click here for a printer friendly version of the 3/1/09 outline

Lifegroup map 3/1/09  “When God loves”  John 3:16-21

 

Please choose any One of the following Ice breakers:

(Everyone doesn’t have to answer the same one… pick the one you like!)

·        If you went to Winterfest last week, what was your favorite part?

·        What do you want to be remembered for, after you die?

·        How do you personally deal with doubt?

 

 

Life exploration time:  Read out-loud John 3:16-21

 

~ Why do you suppose Jn 3:16 is so popular?

 

~ Describe how Jn 3:16 summarizes the Gospel…

 

~ Why might someone have a struggle with the idea of God loving everyone in the world?

 

~ According to Jn 3:17, God didn’t send Jesus to condemn/judge the world, but to save the world.  How do we reconcile this, with the fact that God still keeps us accountable for our choices?

 

~ 3:18 touches on what type of faith or belief?

 

~ In Jn 3:19-20, subversive, secretive, behind-the-scenes behaviors are chastised.  Whose job is it to expose these “dark” behaviors for what they are?

 

~ Read Jn 3:21.  Why is it so liberating when we are vulnerable and “come clean”?

Click here for a printable outline for 2/22/09

Lifegroup map 2/22/09 “Night-vision” John 3:1-15

Please choose any One of the following Ice breakers:

(Everyone doesn’t have to answer the same one… pick the one you like!)

• What is your favorite season of the year?

• When was the last time you were in your hometown?

• What’s the 1^st thing you do when you get home from a long trip?

Life exploration time: Read out-loud John 3:1-15

~ (Assuming Nicodemus is actually sincere in 3:2 and he’s not being sarcastic with his “we know” statement) Why is Nicodemus convinced that Jesus is an authentic teacher?

~ What do you make of Nicodemus coming to see Jesus at night?

~ Where else in John’s Gospel (other than here in 3:3 & 3:5) does Jesus use the term “Kingdom”?

[Hint, there’s only one other time John records Jesus as saying “Kingdom”]

~ When would Nicodemus have had an opportunity to hear Jesus teach, AND,

How much could Nicodemus have been expected to know about Baptism at this point in time?

~ As a Pharisee (and probably a member of the Sanhedrin) Nicodemus would’ve had to have been an expert in the Bible and a decent & morally upright man.

Assuming he did know his Scriptures and he was a moral teacher and leader:

Why isn’t that level of morality & depth of Scriptural understanding enough to make Nicodemus righteous in Jesus’ eyes; since he is told that he would still need to experience a “rebirth” in 3:7?

(BTW: This also goes for whoever else is with him; since the pronoun “you” is in a plural form here, it means Jesus is talking to more than just Nicodemus…)

~ In JN 3:5-8, what role does the Spirit play in our rebirth?

~ Looking at Jn 3:13-15, shed light on how these two truths both function together in our salvation experience:

(1.) What God does, along with,

(2.) Our personal faith.

Personal reflection

Who should I invite to Lifegroups this week?

Click here for a printable outline for 2/15/09

Lifegroup map 2/15/09 “When push comes to shove” John 2:18-25

Please choose any of the following Ice breakers:

(Everyone doesn’t have to answer the same one… pick the one you like!)

• If you have ever helped save a life before, what was it like?

• What was your most terrifying experience ever?

• Fill in the blank, “I’m most looking forward to ___________________....”

Life exploration time: Read out-loud John 2:18-25

~ What is the core/foundational/primary challenge they are blasting Jesus with in Jn 2:18?

~ (Recognizing that their questioning of Jesus in Jn 2:18 is right on the tail-end of Jesus driving out the multitudes of “man & beast” in Jn 2:15)…

What are a few of the emotional and/or adrenaline-fueled challenges Jesus might’ve had to personally bring under control, before He was ready to respond to the Jews?

~ How do you personally calm anxiety-type feelings during a confrontation?

~ What is your greatest struggle/fear while facing a probable confrontation?

~ Often times, when faced with a potential confrontation we revert to the “Fight or Flight” style of reaction. Now being armed with Jesus’ example of facing confrontation from tonight’s passage: What are some better habits we could/should adapt than fight/fight in our dealings with people?

~ Read out-loud Jn 2:23-25. There’s a neat wordplay here; it’s on the Greek word for “Faith” that gets translated here, once as “believed in” (from the people who’d observed His signs) and then it’s translated as “entrust” (on Jesus’ part toward them). In other words, the people believed in/trusted Jesus — He didn’t believe in/trust in them.

BTW: The people that Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to, were new believers in Him… (So, these aren’t His antagonists He’s withholding trust from...)

Personal reflection time:

What level of trust is Jesus able to place in me?

Click here for printable outline for 2/8/09

Lifegroup map 2/8/09 “Get out of God’s way” John 2:13-17

Please choose any of the following Ice breakers:

(Everyone doesn’t have to answer the same one… pick one you like!)

• What was the highlight of your week?

• How have MP3 players and Ipods changed your household?

• What’s your reaction when you step in used-gum in a parking lot?

Life exploration time: Read out-loud John 2:13-17

Brief background:

Folks traveling into Jerusalem to observe the Passover feast (Jn 2:13) were required to exchange their “common” money for “temple” currency to be allowed to make any vows or contributions to Temple treasury. Also, to offer an animal sacrifice they could only offer animals the priests considered 100% perfect; without spot or blemish. Since it could be difficult for a weary traveler to produce an acceptable animal, “pure” animals could purchased at the Temple grounds.

History reveals the currency exchange and animal sales were both offered at over inflated prices… Both the attitudes and the corrupt practices of the Temple officials, who tended these affairs, presented sizable hurdles for people who genuinely wanted to Worship God… Our passage seems to indicate Jesus was confronting these “excepted” attitudes of insensitivity and corruption.

~ How were the people in JN 2:14 guilty of dishonoring God and making it more difficult for people to simply worship God?

~ Keeping in mind that the practices described in JN 2:14 were fully acceptable by the standards of their day… What would your personal reaction to Jesus have been if you were with Him (Either as His disciple or simply an onlooker) while He was weaving a whip and then using it??

~ How could Jesus’ response (Jn 2:15-18) be an example for Christians to emulate today?

~ In what ways is it possible that Christians today could be unintentionally making it more difficult for “outsiders” to connect with God?

Personal reflection:

How will I remove barriers and help other people see God more clearly this week?

Lifegroup outline for 2/1/09

Click here for a printable copy:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfm249km_974f75sz8ck

Lifegroup map 2/1/09 “Restoring Joy is reflecting God’s Glory” John 2:1-11

Please choose any of the following Ice breakers:

(Everyone doesn’t have to answer the same one… pick one you like!):

1. What is one way you’ve felt God’s presence in your life this week?

2. What was your favorite scene in Steve Martin’s “Father of the bride”?

3. Share a story where someone saved you from an embarrassing moment.

Life exploration time: Read out loud John 2:1-11

~ Does Jesus come off as disrespectful to His mother in JN 2:1-4?

(Please Explain your answer, either way you may see this…)

~ See JN 2:5. Since Jesus hasn’t performed any miracles yet: What would lead Mary to any kind of conclusion that Jesus could remedy this situation, and, should we think Mary expected a miraculous repair?

~ Read JN 2:6-9 and try to put yourself in the servants’ position for a moment: What do you imagine was going through their minds?

~ Read 2:10. How come instead of replacing the depleted wine with the exact same quality, or, a mediocre-quality wine: Why does Jesus turn the water into a noticeably superior quality of wine?

~ What is so shocking about this being the 1^st sign that Jesus performed?

~ John records in 2:11 that Jesus’ “disciples believed” in Him, but why doesn’t John mention the impact this made on: His mother, the Master of Ceremonies, the wedding guests, the servants, or even the Bride & groom?

Personal reflection

In what ways has this passage encouraged/enhanced my trust in Jesus?

Extra grace requires:

Inevitably there will be a member in your group, that you think is draining or sucking the life out of your group by their self-centeredness.  After doing small groups for at least ten years I know I've felt paralyzed more than once by these freaky experiences....  Some people are dubbed "EGR" or people to whom the term applies: Extra grace required.  

This is the person who derails or dominates each meeting, at just the wrong time.  They are needy, whiny, they use the meeting as a platform to drag you into a weekly group-counseling session.  They have an answer to every question; one that somehow focuses on what they are facing that day/week.  They might be the Bible expert.  They might be the super-spiritual one. They might be more on fire than you, they're the holier than thou one...  

Who knows what behavior manifests; but you recognize the danger to the group as soon as this EGR acts out.  As soon as they, the EGR, begins to talk, people cringe.  Your spouse rolls their eyes...  Visitors look at their watches...  And you as the leader feel helpless to deal with this challenge....  So, I want to make a few points on what extra grace requires...  Notice the difference between the "ed" ending and the "s" :-)

1. The leader needs to be able to increase their own threshold of tolerance for other people's pain.  Sounds harsh?  Well, if you as a leader find this tension difficult to balance, then you aren't deep down a harsh person.  It should be natural to feel the need to minister to the EGR who is in obvious pain of some sort, but still, you want to keep the small group on track.  This is okay.  So, recognize the reason why this tension is happening for you, and use how you are experiencing that tension to allow you protect both those who need extra attention, and to continue to help the other folks grow.

2.  Leaders, recruit help from the more mature members of the group.  When your EGR has surfaced, you may not be prepared to address their needs in the 1st meeting.  You are not a "one-man/woman-show"  as the leader.  During the following week ask for help, look for someone who can partner with you to help you keep the pace of your meeting flowing.  A simple question from another member that returns people back to the lesson/curriculum can help.  Or, if it is appropriate, have a mature member ready to offer their help at the right moment to talk privately in another room with your EGR so the meeting can continue.  Obviously this needs to be handled carefully and thoughtfully.  If your EGR is in pain, for example, from past abuses from the opposite sex, it is a no brainier on the sensitivity of how/who you ask for help.

3. Handle this next one with care...  Take some time during your fellowship-time to let the EGR know you truly do value them.  Sometimes EGRs simply need to be validated more often.  Don't we all need this at one level or another?  You can also communicate that their questions or side-bar comments are interesting or insightful.  In the end though, you do not want to feed the very issue you are trying to fix.  If you establish a legitimate rapport that communicates you value and care for your EGR, you've provided the platform that will help you when you need to continue facilitating the meeting, and not allow the EGR to hijack the group.  When you establish a healthier relationship with your EGR, one that communicates mutual respect, you'll feel better and they will feel better when you respond to their distraction with a simple "I hear you, but let's postpone that idea for now and stay focused..." or some similar catch-phrase you plan to use to communicate love & care but determination to be conscientious of the entire group.

4. Resources.... Read up on the topic; I promise it isn't going away.  Pretty much every decent book on smallgroups I've read has at least one paragraph filled with advice on how to care for your EGR.  Google the topic and skim a few articles.

5. Pray for your EGR.  They need your prayers and care.  

6.  Don't be Dr. Phil.  You can't diagnose their deep problems in front of an audience.  When the EGR begins gushing some irrational emotional pain, or hijacks the group with their expertise in the topic....  the group will not benefit from you becoming the expert to fix the EGR on the spot...

Keep this in mind:  The EGR probably doesn't know they are problematic.  They want to be part of the community too.  They have real needs that we are called to minister to as Christians. II Cor 1:3-5 (ESV) reminds us, " 3 Blessed be the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."   

In the end, even as we minister to the EGR, the entire group needs to feel safe and healthy too.  We can't sacrifice the the one for the other.  So, as you walk the tightrope, with prayer and assistance from others, care for your EGR, but don't become an enabler and don't allow them to sabotage the group.

Lifegroup outline for 1/25/09

Click here for the printable version:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfm249km_970rdxtgnfk

Lifegroup map 1/25/09 “Come and see” John 1:35-51

Please choose any of the following Ice breakers

(not everyone has to answer the same one):

1. If you could change your 1^st name, what would you change it to and why?

2. The farthest location from home you’ve ever traveled to is????

3. What is your favorite free “sample” that the grocery store passes out?

Life exploration time: Read out loud John 1:35-51

~ What really stands out or fascinates you in this passage?

~ Briefly share: Who introduced you to Jesus, and what that was like.

~ We all are at different places/stages in our faith & we each grow at our own pace.

• What is one goal you have for your current relationship with Jesus?

~ Most people today rarely consider what it would be like to spend the day with God. A currently popular book, “The Shack” is a tale about a man who (because of a terrible tragedy in his family) ends up spending time with God “face-to-face” in a rustic cabin/shack.

(Read Jn 1:35-42. Answer one of the questions below that most appeals to you)

• If you could spend a day with Jesus, what would you want to talk about?

• What would you expect it would be like to be with Jesus for the day?

• How would your life be any different if you had an opportunity to experience a one-on-one afternoon with Jesus?

~ Why might it be more valuable to simply invite people to “come & see” and explore what Jesus is all about for themselves, as opposed to debating, arguing or “pushing” your views on them?

~ In tonight’s passage, several dynamics involving personal relationships impact the narrative. In Jn 1:43-51 Philip begins following Jesus; Philip then invites Nathanael to meet Jesus. Jesus at one point comments/questions the reason why Nathanael believed Jesus was the Son of God & King of Israel.

• How can we too, in our day-and-age, help others discover the real Jesus?

• Why do relationships still play a major role in people discovering Jesus?