September 9th- September 14th 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 felt that someone was testing your loyalty to them? Did it make you uncomfortable, or did you welcome the testing?

• Share background for the passage: David is expressing his love to God. He is letting God know that it is ok to try him, test him in his love and obedience. He is also comparing his own life to those who are wicked.
• Thought/Focus: As you read this chapter, given a “sincerity scale” of 1-10, how do you think David did ? 
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage:  Psalm 26 

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

1.  Read verses 1-3. What are the important words that jump out at you?  
2.  Vs. 4 in the NLT says, “I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites”. What   does this mean? 

 3.  In verse 6, David goes to the altar in innocence. Why is this important before being able       to praise the Lord?
 4.  What does David’s love for God motivate him to do?
 5.  On the “sincerity scale” of 1-10, where do you think you are?
 6.  How can you follow David’s example to improve your score?
 7.  Look at verses 4-5. How could you influence those who are deceitful and wicked                   without seeming pompous or proud?
 8.  Verse 12 in the NLT says “Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the                Lord”. Would you say that people think you are solid in your faith? Do you praise the             Lord publicly to those around you? Why?


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