May 20th- May 25th Life Group Notes

May 16th, 2024
by Nancy Wiltshire

Destroying Myths about Childhood

2 Timothy 1: 1-9

LEADERS - Take attendance in the TLC app.

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 physical traits have you inherited from your Father’s side? Your Mother’s side?

Share background for the passage: Paul has trained Timothy in the faith and he is giving him instructions on how to live the life that Jesus wants him to live. He is teaching him to be strong, and not be surprised by trials.
Thought/Focus: Has anyone in your family had a great influence on your faith, anyone like Timothy’s Mom and Grandmother? Do you have your own hold on faith, or are you riding on the coat tails of other's faith?
Have someone read this week’s passage: 2 Timothy 1:1-9

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

By reading verses 3-4, what is the feeling you get about Paul’s relationship with Timothy?
What do you think Paul meant when he told Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift of God?

3. What do you think was Timothy’s one weakness that Paul was concerned with? ( Vs 7)
4. What were the things that God does not give to us? (vs. 7)
5. What pressures do you think might pull at Timothy to be ashamed of the Gospel, or of Paul?
6. Paul said, “Join with me in suffering for the gospel”. (vs. 9) Why did he say this to Timothy?
7. Where does Paul say we get the strength to minister? Where does it come from? (vs. 9)
8. Do you struggle with the spirit of fear, and do you struggle to love the people God calls you to minister to?
9. How will you overcome this fear? Do you realize that His grace is sufficient for every situation?

Next week’s passage/story: TBD

Dismiss in Prayer

Life Group Guidelines

This needs to be a place where people feel comfortable opening up and sharing with one another. Below are some group guidelines that will help create a safe environment.

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.)