life group basics

7/29/2019 Life Group Basics

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Belonging

One is the loneliest number

that you'll ever do

Two can be as bad as oneIt's the loneliest number

since the number one


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Belonging is a central aspect of

The Kingdom of God

Acts 2

42 All the believers devoted themselves to theapostles teaching, and to fellowship, and to

sharing in meals (including the Lords Supper),and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came overthem all, and the apostles performed manymiraculous signs and wonders.44 And all thebelievers met together in one place and sharedeverything they had.


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The Kingdom of God

Acts 2

45 They sold their property and possessions andshared the money with those in need. 46 They

worshiped together at the Temple each day, metin homes for the Lords Supper, and shared theirmeals with great joy and generosity 47 all thewhile praising God and enjoying the goodwill ofall the people. And each day the Lord added totheir fellowship those who were being saved.


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The Kingdom of GodActs 4

32 All the believers were united in heart andmind. And they felt that what they owned was

not their own, so they shared everything theyhad. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to theresurrection of the Lord Jesus, and Gods greatblessing was upon them all. 34 There were no

needy people among them, because thosewho owned land or houses would sellthem 35 and bring the money to the apostlesto give to those in need.


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Four Spaces of Relationship

Public

Social

Personal Intimate


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Life Group Premise

The intent is to get God out of our heads andinto our lives. Our hope as a result of thisendeavor to become better human beings.

When we come to group we share honestlyabout our own reality and the discrepancybetween what we believe and what we do. Atthe same time, however, we begin sharing small

everyday experiences. We listen to otherpeoples stories, to their reality. This mightencourage us or confuse us. In either case weare in the real world where God intersects withreal people.


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Life Group Premise

We begin to learn that God is not afraid of

difference or humanity. We loosen up and watch

God work. We start noticing that our spiritual life

is getting richer. While doing this our beliefsbecome more real and more personal.

In order to get God out of our heads and into our

lives we must practice doing what we say webelieve. Our relationship with each other helps

these beliefs take root and grow in our minds and

hearts.


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Life Group ValuesHere are some guiding values to get a feel for howLife Group should go:

Humility:I am not God, I can be wrong, I dont know

everything. (Php. 2)Honesty:Ill try not to hide who I really am and how Ireally think and feel. Be authentic. (Col. 3)

Honour:Im interested in hearing your story. (Php. 2)

Home:Ill observe the rules of the house take myshoes off, remember please and thank you, etc. (Col.3)

Holiday: Take a Sabbath break every 7th week.


11/19

Life Group MannersEverybody comes from a different home with different manners. Just to make sure were all

starting on the same page, same expectations, here are the manners Im advocating for our LifeGroups.

No Converting: respect where people are. This is about Jesus

but its not about building up our organization. I love it when

people introduce me to a friend; I hate it when it feels like theyrerecruiting me.

No Correcting: you can disagree with what you just heard without

trying to correct what the person just said. Thats not where Im

at. Is entirely different from, Thats not where you should be.People in our culture often wont listen anyway until they know

you like them. And no correcting with your answer to the same

question, just share your own thoughts and feelings to the

question.


12/19

Life Group MannersEverybody comes from a different home with different manners. Just to make sure were all starting on the

same page, same expectations, here are the manners Im advocating for our Life Groups.

Find Common Ground: Look for ways you are like the people in

the group instead of ways you are different from the people in

the group.

Ask Questions That Clarify: A clarifying question is one, which

brings more out of the persons story. It is not a time for us to

share our stories or opinions. For example: That makes me think

of something that happened to me is NOT a clarifying question.

How long did you say that experience lasted? is a clarifyingquestion.

Nobody HAS to Share: In any discussion, ice-breaker or

conversation every person can choose to pass or not share at that

moment.


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Life Group Manners Keep Answers Brief: When its your turn to share you

get a maximum of 5 minutes for your answer. Youdont have to use all that time but its best if you dontuse MORE than that. If people in the group ask aclarifying question for more info you can go a few

more minutes. The reason for this is that this is agroup experience and everyone gets time to share.People can relax and listen if they know that this wontgo on forever.

No Hijacking: Try not to jump in every time somethingthat someone says makes you think of something. Letit flow as a natural conversation. Please dont try tomake sure that people get to a right answer. Theseare really just OUR answers and for this journey those

are the answers were after.


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Life Group Manners No Driveway Follow Up:O.K., now that were

out here I can tell you how crazy yousounded is NOT what we want to be saying inthe driveway as were leaving.

Sometimes a question is just a question.Dont feel like you have to answer everyquestion thats posed. Jesus didnt. Sometimespeople are just wondering out loud and they

dont really want your answer to their question.Try not to be the answer guy.

Eat, Drink, Laugh, Listen, Love. Go where theconversation takes you.


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Sharpening the Focus What can a Life Group be?

Almost any environment that your group can grow in as acentered set.

Can it be a book study?

As long as it is a centered set with Jesus and not a book as thecenter.

Can it be a weekly golf foursome? (same as above)

Can my worship team be my Life Group? (same as above)

Can it be a cooking group? (same as above)

Can it be a Bible study? (same as above)

Can it be a Monday Night Football Group? As long asyou get the point.

How big can a Life Group be?

Almost any size in which the Leadership can maintain therelationships and centeredness of the Group.


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ResourcesCan your recommend any good books?

I encourage you to use resources that naturallyflow with our Vision & our Values.

If youre looking for a good book or guide I canhelp you.

Sundays Ill post icebreaker & discussionquestions rolling out of Sundays message.

(please note: these are helps, NOT the plan.) We will have a quarterly meeting for all Life

Group Leaders for training and encouragement.


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If youd like to lead

Talk to Brian to define and coordinate.

Pray, invite, pray some more.

Create safe and sacred space for people tomeet in.

Have fun or youre doing something wrong.

Remember: All groups are not meant to goon until Jesus returns.


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GOALS Well grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Well have each others backs.

Well exercise our spiritual gifts. Well be a living sign that Jesus is alive.

Well experience Gods love.

Well extend Gods love.

Lives will be changed.


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Q & A

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