March 10th- March 15th 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 would you describe yourself as a child? Quiet? Loud? Shy? Inquisitive? Mischievous?

• Share background for the passage: The disciples are curious to know who will be the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus is about to teach them what Heaven will be like.                                                                                             
• Thought/Focus: Jesus is teaching the disciples that pride will not be a part of heaven, but the kingdom of heaven is like a little child – a humble child!                                                                                                               
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 18:1-9

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

1. Do you think the disciples thought that one of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom?
2. What childlike qualities does Jesus emphasize? What childlike qualities are you thinking Heaven will be like?
3. What do you think Jesus means when He says “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter into the Kingdom of heaven”?
4.  Look at verse 6. Why is causing a child to sin such a serious offense? What does Jesus say would be better for the person who causes a child to sin? Do you know the size of a millstone?
5. Although evil is inevitable, how are we still responsible for others spiritual welfare?
6. Jesus said “woe to the man…” in verse 7.  What does “woe” mean?
7. Look at verses 8 & 9. What does Jesus say to do?
8. Is there anything you need to “chop off” of your life to keep you from sinning? Will you take care of that this week?

 
 
 Next week's passage/story: Matthew 19:1-22
 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