LIFE GROUP LEADER GUIDE
For the week of September 29, 2024
This guide is designed to give helpful hints in preparing & leading your group in discussion.
PRINT LEADER GUIDE:
LEADER NOTES
The 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 choose what to focus on. Pick the questions that seem to fit your specific 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.
ATTENDANCE
Submit your group’s attendance online at My.NorthCoastChurch.com. If you’re not sure how to post attendance, you can check out the guide here: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/how-to-post-attendance
REMINDER 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 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.
THIS WEEK’S QUICK LINKS
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
You won’t want to miss this incredible evening at the Vista Campus Tuesday, October 15! Receive biblical encouragement, practical leadership tools, and a time of refreshment. Be equipped to lead no matter what role you serve in! Featuring speaker Susie Larson and comedian Lisa Gilbert. Register at northcoastchurch.com/womens-gathering/.
Childcare option available with pre-registration.
NORTH COAST CHURCH MEN’S CONFERENCE
Join us Friday evening, October 25 & Saturday morning, October 26, for the North Coast Men’s Conference held at the Vista Campus! Come ready to recharge and refocus on God’s call for us with Joby Martin (he will deliver the goods. )along with worship, activities, and tourneys all raising money for Women and Families in Crisis! NEW this year is a camping overnight option. Register at northcoastchurch.com/mens-conference/
CONTINUE TO MAKE PLANS FOR YOUR SOCIAL & SERVICE PROJECT
Last year, over 440 Life Groups served together and as a church we completed 1,564 projects! Year after year, we continue to see the Impact that North Coast Church has had both locally and globally. It only seemed fitting that the new name for the community service ministry is now IMPACT: Local and Global. As you look for ways to serve as a group, the website that previously was named “Community Service” is now NorthCoastImpact.org. This NEW website offers your group local projects in your area so you can continue to serve as a Life Group, family or individual. You can also check out the Global Impact section to see what North Coast missionaries and partner organizations are doing around the world!
DISCUSSION/LEADER GUIDE
WARM UP
- Peter wrote about an inexpressible and glorious joy we can have because of Christ. There are also little things in life that bring us joy. What is something small that makes you smile without fail?
We are not comparing this to Peter’s “inexpressible joy”, but share a fun fact of something that brings you a little bit of joy in the day.
- Can you think of a time you were in a place where you felt like you didn’t belong (i.e., new city, new job, new school, etc.)? In what ways do you feel like an “exile” or a stranger in this world today?
- What stood out to you most from what you heard or read in this weekend’s message?
As we start this new series, it could be helpful to take a moment to remind the group who Peter is for greater impact and context. You can ask the group what they know or remember about Peter and then share some of the facts below.
-Other than Jesus, Peter’s name is mentioned in the gospels more than anyone!
-No one speaks in the gospels as often as Peter and Jesus spoke to him more than any other individual.
-Jesus rebuked Peter more than any other disciple.
-Peter was the only disciple who dared to actually rebuke Jesus.
-Peter confessed Jesus more boldly and accurately than any other disciple.
-Peter denied Jesus more forcefully and publicly than any other disciple.
– Jesus praised Peter more than any other disciple.
-Jesus addressed Peter as Satan alone among the disciples.
-Peter was the only disciple to walk on water with Jesus.
-Peter witnessed the transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-9)
-Peter was the one who cut off the ear of the high priest when they came to arrest Jesus. (John 18 :1-11)
-Peter, along with John, ran to the tomb the morning of the resurrection.
-Peter put his nets out at the command of Jesus and caught tons of fish. (Luke 5:1-11)
KNOW IT
- In 1 Peter 1:1-12, Peter describes the faith we should all have. How accurately do you think this describes your faith? What words and phrases ring true for you? Are there any that don’t feel accurate to your relationship with this world, your hope, or the trials you face?
Some words and phrases you might pause on: “elect, exiles, chosen, sanctified, obedient to Jesus Christ, grace, peace, new birth, rejoice, suffer grief in all kinds of trials, though you have not seen Him you love Him, filled with joy.”
- This weekend, we talked about our new home in heaven. Read Matthew 6:19-24. While Jesus is discussing money here, He’s also talking about where our heart is. What are some tangible ways we can have more of our treasure in heaven than here on earth?
The issue isn’t that money is bad in and of itself. However, as Chris pointed out this weekend our heart will be in the same place as our ultimate treasure, goals, and passions. The issue is our heart and our hope; where are they? Another verse to point your group to is 1 Timothy 6:6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Ask your group why contentment is so elusive. No matter how much we have we always think contentment is just out of reach. We just need a little bit more.
- Last weekend, we looked at 1 Corinthians 13. How do you think what we discussed in 1 Corinthians 13 plays into our role as “exiles” in this world and citizens of heaven?
As Christians, the driving force of our lives is love. What we see now, is not all there is. We belong to a different Kingdom. Nothing can steal our joy, it’s not found in this world. If there’s anything that can steal our joy and peace in this world, our joy and peace are in the wrong place. Does our joy rise and fall based on what’s happening with our job? Investments? Finances? Health? Family? The news? Politics?
SHARE IT
- Even though we know nothing can truly “steal” our joy, what is something you’ve noticed that threatens to steal your joy and peace? Why do you think that is?
Discourage any advice giving here. Let people share as they feel comfortable and come up with their own solutions. Only give advice when asked.
If you want to go further, you can ask your group, “why do we keep going back to the things that steal our joy?”. (Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”)
- With what we have learned in the first week of this series, how can you tangibly relate or apply this in a current trial or suffering you are facing?
This question might feel too vulnerable for some. If you choose to do this question, come ready with a story of your own, that you are comfortable sharing, to break the ice and model vulnerability. Practically, this could be things like submitting our worry to God and trusting him when we are anxious about things are out of our control (Phil. 4:6-7), or maybe rejoicing and prayer a constant in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
LIVE IT
- What are some tell-tale signs or characteristics of someone who is wrapped up in this world instead of setting their eyes on Jesus and placing their hope in heaven?
- Being citizens of heaven doesn’t mean we hate our lives here. How do we enjoy our lives, and the good gifts God has given us, without making them where our heart and treasure are?
Encourage your group to bring a Bible to church and to life group so they can “mark it up” and look back in the future of their notes and journey through Scripture.