September 16th- September 21st 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: How do you gauge success?

• Share background for the passage: Most of the Proverbs are written by King Solomon. This particular chapter is written for his son. He is imparting wisdom for success.
• Thought/Focus: Why do you think wisdom is so important?  
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Proverbs 3:1-12  

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

1.  In verses 1 and 2, what does it say will prolong life? What else might be a “reward” of   keeping the commandments? 
2.  In verse 3, what 2 things should never leave?   

 3. What is the benefit of obeying what we see in verse 3? (see verse 4).
 4. What does verse 5 and 6 say that will help keep us on a straight path?
 5.  Read verses 7 and 8.  What does it say that will bring health to your body?  
 6.  In verses 9 and 10, what are we to do with our finances? If we do this, what is the                   benefit?
 7.  Verses 11 and 12 talk about the Lord’s discipline.  Who does he discipline? Why?
 8. Did any verse in this passage stand out to you that would challenge you to seek more           wisdom?   What will you do about it?  

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