March 25th- March 30th Life Group Notes

Open in Prayer 

• Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision – Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines– See bottom of 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 held/attended a “farewell” dinner? What were the high/low points for you?  

• Share background for the passage:  Jesus is on His way to the cross. He has spent over 3 years making disciple makers of His 12 apostles. Now, He is going to observe the last Passover feast with them & give them something to remember Him by, before being crucified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
• Thought/Focus: What do you think were the main reasons Jesus established the Lord’s supper? Why do you believe it was necessary?
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Luke 22:7-20

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

1. Who did Jesus send to get the Passover meal ready? Why do you think He chose them?
2. When they asked Jesus “Where?”, what are some things He was teaching them through His answer?

3.  What was Jesus’ opening statement after He sat down with the disciples? What do you        think it showed about His relationship with them?
4. What new thing is Jesus doing in vss. 19-20 & how is it different than what happened in         vss. 15-18?
5.  Do you believe Jesus was using literal or figurative language in vss. 19-20? What are            your reasons?
6. What do you think you would have been feeling, if you were there as one of the 12?
7.  How can remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for you, help you in times of trouble?
8.  How can you draw peace/strength/courage from understanding & entering “the new             covenant in My blood”?
9.  Who will you invite to come this Easter & share in the celebration of Jesus offering this          new covenant to everyone? How will you pray for them? What will you do to encourage        them to come?
 
Next week’s passage/story: John 15:9-17

• 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