September 2nd- September 7th 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 had to speak a harsh truth to someone you love? How did it go? Have you spoken the truth in love to someone who needed to hear it? How did that go? 

• Share background for the passage: Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians from a jail cell. He is explaining how the church should grow in love as each member does his or her part. 
• Thought/Focus: Paul is teaching the importance of being mature Christians, which causes us to speak the truth in love.
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage:  Ephesians 4:14-16, 21-25 

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

1.  What does Paul say in vs. 15 about how we should speak? Who will we become more like if we speak this way? 
2.  Vs. 16 talks about "every part doing its work".  What is Paul talking about? 

 3.  Vs. 22-24 says you were taught to "put off your old self" and "put on the new" What             does this mean to you?
 4.  Look at vs. 25. It says that we are all "members of one body". What body is he talking            about?
 5.  How would you compare moral standards today with the moral standards in Paul's day?
 6.  Being truthful, are you more likely to speak the truth in love or in anger?  
 7.   How have your attitudes and actions toward other people changed since you became          a Christian? Explain.
 8.  How will you go about sharing the truth that you have learned in your Christian walk?


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