Counter Coal-ture

God is love. Even His wrath is meant to bring us to repentance.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Romans 12:19-21

Connect: 7:00-7:20

Tell about a time (humorous or serious) when you wanted to seek revenge against another.

Topic of Sunday’s talk: Christ followers ought to live counter culturally not seeking revenge so as to leave room for God’s work in other people’s lives. Leaving room for God’s wrath, often will result in repentance on the other person’s part.

Surrender: 7:20-7:30

Here is a great psalm to have the group read aloud. Ask group members to bring to mind someone with whom they are having a difficult time.

If God could see into our hearts, what would he see concerning that person?

Ask group members to latch onto a phrase and use it as a guide to prayer after the psalm is done being read.

Psalm 94

1 O LORD, the God who avenges,
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long will the wicked, O LORD,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, O LORD;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the alien;
they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, "The LORD does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed."
8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man;
he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD,
the man you teach from your law;
13 you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 18 When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
one that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 They band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them.

Grow: 7:30-8:00

Discuss this comment: “Planting the seed of revenge results in a root of bitterness.” (And we all know how difficult it is to remove weeds down to the root level).

Are you playing any figurative audio or video from fractured relationships that might be fostering a spirit of revenge inside of you?

Looking at relational difficulties through a short-term lens can cause us to seek revenge to get immediate results and change the situation. The longer-term view of eternity that God has allows Him to be more patient with people. Are you seeing this longer term view? Are you becoming more patient or less patient with people who wrong you?

Remember, God is still working on you. You are not completely mature yet and neither are the people around you. Any response to that comment?

Sometimes we try to play God in other people’s lives. How well are you doing recognizing what your role is in other’s lives and what God’s role is in other’s lives?

Read Romans 12:19-21
What ways have you found to “leave room for God’s wrath” when you are upset with someone?

In the past how have you interpreted the phrase, “heap burning coals on his head?”

Are you satisfied with the suggestion that this might have been a reference to a common repentance practice in the Egyptian culture of that day?

What other ways could this be interpreted?

Someone in my group suggested that when we treat others well when they treat us poorly, our good works will “burn on their conscience” and convict them of sin.

Develop: 8:00-8:15

This Friday night at 5 pm we organize a meal for over 100 at the Salvation Army in downtown Framingham.

Would your group like to help serve the meal or help cook? Call Kathy at 508.740.8153.

Share: 8:15-8:30

Is there someone outside of God’s family with whom you have sought revenge?

Pray for these people to come to Christ.

Has your group narrowed down an activity for outreach? Who, what, where, when, why? Let me know about your idea!

This Sunday, December 2nd is a small group leader get-to-gether from 1:30-3:00 at the church. Grab a quick bite to eat at a local restaurant while I lead my small group from 12:30-1:30.

Here is a resource you might find helpful. I have always enjoyed this publisher's products (David C. Cook).

Everyone & Everybody

Week Eight: ”Everyone & Everybody”

Connect: 7:00-7:20

These next two questions could take over the entire night, so keep people focused. Remind people that the connection time is not for us to get off on tangents. Make sure this doesn’t turn into a debate about the issues that are brought up. People can do that on their own time (don’t let them use the group for this purpose).

Can you think of a secondary issue in Christianity that had you all worked up, but about which you have since become more leveled-headed? (example: Which bible version, birth control, politics, music, etc).

If not, finish this sentence, “I don’t understand why some Christians get all worked up about…”
(Again, do not allow the group to debate the issues. That isn’t the purpose here).

Topic of Sunday’s talk: People ought to be able to see that we live in an honorable way; we ought to do all we can to live at peace with everyone.

Surrender: 7:20-7:30

It is so easy to allow secondary issues to take our time and attention off of the main issues (loving God and loving others).

Are there any secondary issues that have sidetracked you in the past month?

Let’s surrender these to God tonight.

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

To keep first things first, we need to know the God of the Bible. Pray that secondary issues would not dominate our lives. Pray that God would reveal Himself to us so that we can discern between first things and second things.

Grow: 7:30-8:00

What an amazing opportunity to focus the group’s attention on such a critical issue like primary issues and secondary issues. This may not be a “fun” conversation, but a much needed one. Please don’t shy away from asking these questions. People need the chance to give each other feedback on how they are experiencing the group.

§ “God has not made you the spiritual police for everyone around you.” What do you think about that comment?

§ As a group, have we ever fallen into this trap with one another?

Has anyone in the group ever felt like they were being spiritually apprehended (arrested) by someone else in the group? Be honest! What can we learn from this?

What are the best ways for us to ensure that people in our group don’t feel we are trying to be their policeman?

Has our group ever been sidetracked by secondary issues that are not all that important to our own spiritual lives?

How can we ensure that we don’t get sidetracked with secondary issues on a regular basis?

§ Read 1 Peter 2:12.

What would it look like for us to live this out this week?

What obstacles might we face in living this out?

§ If there is time, you could open up Romans 14 (maybe start with verses 1-4) and spend some time discussing its relevance to particular situations people are facing right now.

§ Bottom line question: “Are you doing everything you can to live at peace with both the believers and unbelievers in your life?”

Develop: 8:00-8:15

Is there anyone in particular that the group should spend some time ministering to tonight? What shape should that ministry take? (prayer, listening to them, affirming them, etc.)

Missonaries (Mutti, Forsens) still available for adopting.

Discuss group intensions for the future (curriculum or sermon based discussions).

Share: 8:15-8:30

Is there someone outside of God’s family with whom you would like to live at peace?

Pray for these people to come to Christ.

Has your group narrowed down an activity for outreach? Who, what, where, when, why? Let me know about your idea!

Reminder: Sunday, December 2nd is a small group leader get-to-gether from 1:30-3:00 at the church.

Listen to the message: "Everyone and Everybody"

As If it Were Me

Week Seven

Connect: 7:00-7:20

Can you remember a time when you were able to walk in someone else’s shoes and enter into their experience of joy, sadness, or anger?

If not, can you remember a time recently when you watched someone else do this?

Topic of Sunday’s talk: Entering into someone else’s experience the way you wish others would do for you. Empathy was the key word. This is identifying with someone even to the point of responding physically. The Key scripture phrase was “rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn.” (Rom. 12:15)



Surrender: 7:20-7:30

Read Luke 10:25-37. Before you do, ask the group to join you in a prayer method called Lectio Divina. It consists in listening to the texts of the Bible (Luke 10:25-37 in this case) as if one were in conversation with God and he was suggesting the topics for discussion.

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Surrender yourselves to God to live the kind of life that responds to needs the way that the “Good Samaritan” did.



Grow: 7:30-8:00

The Priest crossed over to the other side.

The Levite/Temple assistant took a closer look and then passed by the other side.

Do you find yourself having these kinds of reactions to those in pain?

Why do you think that is?

Are you having these type of reactions to those who are rejoicing and celebrating accomplishments (promotion, financial gains, new car, new house)?

Why do you think that is?

Is it easier for you to weep with those who are weeping or rejoice with those who are rejoicing? Why do you think that is?

What is your reaction to the statement: “Even Jesus asked ‘Why’?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Does this indicate that there should be a fair dose of mystery that surrounds pain and suffering?

Are you becoming more or less aware of the mysteries that surround our faith?

§Read Hebrews 2:14-18

What does it mean to you that Jesus suffered and was tempted in all points like we are?

What does it mean to you that b/c Jesus experienced everything that we do, He is able to help us?

Bruce said that empathy is something that is best practiced within a small group of people.

PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ARE…

§ How can this group learn to rejoice with one another better? (ie. celebrate birthdays, milestones, etc.).

§ How can this group learn to mourn with one another better?


Develop: 8:00-8:15

Missonaries (Mutti, Forsens) still available for adopting.

Discuss group intensions (curriculum or sermon based discussions).

Sharing group responsibilities
Leading discussions
Prayer time
Calling absentees
Keeping group roster
Maintain a list of serving opportunities
Organizing group outreach
Hosting group
Becoming an apprentice
Leading worship time
Writing notes and cards
Visiting needy/sick on group roster
Maintaining calendar and schedules
Keeping list of birthdays/anniversaries
Providing feedback/evaluation

Do you want to ask for help in any of these areas?


Share: 8:15-8:30

Has your group narrowed down an activity for outreach?

Is there someone far from God that we can reach out to by rejoicing with them in their current joy?

Is there someone far from God that we can mourn with?

Pray and ask God for wisdom on this.

Reminder: Sunday, December 2nd is a small group leader get-to-gether from 1:30-3:00 at the church.

Blessing and Cursing

Week Six: Blessing and Cursing

Topic of Sunday’s talk: Blessing others and not cursing them. We receive blessing from God and, like a mirror, we reflect it back to him and out to others. Our words can bless others and our lives can bless others.

Connect: 7:00-7:20

Tell about a time when someone blessed you (ascribed to you good things to you)? What impact did it make?

Surrender: 7:20-7:30

Take a moment to pray/praise God for those just mentioned who have blessed you in various ways.

Read this old Hymn as a prayer (you could pass out a verse to each person).

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour
That Thy love laid hold of me!
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Chorus:
Channels only blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us. Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
Emptied that Thou shouldest fill us,
As clean vessels in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.
Chorus

Witnessing Thy power to save us,
Setting free from self and sin;
Thou who boughtest to possess us,
In Thy fullness, Lord, come in!
Chorus

Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit
Hearts that full surrender know
That the streams of living water:
From our inner selves may flow!
Chorus

Amen

Grow: 7:30-8:00

Here are a bunch of ideas I have for questions that could be asked this week. Choose the ones that will work best for your group.

The most important question is, “How can I be a blessing (channel, conduit) to others?”

How does your spiritual giftedness impact the way that you live out being a blessing to others?

Have you found ways to bless others at…

Work? Home?, somewhere else?

Does a mirror accurately depict the way that we receive blessing from God and then reflect back onto Him? Prove this with scripture.

Is it true that you can’t give blessings from God to others if you are not regularly receiving blessings from God?

What would help you recognize and receive God’s blessing more regularly?

What does the imagery of a channel of blessing bring to your mind?

To “channel” God’s blessings, we must be in tune with others and the Holy Spirit. Which one is easier/harder for you?

Blessed are those who are persecuted. If some one is persecuting you, you should bless them b/c by their persecution they have helped to elevate you to a blessed status. What do you think of that?

What could our group do to be a blessing to each other and a blessing to others this week?

Develop: 8:00-8:15

Does the group want to adopt a church missionary (Forsens, Muttis, other)?

Does the group want to continue focusing on the sermon scriptures each week or branch out into something different?

Blessing Chair: place someone/some ones in a chair in the middle of the room. Ask them how you could bless them through prayer. Pray for God’s blessing on their life. This is one way to have the group exercise blessing others.

Share: 8:15-8:30

Group Outreach Project

Last week I offered instructions for a brainstorming session on outreach. If you haven’t done that yet, go back and look it over

http://ccclifegroups.blogspot.com/2007/10/quitting-is-not-option.html

If you did the brainstorming session, it might be time to evaluate your ideas. Have the group narrow it down to the top couple ideas and then start doing pros and cons for each. Ask who is wiling to help with the various aspects of the outreach. If no one is willing to take on parts of it, scratch that idea and move to the next one.

Let me know what you come up with. If your idea requires money, let me know.

Reminder: Sunday, December 2nd is a small group leader get-to-gether from 1:30-3:00 at the church.

Thanks for your labor of love,

Vinnie C.