This week, as LifeGroup leaders, we have a few responsibilities to the members of our group:
1. Let's help our group members realize the value in the daily devotional guide provided along side the messages each week. This is the last week for them, but the concept is easy to replicate; a daily discipline of Bible reading, note taking and associated prayer. See Friday of the guide this week for more thoughts on how to help your group begin or continue this simple discipline, remembering that of the "5 P's", Private Devotions ranks as a know way God catalyzes life-change.
2. June 28th is a Baptism Celebration. Those being baptized are being asked to take the step and tell us ahead of time. But we can't give them a personal level challenge like their group and group leaders can. This is where you come in. Many of us cringe at this, because it feels like we are slipping into the column of spiritually pushy. We think, "When they're ready, they'll get dunked on their own". While there is some truth in that, and where we must all have a quiet humility about other's relationship with their God, do not underestimate your role. Again with the "5 P's", Providential Relationships ranks #1 or #2 in terms of what's typical in someone's story about ways God prodded them along. We have found that most people simply need nudged. Not pushed, or dragged, or forced. It may sound something like this coming out of your mouth:
"Hey Dave, I can't help but think of you when I think of this Baptism Celebration thing""Yeah, I know""So what you feel like God is telling you?""I don't know, I might...but I think I better wait until stuffs calms down and I get some things figured out""Hey, I totally understand that. But i can tell you pretty confidently that if we all waited until stuff calmed down and we got it figured out, the first baptism in history would still not have happened yet. So, as your brother/sister, and as a fellow traveler in a group that's agreed to be committed to taking this journey together and challenging each other every step of the way- tell me how I can help you take this step Sunday""......I don't know.""Dave, I really see God at work in you, and in us...so I want to make sure I do for you what someone did for me. Why don't you email the church office and put yourself on the list to give yourself to God this way. Either way, I'm still your biggest fan- but I think you and I both know that this step is pivotal, and I want to love you enough to help you take it.""I'll think about it""Great, let me know what you decide- and I'm with you"
3. Pray for your group. Summer is a crazy time, people are scattered, people are still trying to manage personal or familial joblessness, all the while trying to figure out how to be more trusting of Christ and his way. Shepherd them this way.
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This week's study has to do with what we decide about Christ, and how it looks. Spend time going through the verse by verse study, asking questions about the text, and its application as you go.
Thaw
- How have you seen God working in your life in the past week?
- How has the Color series affected your interactions and faith?
- Have you ever chosen an unpopular route or plan to do something because you were so determined to get somewhere or obtain something? Share.
- Have you ever knowingly chosen ease over difficulty, and lost a thing or an opportunity in the process? Share.
- What impacted you most from the message on Sunday?
Read
Leader note: Have members read all of the following texts to themselves, and then begin group discussion.
- Matthew 7:13-29
- Luke 6:43-49
- Thoughts?
Leader note: Go back through the following verse segments (below) from the Matthew portion, one-at-a-time, and ask what Jesus is actually saying to the crowd, and to us. When group members give a response (and expect it to take more time as they quietly wrestle with the text and work up the words to express their thoughts...don't be surprised or afraid that this way of study can produce more silent spots in a group setting!) ask them how they came to that conclusion. Ask others if they "agree or disagree with his/her take on the text", as a way of generating healthy interaction and discussion. Feel free to, ahead of time, draw some of your own conclusions and substantiate them with other texts or personal stories that you feel give you the background for your own response. This will help others think through Bible text by watching you do it. Don't be too worried about "knowing everything" about the scripture. Just be able to speak from the experience of having been thoughtful and dependent on God's Spirit to guide you.
- Verses 13-14
- Verses 15-20
- Verses 21-23
- Verses 24-27
Apply
- How can this text be misunderstood?
- Understood rightly, what is to be done about how Jesus closes his sermon on the mount?
- Who in this group feels like they need to take some significant steps toward Christ, and how can this group help and encourage them to do it?
- What are the hang-ups for people at this point with Jesus?
Leader note: the idea behind this question is that Jesus is clearly not asking for mental ascent or mere appreciation. He is Lord, and as Lord, we are invited to submit to him, versus every other person and thing we submit to. When Jesus is considered as more than good teacher, things intensify!
- As Jesus finishes his sermon, the crowds were amazed. What's our response?
- What changes for us as individuals and as a group (and even as a church community at Crosspointe)?
Prayer
Leader note: Have members spend a few moments in a prayer of thanks and confession to God, acknowledging that in Christ, a new way of life is possible. Ask God to challenge the group to embrace this way, narrow as the gate is, and difficult as the path is. The Lord's prayer is appropriate, as it reflects the nature of Kingdom Prayer and an invitation for God's way to come here, through our lives, as it is in effect in heaven.
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