April 8th- April 13th 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: What was (and/or is) one of the most exciting or rewarding or fulfilling or challenging ‘missions’ or adventures you have ever been on? 

• Share background for the passage:    God had Paul write the book of Romans for the believers in Rome whom he had never been able to visit or teach. He is teaching them the great truths of the gospel of grace for them to live out and share with others.                                                                                                                                                   
• Thought/Focus: How would you sum up ‘the word/message’ that Paul is writing about here? 
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Romans: 10:8-15 

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

1.  Answer the Thought/Focus question above. 
2.  What are the two main actions Paul mentions in receiving salvation? (vss. 9-10) 

 3.  How would the attitude of someone trying to come to Christ by their good works &                someone coming by faith in Christ’s work be different?
 4.  What difference would works vs. faith for salvation make when it comes to assurance of        salvation? Why?
 5.  What does it mean to truly ‘call on the name of the Lord’? Is it just saying certain words?        What does it mean to ‘call’? What does it mean to truly call Him Lord? What does ‘the            name of the Lord’ mean?
 6.   How is someone led to the point of calling on Him in vss. 14-15? (Can you name the 5           steps?)
 7.   Have you received the ‘good news’? Can you share it with us?
 8.   How are you sharing it with others? How are you making sure others are being sent to         do the same?

 
Next week’s passage/story: Exodus 33: 12-23

• 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