LIFE GROUP LEADER GUIDE
For the week of March 14, 2021
This guide is designed to give helpful hints in preparing & leading your group in discussion.
PRINT LEADER GUIDE:
URGENT – IF YOU HAVE NOT FINALIZED YOUR ROSTER FOR SPRING QUARTER, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. Call or email your Life Group Central Admin or Station-in-Life Pastor. Find the contacts here: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/staff. You can also let us know of any changes to your group or indicate “NO CHANGES” when you submit your attendance.
LIFE GROUP SURVEYS FOR NEW GROUPS
During Winter Quarter, we typically ask only the new groups to give feedback on their last night of the quarter. If your group is new this quarter, look for an email from Life Group Central regarding completing the forms.
SERVE YOUR CITY – YOU CAN NOW SIGN UP AS A GROUP AT NORTHCOASTCHURCH.COM
See project sign-up guide at end of this leader guide.
Begin to help your group members make plans as to whether they are going to serve at home, with your group, or if they are going to create their own project!
What is it?
Serve Your City is a church-wide, three-week campaign coming after Easter. Each week, we will focus on serving our community in three intentional and practical steps:
- Week 1: GIVE (donate financially)
- Week 2: SERVE (participate in community service projects with your Life Group, with your family or on your own)
- Week 3: LOVE (intentionally show love to someone in your life)
When is it?
Week of April 11: GIVE financially
Week of April 18*: SERVE on a project
Week of April 25: LOVE someone
*Note that most in-person service projects will take place April 24-25.
How can you help?
- Tell your group members about Serve Your City!
- Head to northcoastchurch.com and click on “Serve Your City” to view service projects that have been created for you to serve. Note, you may also create your own.
- Sign up to serve! We love to see Life Groups serving together! You will have the option to sign up your whole group for a project, or you can also sign up as individuals.
MEETING NOTES
Things to Remember:
*We are pushing the start date of Spring Quarter to April 4, giving you two weeks off between the quarters. |
Goals for the Evening:
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ATTENDANCE
Submit your group’s attendance online at northcoastchurch.com/attendance. If you’re not sure how to post attendance, you can check out the guide here: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/how-to-post-attendance
| This week is the final meeting of our Winter Quarter. We’ll take a two-week break, then the Spring Quarter begins the week of April 4 and runs through May 29. To wrap up the quarter, we’ll spend some time this week looking back at our study in Acts and how God has worked in our lives while taking Communion. |
1. We’re starting our last meeting of the quarter with some fun by playing the game “Two Truths and a Lie.” Here’s how it works: Each member of the group tells two truths and one lie about themselves (in any order). Everyone else guesses which statement is actually the false one. You can keep score to see who correctly guesses the most lies, or just play for fun—it’s up to your group.
Have fun with this one. This game works well on Zoom also. This can be a good way to break up the routine before your group takes a break. Of course, you can decide to skip this if your group is ready to dig in right away.
2. 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?
Question #1 is geared toward reflection on our Acts series and the Winter Quarter with highlights from the messages we discussed. Question #2 is directed at this week’s message about the promises God gives that we can hold onto. The “Remembering” section is focused on setting up Communion.
1. It was just over a year ago we started studying the book of Acts. As we close the Winter Quarter, we want to take a look back at how God has gotten our attention, grown us, challenged us or encouraged us through this series and meeting as group this past quarter. Take a moment to think back on what you’ve learned, marked in your Bible or written in your notes about the themes we’ve covered (some are below). Jot down any highlights that stood out to you and give a brief explanation as to why you picked them.
Make sure you allow plenty of time for people to discuss this question and try to hear from everyone. For those who share verses, you may want to have everyone turn to that same Scripture and possibly underline it if the verse ends up having meaning to them also. How they answer this question can help set up the “Remembering” section about Communion, where we focus on being thankful.
Some quotes and highlights from our Acts Study:
“The Spirit is living, the church is moving, and we are invited to play our part in it.”
“My greatest need isn’t temporary healing. It’s forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
“No one is too broken to be redeemed.”
“A detailed and crystal-clear calling is the exception, not the norm.”
“Speaking truth with God’s love requires timing, tact and tone.”
“Jesus died for His enemies; all He asks is that we love our enemies.”
“The only true judge of God’s goodness is the cross, not my current circumstances.”
“If you can get out of a valley without disobeying God or hurting others, get out.”
“The church was known for who they followed, not what they were against.”
“Our enemy can’t create; he can only counterfeit.”
“Never reinterpret Scripture in light of your life experience.”
“How someone responds to Jesus is far more dependent upon their openness than our eloquence.”
Discussion Note: Good question for everyone to answer. Take time on this so people can reflect on what they’ve learned and experienced so far this year in your group. This question may flow best by having people share how the group has helped them. Then you can refocus on taking Communion (“Remembering” section) and thanking God for all He has done this quarter, both in the group and personally; this might increase the meaning, purpose and impact.
Additional Question: In what ways has your Life Group helped you apply any of the teachings, verses or principles above?
Discussion Note: This is an opportunity to highlight any stories God is currently writing in and through your group. This can help unify your group and the reality of connecting with and learning from each other.
2. This week, we heard how it’s important to not get stuck looking for miracles instead of focusing on God’s promises. Below is a list of some of the promises God gives us. Jot down the promise each one reveals. Circle the two that catch your attention the most and be ready to explain why.
Only use this question if you have plenty of time to do Communion. This is just a sampling of the many promises we find from God in Scripture. If you have time and want to dig deeper, you could do a search for more promises God has given us.
Galatians 6:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
1 John 1:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
2 Timothy 2:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
John 14:27 New International Version (NIV)
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.
John 15:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Isaiah 40:29 New International Version (NIV)
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
2 Corinthians 5:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Jesus wants us to remember what He has done for us and that He is here to walk through life with us. That’s why Jesus told the disciples at the Last Supper to repeatedly come together and take Communion. Taking Communion is about remembering all Christ accomplished through His death on the cross and resurrection. It is through this sacrifice that Jesus’ grace and mercy are made available to us.
This week, your Life Group will conclude by doing as the disciples did, taking Communion together. To prepare for Communion, read the following verses and reflect on Jesus’ commitment and work in your life as you follow Him. Write down a few of your thoughts about the impact each of these verses has on you.
Communion Transition:
1. Purpose: Introduce Communion by sharing that it’s about being intentional in remembering the great sacrifice and love God has for us by sending His son Jesus to die that we might have life. Listen to the Leader Guide Podcast for more instructions.
Chris Brown Video Option to set up Communion – Show this video to your group to set up Communion northcoastchurch.com/communion/
2. Read: You can comment, ask for responses or read the verses below, noting what comes to mind to be thankful for because of what Jesus has done for us (Colossians 1:21-23). You may want to involve others in reading the Scriptures. After reading the verses, give people a moment to reflect and share their responses.
1 Peter 2:22-25 New International Version (NIV)
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Romans 5:7-11 New International Version (NIV)
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 New International Version (NIV)
(Read this when you take Communion.)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Explain how you’re going to do Communion, and read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
3. Take Communion: Pass the bread, thank God for it and eat together. Pass the cup, thank the Lord for it and drink together.
The bread and juice can also be set on a table in the middle of the group and people can take Communion after you read the Scripture and pray, or while the group sings or listens to a worship song.
Video/Music Worship Option: Pick one of these songs to play while you pass out the Communion supplies or while you take Communion for a time of reflection.
4. Prayer: Move into prayer time, thanking Jesus for His example of love and how He has worked in people’s lives based on what was shared throughout the meeting.
As Chris mentioned in his sermon after the closing prayer, if you’re not in a Life Group and would like to take Communion on your own or with a group of friends, see this link to help guide you through it: northcoastchurch.com/communion/
Finalizing Spring Quarter Plans: Reminder to confirm who is returning to your group and let them know the specific date, time and any potluck plans for your first meeting back for the Spring Quarter.
Spring Quarter Meeting Dates: April 4 – May 29
Spring Sign-up Dates: March 21-28
Serve Your City Project Sign-up Guide
Interested in serving outdoors with other people? Here are some great projects to consider:
- Green Oak Ranch (Vista)
- Agua Hedionda Discovery Center & Lagoon (Carlsbad)
- REINS – Therapeutic Horsemanship Program (Fallbrook)
- Ingold Sports Park (Fallbrook)
- Rancho Corrido Campground (Pauma Valley)
- James Dukes Elementary (Ramona)
- I love a clean San Diego
- Kit Carson Park (Escondido)
- Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)
Prefer to work with a small group or do something at your home?
- Pathway Health Clinic: Create a “New Mom” Spa Kit
- Hearts & Minds: Create a Spring Gardening Kit
- Kids’ Card Making for Seniors
- Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic
- PUSD Youth in Transition: Create Laundry Kits
- Mayflower Dog Park – City of Escondido
- Downstown – Residence for Down Syndrome Adults
Here are some great drives we would love everyone to participate in, whether as a group or individually!
SERVE YOUR CITY
Serve Your City is a three-week, church-wide event in which we will focus on giving, serving and loving our community. Sign-ups are open online at northcoastchurch.com and at all weekend services! Sign up to serve today!