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.
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"
No comments:
Post a Comment