Remission bookfull mock1 by Lifetogether Ministries

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Copyright © 2014 by _________________ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published by My Healthy Church 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means -- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise -except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman. Permission for use is given to My Healthy Church in all forms of distribution. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishing House. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations noted (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations noted NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ISBN Printed in the United States of America

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ENDORSEMENTS

“I’m so excited that the series Hope Rising has found it’s way into your hands. In a world full of challenges, disappointment, fear, loss, injustice and pain we all need to know that there is still hope. Without hope we would certainly give up. Without hope we would not have the courage to rise up. Without hope we would not have the strength to speak up. For those feeling hopeless, my prayer is that this series will leave you filled with hope!”

“Everyone needs hope. But what do you do when you find yourself without it? Hope Rising will encourage you to hold on to the hope that Christ has for us.”

CHRISTINE CAINE Founder of The A21 Campaign

CRAIG GROESCHEL | Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv Author of Altar Ego, Becoming Who God Says You Are

“Everybody needs hope. Hope Rising is an authentic and gutsy dealing with life, faith and God; especially so when some things are not making sense. I love Gene Appel. I love his heart and I love the way that he treats complex issues with insight, sensitivity and integrity. He speaks as one who has tasted pain but without the negative residue. There is something very powerful about people sharing their stories, too. Hope Rising will birth hope in many who desperately long for it and feel like it is in short supply.”

“After I watched this video series , my first thought was ‘At last!’ The stories in Hope Rising will awaken your own stories. Each one is a story of triumph and tragedy that will inspire you to believe that God is most obviously present even when he seems apparently absent. Gene’s teaching let me know that there’s someone who truly understands that God’s strength is made perfect in our imperfections. This is a resource you’ll go back to again and again.” PETE WILSON | Senior Pastor CrossPoint Church NASHVILLE, TN

DALE STEVENSON | Senior Pastor Crossway Baptist Church MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

“You know restaurants, movies and sports teams all can get vastly over-rated, but not so with hope. That’s why I’m so excited about this series! My buddy Gene Appel knows as much about hanging onto hope through the challenges of life as anybody I know. He’d be the first to tell you that there are a lot of things in life that are overrated, but HOPE is not one of them!”

“My friend Gene Appel is an encourager, communicator and teacher whose message of hope will strengthen your faith and elevate your life. Hope Rising presents a living message that will enable you to overcome difficult circumstances with the confident expectation that your future is in God’s Hands.” JACK GRAHAM | Pastor Prestonwood Baptist Church PLANO, TX

MIKE BREAUX | Author and Teaching Pastor Heartland Community Church ROCKFORD, IL

“Everyone needs hope. Without it we curl up and die. With it the giants in our lives can be faced up to and conquered. Hope Rising will remind you of the power and reason for the hope that we have in Christ. This is a message that can change you and your church. I recommend it.”

“HOPE RISING is a powerful and creative answer to life’s difficult questions about faith and humanity. Gene Appel has assembled stories of real sojourners who’ve traveled the uneven roads and now have gathered to offer a tangible hope to others on the same passage. If you need not only answers but understanding, this is for you. “ WAYNE CORDEIRO | Author and Pastor New Hope Christian Fellowship

LARRY OSBORNE | Author and Pastor North Coast Church VISTA, CA

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“Gene Appel is a fantastic communicator who insightfully guides us to the power of hope, and the One who gives it. Hope Rising speaks straight to our fears, concerns, and worries and offers us more than a cliché but a profound living hope that can sustain us through all of life’s ups and downs. Gene’s teaching, along with the many stories of life change, are an incredible gift to us all.” JUD WILHITE | Author of Pursued Senior Pastor of Central Christian Church LAS VEGAS, NV

“Gene Appel has done a fantastic job tackling one of the most important topics that any of us will ever ponder. Hope. It’s the thing that if we have it, we feel very alive, and if we lose it, we seem to lose our very being. That’s why I love this series. It’s an awesome reminder that if we’ll allow it, we will experience Hope Rising!” LINCOLN BREWSTER Integrity Music Recording Artist and Worship Arts Pastor Bayside Church | GRANITE BAY, CA

“Hope Rising offers exactly what is needed when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned or expected. In this video series, Gene Appel brings his extraordinary Bible teaching skills alongside remarkable true stories to offer what we all need most – hope! I highly recommend Hope Rising; it will not only provide motivation to get you through the day, but inspire you to look expectantly toward your future!” DAVE FERGUSON | Lead Pastor Community Christian Church Spiritual Entrepreneur NewThing

“If organizational cultures are created by the stories we tell and the heroes we create, then HOPE RISING may be one of the most powerful shapers. If personal lives are deeply transformed by raw and authentic hope springing up in the midst of pain, confusion and anger, then HOPE RISING is what we need. In a real, open and creative way these stories will provoke you, wound you, and heal you with their hope in the living God.” NANCY ORTBERG Author of Non-Linear Leadership

“Gene Appel has done it again—this time with captivating teaching, quality resources, real life testimonies and Bible truths that will change your outlook on life. Hope Rising…is a project done with excellence that will help you feel encouraged when you face the valleys of life.” PASTOR DAVE STONE Southeast Christian Church LOUISVILLE, KY

“You hold in your hands a catalyst for hope, a future, and a fresh start. We know firsthand Gene Appel and the Eastside team are hope givers and we believe in what they are doing. Get ready to experience hope in a fresh dimension.” PAUL JR. AND RACHAEL TEUTUL Paul Jr. Designs, Stars of American Chopper DISCOVERY CHANNEL

“In a world desperate for hope, Hope Rising offers the paradox of a hope found in arms stretched wide on a cross. Those who embrace the source of this Hope Rising will find that it will carry them through every broken dream, every deep sorrow, every dark place until one day those same arms are again spread wide to welcome them safely home to the very real Hope of heaven.” DR. CAROL TAYLOR | President of Vanguard University

“These messages promise to touch hearts, stir hope and change lives. In an era of bad news, this effort is a welcome silver lining.” MAX LUCADO Author and Pastor

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RE-MISSION CONTENTS Foreword by Acknowledgements Introduction to Re-mission Your Life Using this Workbook Outline for Each Session

APPENDICES Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Small Group Calendar Purpose Team Roles Spiritual Partners’ Check-In Page Sample Personal Health Plan Personal Health Plan Personal Health Assessment Memory Verses Prayer and Praise Report

OUTLINE FOR EACH SESSION SESSION ONE – Overview: A Briefing for Mission SESSION TWO – Pray SESSION THREE – Eat SESSION FOUR –Love

SMALL GROUP LEADERS Hosting an Open House Leading for the First Time Leadership Training Session Leader Notes

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ABOUT MY HEALTHY CHURCH More Contributors Believe Small Group Series BELIEVE Small Group Series Church Leader Training Series Prayer and Praise Report Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review) Small Group Roster P | 9

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INTRODUCTION BY

TIM HARLOW

LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN APPLY WHAT WE’VE LEARNED, AND HOW DOING SO WILL ALLOW OUR LIVES TO GO AND BE A WITNESS FOR CHRIST. PART OF BEING A COMMUNITY INCLUDES HOW WE LIVE WHEN WE ARE NOT TOGETHER—AND HOW WE REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY

THROUGH EVANGELISM.

HOW DOES YOUR CONNECTION TO GOD EMPOWER YOU TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS?

PROIN RUTRUM FELIS A MASSA VIVERRA MATTIS. CURABITUR AT SAGITTIS NUNC. DONEC POSUERE MALESUADA ENIM, QUIS ALIQUAM DIAM RHONCUS SED. NULLA DIGNISSIM, SEM VITAE ULLAMCORPER FERMENTUM, NIBH LIGULA ORNARE IPSUM, A RUTRUM NEQUE LIBERO QUIS METUS. MAECENAS NON AUCTOR NISI, SED IACULIS LIGULA. CRAS VESTIBULUM TINCIDUNT ERAT, ET HENDRERIT NIBH FRINGILLA VITAE. INTEGER ADIPISCING LACUS RISUS, UT SAGITTIS ODIO SCELERISQUE QUIS. NULLAM FAUCIBUS FRINGILLA RISUS FRINGILLA MALESUADA. DONEC FAUCIBUS VOLUTPAT MI VITAE PRETIUM. NULLAM AC MI UT SEM CONSEQUAT FEUGIAT SIT AMET EU DIAM. FUSCE FRINGILLA PHARETRA LACUS, A IACULIS ELIT ULTRICIES AT. DUIS POSUERE LIBERO ANTE, QUIS SODALES NEQUE FRINGILLA CONSEQUAT. ALIQUAM LOBORTIS MAGNA, VITAE FACILISIS LECTUS SEMPER ID. DONEC FAUCIBUS VOLUTPAT MI VITAE PRETIUM. NULLAM AC MI UT SEM CONSEQUAT FEUGIAT SIT AMET EU DIAM. FUSCE FRINGILLA PHARETRA LACUS, A IACULIS ELIT ULTRICIES AT. DUIS POSUERE LIBERO ANTE, QUIS

SODALES NEQUE FRINGILLA CONSEQUAT. ALIQUAM LOBORTIS VENENATIS MAGNA, VITAE FACILISIS LECTUS SEMPER.

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SIGNATURE

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A special word of thanks to our guest teachers and those who shared their living testimonies with us in these sessions. All of you brought life to truth.

Ben Cachiaras

Robin Hart

Greg Marksberry

Bo Chancey

Cam Huxford

Shan Moyers

Randy Cordell

Ken Idleman

Jim Putnam

Jason Cullum

Kyle Idleman

Rick Rusaw

Glen Elliott

Cal Jenigen

John Scott

Reggie Epps

Brian Jobe

Rick Stedman

Jeff Faull

Pete Kunkle

Dave Stone

Alan Ahlgrim

Mike Baker

Bill Geiger

Tim Liston

Jim Tune

Gene Appel

Chuck Booher

Robin Hart

Greg Marksberry

Jeff Vines

Alan Ahlgrim

Mike Baker

Ben Cachiaras

Cam Huxford

Shan Moyers

Don Wilson

Gene Appel

Chuck Booher

Bo Chancey

Ken Idleman

Jim Putnam

Alan Ahlgrim

Mike Baker

Ben Cachiaras

Randy Cordell

Kyle Idleman

Rick Rusaw

Gene Appel

Chuck Booher

Bo Chancey

Jason Cullum

Cal Jenigen

John Scott

Mike Baker

Ben Cachiaras

Randy Cordell

Glen Elliott

Brian Jobe

Rick Stedman

Chuck Booher

Bo Chancey

Jason Cullum

Reggie Epps

Pete Kunkle

Dave Stone

Ben Cachiaras

Randy Cordell

Glen Elliott

Jeff Faull

Tim Liston

Jim Tune

Bo Chancey

Jason Cullum

Reggie Epps

Bill Geiger

Greg Marksberry

Jeff Vines

Randy Cordell

Glen Elliott

Jeff Faull

Robin Hart

Shan Moyers

Don Wilson

Jason Cullum

Reggie Epps

Bill Geiger

Cam Huxford

Jim Putnam

Alan Ahlgrim

Glen Elliott

Jeff Faull

Robin Hart

Ken Idleman

Rick Rusaw

Gene Appel

Reggie Epps

Bill Geiger

Cam Huxford

Kyle Idleman

John Scott

Mike Baker

Jeff Faull

Robin Hart

Ken Idleman

Cal Jenigen

Rick Stedman

Chuck Booher

Bill Geiger

Cam Huxford

Kyle Idleman

Brian Jobe

Dave Stone

Ben Cachiaras

Robin Hart

Ken Idleman

Cal Jenigen

Pete Kunkle

Jim Tune

Bo Chancey

Cam Huxford

Kyle Idleman

Brian Jobe

Tim Liston

Jeff Vines

Randy Cordell

Ken Idleman

Cal Jenigen

Pete Kunkle

Greg Marksberry

Don Wilson

Jason Cullum

Kyle Idleman

Brian Jobe

Tim Liston

Shan Moyers

Alan Ahlgrim

Glen Elliott

Cal Jenigen

Pete Kunkle

Greg Marksberry

Jim Putnam

Gene Appel

Reggie Epps

Brian Jobe

Tim Liston

Shan Moyers

Rick Rusaw

Mike Baker

Jeff Faull

Pete Kunkle

Greg Marksberry

Jim Putnam

John Scott

Chuck Booher

Bill Geiger

Tim Liston

Shan Moyers

Rick Rusaw

Rick Stedman

Ben Cachiaras

Robin Hart

Greg Marksberry

Jim Putnam

John Scott

Dave Stone

Bo Chancey

Cam Huxford

Shan Moyers

Rick Rusaw

Rick Stedman

Jim Tune

Randy Cordell

Ken Idleman

Jim Putnam

John Scott

Dave Stone

Jeff Vines

Jason Cullum

Kyle Idleman

Rick Rusaw

Rick Stedman

Jim Tune

Don Wilson

Glen Elliott

Cal Jenigen

John Scott

Dave Stone

Jeff Vines

Alan Ahlgrim

Reggie Epps

Brian Jobe

Rick Stedman

Jim Tune

Don Wilson

Gene Appel

Jeff Faull

Pete Kunkle

Dave Stone

Jeff Vines

Alan Ahlgrim

Mike Baker

Bill Geiger

Tim Liston

Jim Tune

Don Wilson

Gene Appel

Chuck Booher

Guest Pastor-Teachers

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TOOLS TO HELP YOU HAVE A GREAT SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE! 1 Notice in the Table of Contents there are three sections: (1) Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves. 2 If you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the section Small Group Leaders will give you some hardlearned experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership. 3 Use this workbook as a guide, not a straightjacket. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section. 4 Enjoy your small group experience. 5 Read the Outline for Each Session on the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow. P | 15

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OUTLINE OF EACH SESSION Most people want to live a God-honoring life, but few achieve this by themselves. And most small groups struggle to balance all of God’s purposes in their meetings. Groups tend to overemphasize one of the various reasons for meeting. Rarely is there a healthy balance that includes teaching, evangelism, ministry, practical exercises, and worship. That’s why we’ve included all of these elements in this study so you can live a healthy, balanced spiritual life over time.

A TYPICAL GROUP SESSION FOR THE BELIEVE SERIES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES For each session we have provided 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.. THEME The lessons we will learn during Re-mission Your Life are best illustrated in the lives of real people. Each session’s teaching will include comments by real people reflecting on the significance of the theme for that session in their lives. connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey.

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HANGING OUT

FIGURING IT OUT

SThe foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. A few people who really know you and who earn your trust provide a place to experience the life Jesus invites you to live. This section of 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.

Here is where you will process, as a group, the teaching you heard and saw. The focus won’t be on accumulating information, but on how we should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically, creatively, and 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 is our greatest aim.

As your group begins, use the Small Group Agreement, Small Group Calendar, and Purpose Team Roles to help your group see how everyone has a part in making a small group come to life. As the group develops intimacy, use the Spiritual Partner’s Check-In Page and Prayer and Praise Report to keep the group connected.

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 do study homework ahead of each meeting in order to cover more biblical material. If you prefer not to do study homework, the For Deeper Study 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 accom¬modating those who can’t do homework or are new to your group.ally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to help outsiders connect with Him, to know Him personally, and to carry out His commands. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming a few newcomers into your group, 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.

FOR DEEPER STUDY. .

LEARNING TOGETHER/DVD TEACHING SEGMENT. Serving as a companion to the Re-mission Your Life small group discussion book is the Re-mission Your Life Videoteaching. This DVD is designed to combine teaching segments from Pastor Durso along with leadership insights and personal stories of life change. Using the teaching video will add value to this 6 week commitment of doing life together and discovering how walking with Christ changes everything.

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HELPING OTHERS. The personal connection in Re-mission comes as we realize we have been uniquely equipped by God for certain roles and aspects of His plan in the world. We are not accidental participants. We have a part to play in what God is doing. It may take time to discover how we can participate best, but one of life’s great joys and challenges is finding our calling and knowing how God designed us to help others (and them to help us!)

NOTES

LIVING IT EVERY DAY. HERE WE LET THE TRUTH WE ARE LEARNING travel the 18 inches from our cranium (mind) to our cardium (heart, emotions, and will). Here is where the Bible urging us 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 help outsiders connect with Him, to know Him personally, and to carry out His commands. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming a few newcomers into your group, hosting a shortterm 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.

GIVING IT ALL TO GOD. We have Jesus’ affirmation that every aspect of life can ultimately be measured against fulfillment of one or both of the “bottom line” commandments: “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” (Mark 12:29–31 NIV). The group session will close with time for a personal response to God and group prayer, seeking to keep this crucial commandment before us at all times. This is a good place to have different group members close in prayer, even when the instructions don’t specify. You can also provide some time, if the schedule allows, for people to reflect on their Prayer and Praise Report or take a little time to meet with a Spiritual Partner.

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ONE

SESSION ONE

RE-MISSION YOUR LIFE

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HANGING OUT Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to be with you as you meet. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular sitation comes up during your discussion.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

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Whether or not you’ve seen all the promotions leading up to this small group series or gotten a last minute invitation to join this small group and you’re trying to figure out what’s going on, we want you to feel at home as soon as possible. In this opening session we will be thinking about the way we tend to keep the subject of missions at arms length and somewhere else in the world while the truth is that mission starts, sometimes, in our own families, on our block, and in our town. We are going to discover that there’s a radical difference between giving to missions and giving ourselves for mission. We’re going to have to answer the question, “Why did God leave us here after transforming our lives?” Welcome to this first session of Re-mission Your Life.

As you begin, take time to pass around a copy of the Small Group Roster on page ???, a sheet of paper, or one of you pass your Study Guide, opened to the Small Group Roster. Have everyone write down their contact information. Ask someone to make copies or type up a list with everyone’s information and email it to the group this week.

1 1. Now that we know where each of us lives at the moment, let’s get a sense of the experience geography of our group. Take turns answering this question in the group: What’s the furthest place from where you live right now where you have lived or spent significant time?

2 Finish this sentence: “I find it hard to believe that…” Be as honest as you can, and listen without judgement to everyone in the group. Perhaps you find it difficult to believe that God loves us even when we sin, or that your financial situation can be turned around. What do you find it hard to believe? P | 26

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3 Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important to reflect on and review your values together. On pages ???-??? 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—ones you haven’t previously focused on or have room to grow in—to emphasize during this study. Choose ones that will take your group to the next stage of intimacy and spiritual health.

4 Rotating leaders is one of the group values we highly recommend for your group. People need opportunities to experiment with ways in which God may have gifted them. Your group will give you all the encouragement you need before, during, and after the session.

LETS BELIEVE GOD FOR GREATER THINGS

5 We also suggest you rotate host homes, with the host of each meeting providing the refreshments. Some groups like to let the host lead the meeting each week, while others like to let one person host while another person leads. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside him (Mark 6:30–44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendices additional information about hosting or leading the group.

The Small Group Calendar on page ??? is a tool for planning who will host and lead each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts and leaders for your remaining meetings. Don’t pass this up! It will revolutionize your group. P | 29

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Watch the DVD for this session now. Use the Notes space provided on page ??? to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Grow 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.

NOTES

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FIGURING

IT OUT

6 *What was the highlight for you from the comments about mission you just heard/saw?7 What promise did God make to Abraham and Sarah? What was their response? 8 Looking at the five themes we will visit in this study (Pray, Eat, Love, Share, Grow), which do you least connect with your current idea/concept of mission? Why? 9 How would you describe the current boundaries of your world? In other words, how large would you say is your comfort zone?

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In our stirring opening lesson, Pastor Tim introduced us to the themes of this study, glimpses into the way God can use some of the daily— and even necessary—parts

NOTES

10 *Let’s talk for a few minutes about the two “greats”—the great commission: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV); and the great commandment: “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

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FOR

Read Luke 15:11–32. The parable of the prodigal son may be the best known of Jesus’ stories. It’s actually the story of three lives: father, son, and older brother. Each of us might identify with any of those characters in Jesus’ lesson. It might be said that each person in the story also represents a mission—a way of living with a certain purpose in mind. The main lesson, of course, is that at some point, each of us plays the role of the prodigal child who needs to come home. The underlying challenge in the parable is the question: How long does it take to develop the father’s heart?

Read Ephesians 3: 20-21

Q Verse 11 says, “Jesus continued.” He’s already told the parable of the lost coin and the parable of the lost sheep. How does the shift from coin to sheep to son make these three stories work together? Q Describe in a few sentences how each person (father, son, older brother) fits in this story. What’s their mission P | 37

Read Mark 9: 14-29

Q Why do you think the father let the son go? Q In what ways do you think this story parallels the way God our Father treats us? Q How do we sometimes act like the older brother in this story? In what way could we call him a prodigal/wanderer, too?

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HELPING

OTHERS

The Re-mission Your Life series isn’t just about what we can learn on our own; it’s about discovering how we can work and learn together as small groups within the church. No matter how long we’ve been part of the church or how recently or distantly we came to know Jesus as Savior, we’ve got new lessons ahead about what it means to be part of what God is doing. Take time as a group to talk about and do the following actions.

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12 Based on your spiritual gifts and passions, what is one thing you could do to serve others in the group: pray for them, lead worship, organize the snack list or schedule, or something else? Share what one role you are willing to play, and the specific step you will take this week in that role. 13 Developing our ability to serve God according to the leading of the Holy Spirit takes time and persistence in getting to know our Lord. So the first step toward serving others is, paradoxically, spending time alone with God: in prayer, in studying and reflecting on God’s Word. Here are some simple ways to connect with God.

PRAYER. Commit to personal prayer and daily connection with God. You may find it helpful to write your prayers in a journal. DAILY DEVOTIONS. The Daily Devotions provided in each session offer an opportunity for reading a short Bible passage five days a week during the course of this study. In our hurry-up world, we often move too quickly through everything—even reading God’s word! Slow down. Don’t just skim, but take time to read carefully and reflect on God’s word. Write down your insights on what you read each day. 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. On the sixth day summarize what God has shown you throughout the week.

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD It’s one thing to think about how we can be involved in serving and helping others; it’s another thing to realize we need others, too. It may be hard to admit we need help, prayer, guidance, and encouragement, but the body of Christ is designed not only to be a place where we can invest our lives for God’s purposes; it’s also a place where God can meet our deepest needs through one another. 14 12. 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 ???. 15 What kind of worship fits your group? Spend a few minutes worshiping God together. Here are two ideas: • Have someone use their musical gifts to lead the group in a worship song. Try singing á capela, using a worship CD, or have

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someone accompany your singing with a musical instrument. you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page ???. • Read a passage of Scripture together, making it a time of praise and worship as the words remind you of all God has done for you. Choose a psalm or other favorite verse.

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STUDY NOTES It has often been pointed out that Christians today are not suffering from a lack of teaching or input. We don’t lack resources; we lack the willingness to apply what we have learned. The drive behind everything in Re-mission Your Life is not new teaching or a never-before-heard insight into the reality of God’s claim and call over each of our lives! Rather, it’s the invitation to actually do. It’s the insistence that we can trace back to Jesus and his half brother James. The Lord said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17 NIV). And James wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22 NIV).

LUKE 15:31-32 NIV

My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. REFLECT What lesson was Jesus teaching us about mission through the father’s words to the older brother?

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LUKE 15:10 NIV

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. REFLECT How does it make you feel to realize that God and His angels have rejoiced over you? How recently have you been part of their celebration over someone else’s life?

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COLOSSIANS 2:6-7 NIV

ACTS 1:8 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

REFLECT

To what degree would you say this restatement of Jesus’ commission of His disciples is a description

When you look back on your own experience of salvation, what, if anything, is missing now in the way of daily dependence on Him? ROMANS 5:8 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” REFLECT

SUMMARY

REFLECT

DAY 6. Thoughts

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 Reflections time this week.

How has God demonstrated to you that you are dear to Him?

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SCAN NOW

TWO watch now with bonus features

SESSION 2

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HANGING OUT As you can see from this session’s memory verse, when Jesus talked to His disciples about the needs of the world, He didn’t start by telling them to go; He started by telling them to pray.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Finding God’s heart for the world starts with prayer. Prayer moves us from our perspective to God’s perspective. It forces us to invite God into our concerns, needs, and the hunger of those around us. It also makes us realize that our compassion and care for our neighbors is only a hint of what God feels toward them. Instead of prayer being the last thing we do after we have exhausted all other means, let’s Re-mission the resource called prayer as a central, persistent means to bring God’s power to bear on every life we touch.

Open your group with prayer. Pray simply and briefly, saving more in-depth requests until the end of the meeting. Ask God to give you insights and wisdom as you study and discuss together.

20 Almost everyone has some kind of prayer story. We’re going to hear some in the video presentation for this session. But as we begin, who has a “prayer story” they can share with the group? It may have been something big or something small, but you know God acted in response to prayer.

21 Most people want to live a healthy, balanced life. A regular 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 Personal Health Assessment was designed to give you a quick snapshot, or pulse, of your spiritual health. Take a few minutes alone to complete the Personal

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FIGURING IT OUT

We can’t always say this directly as we open our discussion time, but this is definitely one of the moments when we’ve been challenged to be more like Christ.

1. If you had to pick one thought from all that you just heard and saw, what would it be? Why?

you really don’t know, what are you expecting God to do?

2. The memory verse for this session is Matthew 9:37–38 (NIV), Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Why do you think that instead of simply saying to them “Go be a worker,” He said, “Pray”? 3. How did you respond to Bo Chancey’s mention that in their church they “pray for one”?

5. How did you respond to Bo Chancey’s mention that in their church they “pray for one”? 6. When you pray for a lost person or someone whose spiritual condition you really don’t know, what are you expecting God to do? 7. Several of our teachers in this session have highlighted the power of corporate prayer. What experiences have you had with the power of prayer with other Christians?

4. When you pray for a lost person or someone whose spiritual condition

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5. *Let’s talk about Shan Moyer’s question: “What difference would it make if you are where you are right now—your neighborhood, your job, the gym that you work out at—what if you are where you are right now not by chance, but by divine assignment?”

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6. In what ways has your own prayer life been challenged by this session’s teaching?

NOTES

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FOR

Read Luke 15:1–7. As Bo Chancey pointed out, this parable reveals the heartbeat of God to seek and save the lost. This entire chapter pictures Jesus on a teaching roll, confronting an attitude that was swirling around him. He did not take lightly a lack of concern for those who might be called “tax collectors (sell-outs) and sinners.”

Q How does Luke describe the setting in which Jesus told this and the other two parables in chapter 15? Why does the audience matter in this case? Q How does this parable reveal the importance of being in tune or in sync with how God views the people who are lost in the world?

Q When was the last time your church was able to celebrate with the angels the salvation of a lost sheep you had been praying for? What conclusion might you draw from this? Q In what ways is prayer with others such a part of your life that others would notice if you stopped doing it?

Q How would you make a case for prayer from this parable?

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HELPING OTHERS The Bible has a great balance between prayer in secret and prayer in public. Jesus prayed in public all the time, but He also warned that public prayer could be simply for show if it wasn’t backed up with authentic private prayer. As someone has said, “The secret of prayer is prayer in secret.” But the problem many of us face is that honestly our prayers in secret aren’t prayer at all but kind of miscellaneous thoughts about God. Regularly

28 Pair up with someone in your group. (We suggest that men 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 us on. Encouraging and praying for another person is a way to serve them, and to serve the group as a whole. P | 63

On pages ???-??? is a Personal Health Plan, a chart for keeping track of your spiritual progress. In the box that says, “WHO are you connecting with spiritually?” write your partner’s name. In the box that says, “WHAT is your next step for growth?” write one step you would like to take for growth during this study. Look back on your Personal Health Assessment for ideas.

THE SECRET OF PRAYER IS PRAYER IN SECRET.” BUT THE PROBLEM MANY OF US FACE IS THAT HONESTLY OUR PRAYERS IN SECRET AREN’T PRAYER AT ALL BUT KIND OF MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD.

contains space for you to record the ups and downs of your progress each week in the column labeled “My Progress.” And now with your spiritual partner you don’t have to do it alone, but together with a friend. Tell your partner what step you chose. When you check in with your partner each week, the “Partner’s Progress”

column on this chart will provide a place to record your partner’s progress in the goal he or she chose. On pages ???-??? you’ll find a Sample Personal Health Plan filled in as an example. For now, don’t worry about the WHERE, WHEN, and HOW questions on the Health Plan.

You can see that the Personal Health Plan

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LIVING IT EVERY DAY How God works through us (and in spite of us sometimes) is definitely an area with many prayer opportunities every day. The exercise below is time well spent if it directs you to be more intentional and targeted in your prayer life.

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29 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’s guidance and an opportunity to share with each of them.

Consider inviting a friend to attend a weekend service with you and possibly plan to enjoy a meal together afterward. This can be a great opportunity to talk with someone about your faith in Jesus.

29 *Pastor Mike Baker mentioned the quote from Hudson Taylor that has motivated his prayer life: “It’s possible to move men by God through prayer alone.” How do you think you and others in your group could put this into practice in the weeks to come?opportunity to share with each of them.

This is a wonderful time to welcome a few friends into your group. Which of the people you listed could you invite? It’s possible that you may need to help your friend overcome obstacles to coming to a place where he or she can encounter Jesus. Does your friend need a ride to the group? Help with child care?

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD One of the most pointless things we could do is have a great session in which we talk about prayer and get all motivated to pray…but never actually pray! This would be one session in which you should consider having an open ended time of prayer and get serious about calling out to God together, asking for greater and more regular and persistent communion with Him and a deepening of your heart connection with what matters to Him. 30 Share your prayer requests in your group and then gather in smaller circles of three or four people to pray. Be sure to have everyone write down the personal requests of the members to use as a reminder to pray for your group throughout the week. (The Prayer and Praise Report is on page ???.)

31 *Take a few minutes to talk about what it would take to make time with God a priority every day or even five or six days a week. Don’t demand an hour or even a half hour of time; consider drawing near to God for a few minutes each day and gradually you will desire more. Use the Reflections at the end of each session for drawing near to God

32 As you did in the first session, you may want to include some worship music in your meeting. Sing a song together, or read a Psalm out loud together. If someone in the group has taken on the worship leader role, have them lead a short time of worship.

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TAKE A FEW MINUTES Don’t miss the significance of a glimpse into the regular habits of Jesus’ life as mentioned in Mark 6:46. Though it reads like a simple transition verse from one event (the feeding of the multiple thousands) and another (Jesus walking on water), the intervening hours were important for Jesus. He spent time with His Father. P | 70

REFLECTIONS SCAN NOW FOR EXTRA CONTENT FOR YOUR REFLECTIONS

Each day, read the daily verses and give prayerful consideration to what you learn about God, His Spirit, and His place in your life. Take your time! Listen to what God is telling you. Ponder and reflect. 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 through this study.

DAY 1. Mark 1:35

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” REFLECT What do you think Jesus was praying about during those regular times alone with God? What would have to happen for your pattern to be closer to His?

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DAY 2. Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” REFLECT Why is it important for some of our praying to be in secret?

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DAY 3. Matthew 6:9-13

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one REFLECT What part of the Lord’s Prayer points to the importance of including by name those in our lives who are not yet believers? DAY 4. Colossians 4:2-4

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should

DAY 5. Matthew 9:37–38

Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ ” (Matthew 9:37–38 NIV).

SUMMARY

Reflect: Where would be the best place to keep a list of those for whose salvation you are regularly praying? When will you pray for

DAY 6. Thoughts

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.

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SCAN NOW

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SESSION 3

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While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing

It’s one of those obvious factoids that make up the logistics of time spent together. In the three years that Jesus was with His disciples they had over three thousand meals together. Many of Jesus’ most significant statements were made at a table during a meal. Some of the disciples’ most intimate memories involved eating with Jesus. And yet those meals were not exclusive. The accusation, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” wasn’t false. Jesus wasn’t at all defensive over His choice of meal companions. The questions we need to ask ourselves throughout this session is, “Would anyone ever question the company I keep? How often is my table population a reflection of Jesus’ choices?

HANGING OUT Open your group with prayer. Pray simply and briefly, saving more in-depth requests until the end of the meeting. Ask God to give you insights and wisdom as you study and discuss together. Telling our personal stories builds deeper connections among group members. Use the following questions to open your discussion.

this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners

MATTHEW 9:10-13

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OUR CHOICE IS

BETWEEN

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1. When you review your life to this point, what two or three three people would get your vote for understanding hospitality? When have you been welcomed to a group or a meal as an “outsider” and it made a huge difference, even if you didn’t fully realize it at the time?

2. Sit with your spiritual partner. If your partner is absent or if you are new to the group, join with another pair or someone who doesn’t yet have a partner. If you haven’t established your spiritual partnership yet, do it now. (Refer to the session two Living it Every Day section for help.)

Rotating leaders is one of the group values we highly recommend for your group. People need opportunities to experiment with ways in which God may have gifted them. Your group will give you all the encouragement you need before, during, and after the session. We also suggest you rotate host homes, with the host of each meeting providing the refreshments. Some groups like to let the host lead the meeting each week, while others like to let one person host while another person leads. 3. The Small Group Calendar on page ??? is a tool for planning who will host and lead each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts and leaders for your remaining meetings. Don’t pass this up! It will revolutionize your group.

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FIGURING IT OUT

Whether or not we are fully on board with Figuring It Out, He is certainly committed to that plan. He works on us long before we have any idea of His plans.

36 What was your most intense take-away from the sharing we just heard and the teaching about the importance of hanging out with people who are not followers of Jesus?

40 Rick Rusaw mentioned the significance of simply praying and offering to pray for our neighbors. What experiences have you had on the giving or receiving end of that wisdom?

38 *What would you say is a single thread that runs through these stories and connects it all? 39 *Where are some of the places you regularly hang out with nonbelievers? What others could you consider where you live? Or, as Jim Tune put it, “What’s your Starbucks?”

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NOTES

40 *Gene Appel talked about the importance of good questions. These are not “pick up lines” or interrogations. They are not yes/no questions. What kinds of questions have you found draw you into conversation?

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FOR

Read Matthew 9:1–13. This is the memory passage for this session, with added verses that give us the context—the healing of a paralyzed

Q If Matthew was one of the eyewitnesses of Jesus miracle with the paralyzed man, how do you think it set him up for the invitation to follow? Q Matthew invited all his friends over for a lifechange party. Who showed up and what did they experience?

Q What was Jesus expecting us to do in response to His final words that night: “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Q To what degree have you “gone and learned”?

Q Why do you think Jesus was so “at home” with these sinners?

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HELPING OTHERS Whether or not we realize it, God has designed each of us individually with certain capacities, gifts, and abilities which are needed in His body, the Church. If we don’t have any idea where He wants to use us, we need to make ourselves available and then pay attention to the opportunities He brings our way.

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1. Is there an area of service that God has put on your heart to serve this group or the body of Christ in your local church? Commit to taking the first step and be willing to let God lead you to the ministry that expresses your passion. In your Personal Health Plan on page ???, next to the “Develop” icon, answer the “WHERE are you serving?” question. If you are not currently serving, note one area where you will consider serving.

2. *Home represents a significant opportunity to discover, practice, and improve our capacity to serve in Christ’s name. In what ways are you serving those who live with you under the same roof? How are you practicing hospitality?

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LIVING IT EVERY DAY FAMILY

The way some days go certainly affirms our sense of mission and ministry more than the disasters that seem to happen on other days. But what if we developed the outlook that God works all things together for the good of those who love him? Reaching out to non-believers will rarely provoke instant positive results. Ultimately, it’s not so much about what we do but about how God uses what we do for His purposes.

IMMEDIATE OR EXTENDED

FRIENDS

FAMILIAR NEIGHBORS. SCHOOL. KIDS’ SPORTS TEAMS AND SO FORTH

Our desire ought to be to serve God every day—even when it doesn’t seem like we’ve got much in the way of opportunities. God has a way of using us even when we don’t know it or feel least prepared to serve Him effectively.

I n the last session we asked you to write some names in the Circles of Life diagram. Who did you identify as the people in your life who need to meet Jesus? Go back to the Circles of Life diagram on page ??? to help you think of the various people you come in contact with on a regular basis who need to know Jesus more deeply. Consider the following ideas for action and make a plan to follow through on one of them this week.

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FUN

FIRM

GYM. HOBBIES. HANGOUTS.

WORK

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD

1. Share your praises and prayer requests with one another. Record these on the Prayer and Praise Report on page ???. Then, spend time now praying for each other. 2. End your meeting by singing a song together or with someone closing the evening with a prayer.

Our small group can be a great resource for encouragement and accountability. Meeting together each week will create some consistency in our spiritual lives. But we also must go our own way, with God after each session, and put into practice what we have learned. Knowing that we are praying for one another can make a huge difference as we seek to obey God in our daily lives.

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GIVE GOD YOUR

ATTENTION AND YOUR

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REFLECTIONS SCAN NOW FOR EXTRA CONTENT FOR YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONALS.

ROMANS 12:13-16

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

MATTHEW 9:13

My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. REFLECT What have you done since the small group session to “go and learn” what Jesus said?

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HEBREWS 13:1-2

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. REFLECT In what ways have you benefitted from practicing hospitality to strangers? DAY 4. Luke 7:36

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. REFLECT

DAY 5. Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

SUMMARY

REFLECT What one act of hospitality have you practiced since the last time your small group met? 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.

Read the rest of this story (vv. 37–50). What did Jesus have to teach us about practicing and accepting hospitality?

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FOUR

SCAN NOW

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SESSION FOUR

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LOVE

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HANGING OUT

The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear,

Open your group with prayer. Pray simply and briefly, saving more in-depth requests until the end of the meeting. Ask God to give you insights and wisdom as you study and discuss together.

O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord

Telling our personal stories builds deeper connections among group members. Choose one of the activities below to build your connections within the group.

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 MARK 12:29-31

Whether we are thinking about our individual lives, our families, or our church, the Word of God reminds us that we live in a world where the most important things are under attack. And yet the more our culture shies away from all forms of proselytism, the more the evidence of a hunger for love emerges. Much of the frantic pursuit for connection, including all forms or aberrant relationships, is simply a painful admission that we are so desperate for love that we are willing to look for it in all the wrong places. In this session we will be reminded of the unstoppable power of authentic love and the undeniable message that

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1. When you think about the amazing power of authentic love, what examples can you cite from your life that illustrate how God has used love to transform you?

Watch the DVD teaching for this

2. Check in with your spiritual partner(s), or with another partner if yours is absent. Share something God taught you during your time in His Word this week, or read a brief section from your journal. Be sure to write down your partner’s progress on page ???

After watching the video, have

session now. We have provided a Teaching Notes page for notetaking on page ???. There you can record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. someone read the discussion questions in the Figuring it Out 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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FIGURING IT OUT As Pastor Tim noted, we are turning the corner in this study and getting to the risky, direction-changing part of re-missioning our lives. Loving is the ultimate proactive strategy in the world. And we usually don’t have to go very far to begin practicing what God has expected us to do all along—love. God has filled the Bible with examples, teaching, commands, and instructions regarding the kind of love He expects us to exercise and the settings where it should be present. Our challenge is to take Him at His word and follow His example and practice love as He has instructed.

47 Pastor Tim immediately linked the idea of love with the idea of service. How do these two go together?

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48 *John 13:1 describes the set up of one of the meals Jesus had with His disciples that we talked about last time. It says, “It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” He then washed their feet. Why does a picture like this make such a strong statement about love through service? (See For Deeper Study for an extended look at this passage)

49 Ken Idleman used the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1–9 to point out that claims we make to know or spend time with Jesus can best be confirmed by the way we treat other people. We don’t know what Jesus said to Zacchaeus, but we know that after they talked, Zacchaeus wanted to make things right with those he had offended (v.8). That’s when Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (v.9). What practical changes have you noted in your own life or the lives of others as a result of encountering Christ?

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GOD OFFERS THAT EXPERIENCE OF CONNECTION, THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

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NOTES

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FOR

The final meal Jesus shared with His disciples was unforgettable. It’s mentioned in all four Gospels, and gets an extended treatment in John 13–17. Jesus not only taught about the significance of love in everything we do and say, but He demonstrated and highlighted the truth of His words. He definitely practiced what He preached!

Q What did Jesus say with His actions in these verses? What was the main point of His words? Q Why do you think the opportunity to wash the disciples’ feet presented itself to Jesus?

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Q How did Jesus connect the reality of our relationship with Him with the realities of our relationships with one another? Q In what ways does Peter’s response in verses 6–10 parallel how many of us respond to sacrificial service?

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HELPING OTHERS In its most basic forms the practice of loving others flows out of doing for them what we know makes us feel loved. To that we must add the kind of observation and interaction that helps us discover ways we make them feel loved that are unique to them. The fact that God has loved us also means that He has gifted each of us with the capacity to love. Our growing edge is always finding ways we can use what God has given us by way of resources and gifts in better ways to serve others.

53 *When you think of some of the gifts God has given people, what comes to mind as ways of using those gifts to serve others? (Take turns suggesting gifts while the rest of the group comes up with various places of service where those gifts would be useful.)

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54 What are some skills and resources you know God has given to you that you can use to love others?

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LIVING IT EVERY DAY A big part of Re-mission is developing the mindset that these matters aren’t a part or component of life—they are life itself. Until our mission is our lifestyle, we will not be expressing a full understanding of why God has left us in the world once He saved us.

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55 Each of you share how you have done with inviting the people on the Circles of Life to church or your small group.

55 In your Personal Health Plan on page ???, next to the “Sharing” icon, answer the “WHEN are you shepherding another person in Christ?” question.

Until our mission is our lifestyle, we will not be expressing a full understanding of why us in the world once

God has left

He saved us.

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD

NOTES

Throughout the course of this study, we expect a new sense of bonding in Christ to develop among the participants. That sense of caring for each other and being interested in what God is doing in one another’s lives is a significant aspect of protecting the house.

56 Share your praises and prayer requests with one another. Record these on the Prayer and Praise Report on page ???

57 Obedience is about surrender. Turn to the Personal Health Plan on page ??? and individually consider the “HOW are you surrendering your heart?” question. Look to the Sample Personal Health Plan on page ??? for help. Share some of your thoughts in the group.

Close the session with an open time of prayer that focusses on the reality of Jesus’ words in John 13:17—“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

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WORSHIP TOGETHER, BUT ALSO

ONE ANOTHER

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REFLECTIONS SCAN NOW FOR EXTRA CONTENT FOR YOUR REFLECTIONS

DAY 1. Matthew 24:43-44

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him REFLECT How is your love for those around you an expression that you are living ready today for Christ’s return? P | 121

DAY 2. James 1: 23,

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 How would someone know by examining your life that this twopart commandment is the central drive in your

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DAY 3. ROMANS

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is your true and proper worship.. REFLECT Between you and the Lord, when was your last expression of sacrificial love

DAY 4. ROMANS 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. REFLECT Where in your life today do you have the hardest time seeing the truth of this verse? What will it take to trust God has things under control?

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DAY 5. JOHN

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

SUMMARY

REFLECT What opportunities are you finding to love others as you participate in this small group?children to engage in? What does it mean, practically speaking, to look after orphans and widows? What does it mean 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 Reflections time this week.

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FIVE

SESSION ONE

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But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 PETER 3:1 P | 127

The single words that have been the session titles are meant to be hooks for you to remember the larger lesson. A common word like “eat” can take on significance in your group as you use it to remind yourselves to hang out with nonbelievers.

In this session we want to talk about being ready for the inevitable “Why are you doing this?” question that will come up when we are genuinely interested in other people. Even if we reach out in imperfect ways, the impact of authentic love is so counter the normal experience of people that they are intrigued. Aren’t you curious when someone does something nice for you and it isn’t obvious why?

1 1. Tell us about an unforgettable unexpected conversation you had with someone. Describe the setting and situation. How did it start and where did it end up?

The memory verse of this week has the important phrase, “always be prepared.” The best time to have an answer “to everyone who asks to give the reason for the hope that you have” is before they ask.

2 Check in with your spiritual partner, or with another partner if 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 P | 128

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NOTES

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FIGURING

IT OUT

6 *What was the highlight for you of the montage of sharing you just heard from pastors and others? 8 Even though Jesus gave the great commission— to make disciples—to all His followers, many of us, as Alan Ahlgrim pointed out, don’t have the gift of evangelism. What have you found are the most effective “bridges” anyone can build into another person’s life that may become a passageway for the Gospel? 9 Kyle Idleman said, “If we don’t have a name, if we don’t have a story then we’ve missed the point completely when we talk about Re-mission.” Based on everything we’ve learned, what did he mean?

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In this next-to-last session we are looking more at what it will mean for each of us to “fly solo” as we put into practice the things we have been learning. We’ve just heard some challenges to be ready and how to be ready, and what just might happen in someone’s life if we are ready. So, let’s talk about being ready.

NOTES

10 *If Bill Geiger is right and we should be paying more attention to the ways God prompts us, what examples or experiences can you think of where you strongly suspect God was prompting you to speak or take some action?Jenigen called “the main thing” for Christians? 11 *The thing that’s great about an emphasis on “story” is that each of us is automatically the expert on our story and our experience. Most people aren’t ready to hear the “epic” version of our story, so what do you think are the important parts of the BC (before Christ)/AC (after Christ) that would help someone understand our hope?show up in the midst of doubt?

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FOR

Read Acts 25:23—26:32. As it is read to the group, ask someone to time how long it takes Paul to tell his story. The account of Paul’s appearance before King Agrippa gives us a great example of how to give an account of God’s work in our life. We may never get the chance to speak to a president or influential leader, but we can trust God to give us a chance to tell our story for His glory to many people along the way. If He opens the door, are we willing to tell our story?

Q How much of Paul’s story was BC (before Christ) and how much AC (after Christ)? Q In what ways did both Festus and Agrippa demonstrate possible responses to Paul’s story?

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Q Why is it important, as in this case, to realize that we may not ever find out the results of telling our story? Q As you think about Paul’s setting and his story, what other conclusions do you draw that affect your view of God’s prompting in your life?

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HELPING

OTHERS

Normally, when we think about “gifts” in a spiritual setting, we’re thinking about the resources and abilities God has given each of us for use in His kingdom. This session, let’s think about our story as God’s gift to us. It’s a unique narrative that no one else has ever had exactly like ours. It’s time to share our stories with each other. If we can’t find a way to tell people we have every reason to trust what God has done in our lives, what would ever make us want to share our story with people we don’t know nearly as well?

12 *Depending on the size of your group, do this together or divide into threesomes. Take turns giving an under-twominutes summary of your story. Both the facts of our stories and the reality of telling them can affect us in many ways. This exercise may give us all opportunities to cheer God as well as to encourage one another and help bear each others’ burdens.

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12 *Take a few minutes to discuss the future of your group. How many of you are willing to stay together as a group and work through another study together? If you have time, turn to the Small Group Agreement on page ??? and talk about any changes you would like to make as you move forward as a group. on page ??? and talk about any changes you would like to make as you move forward as a group.on God’s Word. Here are some simple ways to connect with God.

LIVING IT EVERY DAY Re-mission certainly has a lot to do with a renewed sense of being available for God to use. This decision is often made internally. But when we don’t tell others how we’ve decided to serve the Lord, it becomes alltoo-easy to throw in the towel when serving gets hard. One of the key purposes of being in a small group is to share our desires to be more faithful in our mission. Telling others raises the level of commitment and brings accountability into the picture. Take a few minutes to let people share how the session has impacted their understanding of God and His plans for their lives. Encourage everyone to share at least one step they plan to take between now and the next small group gathering that is related to what we’ve been talking about in this session.

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD It’s one thing to think about how we can be involved in serving and helping others; it’s another thing to realize we need others, too. It may be hard to admit we need help, prayer, guidance, and encouragement, but the body of Christ is designed not only to be a place where we can invest our lives for God’s purposes; it’s also a place where God can meet our deepest needs through one another. 14 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 ???. 15 What kind of worship fits your group? Spend a few minutes worshiping God together. Here are two ideas: • Have someone use their musical gifts to lead the group in a worship song. Try singing á capela, using a worship CD, or have

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STUDY NOTES The more we tell our story, the more we will be comfortable telling it. Others can help us hone it to the specifics so we don’t get sidetracked. We can and should be ready for someone to ask questions, but we shouldn’t try to answer every question in our version of our story. Like Paul, we’re not trying to prove something in telling our story. The old illustration of a beggar who has found bread excitedly telling another beggar where to find bread has great merit in our humbly sharing our story. It’s never about God realizing how important it was for Him to reach us, but aways about our ongoing amazement that despite everything God could have easily held against us, He reached for us anyway. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)

DAY 1. HEBREWS 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him REFLECT

DAY 2. ROMANS 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” REFLECT Why do you think this is a crucial verse to include in your story somewhere?

What does it mean to seek God and how should that affect our willingness to share with fellow travelers in life?

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DAY 3. 1 PETER 3:15

DAY 5. ACTS 1:8 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

REFLECT

What are different phrases you could use to start an answer to the question, “Why on earth are you so hopeful?

Why is it important to keep Peter’s words “gentleness and respect” in mind as we share our stories with people?of your life? What needs to change?

SUMMARY

DAY 4. ACTS 16:31 DAY 6. Thoughts

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”” REFLECT Based on your story, what would you say to someone if they wanted what you have in Christ?

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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 Reflections time this week.

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SCAN NOW

SIX watch now with bonus features

SESSION 6

GROW P | 151

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HANGING OUT This particular series is coming to an end, but as all things in the kingdom of God, life goes on. And growth

Open your group with prayer. Pray simply and briefly, saving more in-depth requests until the end of the meeting. Ask God to give you insights and wisdom as you study and discuss together.

is expected. Life doesn’t stand still

So then, just as you received

or go backward, it moves forward. We haven’t done more than scratch the surface on all that we could

Christ Jesus as

talk about related to Re-mission.

Lord, continue

A year from now, we could go

to live your

through this same series with new insight, particularly if we have been

lives in him,

practicing all the things we have

rooted and

talked about in the last five weeks.

built up in him,

The other part of growing is that

strengthened

it integrates failure. We don’t stop

in the faith

growing because something we decided to do didn’t work out quite

as you were

as we anticipated. It’s time to seek

taught, and

God’s guidance and keep going.

overflowing with thankfulness.

God doesn’t give up on us and we shouldn’t give up on one another. The key to all of this is knowing God is committed to helping us grow.

20 Describe one lasting idea, practice, or plan that has developed in your life as a result of these sessions together. 21 Take time in this final session to connect with your spiritual partner. What has God been showing you through these sessions about ???. Check in with each other about the progress you have made in your spiritual growth during this study. Make plans about whether you will continue in your mentoring relationship outside your Bible study group.

Watch the DVD teaching for this session now. We have provided a Teaching Notes page for notetaking on page ???. There you can record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Figuring it Out 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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FIGURING IT OUT 1. Based on the teaching for this session and others, what would you say is a key to maintaining an attitude of growth? 2. Have someone read the memory verse for this session. What does it tell us about the importance of growth and how to get it? 3. *Jim Putman pointed out the importance of Matthew 4:19 in their local church: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” How would describe an authentic disciple or follower of Jesus?

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This is the last time together in this series and the direction of the teaching has been forward looking—trying to encourage every participant to move into a future where God wants to bring about change and transformation. It all starts at home with your family, neighbors, and those closest to you.

4. *In Ben Cachiaras’ church, the process of discipleship has been summarized under three headings: Someone who loves God, loves people, and serves the world. How does that description apply the Great Commandment? 5. The specifics of discipleship have to be translated in a person’s life. How would you say a faithful disciple could be spotted where you live and in the circles you move?What experiences have you had with the power of prayer with other Christians?

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6. *Cam Huxford offered an interesting quote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to be in a small group before you need a small group.â&#x20AC;? What does that statement mean to you? How has your understanding been affected by your experience over the last six weeks?

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6. In what ways would you say that your participation in this small group has benefitted your Re-mission experience?

NOTES

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FOR

Read John 21:1–22. Most of us are aware that Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of the Lord’s arrest and trial. Just as Jesus had predicted. Even though Peter had insisted that he wouldn’t fail his master. Fewer of us have studied the deliberate way Jesus went about restoring the big fisherman.

Q After you re-read the For Deeper Study passage, have someone read Luke 5:1–11. How are these two events, about three years apart, eerily similar? Q Why do you think Jesus asked His question to Peter three times? How would this sequence match up with his earlier denial of Jesus?

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Q How does Jesus insistence that Peter “follow” Him in verses 19 and 22 match up with the Lord original call to Peter in Matthew 4:19? How does “follow Me” fit the theme of continued growth we’ve been highlighting in this session Q Put yourself in Peter’s sandals at the end of this conversation. How are you feeling and what have you

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28 If your group still needs to make decisions about continuing to meet after this session, have that discussion now. Talk about what you will study, who will lead, and where and when you will meet.

THE SECRET OF PRAYER IS PRAYER IN SECRET.” BUT THE PROBLEM MANY OF US FACE IS THAT HONESTLY OUR PRAYERS IN SECRET AREN’T PRAYER AT ALL BUT KIND OF MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD.

You can see that the Personal Health Plan

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JOY

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LIVING IT EVERY DAY We all have a lot to work on as a result of what we have learned. The Bible makes it clear that to whom much is given, much will be required. We can’t afford to walk away from the truth we have heard or treat it lightly. Jesus has promised to bless us through these things we know if we will do them (John 13:17)

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29 *Six months from now, what differences can you visualizewill have happened, by faith, in your own life and ministry as a result of the Re-mission decisions you are making right now? 29 *Pastor Mike Baker mentioned the quote from Hudson Taylor that has motivated his prayer life: “It’s possible to move men by God through prayer alone.” How do you think you and others in your group could put this into practice in the weeks to come?opportunity to share with each of them.

Consider inviting a friend to attend a weekend service with you and possibly plan to enjoy a meal together afterward. This can be a great opportunity to talk with someone about your faith in Jesus. This is a wonderful time to welcome a few friends into your group. Which of the people you listed could you invite? It’s possible that you may need to help your friend overcome obstacles to coming to a place where he or she can encounter Jesus. Does your friend need a ride to the group? Help with child care?

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GIVING IT ALL TO GOD Decisions and changes are often memorialized with a symbol or an action. In the Old Testament, they would often create a pile of stones, or carve a standing stone as a witness to a significant event. For some in this group, these sessions will begin a ripple effect in the family that may be felt for generations to come. The family history may take a turn in a radically different direction. Make sure you end this time with some significant commissioning and blessing prayers for one

30 If you have chosen to share The Lord’s Supper, Baptism, a Foot-washing or use the Surrender at the Cross exercise together, you may do that now. Instructions for these activities are found on pages ??? through ???

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31 Close by praying for your prayer requests and take a couple of minutes to review the praises you have recorded over the past five weeks on the Prayer and Praise Report on page ???. Thank God for what He’s done in your group during this study.

STUDY NOTES The memory verse for this session is a powerful reminder that spiritual growth is intended to parallel physical growth. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV). The phrase “just as” points to our complete dependence on Christ. The mission which has become our Re-mission is not about what our efforts will accomplish but about what Christ will graciously do with what we offer Him. We are the little child with five loaves and two fish who offer our lunch to Jesus only to see not only a multitude fed, but end up deeply satisfied ourselves. The problem for most of us is not that we have seriously undertaken God’s direction and found it difficult; instead we have decided that obedience is going to be difficult and not even tried. This series may have been interesting and challenging for you, but you privately intend to do nothing different. That would be such a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of following Jesus wherever He leads, whether we are praying, eating, loving, sharing, or growing.

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REFLECTIONS SCAN NOW FOR EXTRA CONTENT FOR YOUR REFLECTIONS

DAY 1. Philippians

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus REFLECT Growth is affected by what we do, but even more by what God does in our lives. How are you responding to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good work in you?

DAY 2. Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GodÂ REFLECT How are you living the Christian life like a distance race?

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DAY 3. Matthew 6:9-13

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 strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates REFLECT What part of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prayer points to the importance of including by name those in our lives who are not yet believers? DAY 4. Colossians 4:2-4

REFLECT In what ways would you say your roots are growing down and your branches growing up in Christ?

SUMMARY

DAY 5. John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.â&#x20AC;? REFLECT How has Re-mission strengthened your connection to the Vine and your commitment to bear fruit through your life? DAY 6. Thoughts

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 Reflections time this week.

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APPENDICES GREAT RESOURCES TO HELP MAKE YOUR

SMALL GROUP

EXPERIENCE EVEN BETTER!

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FAQ 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

ministry opportunities, and so

will be with you even if there are

forth–and if the group gets too

only two of you (Matthew 18:20).

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!

HOW DO WE HANDLE THE CHILD CARE NEEDS IN OUR GROUP?

WHAT IF THIS GROUP IS NOT WORKING FOR US?

Very carefully. Seriously, this can

You’re not alone! This could be

that you empower the group to

the result of a personality conflict,

openly brainstorm solutions. You

life stage difference, geographical

may try one option that works

distance, level of spiritual maturity,

for a while and then adjust over

be a sensitive issue. We suggest

way to launch a new study. You

HOW LONG WILL THIS GROUP MEET?

or any number of things. Relax.

time. Our favorite approach is for

may want to review the Group

Pray for God’s direction, and at the

adults to meet in the living room or

It’s totally up to the group–once

end of this 6-week study, decide

dining room, and to share the cost

you come to the end of this 6-week

whether to continue with this group

of a babysitter (or two) who can

study. Most groups meet weekly for

or find another. You don’t buy the

be with the kids in a different part

at least their first 6 weeks, but every

first car you look at or marry the

of the house. In this way, parents

other week can work as well. We

first person you date, and the same

don’t have to be away from their

strongly recommend that the group

goes with a group. Don’t bail out

children all evening when their

meet for the first six months on a

before the 6 weeks are up–God

children are too young to be left

weekly basis if at all possible. This

might have something to teach

at home. A second option is to

allows for continuity, and if people

you. Also, don’t run from conflict or

use one home for the kids and a

miss a meeting they aren’t gone for

prejudge people before you have

second home (close by or a phone

a whole month.

given them a chance. God is still

call away) for the adults. A third

working in you too!

idea is to rotate the responsibility

Agreement (pages ???-???) 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

At the end of this study, each group member may decide if he or she

WHO IS THE LEADER?

wants to continue on for another

Most groups have an official leader.

6-week study. Some groups launch

But ideally, the group will mature

relationships for years to come,

and members will rotate the

and others are stepping-stones into

leadership of meetings. We have

another group experience. Either

discovered that healthy groups

way, enjoy the journey.

rotate hosts/leaders and homes on a regular basis. This model ensures

make an announcement or allow a

CAN WE DO THIS STUDY ON OUR OWN?

that all members grow, give their

bulletin insert.

Absolutely! This may sound crazy

their gifts. This study guide and

but one of the best ways to do

the Holy Spirit can keep things on

this study is not with a full house

track even when you rotate leaders.

but with a few friends. You may

Christ has promised to be in your

choose to gather with one other

midst as you gather. Ultimately, God

couple who would enjoy going out

is your leader each step of the way.

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, P | 177

unique contribution, and develop

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 idea 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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OUR 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 ??? will minimize this issue.)

To provide a predictable environment where participants experience authentic community and spiritual growth.

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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;imperfectionsâ&#x20AC;? 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.

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 (See the Team Roles on pages ???-???.)

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 ???.)

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OUR EXPECTATIONS 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 don’t forget birthdays, socials, church events, holidays, and mission/ ministry projects. Go to www.lifetogether.com for an electronic copy of this form and other ideas for your group to do together.

REFRESHMENTS/MEALTIMES

CHILDCARE

WHEN WE WILL MEET (DAY OF WEEK)

DATE

LESSON

Monday, January 15

HOST HOME

DESSERT/ MEAL

LEADER

Steve and Laura’s House

Joe

Bill

WHERE WE WILL MEET (PLACE)

WE WILL BEGIN AT (TIME)

AND END AT

WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF US ATTEND A WORSHIP SERVICE TOGETHER. OUR PRIMARY WORSHIP SERVICE TIME WILL BE

DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT

DATE WE WILL REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT AGAIN

WHO (OTHER THAN THE LEADER) WILL REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT AT THE END OF THIS STUDY

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TEAM ROLES

TEAM PLAYERS

CONNECT TEAM (Fellowship and Community Building)

CRAWL: Host a social event or group activity in the first week or two.

The Bible makes clear that every member, not just the small group leader, is a minister in the body of Christ. In a healthy small group, every member takes on some small role or responsibility. It’s more fun and effective if you team up on these roles. Review the team roles and responsibilities below, and have each member volunteer for a role or participate on a team. If someone doesn’t know where to serve or is holding back, have the group suggest a team or role. It’s best to have one or two people on each team so you have each of the five purposes covered. Serving in even a small capacity will not only help your leader but also will make the group more fun for everyone. Don’t hold back. Join a team! The opportunities below are broken down by the five functions and then by a crawl (beginning step), walk (intermediate step), or run (advanced step). Try to cover at least the crawl and walk roles, and select a role that matches your group, your gifts, and your maturity. If you can’t find a good step or just want to see other ideas, go to www.lifetogether.com and see what other groups are choosing.

WALK: Create a list of uncommitted members and then invite them to an open house or group social.

RUN: Plan a twenty-four-hour retreat or weekend getaway for the group. Lead the Connecting time each week for the group.

TEAM ROLES

TEAM PLAYERS

GROW TEAM (Discipleship and Spiritual Growth)

CRAWL: Coordinate the spiritual partners for the group. Facilitate a three- or fourperson discussion circle during the Bible study portion of your meeting. Coordinate the discussion circles. WALK: Tabulate the Personal Health Assessments and Health Plans in a summary to let people know how you’re doing as a group. Encourage personal devotions through group discussions and pairing up with spiritual (accountability) partners. RUN: Take the group on a prayer walk, or plan a day of solitude, fasting, or personal retreat.

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TEAM ROLES

TEAM PLAYERS

TEAM ROLES

TEAM PLAYERS

SERVE TEAM (Discovering Your God-Given Design for Ministry)

WORSHIP TEAM (Surrendering Your Heart to Worship)

CRAWL: Ensure that every member finds a group role or team he or she enjoys.

CRAWL: Maintain the group’s Pray and Praise Report or journal.

WALK: Have every member take a gift test in this study guide and determine your group’s gifts. Plan a ministry project together.

WALK: Lead a brief time of worship each week (at the beginning or end of your meeting), either a cappella or a worship DVD/CD.

RUN: Help each member decide on a way to use his or her unique gifts somewhere in the church.

RUN: Plan a unique time of worship through Communion, foot washing, night of prayer, or nature walking.

TEAM ROLES

TEAM PLAYERS

GROW TEAM (Discipleship and Spiritual Growth)

CRAWL: Coordinate the group’s Prayer and Praise Report of friends and family who don’t know Christ.

WALK: Search for group mission opportunities and plan a cross-cultural group activity. RUN: Take a small-group “vacation” to host a six-week group in your neighborhood or office. Then come back together with your current group.

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Briefly check in each week and write down your personal plans and progress 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 E-mail message, or even in person from time to time.

GIFTS o Preaching (1 Cor. 14:3)

o Missions (1 Cor. 9:19-23, Acts 13:2-3)

o Music (Psalm 150)

o Evangelism (Acts 8:26-40)

o Service (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Cor 12:28)

o Arts & Crafts (Exodus 31:3-11)

o Discernment (1 John 4:1)

o Mercy (Romans 12:8)

o Healing (James 5:14-16)

o Apostle (Romans 15:20)

o Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9-10)

o Miracles (Mark 11:23-24)

o Teaching (Eph. 4:12-13)

o Pastoring (1 Peter 5:2-4)

o Hosting (Heb. 13:7, 17)

o Encouragement (Acts 14:22)

o Giving (II Cor. 8:1-7)

o Administration (1 Cor. 14:40)

o Wisdom (1 Cor. 2:1, 6-16)

o Intercession (Col. 1:9-12)

o Faith (Romans 4:18-21)

MY NAME:

OUR PLANS

SPIRITUAL PARTNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

OUR PROGRESS

o Organize

o Serve/Help

o Acquire/Possess

o Excel

o Perform

o Improve

o Repair

o Lead/Be in Charge

o Persevere

o Follow the Rules

o Prevail

o Influence

EXPERIENCES o Spiritual

o Pioneer

o Organize

o Operate/Maintain

o Serve/Help

o Acquire/Possess

o Excel

o Perform

o Improve

o Repair

o Lead/Be in Charge

o Persevere

o Follow the Rules

o Prevail

o Influence

o Painful

o Educational

o Vocational

WEEK 2

o Pioneer

o Operate/Maintain

WEEK 3

o Design/Develop

WEEK 1

INTERESTS

o Planning

o Evaluating

o Managing

o Researching

o Artistic/Graphics

o Interviewing

o Counseling

o Teaching

o Writing/Editing

o Promoting

o Repairing

o Feeding

o Recall

o Mechanical Operating

o Resourceful

o Counting/Classifying

o Public Relations

o Welcoming

o Composing

o Landscaping

o Arts & Crafts

o Decorating

o Musical

o Ministry

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WEEK 5

o Recruiting

WEEK 6

STRENGTHS o Entertaining

WEEK 4

o Ministry

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PED VELO

ING G GO

WEL L DE

JUST

GET TIN

B EG INNIN

PED VELO

ING

WEL L DE

G GO GET TIN

B EG INNIN JUST

CONNECT

I am deepening my understanding of and friendship with God in community with others.

1 2 3 4 5

I am cultivating relationships with non-Christians and praying for God to give me natural opportunities to share his love.

1 2 3 4 5

I am growing in my ability both to share and to show my love to others.

1 2 3 4 5

I am praying and learning about where God can use me and our group cross-culturally for missions.

1 2 3 4 5

I am willing to share my real needs for prayer and support from others.

1 2 3 4 5

I am investing my time in another person or group who needs to know Christ.

1 2 3 4 5

I am resolving conflict constructively and am willing to forgive others.

1 2 3 4 5

I am regularly inviting unchurched or unconnected friends to my church or small group.

1 2 3 4 5

CONNECT TOTAL

GO TOTAL

GROW

WORSHIP

I have a growing relationship with God through regular time in the Bible and in prayer (spiritual habits).

1 2 3 4 5

I am experiencing more of the presence and power of God in my everyday life.

1 2 3 4 5

I am experiencing more of the characteristics of Jesus Christ (love, patience, gentleness, courage, self-control, etc.) in my life.

1 2 3 4 5

I am faithfully attending services and my small group and to worship God.

1 2 3 4 5

I am avoiding addictive behaviors (food, television, busyness, and the like) to meet my needs.

1 2 3 4 5

I am seeking to please God by surrendering every area of my life (health, decisions, finances, relationships, future, etc.) to him.

1 2 3 4 5

I am spending time with a Christian friend (spiritual partner) who celebrates and challenges my spiritual growth.

1 2 3 4 5

I am accepting the things I cannot change and becoming increasingly grateful for the life Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been given.

1 2 3 4 5

GROW TOTAL

WORSHIP TOTAL

SERVE I have discovered and am further developing my unique Godgiven design.

1 2 3 4 5

I am regularly praying for God to show me opportunities to serve him and others.

1 2 3 4 5

I am serving in a regular (once a month or more) ministry in the church or community.

1 2 3 4 5

I am a team player in my small group by sharing some group role or responsibility.

1 2 3 4 5

SERVE TOTAL P | 189

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This worksheet could become your single most important feature in this study. On it you can record your personal priorities before the Father. It will help you live a healthy spiritual life, balancing all five functions.

PURPOSE

PLAN

CONNECT

WHO are you connecting with spiritually?

Bill and I will meet weekly by email or phone.

GROW

WHAT is your next step for growth?

Regular devotions or journaling my prayers 2x/week.

SERVE

Go through GIFTS Class WHEN are you shepherding another in Christ?

Shepherding Bill at lunch or hosting a starter group in the fall WORSHIP

HOW are you surrendering your heart?

Help with out teenager New job situation

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PARTNER’S PROGRESS

3/5

Talked during our group

Figured out our goals together

3/12

Missed our time together

3/26

Met for coffee and review of my goals

Met for coffee

4/10

mailed prayer requests

Bill sent me his prayer requests

3/5

Great start on personal journaling

Read Mark 1-6 in one sitting!

3/12

Traveled and not doing well this week

Journaled about Christ as Healer

3/26

Back on track

Busy and distracted; asked for prayer

3/1

Need to call Children’s Pastor

3/26

Group did a serving project together

Agreed to lead group worship

3/30

Regularly rotating leadership

Led group worship–great job!

3/5

Called Jim to see if he’s open to joining our group

Wanted to invite somebody, but didn’t

3/12

Preparing to start a group in fall

3/30

Group prayed for me

Told friend something he’s learning about Christ

3/5

Overwhelmedbut encouraged

Scared to lead worship

3/15

Felt heard and more settled

Issue with wifE

3/30

Read book on teens

Glad he took on his fear

WHERE are you serving?

Serving in Children’s Ministry

MY PROGRESS

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PURPOSE

PLAN

CONNECT

WHO are you connecting with spiritually?

GROW

WHAT is your next step for growth?

SERVE

WHERE are you serving?

WHEN are you shepherding another in Christ?

WORSHIP

HOW are you surrendering your heart?

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DATE

MY PROGRESS

PARTNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROGRESS

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you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this break and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Looking for a wonderful means of worshiping as a group? Why not lead your group in sharing the Lord’s Supper? If you’ve never done this before, the idea certainly seems daunting, but here is a simple form by which your small group can share this ordinance of the church. Of course, churches vary in their treatment of Communion so you may need to adapt these suggestions to your church’s beliefs.

Steps in Serving Communion 1 Out of the context of your own experience, say something brief about God’s love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, commitment, tenderheartedness or faithfulness. Connect your words with the personal stories of the group. For example, “These past few weeks I’ve experienced God’s mercy in the way He untangled the situation with my son. And I’ve seen God show mercy to others of us here too, especially to Jean and P | 195

Roger.” If you prefer, you can write down ahead of time what you want to say. 2 Read 1 Corinthians 11:2326*: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever

3 Pray silently, and pass the bread around the circle. While the bread is being passed, you may want to reflect quietly, sing a simple praise song, or listen to a worship tape.

Here are some other good Communion passages: Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 10:16-21 or 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

4 When everyone has received the bread, remind them that this represents Jesus’ broken body on their behalf. Simply state, “Jesus said, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ Let us eat together,” and eat the break as a group. 5 Pray silently, and serve the cup. You may pass a small tray, serve people individually, or have them pick up a cup from the table. 6 When everyone has been served, remind them that the cup represents Jesus’ blood shed for them. Simply state, “The cup of the new covenant is Jesus Christ’s blood shed for you. Jesus said, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ Let us drink together.” Then drink the juice in a group. P | 196

o Day 15 Mark 8:1-21

When we’ve sat at 30 DAYS THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF

o Day 16 Mark 8:22-9:1

the Master’s feet like this ourselves, the

o Day 17 Mark 9:2-32

Imagine sitting at the feet of Jesus himself: the Teacher who knows how to live life well, the Savior who died for you, the Lord who commands the universe. Like his first disciples, you can follow him around, watch what he does, listen to what he says, and pattern your life after his. Find a quiet place, and have ready a notebook or journal in which you can write what you learn and what you want to say back to God. You may also use the Daily Devotions page at the end of each session of this study.

o Day 18 Mark 9:33-50 o Day 19 Mark 10:1-31

present Jesus has been breathtaking. We pray you’ll have the same experience.

o Day 20 Mark 10:32-52 o Day 21 Mark 11:1-19 o Day 22 Mark 11:20-33 o Day 23 Mark 12:1-17

Day 1 Mark 1:1-20 o

o Day 8 Mark 4:21-41

o Day 24 Mark 12:18-44

o Day 2 Mark 1:21-45

o Day 9 Mark 5:1-20

o Day 25 Mark 13:1-37

o Day 3 Mark 2:1-12

o Day 10 Mark 5:21-43

o Day 26 Mark 14:1-31

o Day 4 Mark 2:13-28

o Day 11 Mark 6:1-29

o Day 27 Mark 14:32-72

o Day 5 Mark 3:1-19

o Day 12 Mark 6:30-56

o Day 28 Mark 15:1-20

o Day6 Mark3:20-35

o Day 13 Mark 7:1-23

o Day 29 Mark 15:21-47

o Day 7 Mark 4:1-20

o Day 14 Mark 7:24-37

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sense of a real, alive,

It’s helpful to have one or two simple questions in mind to focus your reading. Here are some suggestions: What do I learn from the life of Christ (his identity, personality, priorities)? How does he want me to live differently?(his identity, personality, priorities)? How does he want me to live differently? P | 198

PRAYER REQUESTS

PRAISE REPORTS

SESSION 1 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) SESSION 2 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:12) SESSION 3 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13) SESSION 4 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12)

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If you’re starting a new group, try planning an “open house” before your first formal group meeting. Even if you only have two to four core members, it’s a great way to break the ice and to consider prayerfully who else might be open to join 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 kickoff 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: “What is your favorite family vacation?” or “What is one thing you love about your church/our community?” P | 201

or “What are three things about your life growing up that most 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 here yet. Ask people to pray about whom they could invite 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. P | 202

TEN COMMON LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES. WELCOME TO LIFE OUT IN FRONT!

1 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 whom God is sure to speak through. 2 Seek support. Ask your leader, co-leader, or close friend to pray for you and prepare with you before the session. Walking through the study will help you anticipate potentially difficult questions and discussion topics. 3 Bring your uniqueness to the study. Lean into who you are and how God wants you to uniquely lead the study. P | 203

4 Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. Go through the session several times. 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. 5 Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare. 6 Ask for feedback so you can grow. Perhaps in an email or on cards 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, but show an openness to learn and grow.

7 Use online resources. There are many notable small group leader blogs and resources available. 8 Prayerfully consider launching a new group. This doesn’t need to happen overnight, but God’s heart is for this to happen over time. Not all Christians are called to be leaders or teachers, but we are all called to be “shepherds” of a few someday.

10 Prayerfully consider whom you would like to pass the baton to next 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.

9 Share with your group what God is doing in your heart. God is searching for those whose hearts are fully his. Share your trials and victories. We promise that people will relate.

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TOP TEN IDEAS FOR NEW LEAD-

Congratulations! You have responded to the call to help shepherd Jesus’ flock. There are a 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.

1 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 - they all were 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, P | 205

you will be blessed as you serve. 2 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 be surprised at the response.

3 Just be yourself. If you won’t be you, who will? God wants you 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! 4 Prepare for your meeting ahead of time. Review the session and the leader’s notes, and write down your responses to each question. Pay special attention to exercises that ask group members to do something other than engage in discussion.

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 Appendices, be

sure to look over that item so you’ll know how it works. Finally, review “Outline for Each Session” so you’ll remember the purpose of each section in the study. 5 Pray for your group members by name. Before you begin your 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 touch the heart of every person uniquely. 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! 6 When you ask a question, be patient. Someone will eventually respond. Sometimes people need a moment or two of silence to think about the question, and if silence doesn’t bother you, it won’t bother anyone else. After someone P | 206

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. 7 Provide transitions between questions. When guiding the 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. 8 Break up into small groups each week, or they won’t stay. If your group has more than seven people, we strongly encourage you to have the group gather P | 207

sometimes in discussion circles of three or four people during the SERVE or GO 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. 9 Rotate facilitators weekly. At the end of each meeting, 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 Small Group Calendar to fill in the names of all meeting leaders at once if you prefer.

10 One final challenge (for new or first time leaders):

efore your first B 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 1 PETER 5:2-4 PSALM 23 EZEKIEL 34:111 THESSALONIANS 2:7-8, 11P | 208