January 15-19th Life Group Notes

Open in Prayer 

• Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision – Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines– See bottom of this page.

•  Doing the Mission: Did anyone share Jesus or last week’s passage?  

• Does anyone have a God story? An undeniable encounter or experience with God that creates an impact or  breakthrough in your day-to-day life. These moments can be extraordinary or very humble, but always  personally powerful. 

• Opening Question: Have you ever been scarred stiff? ...so much so that you could barely talk or breathe?

• Share background for the passage:Daniel has been given a revelation of things to come. His revelation was about both near term kingdom changes & distant prophecy about the evil activities of the end times Antichrist.
  • Thought/Focus: Has there ever been a time where God has spoken to you and it terrified you, but yet, you trusted Him?
  • Have someone read this week’s passage: Daniel 10:1-3; 10-19.

Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands. 

1. When Daniel refers to himself, does he claim the name Daniel? Or Belteshazzar? (vs.1) Why is this important?
2. Daniel was given a vision. What was it about? (vs. 1)
3. Why was Daniel upset about this vision? (vs 2)
4. Daniel mourned for 21 days. He also fasted during this time. What was the purpose of this fast?
5. Daniel answered with fear and trembling. What did he say to the one in the vision? (vs.17)
6. Why do you think Daniel was chosen to see this vision?
7. Has God ever asked you to do something that caused you to be afraid? What was your reaction?
8. What do you think God is saying to you through this passage?
9. How might He want you to change your thinking or life as an obedient response to His Word?

Next week’s passage/story: 1Kings 19:1-18

• Dismiss in Prayer
  

CONFIDENTIALITY: What is said in the group  stays in the group.
 
LISTEN: Let’s value one another during the  discussions by really listening to what is  being shared. Try to avoid thinking about  how you are going to respond or what you  are going to say next.
 
PAUSE: Allow a pause in conversation after  someone shares. Give the person sharing a  chance to finish and the group the  opportunity to consider what was just  shared before responding.
NO “CROSS TALK”: Be considerate of others  as they are sharing- no side conversations.

NO FIXING: We are not here to fix each  other. Jesus does that part. Give  
encouragement, empathize, speak truth,  point to Jesus. Don’t try to fix each other  like a mechanic & a car. You may share  solutions God has led you through. The  other person should never feel shame or  failure, but rather connection & hope.

NO HIJACKING of shared stories.

NO RESCUING: When people are sharing  something deeply personal, there can be a  tendency to try to make them feel better  about themselves or the situation by  providing immediate condolences. This will  often cause them to stop sharing. Resist the  temptation to rescue people.
 
SHARING: Be sensitive about the amount of time  you share.
 
SILENCE: It is important to allow silence in the  group as it provides an opportunity forsomeone  else to share and for members in the group to  process the topic or question being considered.

BE SELF-AWARE: Be self-aware of how you are  personally affecting the environment through your  words, actions, and non-verbal communication.
 
“I” STATEMENTS: It’s easy to talk about the issues  of others, but for our purposes, we want you to put  yourself on the table. Try to use “I” statements rather than “them”, “the church”, “us”, “we”, etc.
 
CONFLICT: We will commit to resolve conflict  biblically. When conflict or sin issues between  group members arise, we want to make sure that  we are honoring God and each other in the way we  deal with these issues. We will fight for  relationship. The following are a few key Scriptures  in this regard (there are many others.)

• If someone sins against you: Mat. 18:15-20 • Restoring someone in sin: Gal. 6:1-5 
• Forgive a sinner: Col. 3: 12-13 
• Reconciling differences: Mat. 5:23-24, Mat. 7:1-5