grow
A place to:
DAVE MINTON S E N I O R PA S T O R , C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N C E N T E R
grow A place to:
DAVE MINTON S E N I O R PA S T O R , C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N C E N T E R
conversation series
welcome
Copyright ” 2017 by Brett Eastman and Dave Minton ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published by Lifetogether. Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman. Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 and 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-945589-98-0 Printed in the United States of America
contents Welcome 6 Using This Workbook (Read This First) 8 Outline for Each Session 10
S E S S I O N S
Session One: Session Two: Session Three: Session Four:
The Bible Prayer Worship Share
12 24 34 44
A P P E N D I C E S
Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Small Group Calendar Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)
S M A L L
G R O U P
Hosting an Open House Leading for the First Time Prayer and Praise Report Small Group Roster
56 58 60 62
L E A D E R S
66 68 70 72
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welcome
Here at Capital we have a saying: Come As You Are! We really mean that and want to give you a warm welcome. No matter where you find yourself in life, you belong here. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.� God designed us to grow and He gives us the tools we need to grow! Through this study there are four areas where we hope you will grow: how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to worship, and how to share. Whether you are new to Capital or long-time family, we are praying for you. We believe that through this tool you will truly be encouraged, loved, and your life will be genuinely transformed!
DAVE MINTON S E N I O R PA S T O R , C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N C E N T E R
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using
T H I S
8
W O R K B O O K
1. Notice in the Table of Contents there are three sections: (1)
Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves.
2. If you are leading or co-leading a small group, the section Small
Group Leaders will give you tips for effective leadership, encourage you, and help you avoid a few common obstacles.
3. Use this workbook as a guide. If the group responds to the lesson
in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section.
4. Enjoy your Small Group experience.
5. Pray before each session—for your group members, for your time together, for wisdom and insight.
6. Read the Outline for Each Session on the next pages so you understand how the sessions will flow.
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Outline O F
E A C H
S E S S I O N
A typical group session for the Grow study will include the following sections. Read through this to get a clear idea of how each group meeting will be structured:
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES. Each session opens with a Memory Verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe memorizing scripture is a powerful way to grow spiritually. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for each session are also listed in the appendix.
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INTRODUCTION. Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about that week’s topic. Make it a practice to read these before the session. You may want to have the group read them aloud. SHARE YOUR STORY. The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing your story with a few people who really know. This section includes some simple questions to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you choose. HEAR GOD’S STORY. In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching in order to hear God’s story—and begin to see how His story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll watch a short teaching segment on video. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of scripture and discuss both the teaching and the text. The goal isn’t to accumulate information, but to apply the insights from scripture to your daily life. CREATE A NEW STORY. In this section, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, or worshiping God. DAILY DEVOTIONS. Each week on the Daily Devotions pages, we provide scriptures to reflect on between sessions. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read just a small portion of scripture each day, and pray through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear from God and talk to him!
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S E S S I O N
O N E
the Bible “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.� Hebrews 4:12 12
Just as we all need food to feed our physical bodies, we also need spiritual food if we want to grow spiritually. As we begin our discussion of growing to be more like Jesus, we’re focusing on one of the main sources of spiritual nourishment that God gives us – His word, the Bible. There are lots of ideas out there about the Bible. Some people think it’s a collection of stories and myths. Others believe it’s just boring laws. But, in reality, neither of those things are true – the Bible is the inspired word of God and it’s really not one book – it’s a library of 66 books that include history, poetry, biography, letters, and more. And each book is given to help us know God better and become more like Him.
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Leader N O T E S
If your group is new, welcome newcomers. Introduce everyone – you may even want to have name tags for this first meeting. Open your group with a brief prayer asking God for insight as you study. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion.
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Share
Y O U R
S T O R Y
Begin your time together by using the following questions to get the conversation started. Take a few minutes for each person to share their spiritual story. Did you grow up in church, or did you start exploring faith as an adult? What do you hope to get out of this group? What is your most vivid memory in studying the Bible?
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Watch
T H E
D V D
Use the Notes space provided below to record your thoughts and questions as well as the things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Hear God’s Story section and start the conversation.
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Hear
G O D ’ S
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S T O R Y
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
What does it mean for scripture to be “God-breathed?”
It’s clear how the Bible teachs us, but how does the Bible rebuke us? Correct us? Train us in righteousness?
The goal of scripture is that we would be equipped – that we would know more, understand more, be challenged more, or be better able to do what God wants. How has the Bible equipped you in your life?
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Create
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A
N E W
S T O R Y
In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. How can you make Bible study a part of your life? What would it look like for you to meditate on and memorize scripture? What gets in the way of you studying God’s word? What are you willing to commit to this week?
Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests. If you’d like, you can write these on the Prayer and Praise report on page 70. Close your meeting with prayer.
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Daily
D E V O T I O N S
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Joshua 1:8-9 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings or traditions we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,”
Isaiah 55:11 “...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Reflect: How can you “stand fast” and “hold firm?”
Reflect: How can God’s word strengthen you?
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Reflect: How does this promise encourage you?
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Psalm 1:2-3 “...but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”
James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Use the following space to reflect on what you learned this week and what God is saying to you.
Reflect: How do you give action to what you learn by reading the Bible? How do you “do what it says?”
Reflect: What fruit are you experiencing in your life through reading the Bible?
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grow A place to:
God created us to grow!
That is a God given desire and that is a part of your unique design and ultimate destiny. God has a spiritual family, a circle of friends, and a faith community to help you fulfill his purpose for your life. Here is your chance to simply GRAB the materials, GATHER with a friend, family member, coworker or somebody you met at Church and start GROWING together. finding your place to GROW and creating a safe place for others to do the same is only a step away!
Dave Minton
S E N I O R PA S T O R , C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N C E N T E R
For Pastors Dave and Kelly Minton, church is like home filled with laughter, fun and the family of God. They love meeting new people! Pastor Dave pioneered Capital Christian in 1989 as a small group with a heart to share God’s love for people. It has grown to multiple locations to better reach and serve thousands of incredible people every week for Christ. Through his fun and practical teaching people are equipped to do great things for God and their community.
Web: go2ccc.org
/ go2ccc
conversation series 9 780999 626382