RUMC - Jeff Greenway - Habits - Print Curriculum by Lifetogether Ministries

Jeff Greenway Lead Pastor, Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church Foreword from Bishop Gregory V. Palmer

Contents

Foreword from Bishop Gregory V. Palmer

Welcome from Jeff Greenway

Using This Workbook (Read This First)

Outline for Each Session

Sessions 10

Session One: Weekly Worship

Session Two: Weekly Small Group

Published by Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church

Session Three: Daily Devotions

Session Four: Regular Serving

Session Five: Regular Giving

114

Session Six: Faith Sharing

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.

Appendices

133 Frequently Asked Questions

ISBN: 978-1-940077-87-1

136 Small Group Agreement

Printed in the United States of America

138 Group Calendar 139 Spiritual Partners Check-in 140 Group Roster 141

Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)

144 Prayer and Praise Report

Small G r oup Leader s

145 Hosting an Open House

148 Leading for the First Time 150 Leadership Training 101

For ewor d from Gregory Vaughn Palmer

It is hard to over-estimate the power of a disciplined life. The rules we follow, the goals we pursue, the HABITS we practice—all serve to focus a life toward maximum impact. American Educator Horace Mann once wrote: “Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it.” An old Spanish proverb implies the same truth: “Habits are first cobwebs, then cables.” Our habits shape our lives, mold deepest convictions or beliefs, and often call us to extraordinary action. The life we have in Christ is a gift of grace, but it is maximized by the habits and disciplines we practice that form the life of Jesus in us. The early Church established life-changing, faith-developing, Kingdomexpanding habits in Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to the APOSTLES’ TEACHING and to FELLOWSHIP, to the BREAKING of BREAD and to PRAYER. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were TOGETHER and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to GIVE to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to MEET TOGETHER in the TEMPLE courts. They BROKE BREAD in their homes and ATE TOGETHER with glad and sincere hearts, PRAISING GOD and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER daily those who were being saved.” These habits were imbedded in the DNA of spiritual growth in development of the early Church; and during the last 2,000 years, the times when the Church of Jesus Christ has really flourished have been the seasons when the followers of Jesus have been intentional about pursuing life change with the HABITS of their lives. One such season was the time of the Wesleyan Revival—which is the place where we trace our heritage. John Wesley was nurtured in a disciplined life by his mother, Suzanna. She taught him the habits of soul tending and faith development—as well as all forms of education. The structure she instilled in his life followed him home to Oxford where 2

he developed accountability systems of his own. John and his brother, Charles, formed a Holy Club with other students and held each other accountable to live a disciplined life. His was a life of deep and lasting faith lived in response to grace, and saturating every aspect of his life. The result set him on a lifelong, world-altering trajectory. He would later start a renewal movement within the Church of England. He and his followers were called “Methodists” because they were “methodical” in the disciplines they followed. He advocated accountable discipleship in which persons worshipped, received the sacraments, read the Bible, prayed, fasted, served the poor, gave to meet the needs of the poor, and conferenced together—to name a few. He called these habits “means of grace”—and those who practice them were changed— and in turn, changed the world. The impact of the Methodist movement in education, healthcare, labor laws, civil rights, and spiritual depth started a flame of revival—the embers of which still burn in our world. An undisciplined life often settles for average existence, but a disciplined life can change the world. HABITS—Six Healthy Practices to Live By is an invitation to a disciplined life. The six habits that follow in this study have the potential of providing those who will give themselves to them the discipline that can transform their lives and prepare them to be used to change the world. I am deeply grateful to Pastor Jeff Greenway and the saints at the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church for pointing and leading the way to a deepened, richer and more fulfilling life in Christ and Christian community. Their offering is a huge gift and contribution to every disciple and every congregation that takes formation seriously. If I were serving a local church, I would make great use of this. I am pondering how to use it from the seat where I serve now. +Gregory Vaughn Palmer Resident Bishop of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church 3

Welcome to our 40-day Lenten study called Habits. For better or for worse, our habits—the good or bad patterns in our lives—have tremendous influence. Some we want to keep—others we can’t wait to lose! The Spirit often brings change and growth through the habits we choose to practice in our lives. The mission of our congregation is “to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” Several years ago, during a staff retreat, we asked the question, “How will we know when someone is becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ in and through our congregation?” The conversation that followed resulted in identifying six habits that have historically shaped the lives of those who live with the greatest spiritual potency:

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Welcome 4

WEEKLY WORSHIP WEEKLY SMALL GROUP DAILY DEVOTIONS REGULAR SERVING REGULAR GIVING FAITH SHARING

We are entering the season of Lent—the 40-day period (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week. During the next six weeks instead of giving something up, we are challenging each other to take some habits on for Lent. If a new habit can become engrained in 30 days—imagine the potential of spending the 40 days of Lent devoting ourselves to these six life-changing, faith-developing, Kingdom-expanding habits. I can’t wait to see how God uses these holy habits to change us. In Christ,

Using This Wor kbook

Tools to Help You Have a Great Small Group Experience!

Outline of Each Session

A typical group session will include the following sections:

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES (< 5 MIN.) Each session opens with a Memory Verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe that memorizing Scripture can be a vital part of filling our minds with God’s will for our lives. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for our six sessions are also listed in the Appendices.

Notice in the Contents there are three sections: Sessions; Appendices; and Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves.

you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the 2. Ifsection Small Group Leaders will give you some experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership. this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group 3. Use 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. before each session—for your group members, for your 5. Pray time together, and for wisdom and insights. the Outline for Each Session on the next page so that you 6. Read understand how the sessions will flow.

INTRODUCTION (< 5 MIN.) Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session. COME TOGETHER (15 MIN.) The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing your experience with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This is helpful preparation for being able to share what Christ has done in your life with anyone you meet—which is what a disciple is ready to do. This section includes some simple questions to get you talking, letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable doing. Each session typically offers you two options. You can get to know your whole group by using the icebreaker question(s), or you can check in with one or two group members, your spiritual partner(s), for a deeper connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey. GROW TOGETHER (20 MIN.) In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching. You’ll hear God’s story—and begin to see how His story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to do so, you’ll pop in the DVD (or pull up the

video online) and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of Scripture and discuss both the teaching and the text. You won’t focus on accumulating information but rather on how you should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically and creatively, from your heart as well as your head. At the end of the day, allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform our lives in Christ should be your greatest aim. STUDY NOTES This section provides additional commentary, background, or insights on the passage you’ll study in the Learn Together section. SERVE TOGETHER (15 MIN.) God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change. It will require you to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) comes into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to know Him personally, carry out His commands, and help outsiders connect with Him. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. SHARE AND WORSHIP TOGETHER (10 MIN.) This section will have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, and worshiping God. There will be suggestions for mini-celebrations of what God is doing in and among you and ways you can end the session in His presence.

FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY (AS TIME ALLOWS) If you have time and want to dig deeper into more Bible passages about the topic at hand, we’ve provided additional passages and questions. Your group may choose to read and prepare ahead of each meeting in order to cover more biblical material. If you prefer not to do study homework, this section will provide you with plenty to discuss within the group. These options allow individuals or the whole group to expand their study while still accommodating those who can’t do homework or are new to your group. DAILY DEVOTIONS Each week on the Daily Devotions pages, we provide Scriptures to read and reflect on between sessions—a month’s worth of reflections to keep God’s Word near your heart. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read just a small portion of Scripture each day, and reflect 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 be in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

Session One

Weekly Wor ship MEMORY VERSE: HEBREWS 10:25 “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Welcome to Habits.

Enjoy the company around you on this journey through Lent over the next few weeks. By the end, we will all realize that the kind of life with God we all long for is closer than we ever imagined. It’s only a new habit away. It is our prayer that in the weeks to come, you will begin to see why God prescribed certain habits, how He designed you a certain way, how He draws near to us as we draw near to Him, and what it means to be part of a larger Church family pursuing intimacy with God.

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If your group is new, you may want to focus on welcoming newcomers or on sharing group ownership. Any group will quickly move from being the leader’s group to our group if everyone understands the goals of the group and shares a small role.

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We recommend that you rotate host homes on a regular basis and let the hosts lead the meeting. We’ve come to realize that healthy groups rotate leadership. This helps to develop every member’s ability to shepherd a few people in a safe environment. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside Him (Mark 6:30–44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendices for additional information about hosting or leading the group.

15 min.

Open your group with prayer. Rotate this responsibility from week to week among those who are comfortable praying out loud.

Let’s begin by brainstorming what you think of when you hear the word “worship.” What are some worshipful things people do?

a tougher one: What’s the main thing that sometimes 2. Here’s or often stands between you and weekly worship? your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important 3. Whether to reflect on and review your values together. On page 136 is a Small Group Agreement with the values we’ve found most useful in sustaining healthy, balanced groups. We recommend that you choose one or two values you haven’t previously focused on or have room to grow in to emphasize during this study. Choose values that will take your group to the next stage of intimacy and spiritual health.

WATCH THE DVD TEACHING FOR THIS SESSION NOW We have provided a Notes space below so you can record any key thoughts, questions, and/or things you want to remember or on which to follow up. After watching the video, have someone read the Scripture passage and the discussion questions in the Grow Together section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

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READ: EXODUS 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” READ: JOHN 4: 21-24 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “Believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Pastor Jeff emphasized God’s heart and how He feels about us. Everything He commands shows His desire to help us be the type of person He created and redeemed us to be. When you read His command to remember the Sabbath, does that law feel loving to you? Why or why not?

a moment to think 2. Take about this commandment in the context of all of the other commandments (See Exodus 20). If God has created these loving limits for our good, why are some— like the Sabbath— easier to disobey?

the woman at the well in John 4, our disobedience does 4. Like not deter Christ’s desire to draw us near. He is not interested in religion and ritual, but relationship. Jesus tells the woman that the time will come when those who truly worship the Lord will do so in “spirit and truth.” What do those words mean to you?

we can physically show up for worship, but our 5. Sometimes, hearts and minds are completely distracted. As a group, make a quick list of the things that pull you away from what’s happening in corporate worship. Once the list is complete, it’s easy to see nothing compares with Jesus, yet why do these things drag us away?

Jeff quoted Mark Batterson’s statement: “Worship is 6. Pastor forgetting about what’s wrong with you, and remembering what’s right with God.” With that in mind, describe an experience that set the bar for worship in your life. What was it that caused you to forget yourself and focus on God?

God’s law 3. Breaking has consequences. If you have experienced a season of missing worship too often, what consequences did you experience? What does it take to get back in the habit of weekly worship?

the start of this session, we talked briefly about worship. Let’s 7. At try again. How would you define real worship? If the place and the rituals are not the most important thing to God, what would you say to people who only want to worship at home?

Study Notes YOU SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW. Jesus is pointing out that the Samaritans are wrong, not only as to the place, but the whole purpose and nature of their worship. FOR SALVATION IS FROM THE JEWS. Salvation had been revealed, prepared, and deposited with a particular people, “the Jews.” WORSHIP THE FATHER. The woman at the well talked simply of “worship;” our Lord brings up before her the great object of all acceptable worship, “the Father.”

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15 min.

One significant aspect of our 40-day experience in Lent is the corporate aspect of living through these weeks alongside others. The life of faith is a shared experience rather than an individualized one. We make the most progress when others help us. We will serve one another throughout these weeks to heighten our awareness of the weight of the Cross, the opportunities we have to bear one another’s burdens, and our privilege to help each other develop healthy habits. Here are some starting places:

Before we look at some suggested practices and commitments for this next week, let’s talk about Pastor Jeff’s assertion that weekly worship is often a symptom of spiritual health. If you were to grade your spiritual health solely based on your weekly worship, what percentage would you give yourself? (Put an “X” on the continuum below.)

0% --------------------------------------------------------------------- 100%

much time would you say you’re willing to commit 2. How to preparing and participating in worship each week? ______ hours. our ability to worship God in spirit and in truth takes 3. Developing time and persistence in getting to know our Lord. We must make time to pray, to be in God’s Word, to meditate, and to listen to Him daily. Which of the following are you willing to take on?

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Prayer. Commit to personal prayer and daily connection with God. You may find it helpful to write your prayers in a journal.

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Devotions. The Daily Devotions provided in each session of this study are an opportunity for reading a short Bible passage five days a week during the course of this study. Write down your insights on what you read each day. On the sixth day, summarize what God has shown you throughout the week.

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Meditation. Try meditation as a way of internalizing God’s Word more deeply. Copy a portion of Scripture on a card and tape it somewhere in your line of sight, such as your car’s dashboard or the kitchen table. Think about it when you sit at red lights or while you’re eating a meal. Reflect on what God is saying to you through these words. Several passages for meditation are suggested on the Daily Devotions pages in each session.

Pr actices Of the Week

We know it’s tempting to try to “do everything,” but the healthy habits we’re exploring are more like training for a marathon than deciding to try the 40-yard dash. The following suggestions are meant to help you gain traction, not load you up with a thousand pounds of spiritual guilt. Have fun with taking steps toward healthy habits. Gladly assume you’re a beginner, even if you decide to try a more advanced set of practices.

Focus for Week 1: Weekly Wor ship BEGINNER: • Make it a goal to not be tired on your day of worship by getting eight hours of sleep four out of seven nights. This will likely involve a decision to go to bed at a different time than you usually do.

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Start a list of worshipful activities (even if you’re not doing them yet). Ask others what they find worshipful and enjoy the conversations.

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Change one thing about your weekly routine. If this group’s meeting is a new commitment for you, you’ve already succeeded at this one.

INTERMEDIATE: • Make it a goal to get eight hours of sleep each night.

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Pursue an intentional practice of personal worship outside of your time in the church building. Aim to engage in this activity three times this week.

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Set aside 30 minutes on Friday or Saturday dedicated to preparing yourself for Sunday. Plan how you can make your Sabbath more worshipful and set apart for Him.

ADVANCED: • Start figuring out who you can help experience some worship or better worship. Can you alleviate some stress or distraction from your spouse? Can you drive someone to church? Actually help three people this week.

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Get eight hours of sleep each night this week. Take as much time as you need on Friday or Saturday to be fully engaged and excited about the Sabbath.

Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Group members may be excited or distracted by the practices we’ve suggested for this week. Pull them back together for this final segment (unless you’ve decided to use one or both of the “For Deeper Study” passages for more time in Bible study).

Allow everyone to answer this question: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

believer should have a plan for spending time 2. Every alone with God. At the end of each session, we provide Daily Devotions for you to use in your time with Him. Encourage your group members to incorporate these in their pursuit of the practices this week. There are five daily Scripture readings with space to record your thoughts. On the sixth day, there is space to record your summary of the five reflections. These will offer reinforcement of the principles we are learning, and develop or strengthen your habit of time alone with God throughout the week.

For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have regarding the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture. The significance of weekly worship is not a sideline issue; it is at the heart of the joy we have in Christ.

READ: MATTHEW 12:1-14 These two incidents illustrate what a hot issue the Sabbath was in Jesus’ day. Note that the issue between Jesus and the Pharisees wasn’t the importance of the Sabbath but the real purpose of the Sabbath.

What things should or shouldn’t be done on a day of rest? Is that list what you grew up with or have you developed it on your own?

2. How were the Pharisees using the word “unlawful”?

READ: ISAIAH 58:13-14 Most of Isaiah 58 concerns fasting, but the chapter closes with God’s concern for the Sabbath. Note again that the intent of keeping the Sabbath holy isn’t in specified details but in our relationship with God and the authentic rhythms of life. light of the Matthew 12 passage above, how do Jesus’ words 7. Inhelp you interpret this passage? the four 3. Describe points Jesus makes in His rebuttal. partly on this passage, the Pharisees went to great pains 8. Based to establish limits on the number of steps someone could take do verses 6 and 8 4. How make the same claim?

is Jesus’ 5. How response in the second incident different but parallel to the first?

personal 6. Make applications from Jesus’

on the Sabbath. How does this seem to miss the target?

you say “doing as you please” is more a caution about 9. Would a careless and ignorant approach to the Sabbath or urging an approach that insists on mind-numbing drudgery as the appropriate way to honor the day?

would you respond to someone who insisted that anyone 10. How who watched football on Sunday is not a worshipper of God?

use of the words “greater than the temple” (verse 6), “mercy” (verse 7), and “good” (verse 12).

DAY 1. MARK 2:27-28

DAY 4. MARK 6:31

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Daily Devotions Each day, read the daily verses and give prayerful consideration to what you learn about God, His Spirit, and His place in your life. Then record your thoughts, insights, or prayer in the “Reflect” section below the verses you read. On the sixth day, record a summary of what you have learned over the entire week throughout this study.

Reflect: In informing us that the Sabbath was made for us, not the other way around, what was Jesus expecting us to do?

Reflect: How would you illustrate from your life the value of disengaging after a time of hectic work, to refresh, rest, and worship with other believers?

DAY 2. JOHN 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 10

Reflect: Think of two things that would fill your life with deeper things of God. How are you pursuing them? Have you asked Jesus to do for you what He said He came to do? Why or why not?

DAY 3. LUKE 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. 16

Reflect: How many reasons can you come up with that explain Jesus’ actions here? What would it take to build this pattern into your life?

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Reflect: Consider the two phrases: “keeping it holy” and “you shall not do any work.” Have you ever found something that was very restful for you to do, even though for someone else it might be work? Would it be better to have God gradually teach you what it means to keep the Sabbath holy or to have someone lay down the law on what it means?

DAY 6. DAY 5. EXODUS 20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 8

Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your Daily Devotions time this week. Summary:

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 11

Session Two

Weekly Small G r oup MEMORY VERSE: MATTHEW 18:20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Welcome back to Habits. We hope this past week of taking worship seriously was more fun than frustrating for you. This isn’t meant to be overwhelming, but a time to experience God’s help in living the way He wants you to live. This isn’t about trying a lot harder; it’s about discovering just how much Christ will do for us that we can’t do for ourselves. We’re practicing, not perfect! Let’s note here at the start that most of the places in the New Testament where the word “you” is used, the original language is plural. It would probably be good if we sometimes read certain verses differently. For example, this one benefits from a southern twist: “I pray that out of His glorious riches He [God] may strengthen [y’all] with power through His Spirit in [y’all’s] inner being., so that Christ may dwell in [y’all’s] hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16).

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Open your group with prayer.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keep it light. Who had a humorous experience this week related to trying to elevate and prioritize worship in your life?

people want to live a healthy, balanced life. A regular 3. Most medical check-up is a good way to measure health and spot potential problems. In the same way, a spiritual check-up is vital to your spiritual well-being. The Spiritual Partners Check-in found on page 139 is designed to give you a quick snapshot, or pulse, of your spiritual health. Pair up with another person and briefly share one purpose that is going well and one that needs a little work.

a slightly more serious note, what have you been 2. On thinking about this whole practice of worship as part of your spiritual life?

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So, as Pastor Jeff made it clear, this session is about a very special kind of community that is both biblical and part of our Methodist heritage. Who knew relationships and building community would fall into the category of habits? Yet we can’t begin to seriously follow Jesus without having other people in mind. The decision to follow Jesus is personal, but it also comes with more corporate implications. We’re going to look at the teaching for this session and delve a little more into the Scripture used in this lesson—the story of the paralytic in Luke 5. READ: LUKE 5:17-23 17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went

up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 20

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 21

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” 22

In his teaching, Pastor Jeff said, “What we desire— what we are wired by God for—is to have deep, abiding relationships.” Do you have any reservations about that statement? How do personality differences (like being introverted or extroverted, for example) come into play?

passage above, 2. Inwethe see the needs of the paralytic: 1) being connected and not isolated, 2) unable to stand and being carried to helpful places, and 3) overcoming obstacles. Think about your need for community. Which of these is hardest for you to seek out or accept? Why?

paralytic’s friends didn’t give up when things were difficult— 3. The they found a way to be life-giving friends. Share a time when you were helped by a life-giving friend.

often think of the paralytic’s joy that day. Take a moment to 4. We imagine how his friends who helped him felt. Share a time when you took part in bearing another’s burden and how you were also able to celebrate when relief came.

Mark 3:13-14, Jesus chose 12 disciples. The reasons 5. Ingiven were “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” How do these two reasons point to the significance of relationships between Jesus and those He chose?

spent three years with these 12 men, and one (Judas) 6. Jesus really let Him down. Trust is definitely a valuable and important part of relationships and all members of a small group. How can we build trust here?

is perfect. What are some healthy/biblical ways we can 7. Nobody deal with relational disappointments?

Study Notes ONE DAY JESUS WAS TEACHING, AND PHARISEES AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW WERE SITTING THERE. Pharisees were members of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity. They weren’t there to learn from Jesus; but because word about Jesus was spreading, the officials were there to safeguard their own positions. THEY WENT UP ON THE ROOF AND LOWERED HIM ON HIS MAT THROUGH THE TILES. These men didn’t do any serious damage to the roof. The opening was easy to repair. It was the compassion and perseverance of these friends that is significant.

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We are again being reminded that the Body of Christ is a corporate rather than an overly individualized experience. We serve one another so others benefit; but because of God’s design, we do too. It’s like a cell in the body that makes its own contribution to the health of the organism even as it is relying on the rest of the organism to sustain it. One of the keys to healthy application is realizing that, when God teaches us something, living out that lesson will almost always involve other people. Note how the following questions move you in that direction.

How have you seen the importance of unity among Christians and the negative consequences that result when that unity is absent?

was the last time you did something simply for the joy of 2. When serving others in the name of Christ?

up with someone in your group. (We suggest that men 3. Pair partner with men and women with women.) This person will be your spiritual partner for the rest of this study. He or she doesn’t have to be your best friend but will simply encourage you to complete the goals you set for yourself during this study. Following through on a resolution is tough when you’re on your own, but we’ve found it makes all the difference to have a partner cheering you on. your partner what practice you’ve chosen to work on 4. Tell this week. When you check in with your partner each week, give them an honest update on how you’re doing with the assignments and in general.

Pr actices Of the Week

Remember, this is not about doing everything, but it is about doing something. God never asks you to do what you can’t. Be realistic and decide what you can do.

Focus for Week 2 : Deepening Small G r oup R elationships

BEGINNER: • Send a card to say “thank you” to someone you appreciate in your small group.

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Take time to pray each day for another member of the group. At the beginning of the next session, let them know you have been praying for them.

INTERMEDIATE: • If you have a significant relationship (in or outside of your small group) that’s currently fractured, begin to ask God about what you might do to move toward healing.

•

Make a phone call to verbally express your appreciation for someone who has poured into your life in a significant way.

•

If you sense a hesitancy to get to know others or allow others to know you, ask the Lord to illuminate this feeling and help you to overcome it.

ADVANCED: • If you know you need to make amends with someone, meet with them or schedule that meeting before the week is over.

•

Take someone from your small group (maybe the person you know the least) out for coffee with the intention of getting to know them better. Take as much time as you need on Friday or Saturday to be fully engaged and excited about the Sabbath.

Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Pull the group back together for this final segment (unless you’ve decided to use one or both of the “Deeper Study” passages for more time in Bible study).

Allow everyone to answer this question: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

time allows, ask if anyone wants to share 2. Ifhow their worship has improved or how they are working toward improvement based on last week’s study.

Ask a volunteer to close the meeting in prayer.

For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have about the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture. The importance of relationships and regular times of meeting with people in the Body of Christ cannot be minimized. We may live in an individualistic society, but God has called us into a corporate experience. READ: MARK 12:25-34 This is an amazing encounter between Jesus and someone who opposed Him and set out to trip Him up. Jesus answered all the trick questions the teacher of the law threw at Him. Finally, the teacher asked an honest question. He really did want to know what God expected. He wanted to know the bottom line. He wanted to know how to hit a home run.

Scan the passage again. Did Jesus and this man agree or disagree on the central commandment of life?

verses 30 and 33. How did the two versions of the 2. Compare Great Commandment differ slightly? Why might that have been?

did Jesus mean by, “You are not far from the kingdom of 3. What heaven” (verse 34)?

five traits does 3. What Paul spell out that are characteristic of those who are following Jesus faithfully?

READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-3 In most of Paul’s letters, there’s a clear transition in the middle between teaching and application. He seems to always turn the corner at a certain point and say something like, “If what I’ve written so far is true, it follows that you should….” This is that place in Ephesians. It’s time to get practical.

many of these do 4. How you think you can work on without someone else being involved?

Verse 1 literally says “walk in a manner worthy” where NIV says “live a life worthy.” What is it about walking that makes it a good picture of living? does this passage 5. What tell you about the crucial nature of relationships within the Body of Christ?

2. What kind of call or claim does Jesus make on our lives?

DAY 1. JOHN 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Reflect: How do healthy relationships make a life full?

DAY 2. MATTHEW 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.. Reflect: What does it mean to “gather in my name”? Is it just the stated purpose of a gathering, or is it something about the attitude and expectations of those gathered that causes Jesus to show up?

DAY 3. MARK 12:29-31 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Reflect: For the two categories, loving God with all your heart and all your soul, think of one action on your part that would express all your heart and one that would express all your soul.

DAY 4. MARK 12:29-31 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Reflect: Which of the five relationship qualities in these verses would you most like God to help you grow into more deeply?

DAY 6. Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your devotions this week.

Reflect: Today, think about your mind and strength and how you would use those two capacities to express love for God and for your neighbor.

DAY 5. EPHESIANS 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 49

It ’s g ood to be wor king on healthy habits tog ether . Session Three

Daily Devotions MEMORY VERSE: HEBREWS 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Last week in his teaching, Pastor Jeff talked about John Wesley’s discovery that the habit of “class meetings” (his term for what we call small groups) was the key to the deepest community and the greatest spiritual growth. John Wesley encouraged all early Methodists to ask each other frequently: “How is it with your soul?” They didn’t ask about work, sports, or the weather; they went right to the core of who we are and asked for a spiritual update. We also touched on The Great Commandment last time and invited you to think about the way your soul loves God. So it should come as no surprise that this time we’re pulling a “Wesley” on you and asking, “How is it with your soul?” If your soul is feeling a little overwhelmed, it may be time to take a breath. We’re sampling the common habits that Christians through the ages have found helpful in developing their walk with God, but most of us find resistance when we try to practice these habits ourselves. This is normal. We’re aiming for a rhythm of obedience to Christ that makes steady spiritual progress over time without losing sight of the truth that He is ultimately the One working on us.

Come Tog ether 15 min.

Open your group with prayer. This should be someone who hasn’t prayed in the group yet.

let’s take a few moments to check in with your spiritual 3. Now partner(s), or with another partner if yours is absent. Share something God taught you during your time in His Word this week, or share how you did with your chosen practices for the past week. Be sure to write down your partner’s progress on page 139 so you can be reminded of how you can pray and encourage one another.

This session’s memory verse mentions training. What different examples of training experiences—athletic, military, career or others—do we represent as a group? How did you get through the most difficult training you have ever experienced?

one or two people to share briefly about the lasting 2. Pick effects of that training in their life today.

G r ow Tog ether 2 0 min.

Pastor Jeff pointed out the three regular devotional practices in Jesus’ life: prayer, fasting, and the study of Scripture. Even Jesus had to prioritize, eliminate and shift all that was going on around Him to engage in these practices. One thing Jesus didn’t have to do was to re-order priorities and change bad habits, but we sometimes do! So we’ve been challenging our current patterns and looking at life in different ways. Now it’s time to think about our level of spiritual training in the area of daily devotions. READ: 2 TIMOTHY 3:12-17 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We see it throughout the four gospels and Pastor Jeff reminded us of Jesus’ “habit” of getting alone to pray. His disciples were so intrigued that out of all the questions they could have asked, they asked Jesus in Luke 11:1, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In The Lord’s Prayer, we are taught to ask for “our daily bread.” Why is “daily” so important when it comes to devotions?

most attention is paid to the term “God-breathed” 4. Although in 2 Timothy 3:16, what other essential characteristic does Paul point out?

as running is a basic part of physical training, how would 5. Just you make the case that time in prayer and time in God’s Word

Like prayer, fasting is a source of spiritual power. It can raise our focus and awareness. We don’t think of fasting from food every day, but how might we deprive ourselves of something that distracts us daily?

are the two most basic spiritual exercises or disciplines required for spiritual formation or development?

Jeff closed his teaching with a challenging question: 6. Pastor Are you willing to commit to the habit of daily devotions? Keep

Scan the passage from Paul to Timothy again. Where can you find items that relate to the significance of training?

in mind that we don’t plan to fail, but we do fail to plan. On the other hand, the goal isn’t a rigid plan—the goal is a full life. How would a plan to spend time in prayer and in God’s Word lead to a full life?

Study Notes WANTS. Habits say a great deal about what we really want. Do my habits say I really want to live a godly life? GODLY LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. This phrase represents the statement for which “full life” is a synonym. PERSECUTED. Even the slightest movement toward God on our part will be met with resistance. It may be internal or external. It may be ourselves, others, or environmental factors. We won’t realize the strength of the current flow in a fallen world until we decide to move in the opposite direction. CONTINUE. Keep going; don’t give up. Jesus began and ended Peter’s formal discipleship training course with the same words: “Follow me” (Mark 4:17; John 21:19). TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING AND TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. The first three are aspects of training in righteousness: knowing true teaching (or doctrine); having falsehood exposed; and accepting new direction. God’s Word does all of this as we spend time studying Scripture. THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED. This is the “later on” mentioned in our session’s memory verse. Equipping is never instant and benefits from continual refreshment. We don’t usually realize how thorough a job God does until we face something we’ve never faced before.

Ser ve Tog ether

Why are both group and private prayer and both group and private Bible study essential to healthy spiritual growth?

15 min.

The foundational spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible study cannot be avoided if we want to live a full life. They are very much like the two parts of breathing. Prayer is exhaling; it comes from within us and is directed to our heavenly Father. It’s a mixture of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and requests. Time in God’s Word is breathing in: reading, memorizing, studying, meditating, and applying are all aspects of receiving fresh oxygen from God. We can engage in this training of breathing alone and with others. Both are required. We benefit from solitary and corporate times. Neither is optional if we want to grow into a full life. Here are some questions about corporate opportunities:

combinations of these two disciplines have you found 2. What helpful during this series? Bible study alone, with the group, prayer alone, with a partner, as a group?

can share how these basic disciplines, which have been 3. Who part of everything we’ve done these weeks, have already caused some shift or change in your life?

have your relationships been impacted by your involvement 4. How in these training sessions?

Pr actices Of the Week

Prayer and Bible study are as foundational and necessary as breathing, and yet we can spend a lifetime making them a deliberate and then delightful habit. It won’t always be fun (who has started jogging after a long time away from running?). But we have the witness of many, perhaps some in the group, who have made prayer and input from God’s Word their regular spiritual diet for many years and whose lives display spiritual health and vitality. Here’s the bottom line: your progress in experiencing the full life Jesus promised will always have a connection between time spent in the Word and time spent in prayer. A prayerless and Wordless follower of Jesus Christ isn’t following very closely. That leaves a follower in spiritual danger, no matter how things appear on the outside. Hear Paul’s words to Timothy, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,” and do likewise. Again, gladly assume you’re a beginner, even if you decide to try a more advanced set of practices.

Focus for Week 3: Daily Devotions BEGINNER: • Philippians has four chapters; James has five; Ephesians has six. Read one of these letters through this week.

•

Choose something you do almost every day at a certain time: fixing a meal, driving to or from work, a lunch break, brushing your teeth— any established routine, and expand it to include talking with God: before, after, or during. Try some breath prayers (see “A Word on Breath Prayers” on the following page).

•

Review the memory verses we’ve had so far and make sure at least one is stuck in your brain this week. As you memorize, turn the verses into prayers.

INTERMEDIATE: • If you already have a regular habit of reading God’s Word, pick up the pace. That doesn’t mean read faster. It means slow down and apply what you’re reading. Ask God to give you a point of action every time you read His Word.

•

Have two of the four memory verses memorized by the end of the week. Demonstrate that you can explain briefly how each applies to your life (this is a result of basic meditation).

•

Choose a breath prayer for each day, and use it several times (see “A Word on Breath Prayers” on the following page).

ADVANCED: • Faithfully continue what has contributed to spiritual growth in your life, but take time to think about where a taste of the full life left you yearning for more. Is there any discipline that has been slipping? Ask God to show you where and how to strengthen your walk this week.

•

Make it a point to share with someone else what you have found helpful in the training process God has brought into your life.

•

Add breath prayers to your options for regular prayer each day.

•

Work on memorizing and meditating on memory verses we’ve had thus far in the series. 63

A Wor d on Br eath Pr ayer s

HERE ARE SOME SAMPLE BREATH PRAYERS:

This form of praying is a time-honored application of one of the shortest verses in the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continuously,” or “Pray without ceasing.” Breath-praying uses powerful phrases from Scripture or brief heart-felt expressions to God repeated for emphasis, concentration, and meditation. A breath prayer is short enough to say in a single breath.

•

Mindless repetition is not praying. Rattling off repetitions of The Lord’s Prayer does not accumulate spiritual favor. But the human mind handles many tasks at the same time. Fortunately, you don’t have to remember to tell your heart to beat. And breath prayers approximate two things we’ve become accustomed to in life: the default page on our computers and the scrolling notices at the bottom of our TV screens.

•

• • • • •

Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Bless her/him, Lord. Christ in me; that’s the secret. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus. Help, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.

When we use breath prayers in a thoughtful and deliberate way, we eventually discover that they were “running in the background of our thinking” throughout the day, breaking through when they were needed. This isn’t automatic or immediate, but they can become part of our experience of the full life.

Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Pull the group back together for this final segment.

Allow everyone to answer this question: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

time allows, have everyone in the group finish this 2. Ifsentence: “It’s easy for me to worship Jesus because ...”

For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have about the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture. We can no more outgrow the need for prayer and exposure to God’s Word than we can outgrow the need to breathe. READ: EPHESIANS 6:10-20 This passage includes the familiar verses on the armor of God, but there’s more. This is a picture of spiritual training using a military paradigm.

Where exactly do we find our armor of truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation?

2. How does God’s Word itself function in our armor?

would you conclude about a soldier who showed up for 3. What training or a battle but left his sword at home?

READ: MATTHEW 4:1-11 Just before His ministry years began, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness alone. At the end of that time, Satan showed up for a showdown.

do the sword of the 4. What Spirit and praying in the Spirit have in common that differs from the rest of the items in the armor?

can we assume we 5. How will be able to use these

Why would Satan wait for 40 days to make his move?

attacked Jesus’ purpose, His plan, His identity—in 2. Satan which order?

did Jesus answer each time, even when Satan misquoted 3. How Scripture to Him?

two weapons effectively if we don’t practice with them regularly? insights about temptation and resistance can you draw 4. What from this episode in Jesus’ life?

DAY 1. 1 TIMOTHY 4:8 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Reflect: What’s the parallel for “physical training” in this verse? List two or three “present” and “life-to-come” benefits from developing godliness.

DAY 2. JOHN 1:1-2 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

DAY 6. Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your devotions this week.

Reflect: As you’ve been thinking of the crucial importance of knowing God’s Word this session, which of the four actions listed in this verse have been affecting your conclusions— teaching, rebuking, correcting, and/or training in righteousness? Why?

Reflect: John calls Jesus “the Word” (John 1:1). How is knowing the Word of God (in person and in print) a personal exposure to the full life for you?

DAY 3. HEBREWS 12:11 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Reflect: How does the absence of righteousness and peace at times in your life create for you some of the discontent we’ve talked about in these sessions? 70

DAY 4. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

DAY 5. MATTHEW 7:13-14 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Reflect: How would someone recognize that you have chosen the narrow way to live your life? Who have you invited recently to join you on the narrow way?

Session Four

R eg ular Ser ving MEMORY VERSE: 1 JOHN 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

Welcome back to our four th session. We have passed the halfway point in our study; and we trust you are experiencing that, like any relationship, our relationship with God can be continually strengthened by healthy habits. Being humans, it’s much easier to fall into unhealthy habits. Good habits seem to shatter like glass, and bad habits are as unbreakable as rusted iron. Healthy practices seem to vanish like a plucked rose, while destructive patterns spring up like weeds. BUT, even this reality draws us closer to the Lord as we recognize our need for HIS strength. One of the points all the gospels communicate is that Jesus’ life leads to sacrifice. It was all about serving and giving. Yet His resurrection puts a radically different spin on sacrifice. So, although our session is on serving, we begin by reminding ourselves that, with Jesus Christ in the picture, every act of service can be made with His resurrection in mind. After all, He was the one who said in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

Come Tog ether 15 min.

Open your group with prayer. Perhaps, as part of a prayer-review from last session, you can simply have a time of corporate prayer and encourage anyone who has used breath prayers during the week to pray them on behalf of the group.

in with your spiritual partner or with another partner if 3. Check yours is absent. Talk about any challenges you are currently facing in reaching the goals you have set throughout this study. Tell your spiritual partner how he or she has helped you follow through with each step. Be sure to write down your partner’s progress on page 139.

Let’s have a little mission debrief here. How did the last week go, working on the habit of prayer and Bible study?

anyone hit every goal from last week perfectly, we 2. Ifcommend you and rejoice with you. However, even if you didn’t hit every target, you are not disqualified from this question. Did making a conscious effort to strengthen this habit result in a greater experience in your devotions that you can share with the rest of the group?

G r ow Tog ether 2 0 min.

It’s difficult to have a “together” experience as one person. It’s also difficult to be “with” a huge crowd. That’s the power of small groups. It’s a setting where we can open up without feeling like we’re exposing ourselves to the world. Hopefully, you have been discovering a new sense of freedom in sharing your thoughts and experiences from week to week in this small group. It takes vulnerability and transparency in order to “grow together.” Pastor Jeff recalled that having great height did not automatically make him a great basketball player. It took discipline, time, practice—and his dedication paid off! Pastor Jeff also pointed out that servanthood is entry-level Christianity. However, even though all Christians are called and gifted to serve, it doesn’t automatically make us great servants. So it’s time to think about “practicing” and developing some “muscle memory” so we can develop a strong serving habit and excel at what the Lord has called us to do.

the flipside, can you think of any gifts that don’t get 2. On greater with effort? READ: MATTHEW 14:13-21 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 13

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

at the example of Jesus, we heard things like He 3. Looking emptied Himself, He was a servant, He became the least, and He died for us. As followers of Christ, take a moment to think about and express why you are willing to sign up for such an unappealing job description.

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 16

the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 again. The disciples 4. Scan couldn’t see the situation as an opportunity to serve at all. Think of the last time you saw a situation and quickly thought there was nothing you could do, and share it with the group.

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 17

“Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. 18

As believers, it’s not too difficult to agree with Pastor Jeff’s statement that the life we have in Christ is a gift. But how did He explain our role in maximizing that gift? As a group, make a quick list of other “gifts” that, with effort, become greater.

about the situations about which your group just talked. 5. Think As a group, pick one or two on which to focus. Is there really something you could do in Jesus’ name and with His power? How could you “start with what you have” as Pastor Jeff said?

were some of the barriers to serving that Pastor Jeff 6. What discussed? Can you think of any more? Which one do you struggle with the most, and are you willing to admit that to the group?

Study Notes THEY ALL ATE AND WERE SATISFIED. The Jews did not call it a meal unless a man was filled, and it was not a good sign if nothing was left at the end of the meal. At this meal, there was definitely fullness. Fullness is what God longs to give to us. THE DISCIPLES PICKED UP TWELVE BASKETFULS OF BROKEN PIECES THAT WERE LEFT OVER. Where did they get so many baskets in the wilderness? Many Jews carried baskets with them. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting that each disciple had a chance to see all the leftovers firsthand.

Ser ve Tog ether

Before we talk about taking action, what are some wrong reasons for serving? What are some potential consequences of serving with the wrong motives?

15 min.

This section becomes particularly important when our focus is on serving regularly. Let’s not just talk about it, let’s do it! Think together not only about the immediate practical aspects of this lesson, but also how it might make a difference for you a year or decade from now. One word of caution: it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Remember, Jesus was motivated by compassion and His desire to meet needs.

regular serving happens during the course of our normal 2. Some daily life. Have every person in the group think of one “service” or random act of kindness they could do this week. on the three major settings of typical living: Home/Family; 3. Focus Church; and Work/School. For each one, brainstorm together: what are some general ways we can be more of a servant within our roles in these settings?

move to a more personal territory. Finish each of these 4. Now sentences, and then share the results with the group as you feel comfortable:

•

This week in my home, I’m going to practice serving by…

•

This week at church, I’m going to practice serving by…

•

This week at work/school, I’m going to practice serving by…

Focus for Week 4: R eg ular Ser ving

BEGINNER: • Regular serving takes regular planning. Could you be an usher, work in children’s ministry, be part of a prayer team? Sign up for serving regularly at church, and put it on your calendar.

Pr actices Of the Week

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” He also gave us the perfect and ultimate example of servanthood. We won’t do it perfectly, but we can grow to be more and more like Him. Not only is it part of the full and satisfying life He longs to give us, it is a clear indicator to those who don’t know Him that He is real. Like the song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

•

Think of one example where you are regularly served and surprise the one serving you by turning the tables. (Ideas: make your child’s bed, serve your family a meal and do the dishes, take on someone else’s chore for a week.)

•

Review the four memory verses we’ve had so far and make sure at least one of them is stuck in your brain this week.

INTERMEDIATE: • As you read God’s Word this week, list every act of service you see. Ask yourself: what is the motive here? And can I do something like this?

•

Upon waking, ask the Lord to give you a desire to serve and eyes to see what needs you can meet. At the end of the day, thank Him for what He called and equipped you to see and do.

•

If you are not involved with regular serving at church, take that step. If you are already serving, invite someone who is not currently involved to join you in the joys of serving.

ADVANCED: • Make a list of all the ways you are serving in ministry at church or in other service/volunteer opportunities. Examine your heart as you examine the list, praying and asking the Lord to show you any wrong motives or places where He can restore your joy in serving.

•

Think about the serving in which you are involved that produces the most joy. Your joy makes you the best kind of “recruiter.” Ask three or more people to join you in this service—and leave their responses to God.

•

Typically, those most excited about serving have seen others present good examples or invite them to be part of serving. Who is that person in your life? Write a thank-you note and tell him/her how they have impacted you. 85

A Wor d on Spir itual G ifts Visit www.buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm. If you would like to have some help in finding a place to use your spiritual gifts in and through the ministry of our church, please contact one of our pastors or our coordinator of serving ministries.

Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Sometimes it’s difficult to regroup and come back together for this final segment. Be open to briefly going to prayer again to ask the Lord to clear out distractions and ready your hearts for worship.

Allow everyone to answer this question: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have about the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture.

READ: LUKE 6:27-38 This passage contains some straightforward and difficult truth. It seems that Jesus is telling us to do the exact opposite of what our feelings or sense of justice might be telling us to do.

What part of Jesus’ teaching feels unjust or unfair?

allows, ask if anyone wants to share how God 2. Ifhastime blessed their efforts in the habit of daily devotions.

3. Ask a volunteer to close the meeting in prayer.

you think about how Jesus served you by dying on the 2. When cross, how does that impact your sense of justice?

you had to explain your willingness to serve without being the 3. Ifone to judge “worthiness,” how would you explain it?

verse 38 with serving in mind. Are you serving in the way 4. Read you would like to see it measured out to you?

philosophies of the world lead us astray and away from 3. What serving? (Hint: some of them may even be advertising slogans.)

specifically at verse 9. If we know we can never be perfect, 4. Look what does this verse mean? READ: 1 JOHN 3:1-10 It’s only God’s love that makes us God’s children. John is simply astonished by this love because it is unusual, supernatural, and so much more than any other love.

verse points out the 2. What fact that our ability to love and serve will seem odd to unbelievers?

children love and serve like Him. What about the times 5. God’s when we fail to love well and serve wholeheartedly?

know it is still possible to sin, but as believers, repetitive sin 6. We will not be the normal pattern of our lives. Because we have the Spirit of God in us, we will be convicted and moved to change our “habits.”

DAY 1. MALACHI 3:13-14 13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’” 14

Reflect: Have you ever felt that your service seemed futile, or that it is making less of an impact than you anticipated? Feelings aren’t always accurate. What are some “true” things you know about serving God and others?

DAY 2. PHILIPPIANS 4:8 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Reflect: When your service goes unrecognized, unappreciated, or seems futile, rather than thinking about your feelings, how will it benefit you to think on the things prescribed above?

DAY 3. HEBREWS 12:11 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

DAY 5. ROMANS 12:1 1 Therefore. I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Reflect: This verse keeps coming up as we consider more healthy habits. The habit or discipline of serving may not always “seem pleasant,” but how does it produce a harvest of righteousness and peace?

Reflect: In the King James Version, this verse ends with “which is your reasonable service.” Think of a time when it was tempting to think of God as being unreasonable and asking too much of you. What do you know about the character of God that could overcome that wrong thinking?

DAY 4. HEBREWS 6:10 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. Reflect: As we’ve focused on how God has called and equipped you to serve, we’ve also mentioned the importance of having the right motive for serving. How would you put the above verse in your own words? Is the truth presented in this verse a good motive for serving? Why or why not?

DAY 6. Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your devotions this week.

Session Five

R eg ular G iving

MEMORY VERSE: MALACHI 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Welcome back to this ong oing effor t to develop Healthy Pr actices to Live By.

As we begin this session, everything we have learned so far dovetails into creating a heart for generous and regular giving. Giving is a form of worship—it’s a privilege of living in a church community. Our daily devotions and time in prayer will give us joy in obeying this directive, and it is part of serving one another. Through understanding and strengthening this healthy habit, we may very well discover a joy in giving that we never thought possible.

Come Tog ether 15 min.

Open your group with prayer.

Ask the group if anyone would share a story about an unexpected joy found in serving last week.

anyone experience a time when they felt overwhelmed, 2. Did inadequate, or too weak to serveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and yet God came through as they simply did what they could? in with your spiritual partner, or with another partner if 3. Check yours is absent. Be sure to write down your partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prayer requests and progress on page 139.

G r ow Tog ether 2 0 min.

With Resurrection Sunday coming, we are mindful of the ultimate sacrifice, the giving of an invaluable gift, and being on the receiving end of immeasurable generosity. Nothing compares to that! But just as family members resemble one another, His people come to look like Him. As we grow in our understanding of God and practice healthy habits, we will start to look like Him more and more—both in who we are and what we do. Pastor Jeff mentioned the Kingdom Way. Recall some of the ways the Kingdom Way is different from the world’s way.

God’s offer to put Him to the test in giving is unique. Why do you think God made this special offer on this particular topic?

did Pastor Jeff describe how the religious leaders gave? 2. How What was their motive for giving?

this with the two small coins of the widow. What 3. Contrast exactly made this small gift such a big deal?

There are real fears about giving. As a group, talk honestly about what seems scary or risky about the Kingdom Way.

Study Notes BRING THE WHOLE TITHE. The people historically had been holding back—just giving a part and skimming a little off the top for themselves. (The human mind excels at rationalizations!) These were agricultural in nature, and withholding created a shortage of food for the Levites and the poor. God continues to invite His people to do the right thing. TEST ME IN THIS. He wants to bring abundance into our lives—not always monetarily, but in many significant ways—opening the floodgates of heaven and pouring out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. This is not a normal return on investment, but rather abnormal, incredible quantities! This is an offer that should never be refused.

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Ser ve Tog ether

Is it possible to love someone without being generous to them? Why does love require doing and not just saying?

15 min.

God has made you part of His kingdom to do Kingdom Work. That will mean change—to go His way rather than your own. This doesn’t happen overnight, but with small, simple choices, the Holy Spirit helps us along the way—giving us gifts to serve the Body, offering us insights into Scripture, and challenging us to love not only those around us but those far from God. Remember, the Christian life (not just this section in this six-week study!) is about applying the wisdom learned from the biblical teaching and Bible study. It’s about taking practical steps in a new, God-honoring direction.

share some stories about people you know who are givers. 2. Let’s What do you admire most about them? What habit of giving could you imitate?

you ever been greatly moved or motivated by someone 3. Have who gave you something special?

you have been generous and faithful in giving, there’s no 4. Ifbenefit in making it public and talking about it. However, there is benefit in sharing how the Lord provided joy and blessing when you gave. Does anyone have a story to share?

a moment to discuss the consequences of “living beyond 5. Take your means” and “giving beyond your means.” Why do you think giving beyond what we can easily afford is part of a healthy spiritual habit?

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Focus for Week 5: R eg ular G iving

Pr actices Of the Week

As we enter into practical change and healthy habits, remember, God doesn’t need your money. He is entirely selfsufficient and requires no gift from frail humans like us. Then why does He talk about money so much? He needs our hearts and knows money can get in the way! As Randy Alcorn states in his book, Managing God’s Money: “Our perspective on money and possessions and how we handle them lies at the very heart of the Christian life... What we do with them will influence eternity.”

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EVERYONE— • Make one change in your current routine spending and set that money aside for giving.

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Look in your checkbook register or at your debit card activity as if you were looking at someone else’s account. As you look at the transactions, where is this person’s treasure?

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Be honest. If you realize you are a reluctant giver, tell this to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to change your heart. Then pick one specific way to give and put Him to the test.

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Think of the most generous person you know. Call them or take them out for coffee and find out how they have developed the habit of generosity.

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Every time you look in your wallet or at your accounts and every time you make a financial decision, make it an opportunity to say to yourself, “This is all God’s money.” And then say to the Lord, “Help me manage it well.”

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Next week, we discuss sharing our faith. Take a look at the Circles of Life diagram below and write the names of two or three people you know who need to know Christ. Commit to praying for God to prepare their hearts, for His guidance, and an opportunity to share with each of them. Perhaps you will want to share your lists with the group or your prayer partner.

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Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Pull the group back together for this final segment. Regular and generous giving is a kind of worship, so we continue in that same grateful spirit as we enter into this time together.

Allow everyone to answer this question: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

next session is the last in this study. It may be a 2. Our good idea before you end this meeting to talk a little about your plans for that session and beyond. Will this group continue to meet, and what will be the focus of your times together?

For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have about the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture.

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-11 This amazing passage is full of promises and worth reading out loud.

When you think about giving cheerfully, describe what that looks like and feels like? Interesting note: the Greek word used for “cheerful,” actually means “with hilarity!”

is the promise in verse 8? How does that impact your 2. What attitude toward giving?

at verse 11. Make a list of every way God could enrich you 3. Look (not just monetarily).

4. How does generosity result in thanksgiving?

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READ: 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19

According to this passage, is it wrong to be wealthy?

do we know if we are putting our hope in God or 2. How in money?

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you ever been around a tightfisted lover of money? 3. Have Describe what exactly makes that person unattractive.

can we use our earthly treasure to build up eternal 4. How treasure? Read: 1 John 3:1-10.

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DAY 1. JAMES 1:17 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Reflect: Why is it so important to recognize that everything good comes from God?

Reflect: How does God’s generosity precede our generosity?

DAY 6. Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your devotions this week.

DAY 2. PROVERBS 11:25 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Reflect: Does it seem backwards to you that you prosper by being generous? How can you “refresh” yourself by refreshing others?

DAY 3. PSALM 37:21 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. Reflect: Are there unpaid debts that are keeping you from being generous? What is one step you can take this week to eliminate those debts?

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DAY 4. DEUTERONOMY 16:17 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

DAY 5. ACTS 20:35 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Reflect: What is it that makes helping the weak “hard work”? Recall the last time you were involved in this hard work and how the Lord brought you blessing through it.

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Session Six

Faith Shar ing

MEMORY VERSE: MATTHEW 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 19

Welcome back to this final session.

Hopefully, you have been challenged and encouraged in your pursuit of healthy habits throughout these sessions. Much can be accomplished in six weeks together, but it is a short leg in a longer journey. There’s more to learn, farther to go, and we can be confident that because of Christ, our best days are ahead. Our confidence comes from His promises like the one found in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’— the things God has prepared for those who love him.” Enjoy this final time together. Have you made plans for the next leg of the journey?

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Come Tog ether 15 min.

Open your group with prayer.

We’ve been working hard and have had some serious conversations. Let’s start with a lighthearted question: What’s the most fun you’ve ever had on a trip or vacation? What made it so memorable?

this study series has been a journey, what are some of the 2. Ifparts that have made it fun for you? time in this final session to connect with your spiritual 3. Take partner. What has God been showing you through these sessions on healthy habits? Check in with each other about the progress you have made in your spiritual growth during this study. Will you continue in your mentoring relationship outside this Bible study group? Or, what are your next steps for continuing with the encouragement and accountability that comes through partnership?

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G r ow Tog ether 2 0 min.

At the beginning of the video segment, Pastor Jeff twice asked, “Are you a Christ follower?” How you answer that is the most important thing about you. Christ is unique among other “gods.” As Christ-followers, we have access to the same power that raised Him from the dead. His power not only saves us, it can change us. As we consider sharing our faith, we all have quite a story to tell.

READ: MATTHEW 28 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 2

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 5

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 8

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While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. 11

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 16

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Study Notes MAKE DISCIPLES. This involves teaching, and it is a process. Belief in Christ comes first, then there is a steady feeding of spiritual things. It is the process on which we have been working; a change to healthy habits. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The triune God is always thinking along the same lines and coming to the same conclusion. When we do things in His name, we are agreeing with Him.

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3. What would make a personal testimony unattractive to you?

15 min.

We have been together as a group for a while now. Maybe some testimonies of our salvation stories have already come out in the course of time. When and how we came to follow Christ and how He continues to transform our lives should be our favorite story to tell. It doesn’t take an evangelist in front of a crowd to be effective. If you have a story of Christ’s impact on your life, you are an evangelist.

stories about those who share their faith well and those 4. Share who don’t. What makes the good “sharers” good? And what exactly went wrong with the other attempts?

When you hear the word “evangelist,” what do you think of? Would it be easier to share your faith if it was less about evangelism and more about “come and see”? your faith can be very simple. Have a few people finish 5. Sharing these sentences:

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Why are personal testimonies so attractive?

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Before I followed Christ, my life was…

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I realized I needed a Savior when…

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My life now is…

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Focus for Week 6: Faith Shar ing

Pr actices Of the Week

You could spend a great deal of time learning the many great methods for sharing Christianity. You can spend a great deal of time studying theology and preparing for arguments against your faith. Those are not necessarily bad things, but you should not feel unequipped without them. If you have real faith, you have a really good story to share.

BEGINNER: • Prepare to give an answer for the hope that you have. Write out the answers to the three “starters” given in question 12.

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Practice giving your testimony in front of the mirror and then to another believer.

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Last week, you wrote names in the Circles of Life diagram. Continue to pray for them, and watch for opportunities to share with them and others.

INTERMEDIATE: • Go back to the Circles of Life diagram from last week. Continue to pray for them and watch for opportunities to share with them and others.

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In addition to praying, consider ideas for action. Is there a need you could meet? Is there a simple way you could help them or ease a burden? Make a plan to follow through with one person this week.

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Maybe you have your conversion story down. What story of “come and see” has happened in your life lately? Think about it, and share what God is doing in your life.

ADVANCED • If the above suggestions are already implemented in your life, you may be a “natural” in sharing your faith—a sign that you may have the spiritual gift of evangelism. Seek out a pastor or church leader and ask, “Do you think I have the gift of evangelism?”

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You may find a way to utilize your gift to a greater extent through a church ministry. Be ready!

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Shar e And Wor ship Tog ether 10 min.

Come together for this final moment in this last session of the series.

Allow everyone to answer this question one last time: “How can we pray for you this week and into the future?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page 144.

you close in prayer, 2. Before make sure there’s some sense of what’s next. Either plan to meet next week to simply celebrate your six-week experience, announce/remind everyone what the next study will be and when you will meet, or present a range of opportunities like other groups, while thanking everyone for sharing in the journey.

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For Additional Study

Spending some time discussing the following passages may answer some questions group members have about the teaching in this session and how it fits with the rest of Scripture.

READ: ROMANS 12:1-21 One of the greatest examples of classical graffiti is the pithy note about Romans 12:1, “The only problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar.”

So, what does a living sacrifice actually do?

on last weeks’ session, what’s the relationship (see verse 2. Based 1) between worship and living sacrifices?

does the mind or thought patterns play into this whole 3. How matter of being a living sacrifice (verse 2)?

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on everything we’ve discussed in these sessions, what’s 4. Based mind renewal all about? How does the full life Jesus promised align with the way we think?

many examples of sacrificial living can you identify in 5. How these 21 verses?

woman’s testimony also asks a question, “Can this be the 3. The Christ?” Why do you think an effective witness asks questions rather than making statements?

6. Which ones haven’t you tried yet? at verse 31. Where was the disciples’ focus? How do we 4. Look focus on immediate, physical, and temporal needs rather than the spiritual and eternal? READ: JOHN 4:27-42 We come back to a familiar place, John 4, and read further to see that any believer can share their faith effectively. This passage also addresses some common barriers to evangelism.

Jesus had a brand new convert in the woman at the well, and yet she was a very effective evangelist. What made her message so impactful?

5. What specific lesson can you take to heart based on verse 37?

of all the excuses the woman at the well could have made 6. Think for not going and telling. Do you ever think those things? Now

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Look at verse 28. Why do you think she left her water jar behind?

think of all that would not have happened if the woman didn’t share her faith.

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DAY 1. REVELATION 2:4-7 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Reflect: What are the signs that someone is lost in the physical world? What are the signs that someone is spiritually lost? Are the approaches to directing someone similar or different?

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

DAY 4. ROMANS 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Reflect: If you’ve lost your excitement about Jesus, how do you get it back?

be viewed biblically and in a positive light?

DAY 6. Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind about the things we have looked at in this session and during your Daily Devotions time this week.

Reflect: When was the last time you hesitated to share your faith? Recall the reasons why that happened. How would this verse apply to that situation?

DAY 2. 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. Reflect: What are you responsible for as you share your faith? What are you not responsible for?

DAY 5. MATTHEW 5:11-12 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

DAY 3. LUKE 19:10 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Reflect: List all the possible outcomes of sharing your faith. As you consider this verse and the others we have learned, how can every outcome 131

F r equently Asked Questions

Appendices

Great resources to help make your small group experience even better!

WHAT DO WE DO ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF OUR GROUP? Like all fun things in life—have a party! A “get-to-know-you” coffee, dinner, or dessert is a great way to launch a new study. You may want to review the Small Group Agreement (page 136) and share the names of a few friends you can invite to join you. But most importantly, have fun before your study time begins. WHERE DO WE FIND NEW MEMBERS FOR OUR GROUP? This can be troubling, especially for new groups that have only a few people or for existing groups that lose a few people along the way. We encourage you to pray with your group and then brainstorm a list of people from work, church, your neighborhood, your children’s school, family, the gym, and so forth. Then, have each group member invite several of the people on his or her list. Another good strategy is to ask church leaders to make an announcement or submit a bulletin article. No matter how you find members, it’s vital that you stay on the lookout for new people to join your group. All groups tend to go through healthy attrition—the result of moves, releasing new leaders, ministry opportunities, and so forth— and if the group gets too small, it could be at risk of shutting down. If you and your group stay open, you’ll be amazed at the people God sends your way. The next person just might become a friend for life. You never know!

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HOW LONG WILL THIS GROUP MEET? It’s totally up to the group—once you come to the end of this six-week study. Most groups meet weekly for at least their first six weeks, but every other week can work as well. We strongly recommend that the group meet for the first six months on a weekly basis if at all possible. This allows for continuity, and if people miss a meeting they aren’t gone for a whole month. At the end of this study, each group member may decide if he or she wants to continue on for another six-week study. Some groups launch relationships for years to come, and others are stepping-stones into another group experience. Either way, enjoy the journey. CAN WE DO THIS STUDY ON OUR OWN? Absolutely! This may sound crazy, but one of the best ways to do this study is not with a full house but with a few friends. You may choose to gather with another couple who would enjoy some relational time (perhaps going to the movies or having a quiet dinner) and then walking through this study. Jesus will be with you even if there are only two of you (Matthew 18:20). WHAT IF THIS GROUP IS NOT WORKING FOR US? You’re not alone! This could be the result of a personality conflict, life-stage difference, geographical distance, level of spiritual maturity, or any number of things. Relax. Pray for God’s direction, and at the end of this six-week study, decide whether to continue with this group or find another. You don’t typically buy the first car you look at or marry the first person you date, and the same goes with a group. However, don’t bail out before the six weeks are up—God might have something to teach you. Also, don’t run from conflict or prejudge people before you have given them a chance. God is still working in your life, too!

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WHO IS THE LEADER? Most groups have an official leader. But ideally, the group will mature and members will rotate the leadership of meetings. We have discovered that healthy groups rotate hosts/leaders and homes on a regular basis. This model ensures that all members grow, give their unique contribution, and develop their gifts. This study guide and the Holy Spirit can keep things on track even when you rotate leaders. Christ has promised to be in your midst as you gather. Ultimately, God is your leader each step of the way. HOW DO WE HANDLE THE CHILDCARE NEEDS IN OUR GROUP? Very carefully. Seriously, this can be a sensitive issue. We suggest that you empower the group to openly brainstorm solutions. You may try one option that works for a while and then adjust over time. Our favorite approach is for adults to meet in the living room or dining room and to share the cost of a babysitter (or two) who can watch the children in a different part of the house. This way, parents don’t have to be away from their children all evening when their children are too young to be left at home. A second option is to use one home for the children and a second home (close by or a phone call away) for the adults. A third idea is to rotate the responsibility of providing a lesson or care for the children either in the same home or in another home nearby. This can be an incredible blessing for kids. Finally, the most common solution is to decide that you need to have a night to invest in your spiritual lives individually or as a couple and to make your own arrangements for childcare. No matter what decision the group makes, the best approach is to dialogue openly about both the problem and the solution.

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Small G r oup Ag r eemenT OUR PURPOSE To provide a predictable environment where participants experience authentic community and spiritual growth. OUR VALUES Group Attendance To give priority to the group meeting. We will call or email if we will be late or absent. (Completing the Group Calendar on page 138 will minimize this issue.) Save Environment To help create a safe place where people can be heard and feel loved. (Please, no quick answers, snap judgments, or simple fixes.) Respect Differences To be gentle and gracious to people with different spiritual maturity, personal opinions, temperaments, or “imperfections” in fellow group members. We are all works in progress. Confidentiality To keep anything that is shared strictly confidential and within the group, and to avoid sharing improper information about those outside the group.

OUR EXPECTATIONS

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Refreshments/mealtimes

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Childcare

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When we will meet (day of week)

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Where we will meet (place)

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We will begin at (time)

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We will do our best to have some or all of us attend a worship

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Date of this agreement

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Date we will review this agreement again

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Who (other than the leader) will review this agreement at the end

Encouragement for Growth To be not just takers but givers of life. We want to spiritually multiply our life by serving others with our God-given gifts. Shared Ownership To remember that every member is a minister and to ensure that each attender will share a small team role or responsibility over time. Rotating Hosts/Leaders and Homes To encourage different people to host the group in their homes and to rotate the responsibility of facilitating each meeting. (See the Group Calendar on page 138.)

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and end at

service together. Our primary worship service time will be:

of this study?

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G r oup C alendar

Spir itual Par tner sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Check-In

Planning and calendaring can help ensure the greatest participation at every meeting. At the end of each meeting, review this calendar. Be sure to include a regular rotation of host homes and leaders, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget birthdays, socials, church events, holidays, and mission/ ministry projects.

Briefly check in each week and write down your personal plans and progress targets for the next week (or even for the next few weeks). This could be done before or after the meeting, on the phone, through an email message, or even in person from time to time.

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G r oup Roster

Memor y Ver se C ar ds SESSION ONE • HEBREWS 10:25 “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

NAME

PHONE

SESSION TWO • MATTHEW 18:20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

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SESSION THREE • HEBREWS 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

SESSION FOUR • 1 JOHN 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

SESSION FIVE • MALACHI 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

SESSION SIX • MATTHEW 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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Clip and r eview the Memor y Ver ses on the other side of this pag e.

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Pr ayer R equests

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Hosting An Open House

Small G r oup Leader s Key resources to help your leadership experience be the best it can be.

If you’re starting a new group, try planning an “open house” before your first formal group meeting. Even if you have only two to four core members, it’s a great way to break the ice and to consider prayerfully who else might be open to joining you over the next few weeks. You can also use this kick-off meeting to hand out study guides, spend some time getting to know each other, discuss each person’s expectations for the group and briefly pray for each other. A simple meal or good desserts always make a kick-off meeting more fun. After people introduce themselves and share how they ended up being at the meeting (you can play a game to see who has the wildest story!), have everyone respond to a few icebreaker questions:

1. What is your favorite family vacation? 2. What is one thing you love about your church/our community? are three things about your life growing up that most 3. What people here don’t know? Next, ask everyone to tell what he or she hopes to get out of the study. You might want to review the Small Group Agreement and talk about each person’s expectations and priorities. Finally, set an open chair (maybe two) in the center of your group and explain that it represents someone who would enjoy or benefit from this group but who isn’t yet here. Ask people to pray about inviting someone to join the group over the next few weeks. Hand out postcards and have everyone write an invitation or two. Don’t worry about ending up with too many people; you can always have one discussion circle in the living room and another in the dining room after you watch the lesson. Each group could then report prayer requests and progress at the end of the session. You can skip this kick-off meeting if your time is limited, but you’ll experience a huge benefit if you take the time to connect with each other in this way.

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Leading For The Fir st Time TEN COMMON LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES WELCOME TO LIFE OUT IN FRONT!

Sweaty palms are a healthy sign. The Bible says God is gracious to the humble. Remember who is in control; the time to worry is when you’re not worried. Those who are soft in heart (and sweaty palmed) are those through whom God is sure to speak.

support. Ask your leader, co-leader, or close friend to pray 2. Seek for you and prepare with you before the session. Walking through the study will help you anticipate potentially difficult questions and discussion topics. your uniqueness to the study. Lean into who you are and how 3. Bring God wants you to uniquely lead the study. Prepare. Prepare. Go through the session several times. 4. Prepare. If you are using the DVD, listen to the teaching segment and Leadership Lifter. Consider writing in a journal or fasting for a day to prepare yourself for what God wants to do. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.

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for feedback so you can grow. Perhaps in an email or on cards 5. Ask handed out at the study, have everyone write down three things you did well and one thing you could improve on. Don’t get defensive. Instead, show an openness to learn and grow.. consider launching a new group. This doesn’t need to 6. Prayerfully happen overnight, but God’s heart is for this to take place over time. Not all Christians are called to be leaders or teachers, but we are all called to be “shepherds” of a few someday. with your group what God is doing in your heart. God is 7. Share searching for those whose hearts are fully His. Share your trials and victories. We promise that people will relate. consider to whom you would like to pass the baton next 8. Prayerfully week. It’s only fair. God is ready for the next member of your group to go on the faith journey you just traveled. Make it fun, and expect God to do the rest.

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Leader ship Tr aining 101 TOP TEN IDEAS FOR NEW LEADERS

question. Pay special attention to exercises that ask group members to do something other than engage in discussion.

Congratulations! You have responded to the call to help shepherd Jesus’ flock. There are few other tasks in the family of God that surpass the contribution you will be making. As you prepare to lead, whether it is one session or the entire series, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind. We encourage you to read these and review them with each new discussion leader before he or she leads.

These exercises will help your group live what the Bible teaches, not just talk about it. Be sure you understand how an exercise works, and bring any necessary supplies (such as paper and pens) to your meeting. If the exercise employs one of the items in the Appendix, be sure to look over that item so you’ll know how it works. Finally, review the Outline for Each Session so you’ll remember the purpose of each section in the study.

Remember that you are not alone. God knows everything about you, and He knew that you would be asked to lead your group. Remember that it is common for all good leaders to feel that they are not ready to lead. Moses, Solomon, Jeremiah and Timothy were all reluctant to lead. God promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Whether you are leading for one evening, for several weeks, or for a lifetime, you will be blessed as you serve. Don’t try to do it alone. Pray right now for God to help you build a healthy leadership team. If you can enlist a co-leader to help you lead the group, you will find your experience to be much richer. This is your chance to involve as many people as you can in building a healthy group. All you have to do is call and ask people to help. You’ll probably be surprised at the response.

be yourself. If you won’t be you, who will? God wants you 3. Just to use your unique gifts and temperament. Don’t try to do things exactly like another leader; do them in a way that fits you! Just admit it when you don’t have an answer, and apologize when you make a mistake. Your group will love you for it, and you’ll sleep better at night!

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for your meeting ahead of time. Review the session 4. Prepare and the leader’s notes, and write down your responses to each

for your group members by name. Before you begin your 5. Pray session, go around the room in your mind and pray for each member by name. You may want to review the prayer list at least once a week. Ask God to use your time together to uniquely touch the heart of every person. Expect God to lead you to whomever He wants you to encourage or challenge in a special way. If you listen, God will surely lead! you ask a question, be patient. Someone will eventually 6. When respond. Sometimes people need a moment or two of silence to think about the question. Keep in mind, if silence doesn’t bother you, it won’t bother anyone else. After someone responds, affirm the response with a simple “thanks” or “good job.” Then ask, “How about somebody else?” or “Would someone who hasn’t shared like to add anything?” Be sensitive to new people or reluctant members who aren’t ready to say, pray or do anything. If you give them a safe setting, they will blossom over time. transitions between questions. When guiding the 7. Provide discussion, always read aloud the transitional paragraphs and the questions. Ask the group if anyone would like to read the paragraph or Bible passage. Don’t call on anyone, but ask for a volunteer, and then be patient until someone begins. Be sure to thank the person who reads aloud.

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up into small groups each week or they won’t 8. Break stay. If your group has more than seven people, we strongly encourage you to have the group gather sometimes in discussion circles of three or four people during the Grow Together or Serve Together sections of the study. With a greater opportunity to talk in a small circle, people will connect more with the study, apply more quickly what they’re learning and ultimately get more out of it. A small circle also encourages a quiet person to participate and tends to minimize the effects of a more vocal or dominant member. It can also help people feel more loved in your group. When you gather again at the end of the section, you can have one person summarize the highlights from each circle. Small circles are also helpful during prayer time. People who are unaccustomed to praying aloud will feel more comfortable trying it with just two or three others. Also, prayer requests won’t take as much time, so circles will have more time to actually pray. When you gather back with the whole group, you can have one person from each circle briefly update everyone on the prayer requests. People are more willing to pray in small circles if they know that the whole group will hear all the prayer requests. facilitators weekly. At the end of each meeting, 9. Rotate ask the group who should lead the following week. Let the group help select your weekly facilitator. You may be perfectly capable of leading each time, but you will help others grow in their faith and gifts if you give them opportunities to lead. You can use the Group Calendar on page 138 to fill in the names of all meeting leaders at once if you prefer.

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One final challeng e FOR NEW OR FIRST-TIME LEADERS

Before your first opportunity to lead, look up each of the five passages listed below. Read each one as a devotional exercise to help equip yourself with a shepherd’s heart. Trust us on this one. If you do this, you will be more than ready for your first meeting. MATTHEW 9:36 1 PETER 5:2-4 PSALM 23 EZEKIEL 34:11-16 1 THESSALONIANS 2:7-8, 11-12

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