March 24th- March 29th 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: If someone very famous was coming to your town, and you were in charge of their entry, how would you make sure that they got noticed?

• Share background for the passage: Jesus is coming into Jerusalem for His “Triumphal Entry”. He sends 2 of his disciples to town to find a donkey for Him to ride into town on.                                                                                         
• Thought/Focus: Jesus comes into Jerusalem in fulfillment of a prophecy. See the Old Testament prophecy in verse 5.                                                                                                  
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 21:1-13

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

1. Jesus comes into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a grand stallion. What did He want this to say to the people?
2. What kind of King do you think the Jews were expecting?
3. What Old Testament passage was fulfilled by His entrance into Jerusalem? (see verse 5)
4. What did the crowds do when they found out who was coming into the city?  (see verse 8)
5. Do you think the humility that Jesus showed by riding in on a donkey made sense to the people?
6. How would you have responded if you were there to witness this event? What would go through your mind? 

 7. Jesus had shown humiliation – until He arrived at the temple. What upset Him there?             What did He do?
 8. Do you think today’s church has become corrupted by “business”? Would you call your          church a house of prayer?
 9.  Since you are now God’s temple, is there anything that needs to be cleaned out of your         temple so that you are clean followers, fit for the Master’s service?
 
 Next week's passage/story: Matthew 25:14-30
 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