Our church-wide community service effort, Serve Your City, is right around the corner! There is a wide variety of ways to serve, whether you’re looking for something hands-on, outdoors, in-person, at home or on campus, with just a few people or a large group! For help finding a way to serve, visit: northcoastcommunityservice.org/serve-your-city/.

We are now less than three weeks away from our “Serve” week for Serve Your City! To help with the planning of projects as soon as possible, please do all you can to sign your group up and / or help your group members to find a project.

This week we kick off our Spring Life Group Quarter. Your first meeting is designed to give you time to get acquainted and connect with each other, as well as time to discuss how to make your Life Group meetings great!

To prepare for your first meeting, take some time to focus on the questions below and be prepared to share your answers with the group. Have a great meeting!

Online Groups – If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. Use this link for help on meeting with your group online: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/pro-tips/

GETTING READY FOR YOUR FIRST MEETING

Discussion Note: Add these questions if you have new people in your group or a completely new group. If it hasn’t come up in conversation before the meeting officially starts, have everyone in the group share how long they have been attending North Coast, if they have been in a Life Group before and their favorite hobby.

Discussion Tips: These are effective for both in-person and online groups. Remember to set time limits to ensure everyone has an opportunity to answer the questions. Possibly use the “Tag— You’re It” method to ensure everyone can share. Once one person is finished sharing, they select the next person to share.

1. This past weekend we celebrated Easter. When you were growing up, did you have any Easter traditions? Has your viewpoint of Easter changed over time? If so, how?

Discussion Note: Fun question to see how everybody experienced Easter and how it has changed based on importance of faith, life circumstances and/or family dynamics. Depending on your type of group, you could change the “over time” (i.e. when you had children at home, before you became an empty nester, when you lived at home with parents— insert your season of life here).

2. As you think about the next eight weeks, what is one thing you hope to get out of your Life Group experience this quarter?

Discussion Note: Great question to see what group members are looking for. You can ask this after you go through the Life Group Commitment if you are a newer group or have new members.

3. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

Additional Question: This weekend, Chris talked about the meaning of the Cross and the empty tomb to our faith. When you describe your faith, do you tend to talk more about the Cross, the empty tomb, neither or both equally?

This week is the first week of the Spring Quarter. You may choose to spend more time being more social going through the Life Group Commitment and the “Getting to Know You” section, or you may want to spend more time below. Feel free to choose the meeting method that best resonates with your group.

Discussion Tip for In-Person and Online:  If time is tight, you can break into small groups or breakout rooms online to answer these, and then come back together for the end.  

1. In the Easter message, we were challenged to live a risen life. As a follower of Jesus, it can be difficult to understand what a risen life looks like practically. Thankfully, the Apostle Paul gives us a tangible picture of living life through the Spirit. As you read Romans 8:1-11, take note of any differences between living in the Spirit and living in our sinful nature.

Romans 8:1-11 New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Note: The Romans 8 passage will be set up from Chris’ message from this past weekend. Romans 7:7-25 is all about the law and our inability to follow it. Romans 8 talks about freedom from the law and calls us to follow the Spirit and not our flesh. It may be helpful to share part of Romans 7 or share the context prior to discussing Romans 8. Also keep in mind Romans 8:1-2, which sets the stage for the entire passage: “…there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free…” This is a helpful reminder because as humans we will struggle with choosing our desires vs. the Spirit’s. Commentary: enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-8/

Based on what you read, was there anything challenging or confusing for you? If so, explain.

What could be some possible reasons Paul started this passage talking about the controlling of our minds?

As you look back on your life with Christ, is there something that has helped you keep your mind focused on Jesus?

Discussion Note: This question can be used to share practical examples of how to keep focused on the Spirit. One option would be to make a list as a group. Sometimes hearing how others best connect to the Spirit could help give someone else in the group ideas for them to try. (Some examples may include: Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, worship music, life group, shared experience or conversation with spouse/friend/relative, fasting, journaling, etc.)

Can you think of a time when you chose to follow your own desires versus the Spirit? If you had to go back and do that situation over again, what would you do differently?

Discussion Note: You could follow up with the question, “Is there anything you could do to better set yourself up to follow the Spirit in the future?” This is a great opportunity to reflect and learn about personal experience. This question could get vulnerable.

Additional Questions:

• What are some practical examples of choosing to live according to our sinful nature? (move past murder, rape, pillaging, etc.)
  • Contrast that to living by the Spirit?
• As a group, make a list of some of the things that may help someone live by the Spirit vs. by their sinful nature.

2. Chris asked us this weekend if we would rather have Jesus present with us or the Spirit living in us. It may seem like a loaded question, but there are many benefits to having the Spirit living within us. Read the passages below and take note of any benefits of having the Spirit living within us.

Romans 8:12-17 New International Version (NIV)
¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Galatians 5:16-26 New International Version (NIV)
¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

John 14:25-27 New International Version (NIV)
²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Note: The Romans 8 passage will be set up from Chris’ message from this past weekend. Romans 7:7-25 is all about the law and our inability to follow it. Romans 8 talks about freedom from the law and calls us to follow the Spirit and not our flesh. It may be helpful to share part of Romans 7 or share the context prior to discussing Romans 8. Also keep in mind Romans 8:1-2, which sets the stage for the entire passage: “…there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free…” This is a helpful reminder because as humans we will struggle with choosing our desires vs. the Spirit’s. Commentary: enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-8/

Which of these benefits seem most meaningful for you?

If you were encouraging someone to tap into the Spirit living within them, what advice would you give them?

Discussion Note: This question can be used to share practical examples of how to keep focused on the Spirit. One option would be to make a list as a group. Sometimes hearing how others best connect to the Spirit could help give someone else in the group ideas for them to try. (Some examples may include: Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, worship music, life group, shared experience or conversation with spouse/friend/relative, fasting, journaling, etc.)

Additional Question: Whether it has been one week or 50 years, as you reflect back on your life with Christ, can you think of one of the characteristics of the Spirit coming out in you?

1. Which point from this weekend’s message or Life Group study is most important for you to remember?

2. Can you think of one area you want to grow in when it comes to living in the Spirit? Ask your group to pray for you in that area this week.

Note: This could be a great challenge question, or it could be part of your prayer time. You could use a notecard or a Zoom chat box to share these requests. When someone shares an area they want prayer for, this is a great opportunity to follow up as a leader within the next week to see how it has been going and to let them know you have been praying.

Transition Statement to Life Group Commitment: “It’s great to hear what each of you has said about what you want to get out of your time in our group. One of the great benefits of being in a Life Group is the opportunity to have help from others as we seek to be strategic and intentional about our spiritual growth. The Life Group Commitment is designed to serve as intentional guidelines to help us make the most of our time together.”

Link to the form for people in your group

Go over the Life Group Commitment Form with your group. You can download the Leader Guide to the Life Group Commitment. Use this as a guide to keep your group healthy in communicating and caring for one another each week. (The leader audio will give you more details on how to do this effectively.) 

Close in prayer: If you have anyone new in your group and you don’t know them, it is recommended to close with your host or one person praying. Next week, the Study Questions will include an introduction to praying in a group, so if you have a new group or a lot of new members, it’s suggested that you wait until week two to do any group prayer.

Mingle with everyone after the meeting. Even if you’re online, stay on an extra 10 minutes to see if anyone wants to connect and hang out just like you would at an in-person meeting.                                                      

Life Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen:

SHARE
Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable.

STUDY
Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life.

SUPPORT
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs.

SERVE
Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.