June 3rd- June 8th 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 the highlight of your baptism for you?  

• Share background for the passage:  God is using the apostle Paul to share the great truths and contrasts between the old covenant of the law and the new covenant of grace. He is contrasting works vs. God’s grace and how sin is revealed through the law, but only overcome by grace through faith.
• Thought/Focus: What do you see Paul saying baptism is a symbol of?  
• Have someone read this week’s passage: Romans 6:1-14 

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

1.  Answer the Thought/Focus question above.
2.  What does Paul want us to know we have died to? – vss. 1-2 

 3.  What should be the result of us understanding we are dead to sin? – vss. 3-6
 4.  What is the powerful truth we should receive from vss. 7-11?
 5.  How should this change our lives? – vss. 12-14
 6.  Do you believe you are dead to sin? Why or why not?
 7.   How can/does this truth help you walk in freedom?
 8.  What peace do you draw from the truth “you are not under the law, but under grace”?
 9.  Do we have to sin? Why or why not?
10.  How will you apply the powerful truths of this passage in your everyday walk?
11.   Who can you share these truths with? When? Where? By Who’s leading & power?


Next week’s passage/story: 1Corinthians 7:1-16 

• 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