Hello Leaders
In week two of this series, we will deal with our own parents. The simple message of the 5th commandment can seem complicated by our unique experiences, but sometimes we just need to come back to it's simplicity. Especially if we are living in such a way as to grow in faith and trust in the ways of God.
Below find some general questions about the message and people's take-away, as well as some key texts to read and discuss. As a leader, bear in mind that this may be a very confronting issue; some of your members may have many layers to their relationship ( or lack thereof) to their parents, and it may be the environment you create that puts them on a more God-honoring, more healthy path. You should prayerfully enter your group time prepared to ask your group if they have (wrongly) put their parents in God's place, and therefore set them up for failure; if they have considered what fallen people would like if suddenly given the role of parent- and if they have had fair expectations on their human moms and dads; if they are demanding an apology before they will forgive, etc...You may also find some deep wounds received from parents- wounds that can't be healed by group discussion but can begin to heal when someone feels safe telling their real story.
Remember that the Spirit of Christ is redemptive, gracious, challenging and real. Nothing gets at the need for such things as our relationship to our folks does. No wonder honoring them made such a short list of commands.
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General Discussion Makers
- What were the key points of Sunday's message?
- Did God cause any lights to go on during the music, prayer or the message?
- What surprised you in regard to the message?
- What is/was already part of my thinking on this subject?
- What did I learn that was new to me about God?
- What did I learn/realize about myself that I didn't know?
- What did I learn about people ( or my parents) that I didn't realize?
- What changes of thought are necessary?
- What changes of action are needed?
Further reading
- Romans 3:23
- James 3:2
- Exodus 20:1-17
- Ephesians 6:1-4
Actions
- As a group, discuss ways that you could honor your parents (even if they are no longer alive) this week.
- How can you love them, make them feel loved? How can you work out an issue "as far as it is possible..."?
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