, one of the LIFE groups generated two ideas on this: 1) on person wants to organize to serve the homeless, 2) another wants to host a backyard picnic.

Share:

It is time to get the LIFE group outreach events on the calendar.

· Push your group to evaluate your options, choose one, and then choose a date.
· Remember to think relationally (How will this help us connect relationally with pre-Christians?).
· Invite pre-Christians to join you. Example: we ministered to an elderly woman who recently attempted suicide. We invited her neighbors to join us in doing some work around her house and playing Scrabble with her. We were able to share Christ’s love with her neighbors too.
· One group is talking about doing something for the upcoming “Concerts on the Green” series in Framingham. They may give out free water or setup a prayer booth.