August 26th- August 31st 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 makes you know that God is real? What makes you stand in awe of Him?  

• Share background for the passage: Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome, even though he had never been there. He wanted to make sure they we grounded in the truth of God, and not being deceived by the lies of the world, the flesh or the devil. Romans is the most important book theologically in the whole New Testament. 
• Thought/Focus:  Though God is a God of love and mercy, He is also a God of justice. He does not take lightly those who live in disobedience to Him, especially when they have been taught the truth, and yet refuse to live by the truth. 
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week’s passage:   Romans 1:18-22, 28-32. 

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

1.  What does this verse say is being “revealed” about God, and why?  (vs. 18) 
2.  What are God’s invisible qualities, and what do they reveal about Him? (vs. 20) 

 3.  Look at verses 24 and 25. How did people exchange the truth of God for a lie?
 4.  What is God’s reaction to people who decide to live the lie? (vs. 28)
 5.  Do you see yourself in any of these scriptures? How does it make you feel when you             read this passage?
 6.   Do you tend to view God as a God of love, or a God of anger? What makes the                      difference?
 7.  Look at verses 28-32. What would be the exact opposite of each of these bad traits? Are       you living out the words that you come up with?  (ex. Wicked-righteous, evil-pure, envy-         generous) etc…
 8.  When did the truth of God become real in your life? How can you prove to others that          your faith is real?


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