March 3rd- March 8th 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: Can you think of any mountain top experiences in your life? Did it change you? How?

• Share background for the passage: Jesus is taking 3 of his disciples to the top of a mountain. He transfigures himself. Moses and Elijah came and had a conversation with Jesus. The disciples witnessed all of this!                                                                                                  
• Thought/Focus: Jesus is teaching His disciples to watch, listen and learn during this amazing experience.                                                                                                                              
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 17:1-13

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

1. Who does Jesus invite to go with Him to the top of the mountain? Why only 3 of his disciples?
2. What do you think it meant when the scripture talks about Jesus being transfigured? Why did he allow the disciples to witness this?
3. What did Peter want to do for Jesus, Elijah and Moses? Was it needed?
4. What is significant in what the voice from the cloud says about Jesus?
5. Why do you think Jesus told the disciples not to tell what they had witnessed until He was dead and raised from the dead?  Would you be able to keep that secret?
6. How did you come to realize who Jesus really is?
7. How do we listen to what Jesus has to say to us today? What is the last thing you heard and learned from Him?
8. God told the guys that “This is my Son, whom I love”. Do you ever feel that He says this about you? 

 
 
 Next week's passage/story: Matthew 18:1-9
 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