March 31st- April 5th 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: Who was one of the most talented people you ever knew in school? What talents were you known for when you were in school?

• Share background for the passage: . Jesus is telling a parable about a Master giving his servants some “talents” (probably monies) to invest for him while he went away. The story shows three different people and how they handled this responsibility.                                                                                         
• Thought/Focus: How do we use the talents and abilities that are given to us by God?
                                                                                                                                                  
• Have someone, or a couple of people, read this week's passage: Matthew 25:14-30

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

1. What were the amounts of talents given to the 3 different people in this story? Was one more important than the others?
2. What do you think was the Master’s expectation of the three people that he left in charge of the talents?
3. What happened with each of the 3 servants?
4. What was the Master’s reaction to each servant?
5. What happened to the servants who doubled the investment? What happened to the one who buried it?
6. How would you feel about being given more responsibility as a reward for “a job well done”?

 7. How does the Master’s treatment of the one-talent servant seem to you: Fair? Harsh?             Lenient? Why?
 8. How do you think Jesus would say that you have done using the talents that He’s given        you as of today?
 9.  What kind of responsibility do you feel toward God regarding your talents? Do you                 need help recognizing them?
 
 Next week's passage/story: John 21: 1-19
 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