March 18th- March 23rd 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 done any door to door sales or canvassing or distribution? What was the hardest part? Easiest? Did someone go with you? 

• Share background for the passage:  Jesus is well into His ministry with & training of the disciples. He has trained & sent them out, now He is going to send out those that (in all probability) they have discipled to do the same. He is teaching them to release people to go & do the great commission.  
• Thought/Focus: What parts of disciple making do you see Jesus modeling in this account? 
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Luke 10:1-3, 16-24 

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

1. Where did Jesus send the 72 others? How were they selected? (vs.1)
2. What were they to pray for? What warning did He give them? Is the pray/go order important? (vss.2-3)

3.  How did He affirm His support for them? (vs.16) How did He celebrate with them? (vss.           21,23-24)
4.  How are we like “workers in a field” or “lambs among wolves”?
5.  How do you feel about your harvest field? Is it ripe? What would it take for you to be             more involved?
6.  If Jesus asked you to go right now, what would you feel/think?
7.  What is the hardest part of releasing those you have trained, to go?
8.  Where can you give someone you are mentoring the opportunity to lead? What must            you do first?
9. How are you living truth on a daily basis? Have you become unconscious capable yet?          What needs work?
 
Next week’s passage/story: Luke 22:7-20  

• 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