August 12th- August 17th 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 been encouraged by someone else’s faith? 

• Share background for the passage: Paul had visited the Church of Thessalonica earlier in his ministry. He had been so encouraged by the people there that  he decided  he must hear from them again. He sent Timothy to see how they were doing and to bring him a report.
• Thought/Focus:  It is vital to realize that our walk with the Lord, and our actions, and our beliefs are very important to those around us. To be an encourager helps others to walk a better walk with the Lord! 
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week’s passage:  I Thessalonians 3:6-13 

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

1. Why did Paul send Timothy to see about the Thessalonians?
2. What report did Timothy bring back to Paul about the people there?

 3. Do you have any pleasant memories about Christians in your life who encouraged you?        Will you share these?
 4.  Paul remembered these people during his times of distress and persecution. Why                 would he find joy remembering the Thessalonians during the hardest times of his                   ministry?
 5.  What was the thing that encouraged Paul the most?  See verse 7.
 6.  In verse 8, Paul talks about really living. What do you think he meant by this?
 7.   When someone’s faith gives you courage to have even more faith, do you tell them              about it, and/or thank them?
 8.   Read verses  11-13. Which of Paul’s prayer requests would you want someone to pray             for you?


Next week’s passage/story: TBD

• 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