April 1st- April 6th 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: Who did you consider to be your first ‘true love’? Was it? Who do you know is your true love now? 

• 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. He has been answering their questions and preparing them for His death & departure. In these final instructions, He is emphasizing the necessity of truly loving as He does.                                                                                                                                                            
• Thought/Focus: What truths about relationships is Jesus teaching His disciples in this passage? 
• Have someone read this week’s passage: John 15: 9-17

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

1.  What relationships did Jesus use to model true love to His disciples? (vss. 9-10, 12)
2.  What did Jesus see as an outcome of our abiding in His love? (vs. 11)

 3.  Do you believe this really works? Why? How?
 4.  What two relationships did Jesus contrast in vss. 13-15? What do you think He wants              them to understand from this about their true relationship with Him? Do you have this           kind of relationship with Him?
 5.  What fruit do you see yourself bearing for Jesus?
 6.  What connection do you see between you bearing fruit & getting your prayers                        answered? (vs.16) Examples?
 7.   How will you live out His command to love one another?
 8.  Who is He leading you to do this for? Will you? How? When? How can you sustain this            love?

 
Next week’s passage/story: Romans 10:8-15

• 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