WARM UP

1. Share one fun, little-known fact about yourself, such as a hidden talent or interesting hobby.

Super fun get-to-know-you question.

2. Have you ever thought an item you owned was of little value, only to find out later it was worth a lot more than you realized—or thought something was really valuable, only to find out it was not?

3. Did anything in this weekend’s message challenge, encourage, or surprise you?

This is always a great question.  If there are things that stood out to you as the leader, you can open it up with your insights!

 

KNOW IT   

1.The Bible tells us that we are made in God’s image, loved by Him, and made for a purpose. Which of these three truths do you think you understand the most? Which is hardest for you to grasp? What steps, if any, could you take to live more fully in these realities?

Additional scriptures:  On Being In God’s Image.2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29,

On Being loved by God, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Zephaniah 3:17

On Having a Purpose, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 16:4

As you unpack this question with your group let it be a rich time of encouragement.  Remember to try to hear from everyone. To try to keep from any one person being given all the advice on how they could live in a particular area that is hard to grasp for them instead offer to make a list together of how the entire group could remind one another of these truths regularly.

2. As you reflect on being made in God’s image, read Psalm 139. Notice the depth of God’s care, presence and involvement in our lives. What stands out to you about how God cares for, interacts, and relates with you personally?

Take time to read the passage together as a group. One way this could be approached as a group is to have various people read 6 verses at a time.  Break after each reader and discuss what the 6 verses reveal.   When you come to the last section of 6 verses make note of what they reveal about how we should view sin and how it ends with a looking at our hearts before the Lord.

 

SHARE IT

Each week, “Share It” questions help us reflect and share our personal life experiences about the topic at hand, considering how it works or has worked out in our lives.

1.We often define ourselves by our careers, relationships, achievements, or failures. How do you typically view yourself (consciously or subconsciously)? Did this weekend’s message and the reading of Psalm 139 make you think differently about your identity? If so, how?

2.How has God’s Word and work in your life helped you reflect Him more completely?

By spending time with God and seeing how He changes things in us we can gain a better understanding of our testimony.  If you been a group for a while you can share ways you see one another reflect Christ.

If you have a new group sharing stories even small ones can be fun, as a leader you can start with something simple that may invite someone to see how God is reflected in them even when they aren’t always aware of it.  For example, maybe you were more patient with a parent or child then you have been in the past.

LIVE IT

1.The best way to grow closer in a relationship with someone is to spend time with them. The same is true with God, and it’s one of the reasons God dedicated the seventh day to rest in our relationship with Him. List some ways you can spend time with God and grow closer to Him, thereby becoming more like Him.

Make a list with your group.  Here are some examples, pray, read your Bible, take a moment during your day to sit in silence and thank God, when a worry comes up pray and ask God to help you trust Him more, etc.

2.Go for an intentional walk or drive through your neighborhood this week. As you pass people, ask God to help you see them the way He sees them: as bearers of His image, created and loved by Him. Does this change your perspective of those you might have initially judged or written off?

This is a really fun and challenging activity to do that can help our hearts align with God’s.

 

TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being in a Life Group. Over the years, we’ve found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines.

WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME – Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request, either before prayer begins or during prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it’s covered, the group moves on to the next topic.

PRAY MORE THAN ONCE – Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray.

WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE – Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it’s hard for the other members to stay focused, and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.