URGENT – If you have not finalized your roster for spring quarter, Please contact us IMMEDIATELY. Call or email your Life Group Central Coordinator 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.

Remember to get Communion supplies for this meeting

This week is your last meeting of the Winter Quarter. We hope you’ve found your time over these past nine weeks to be spiritually and relationally encouraging. The questions have been shortened to allow you time to take Communion. We’ll take a two-week break, then the Spring Quarter begins the week of April 2 and runs through May 27. Please be sure to confirm your plans for the Spring Quarter with your leader.

Discussion Note: Make sure you leave time to take Communion this week. And remember, our goal is to hear from everyone every time we meet.   

This weekend we heard an incredible message about a woman whose most horrifying shame was brought to light and redeemed. Was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

This weekend Chris talked about the three stages of faith. As you heard them explained, how do they relate to your story of faith and following Jesus?

There could be a variety of responses here. Remind your group our faith and growth journeys vary. There are ups and downs. Following Jesus is a relationship, and relationships ebb and flow. The key question is “are you committed to following Him?” not whether we go through periods of struggle, etc.

Additional Verse: speaking of the working out of your faith – Philippians 2:12-15.  It speaks of our work and God’s work in our lives.   

Jesus wants to stretch our faith from simple head knowledge to one that transforms us and impacts others. This has been the theme of the first ten weeks of our study in the book of John. As we close the Winter 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). What has stuck with you so far?

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.

Nothing reveals character more than when ours is attacked or needs to be decreased.

Greatness can only be achieved when we understand that our purpose is to: Make Jesus greater and more visible. Make ourselves less and less visible.

When it’s time to share, answer when asked and earn the right to be heard. 

He is a God who is still fighting for us, available to us, and making the changes in us.

Jesus is not a soft savior. Jesus is passionate about you!

God wants worshippers in spirit and truth, not religion and ritual.

Our past will be Satan’s greatest weapon against us, or God’s most powerful tool for us.

There’s a faith that brings your problems to Jesus, and then there’s a faith that brings your family to Jesus.

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.

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.

A saving faith puts its hope and trust in who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. Yet the busyness, challenges and selfish distractions of life can cause us to forget the power of what Jesus has done for us. As you read the passages below, jot down all they say about what Jesus has done for you. Is there one you think most people miss? Which one stands out to you?

This question is going to set up your group taking Communion. You may only want to focus on which one stands out to you, as opposed to which one you think most people miss. You can also use this a prayer guide after Communion.

Reading option:  If you have time, have different people in the group read each passage (ask for volunteers as some may find it difficult to read out loud). Then have each person share which one stands out to them and then move into Communion. Note: listen to audio for more instructions.

John 10:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

 Romans 5:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

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. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Peter 1:3-5 New International Version (NIV)

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

This week in your Life Group, you will be taking Communion to remember what Jesus has done for us. Communion is the very symbol and reminder of our need for God and all that He has done for us— forgiveness, a costly sacrifice through His son Jesus, a new life and a new relationship with our almighty God.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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.

Read this to them. Again, one the great pieces in us being called to remember is that God realizes we do forget and need to be reminded. 

Take Communion: Pass the bread, thank God for it and eat together. Pass the cup, thank the Lord for it and drink together. Or use this video to lead your group in Communion.  Make sure you preview before using.

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.  

• No Longer Slaves

• • • Other North Coast Worship Songs

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. You may want to use your list from the verses above to thank God in prayer time too.