March 11th- March 16th 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: Can you describe a time when you thought it was right to break the rules? What was the outcome? 

• Share background for the passage:   Jesus has already been crucified, risen from the dead and gone back to heaven. The disciples have been empowered to preach the gospel, and heal people. The Priests and Saducees are not at all happy with these men spreading the Gospel, and are looking for ways to punish them.
• Thought/Focus: Will you be able to do right when it is God’s will for you, even if you have to break man’s rules?
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Acts 4:1-22

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

1. While Peter and John were preaching, the Priests and Sadducees came to listen. Why were they upset?
2. What did they do to Peter and John? (vs.3)

3.  How many people does this passage say became believers because of the message?          Do you think Peter and John would have thought it was worth going to jail for?
4.  How would you have felt as a believer, as you watched Peter and John go through this?
5.  As Peter addressed the Council, do you think he was he afraid? Where did his strength         come from?
6.  What was the comparison that Peter made concerning what he and Johns had done, to        what the Council had done? (vs8-10)
7.   Is it difficult for you to stand up for the right when you see something or someone being       wronged?
8.  Do you have an example of how you personally have been persecuted as a Christian?

Next week’s passage/story: Luke 10:1-3, 16-24

• 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. Speak truth is love, give  
encouragement, empathize,  point to Jesus.  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 for someone  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”, "they", "you", “the church”, “us”, “we”, etc.
 
FIGHT FOR RELATIONSHIP: We will commit to resolve conflict  biblically. When conflict or sin issues arise between  group members, 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.  I will discuss the struggle with the person I am in conflict with first, & if not resolved, seek wise advice. 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