LIFE GROUP LEADER GUIDE
For the week of April 3, 2022
This guide is designed to give helpful hints in preparing & leading your group in discussion.
PRINT LEADER GUIDE:
LEADER NOTES
| Reminder – If you have new people in your group, use name tags for at least the first three weeks of the quarter!
LIFE GROUP COMMITMENT FORM Go over the Commitment Form with anyone who missed the first week. If anyone did not sign the Life Group Commitment Form, remind them to do so. BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL and/or SERVICE PROJECT Online Social Ideas: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/group-socials/ In-person Social Ideas: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/suggestions-for-socials/ PRAYER NOTE ATTENDANCE |
Audio Guide Podcast Available here – Audio often times gives a few more details
Optional “Get to Know You” Questions – Especially for New Groups: (for groups with new people) If you have new people in your group, you may want to start with this one since it’s only the second week of the quarter: 1) Where is the coolest place you have traveled? 2) What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
Discussion Reminder: Our goal is to hear from everyone every time you meet and keep God’s Word at the center! Our goal is not to answer all the questions. We ask multiple questions to give groups options to focus on. Pick the questions that seem to fit your group the best. Make sure you get everyone involved in the discussion, and make sure you leave time for people to share personally and any needed prayer requests.
1. In your family growing up, what did you learn about the definition of success?
Good question to have everyone answer.
2. What’s your first response when you hear that someone you highly respect is found out and caught in a significant compromise? (Please respond with discretion.)
Please note: The point of this question is not to bring up specifics or name the leader, but more about the personal response. And also not to just focus on the story that Chris told, but bring it a little closer to home.
Additional Question: How are you processing and responding to David based on what you heard about him today and throughout our study?
QUICK REVIEW: 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?
1. We all have God-given desires and hopes for success (Proverbs 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:10). Yet, as we heard this weekend, our pursuit of success all too often conflicts with the pursuit of faithfulness. Take a minute and jot down any thoughts you have on what the pursuit of faithfulness looks like in the areas below.
Have everyone share what they came up with, adding other people’s answers. Their lists may be similar, yet still have nuance. Answers may be few or many depending on your group. The real traction on this question will probably come once you read through the verses and the additional questions.
Additional Question: When looking at the three categories below, is there one more challenging for you to be faithful in than the others? If so, explain.
At Work:
honesty, hard worker, integrity, show up on time, finish the work
Additional Question: When is it hardest to be faithful at work?
At Home:
balance of priority at home and work, time and attention to family members, etc.
Additional Question: Is there any situation at home you typically find yourself in conflict?
With Friends/People:
how I treat them, peer pressure on me, living out my faith, do I show respect to all people
Additional Question: How would you say your friends affect your faithfulness? How would you rate how your faithfulness affects them?
Paul, in his letter to the Colossian church, is working hard at helping them to know who they are in Christ as followers of Jesus and what the pursuit of faithfulness looks like. As you read the passages below, jot down how Paul describes faithfulness in action.
Colossians 2:6-7 New International Version (NIV) 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 3:2-4 New International Version (NIV) 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:12 New International Version (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:13-14 New International Version (NIV) 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:15 New International Version (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:17 New International Version (NIV) 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Note: “in the name of Jesus” means all you do represents Jesus to others.
Colossians 3:23-24 New International Version (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 4:5-6 New International Version (NIV) 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
As you look at your descriptions of faithfulness in action from Colossians, is there one you’d say you’re strongest at implementing in your life? How does it fit in the previous categories (at work, at home, with friends/people)?
Discussion option & prayer note: Have them share two and not just one. You can also divide into smaller groups of 3, 4 or 5 or divide into men only / women only and then have each group use these two sub-questions then use as prayer guides for one another as you close your meeting.
Is there one you would say you need to make sure you remember to keep part of your pursuit of faithfulness? How does it fit in the categories (at work, at home, with friends/people)?
Same here as stated in the note on the sub-question above.
Additional verse and prayer you can use to remain faithful for your group or personally: Colossians 1:9-14
2. None of us want to end up with godless chapters in our lives like David. But how do we end up there? Chances are it usually isn’t the result of one bad decision, but a series of decisions that take us in the wrong direction and/or ignoring the warning signs along the way. How could the following verses help us avoid this trap?
Discussion Note: This question can also easily take your entire time. You can also use it as a closer having them focus on their verse of choice below if time is limited.
Proverbs 27:12 New International Version (NIV) 12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Can you think of a time when you did see danger and take refuge, or you didn’t and kept going and paid the penalty?
Additional Question: Do you have any specific danger signs personally?
Proverbs 27:6, 17 New International Version (NIV) 6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses. 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Seeking wise counsel and getting input from others is an important way to avoid blind spots. How have you seen this ebb and flow in your life?
Additional Questions:
- Who do you listen to?
- When’s the last time you asked for advice from someone else about how you live your life, decisions you make/are making, etc.? How do you have this built into your life?
- Have you given anyone permission to question your priorities (if you’re married, besides your spouse)? Why would it be important to have more than just one person? It is not odd to have to repeatedly ask someone to do this for you— repeatedly doing this is not easy for most.
Additional Verses: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 20:18
Romans 6:12-13 New International Version (NIV) 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
What helps you to not offer yourself to sin and instead offer yourself to God?
1. Looking back on this week’s sermon and study, what’s most important for you to remember?
Good wrap-up question if you haven’t already done this with one of the other questions above. You can use either of the answers in Digging Deeper 1 or 2 as prayer guides for your group time or prayer during the week. If you have any new people in your group, be sure to go over prayer tips below, never making someone pray.
Prayer Transition and Optional Question: The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. Group prayer would fall into this category. If you have new people in your group, going over “Tips on Group Prayer” (below) is crucial. In most cases, it’s also a good reminder for returning group members. More than once, we’ve had people tell us they quit a Life Group or didn’t join a group because they had to pray out loud.
Additional Question (An important one for new groups): Prayer is an amazing avenue God has given us to communicate with Him and He with us, but we also come to it with a lot of different thoughts and feelings. Which of the following statements are most true for you?
- Prefer to pray silently instead of out loud
- Find my mind wandering when praying
- Like to write out prayers
- Look forward to time in prayer
- Don’t really know how to pray
- Other
| TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER |
| Prayer is an important part of being in 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 the 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. |