These notes are designed to be a resource as you lead your Life Group each week.

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. Watch for an email from Life Group Central on completing the forms. Hard copies were mailed to you.

LEADERCAST IS BACK!
Be a part of an extraordinary event that will make you an even better leader. It is the largest, one-day simulcast leadership event on the planet, with more than 100,000 current visionaries and future world-changers attending each year. As a Life Group Leader or Host we’d like to honor you and provide you with a special ticket rate. Here are the details:

MID-QUARTER TRAINING
Make sure you attend the Mid-Quarter Training session for Leaders and Hosts (Vista Campus based-groups only). Click the links below to RSVP.

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.

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 March 31 and runs through June 1. To wrap up the Quarter, we’ll spend some time this week looking back at our study in Mark and taking Communion.

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

How would the average person define a disciple? Do you think that definition is similar or different from how Chris explained it this weekend?

Which of the three aspects in Chris’ definition of a disciple catch your attention the most and why?
Good question to have everyone answer.

1. We began the Life Group Quarter studying the book of Mark. As we close the Winter Quarter, we want to take a look at how God has gotten our attention, grown us, challenged us or encouraged us these past nine weeks. 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 that you hear from everyone. For those that share verses, you may want to have everyone turn to that same Scripture and even 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. If people pick the statements below, see if you can find the verse or passage in Mark that it’s referring to. 

Follow-up Question: After hearing what everyone has said, what is the one thing you want to remember about our study of these first 10 weeks in Mark? This is a good question to have everyone respond to. Their answers here can be part of what you use for a time of giving-thanks when you take Communion. 

2. As a follower of Jesus, it’s great news that the power of Jesus frees us and that his Spirit is at work in us. How do these verses remind us about how God is at work in our lives?

If you are tight on time, feel free to skip this question and go directly into the “Remembering” Communion section. 

Romans 8:26-27 – ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

God’s spirit speaks for us, intervenes for us and knows us. Additional Question: This verse is usually seen as comforting. Does anyone see this differently (perhaps it’s intimidating)?

Hebrews 4:12 – ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Scripture keeps us aligned with what God wants so we’re not falling into the subtlety of letting our intellect or emotions be our primary guide.

John 10:27-28 – ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

I am secure in my commitment to Jesus and eternity with him.

Acts 1:8 – ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I can make an eternal difference in reaching others. 

Which of these verses are most helpful to you in living out the three aspects of being a disciple?

Good question to have everyone answer – it will transition you into Communion. One option would be to have them rate which verse is most helpful using the number system 1, 2, 3, 4.

Our Mark series so far is giving us an authentic look at how Jesus will do all he can to reach us and walk with us, giving us meaning and purpose no matter what life throws our way. His love for us is so great that he gave his life so that we might have life. Communion is a reminder of all that Jesus accomplished through his death on the cross and his 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.

Communion Transition:

1. Explain that we want to end the Quarter by celebrating Christ, his death and resurrection by taking Communion.
2. You can comment, ask for responses, or read the verses below, noting what comes to mind to be thankful for because of Christ. (Colossians 1:21-23)
   After reading the verses, give people a moment to reflect.
   Explain how you’re going to do Communion and read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
3. Pass the bread, thank the Lord 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 room 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 Option: While people take Communion, you could also play the following video, No Longer Slaves, sung by Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser of Bethel. Use this time for reflection and worship.
4. Prayer: Move into prayer time, thanking Jesus for his examples of love and how he has worked in people’s lives based on what was shared and read throughout the meeting.

1 Peter 2:22-25 –

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 – 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 – 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.

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: March 31 – June 1
Spring Sign-up Weekend Dates: March 23/24 and 30/31