H2O A
JOURNEY OF FAITH
L E A D E R ’ s
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 1
G u i de
4/5/12 8:01 PM
H2O A
JOURNEY OF FAITH
O SS
N
LE
1 Thirsty
H20 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE
K T o help the group get comfortable with each other K To set the mood and direction of the series K To get everyone thinking about thirst—other people’s and their own
PREPARATION • Be sure to have dinner ready when folks arrive. • Brew coffee for after dinner. • Set out name tags. • Have participant’s guides ready to hand out. • Cue the H2O Introduction DVD. • Present a warm atmosphere with candles, soft music, or a fire in the fireplace. 24
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 24-25
25
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
JOURNEY OF FAITH AFTER DINNER
K E xpress your pleasure at everyone’s presence. K Explain that each gathering will include dinner, a DVD presentation, and discussion.
K Before viewing the H2O Introduction DVD, ask the
following questions to help everyone get to know each other and why they came. Have each person respond to the first question before moving to the next. Remember to show real interest in their answers, asking follow-up questions as appropriate. 1. What brought you here? 2. What do you hope to get out of this? 3. How would you describe your faith background?
WATCH “THIRSTY” VIDEO
1
Thirsty DISCUSSION
L EADER’S NOTE • Remember, pick and choose questions based on: - how the Spirit leads - how the discussion is progressing - how much time is left • Don’t just read the questions. Instead, - ask follow-up questions based on what people say - put the questions in your own words - look up at the group when you ask questions - use a conversational, interested tone 1. Kyle said that people are thirsty for something that can’t be satisfied with the stuff of this world. What are your feelings about that statement?
K I f you feel people do experience that kind of
K I f you don’t think there is such a thirst then
deep thirst, how would you describe it?
how do you explain so many people feeling as though there is?
2. Oxford scholar C. S. Lewis was quoted in the presentation.
26
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 26-27
27
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
1
JOURNEY OF FAITH
Thirsty
LEADER’S NOTE: Ask someone to read the following C.S. Lewis quote. Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water…If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. — C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 120, Macmillan, NY, 1979
Here are some other desires and their means of fulfillment:
Desire
Fulfillment
thirst
water
knowledge
information
companionship
people
children
procreation
accomplishment
success
recognition
awards
28
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 28-29
K Can you think of others to add to the list? K Besides the deep-down thirst Kyle was talking about, can anyone think of a desire for which there is no fulfillment on earth?
3. Kyle suggested five ways we could view the possible fulfillment of our deepest thirst. As you approach this study, how would you describe your attitude? Would you say you are more cynical, skeptical, curious, settled, or satisfied, and why do you say so?
• Cynical—certain that pretty much everything is a scam
• Skeptical—suspicious of everything (politicians, preachers, even your own brother!) and need clear proof before trusting anything
• Curious—interested in finding truth and open to whatever it may be
• Settled—fairly content but knowing that your deepest longings are not being met
• Satisfied—certain you have found what you are looking for and, as a result, thoroughly fulfilled
29
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
1
JOURNEY OF FAITH
LEADER’S NOTE: Remember not to contradict a participant’s answer. If a non-believer says, “I’m really satisfied,” do not reply with something like, “You can’t really be satisfied without Jesus” or “You must be fooling yourself!” However, you might ask something like, “Do you think there is any possibility you are sitting by the hotel pool and missing the ocean?” If the non-believer still says he is completely satisfied, just say in a nonjudgmental tone, “OK, thanks. Anyone else?” 4. Do you really believe Mandi lost her wedding ring in the ocean and then Vince and Kyle found it later with an underwater metal detector in near total darkness?
Thirsty Do you think this assessment is an accurate gauge of your attitude toward new information in life?
5. What do you think is the likelihood that Jesus can fill a person’s deepest thirst? What makes you think so? LEADER’S NOTE: Thank everyone for joining you for this introductory lesson and invite them back for the six lessons of H2O. Let them know that each get-together will be a lot like this one. Tell them that when you meet, you’ll want to make the most of your time together and make sure it’s a safe place where everyone can be themselves. A few basic ground rules will help.
GROUND RULES
If you said . . .
K “No way! What a fake,” then you’re probably a cynic. K “It’s doubtful. I’d have to see more proof,” then you are probably a skeptic.
K
“ That’s interesting. I’d like to hear more about it,” then you are probably curious.
K “Who cares? What does it matter?” then you are
probably someone who settles for what you have and doesn’t look for more.
K “I’m not sure its true, but I’ve had magical, thrilling things happen in my life,” then you are most likely learning to be satisfied. 30
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 30-31
K T he purpose of these get-togethers is to explore the person and message of Jesus.
K E veryone is free to express his or her views, whether he or she is in agreement with the DVD message or not.
K N o one is allowed to criticize or attack someone else’s view, although you may express your own when it disagrees with someone else’s.
K N o one has to talk. You can simply sit and listen if you prefer.
31
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
1
JOURNEY OF FAITH
K C onversely, no one is allowed to talk all the time. K W e will start the dinner at ________ o’clock and end each lesson by _________ o’clock.
After you read the ground rules, ask participants what they think or if they have any questions.
WRAP UP
K S um up some of the key insights of the evening as
Thirsty
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK: K Check out the “Reflection” section at the back of this Leader’s Guide to see what group members are working on at home. This will prepare you to respond and discuss with group members if they have questions. If you think it would be appropriate, send a card or email to those who attended just to say how glad you are that they participated.
K Call those who didn’t show up (or have the person
who invited them call) just to say you missed them.
you saw them.
K P oint out the Reflection section of the H2O
Participant’s Guide. This section is optional, but encourage group members to try them, as they might be helpful in thinking through the topics.
K P ray a very short and simple prayer. Avoid
long, churchy prayers that might seem showy or intimidating to nonbelievers. You might try something like the following: Lord, I am glad to be here with these folks tonight. Show us how we can find satisfaction for the deepest thirsts within us. This week would you watch over and protect each person in this group? Amen.
32
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 32-33
33
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
JOURNEY OF FAITH
78
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 78-79
REFLECTIONS
79
4/5/12 8:02 PM
H2O A
JOURNEY OF FAITH NOTES:
80
H2O Leaders_Guide_MASTER.indd 80
4/5/12 8:02 PM