January 20th- January 25th Life Group Notes
Following The King- Following with Faith in His Authority
Matthew 8:5-13
LEADERS - Take attendance in the TLC app. Read group guidlines.
Open in Prayer
Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.
5. Verse 10 says that Jesus was “astonished”. Why do think it astonished Him?
6. Jesus was willing to go and help someone who was in need, just because He was asked to. Would you be willing to help someone that you don’t know, if you were asked? How would you determine if you would or would not?
7. Discuss verses 11 and 12. What did Jesus mean? What do you think assures you a place at the feast that He is talking about? Are you concerned about the other “subjects of the kingdom”? Who are they?
Next week's passage/story: Matthew 9:9-13, 35-38, 10:1,7-8, 40-42
Dismiss 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 would it make you feel if a total stranger came up to you and asked you to do something for them because they had heard that you were experienced in the area of their need?
- Share background for the passage: The Gospel message had reached many people, not just the Jews. This story focuses on the faith of a Gentile believer who had placed his trust in Christ.
- Thought/Focus: This passage focuses on how important the Gospel is, not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. Jesus came to minister to both. Also, look at the difference between a high ranking Centurion, and his lowly servant. The Centurion had learned about compassion for others. Jesus had compassion for both.
- Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 8: 5-13
Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.
- In verses 5 and 6, what is the significance of the Centurion calling Jesus “Lord”?
- Who was the Centurion concerned about? Do you think that this concern was normal for a man of his rank?
- When the Centurion told Jesus the circumstances of his servant, what did Jesus say he would do?
5. Verse 10 says that Jesus was “astonished”. Why do think it astonished Him?
6. Jesus was willing to go and help someone who was in need, just because He was asked to. Would you be willing to help someone that you don’t know, if you were asked? How would you determine if you would or would not?
7. Discuss verses 11 and 12. What did Jesus mean? What do you think assures you a place at the feast that He is talking about? Are you concerned about the other “subjects of the kingdom”? Who are they?
Next week's passage/story: Matthew 9:9-13, 35-38, 10:1,7-8, 40-42
Dismiss in Prayer
Life Group Guidelines
This needs to be a place where people feel comfortable opening up and sharing with one another. Below are some group guidelines that will help create a safe environment.
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.)
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
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