A Place To Connect - Ray Harris by Lifetogether Ministries

t c e n n o C A place to:

RAY HARRIS L E A D PA S T O R , T H E P O I N T E C H U R C H

t c e n n o C A place to:

RAY HARRIS L E A D PA S T O R , T H E P O I N T E C H U R C H

conversation series

welcome

Published by Lifetogether No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means -- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise -- except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 and 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-7325871-7-5 Printed in the United States of America

contents Welcome 6 Using This Workbook (Read This First) 8 Outline for Each Session 10

S E S S I O N S Session One: Session Two: Session Three: Session Four:

Connecting with Jesus Connecting with One Another Connecting in community Connecting as the Body

12 24 34 44

A P P E N D I C E S Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Small Group Calendar Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)

S M A L L

G R O U P

Hosting an Open House Leading for the First Time Prayer and Praise Report Small Group Roster

56 58 60 62

L E A D E R S 66 68 70 72

Welcome

Connecting is a great word! It’s an even better experience. When we hear the words connect and connected, it’s hard to think of a negative meaning. It’s a strong alternative to lonely and alone. Even in a culture that highly values individualism and self-reliance, there has always been an appreciation for the importance of connections. It turns out that the best kind of life includes both a healthy individual awareness and a deep appreciation for others. Connection means each of us brings something to the table and each of us receives something from the table we can’t supply on our own. We all start out life connected—literally. An umbilical cord links us in the womb with our mother and provides all we need during the nine months we are getting ready to take on the world. That cord keeps us connected even during our birth, after which we are cut free. But it doesn’t seem we ever get over that early experience of connection. All the rest of life we’re looking for that same feeling of interdependence with others. Maybe that’s why, when Jesus was approached by a man named Nicodemus who couldn’t quite put his question into words, He said, “You must be born again” (see John 3:1-21). Nicodemus wanted a connection he couldn’t even verbalize. Jesus gave him the answer: spiritual re-birth. It took a while, but if we trace the story of Nicodemus through the gospels we discover that he did get connected. That’s our hope for you in this study: a strong and growing sense of connection, not only with God but with others who are connected with God. If this seems new and strange to you, it was to Nicodemus, too. But whether the language of spiritual connection is familiar or unfamiliar to you, what you about to experience with others is worth some effort and commitment. There will be some vulnerability and trust opportunities. But if you a willing, what you will walk away with from this study is a sense of connection like you’ve never felt before. Let’s discover together this place to connect.

RAY HARRIS L E A D PA S T O R , T H E P O I N T E C H U R C H

using

T H I S

W O R K B O O K

T O O L S A

T O

G R E A T

H E L P S M A L L

Y O U

H A V E

G R O U P

E X P E R I E N C E !

1. Notice in the Table of Contents there are three sections: (1)

Sessions; (2) Appendices; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendices. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves.

2. If you are facilitating/leading or co-leading a small group, the

section Small Group Leaders will give you some hard-learned experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership.

3. Use this workbook to guide your group, not to limit. If the group

responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section.

4. Enjoy your small group experience.

5. Pray before each sessionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for your group members, for your time 6.

together, for wisdom and insight.

Read the outline for each session on the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow.

Outline O F

E A C H

S E S S I O N

A typical group session for the Place to Connect study will include the following sections. Read through this to get a clear idea of how each group meeting will be structured. WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES. Each session opens with a memory verse that emphasizes an important truth from the session. This is an optional exercise, but we believe that memorizing Scripture can be a vital part of filling our minds with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will for our lives. We encourage you to give this important habit a try. The verses for our four sessions are also listed in the appendix. INTRODUCTION. Each lesson opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session. You may want to have the group read this section aloud. SHARE YOUR STORY. The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. You build that connection by sharing your story with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This section includes some simple questions to get you talkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;letting you share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable doing. They provide a warm up to deeper discussion. 12

HEAR GOD’S STORY. In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching, in order to hear God’s story—and begin to see how His story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll put in the DVD and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of Scripture, and discuss both the teaching and the text. You won’t focus on accumulating information but on how you should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically and creatively, from your heart as well as from your head. At the end of the day, allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform our lives in Christ should be your greatest aim. CREATE A NEW STORY. God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change. It will require you to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight, but it should happen steadily. By making small, simple choices, we can begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) comes into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to know Him personally, carry out His commands, and help outsiders connect with Him. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming newcomers, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, and worshiping God. DAILY DEVOTIONS. Each week on the Daily Devotions pages we provide Scriptures to read and reflect on between sessions. This provides you with a chance to slow down, read a Bible passage each day, and reflect and pray through it. You’ll then have a chance to journal a short response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

Connecting with Jesus S E S S I O N

O N E

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13

Why is it that in the age of social media, where most of us carry in our hands devices that can connect us with almost anyone else in the world, we also often feel cut off and alone? Could it be that many of the things we call connections don’t really do all that much to really connect us? Large numbers of social media friends don’t actually equate to friendships. Name recognition isn’t relationship, and following someone on twitter doesn’t mean we are connected. Not the way we want to be. Not the way we need to be.

Leader N O T E S

If your group is new, welcome newcomers! Introduce everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you may even want to have name tags for your first meeting. Open your group with a brief prayer asking for insight as you study. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion.

Y O U R

S T O R Y

Begin your time together by using the following questions to get the conversation started. Take a few minutes for each person to share their spiritual story. Did you grow up in church, or did you start exploring faith as an adult? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of your time and energy is directed to your spiritual life in this season of your life? What are you hoping to get out of this group?

Watch

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D V D

Use the Notes space provided below to record key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Hear Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story section and direct the discussion among the group.

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Hear

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S T O R Y

Read Matthew 9:9-13. “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This is our second time hearing this passage. How many connections (positive or negative) can you see in these verses? In the first verse, the phrase “Jesus went on from there” implies almost immediate movement from one thing to another. Someone read 9:1-8. What effect do you think it would have had on Matthew if he had witnessed what happened just before Jesus stopped by his tax office? Describe what happened after Matthew quit his job? How do you explain the presence of the rest of the crowd at his house later that day? What other people was Matthew connecting with Jesus? In what ways does Matthew’s response to Jesus parallel your own experience?

Create

N E W

S T O R Y

In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. What would you say, thinking about your relationships, is the percentage of people who are followers of Jesus and those who are not? In other words, if you have a connection with Christ, how many people get to watch that in action who are not connected with Him? When a person becomes connected with Jesus, how does that affect their other relationships? In what ways are these changes positive and/or negative? Matthew opened his home to the people he knew the best the day before he met Jesus. In what ways was this evidence that his decision to follow Jesus was real? In what ways are you allowing your connection with Jesus to be seen by others? Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests. If you’d like, you can write these on the Prayer and Praise report on page 70. Close your meeting with prayer.

Daily

D E V O T I O N S

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:1. Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Colossians 4:5-6. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Reflect: What is Jesus warning about here and how does it affect the way we display our connection with Him before the world?

Reflect: In what ways in your life a light to those around you?

Reflect: In this small group, what would conversations full of grace seasoned with salt actually look and sound like?

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Matthew 9:12-13. On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’

Revelation 3:20. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Reflect: In this session’s memory verse, what is Jesus saying is a significant characteristic of those who follow Him?

Reflect: How does this passage parallel Jesus’ encounter with Matthew and His connection with each one of us?

Reflect: How does this verse clarify the unique nature of our connection with Jesus? How is that newness evidenced in your life?

S E S S I O N

T W O

Connecting with One Another But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

The connection we talked about last time is most visible and most real when it can be seen between brothers and sisters in Christ. The picture of “walking in the light” is really about living with Christ and with each other. The Bible makes it clear that those two relational directions (with Him and with others) must fuction in harmony. Neither can be ignored. This week, we’re going to talk about not just the need to get along with others, but how we actually go about doing that when others and ourselves can be hard to get along with.

Y O U R

S T O R Y

Begin your time together by using the following questions to get the conversation started. Thinking back, in what setting did you first understand the principle of getting along with others? What are the first challenges and first benefits that come to mind from getting along with others? What did you learn from your Daily Devotions this week?

Watch

T H E

D V D

Use the Notes space provided below to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Hear Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story section and start the conversation.

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Hear

G O D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

S T O R Y

Read 1 John 4:7-12. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” In the teaching video, we were reminded that love is a verb. How have you discovered that to be true in your own life? Looking again at the Bible passage in 1 John, what are some specific examples of love coming from God? Ray also quoted John 13:34-35 and then said, “If we are going to claim to be Christians who are connected with God, we are called to also be connected to others.” How do we connect with each other? What kinds of “risks” or “sacrifices” are involved in connecting? If Jesus said that the world would notice we follow Him by the way we love each other, what obstacles or limitations are preventing the world from seeing our love for one another?

Create 32

N E W

S T O R Y

In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. How has your life benefitted from the principle that followers of Jesus love one another? When it comes to practicing love on other people, how often should that be spontaneous and how much should be committed participation? And how does God fit in to the process? What are some of the ways followers of Jesus can commit themselves to be involved in loving others? How has our church and/or this small group given you opportunities to practice love and connecting with others? Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests. If you’d like, you can write these on the Prayer and Praise report on page 70. Close your meeting with prayer.

Daily

D E V O T I O N S

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

John 13:34-35. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Ephesians 4:1-3. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:15-16. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Reflect: Notice that every example of living “a life worthy of the calling” requires connecting with others in our lives (humility, gentleness, bearing with, etc.). Why isn’t it possible to follow Jesus alone?

Reflect: We’ve realized in this session that we don’t generate God’s kind of love in and of ourselves. How does this passage help you understand the source of genuine, connecting love?

Reflect: How do people know you are a follower of Jesus?

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

1 John 4:10. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

John 13:14. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

1 Corinthians 13:3. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Reflect: How does God’s love for you motivate your love for others?

Reflect: Washing someone’s feet is certainly “connecting” in a tangible way. What are some other ways? How many of them have you practiced with others?

Reflect: How do you keep from “just going through the motions” when it comes to loving people who are difficult to love?

S E S S I O N

T H R E E

Connecting in community Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Throughout the Bible, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an amazing balance between the way God looks at us as individuals and the way He considers us as part of a larger whole. In the Old Testament, individual Israelites were held responsible for the way they responded to God but there was also weight placed on corporate responsibilities. God watched the way a community acted, not just an individual here or there. In the New Testament, the theme of individual responsibility and corporate solidarity continues with believers responding to the gospel and being made part of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body, with unique gifts and duties to carry out while at the same time participating in the whole life of the Church. In this session weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to think and talk about what it means to function in community with other fellow believers.

Y O U R

S T O R Y

Begin your time together by using the following questions to get the conversation started. Which of last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daily Devotions was particularly meaningful or encouraging to you? Explain. Tell about a time you felt welcomed into a group or community. What did people do to make you feel connected and welcomed? Describe one of the best meals you have ever had. What roles did the food, the company, and the reason for the meal each play in making it great?

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Hear

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Read Acts 2:42-47. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The teaching highlighted the main themes of this passage, but let’s look at some significant details. What four aspects of community living did the followers of Jesus devote themselves to? What does fellowship mean if it isn’t just coffee hour after a worship service? Many versions translate Philippians 3:10 with the phrase “fellowship of His sufferings.” If you substituted fellowship for community, what would the passage say to you? Does the passage say they all pooled all their resources and lived out of common fund or does it say that they were all free to contribute in various ways to the benefit of others, while still maintain their own lives? What were the conditions that resulted in them believers “enjoying the favor of all the people”? There was also a lot of persecution going on at this time. What was up? Between the teaching and our look just now, what do we take away from this passage as group?

Create

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S T O R Y

In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. How many of the four basic community life actions from Acts 2:42-47 are being practiced in your small group: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer? What is unique about the way you exercise these actions? Where or in what ways could your group intentionally develop some additional community life? How is your small group actively reaching out to others? Where can you improve? Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests. If you’d like, you can write these on the Prayer and Praise report on page 70. Close your meeting with prayer.

Daily

D E V O T I O N S

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

James 5:16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 1:22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

1 Thessalonians 5:11. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Respond: How does this verse help you understand the phrase from our main passage, “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”? How is “merely listening” a form of selfdeception?

Respond: How do encouragement and building up others represent fellowship among followers of Jesus?

Reflect: We don’t confess to each other in order to be forgiven, that’s God’s work—we confess to one another for assurance of God’s forgiveness. How does prayer figure in to the process of confession?

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

1 Corinthians 12:7. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Ephesians 4:25. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Colossians 3:16. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Respond: How does the memory verse for this week help you understand that life in community is both give and receive?

Reflect: How does dishonesty affect community? What is your biggest challenge in being transparent with others?

Reflect: What does “dwell among you richly” look like? What practical ways does this verse suggest we could build community in our small group?

S E S S I O N

F O U R

Connecting a s the Body Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27

Nothing represents ‘mutual healthy dependence’ like the human body. It is an amazing and very complex organism. Millions of individual cells are contributing a highly specialized effort toward our life and health. In Psalm 139, David confessed that his body was “fearfully and wonderfully made.” He was right. As we’ve already discovered, the body is a living example of individual responsibility and corporate solidarity in action. When we understand our gifting and see our place in God’s plan, service becomes a joyful opportunity instead of an obligation. Playing our part in God’s redemptive plan is exciting and fulfilling. How can we do that? That’s what we’re going to discuss in this final session of our study.

Y O U R

S T O R Y

Begin your time together by using the following questions to get the conversation started. Which of last week’s Daily Devotions was particularly meaningful to you? Explain. Tell about a time when a “small” issue with your body created major problems everywhere else. Why do you think slivers, papercuts, and tiny pebbles in our shoe demand such attention? Have you ever seen a small or large group of people accomplish something great together? Explain.

Watch

T H E

D V D

Use the Notes space provided on below to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Hear Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Story section and start the conversation.

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Hear

G O D ’ S

S T O R Y

The passage read in the teaching is fairly long, but we don’t want to miss the significant insights God has for us. Let’s look at it again:

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not 50

belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

The last sentence is also the memory verse for this session. What happens if we put this sentence at the beginning of the passage? According to this passage, how do we actually become part of the body of Christ? In what ways would this passage make a really funny but effective cartoon? What do you think causes the most problems in church life: believers seeing other believers as less important or believers seeing themselves as unimportant? Why? What examples have you seen of the truth in the next-to-last sentence in Paul’s description of the church?

Create

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S T O R Y

In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. Ray said, “I am not responsible for the success of the church—that’s Jesus’ job.” What did he mean? What difference does that make for you in the way you see and experience church? Have you ever found yourself thinking or acting like a nose, ear, or toe acting on your own apart from the body? What’s that like and what convinced you it wasn’t the way to go? When has being part of the body of Christ meant the most to you? How has this study sharpened your awareness of your own role and the roles of others in the body? Take some time as a group to affirm the gifts you see in one another! This can be a fun and powerful exercise. Be sure that each person speaks, and each person receives affirmation. Members can say things like “I notice that you are always encouraging others, thank you for using that gift in our group,” or “You always seem to be drawn to hurting people—perhaps you have the gift of mercy.” Perhaps discuss where you want to go next as a group in learning together. Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests. If you’d like, you can write these on the Prayer and Praise Report on page 70. Close your meeting with prayer.

Daily

D E V O T I O N S

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

1 Corinthians 12:27. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Romans 12:4-6a. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

James 2:26. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Reflect: How are you living as a part of the body of Christ this week?

Reflect: In the next few minutes, write down the two or three â&#x20AC;&#x153;functionsâ&#x20AC;? you believe God has equipped you to contribute to the life of the body of Christ. And think of at least one area where you could be more intentional in applying that gifting. 54

Reflect: How would you say the truth of this verse can be seen in the life of a small group or local church?

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

1 Peter 2:9. 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.

Reflect: You looked at these verses two days ago. Now think about the five or six people closest to you and write down for each one two or three observations you might share with them about their role in the church?

Reflect: What does this verse tell us about the identity of every believer? What is the purpose of our identity?

Reflect: As we live out our calling in the body of Christ, what does this verse tell us we ought to value? How important is that little phrase “From him” at the center of this passage? How has your group grown in maturity during these sessions?

Appen 56

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Frequently A S K E D

Q U E S T I O N S

What do we do on the first night of our group? Like all fun things in life—have a party! A “get to know you” coffee, dinner, or dessert is a great way to launch a new study. You may want to review the Group Agreement (on page) and share the names of a few friends you can invite to join you. But most importantly, have fun before your study time begins. Can we do this study on our own? Absolutely! This may sound crazy, but one of the best ways to do this study is not with a full house but with a few friends. You may choose to gather with another couple or a few friends who would going out to dinner and then walking through this study. What if this group is not working for me? You’re not alone! This could be the result of a personality conflict, life stage difference, geographical distance, level of spiritual maturity, or any number of things. Relax. Pray for God’s direction, and at the end of the study, decide whether to continue with this group or find another. However, don’t bail out before the four weeks are up—God might have something to teach you. And don’t run from conflict or prejudge people before you have given them a chance. God is still working in your life, too! Who is the leader? Most groups have an official leader. But ideally, the group will mature and members will rotate the leadership of meetings. We have discovered that

healthy groups rotate hosts/leaders and homes on a regular basis. This model ensures that all members grow, give their unique contribution, and develop their gifts. This study guide and the Holy Spirit can keep things on track even when you rotate leaders. Christ has promised to be in your midst as you gather. Ultimately, God is your leader each step of the way. How do we handle the childcare needs in our group? Very carefully. Seriously, this can be a sensitive issue. We suggest that you empower the group to openly brainstorm solutions. You may try one option that works for a while and then adjust over time. Our favorite approach is for adults to meet in the living room or dining room and to share the cost of a babysitter (or two) who can watch the kids in a different part of the house. This way, parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be away from their children all evening when their children are too young to be left at home. A second option is to use one home for the kids and a second home (close by or a phone call away) for the adults. A third idea is to rotate the responsibility of providing a lesson or care for the children either in the same home or in another home nearby. This can be an incredible blessing for kids. Finally, the most common solution is to decide that you need to have a night to invest in your spiritual lives individually or as a couple and to make your own arrangements for childcare. No matter what decision the group makes, the best approach is to dialogue openly about both the problem and the solution.

Small Group A G R E E M E N T

OUR PURPOSE To provide a predictable environment where participants experience authentic community and spiritual growth.

OUR VALUES Group Attendance To give priority to the group meeting. We will call or email if we will be late or absent. (Completing the Group Calendar on page 60 will minimize this issue.) Safe Environment To help create a safe place where people can be heard and feel loved. Please, no quick answers, snap judgments, or simple fixes. Respect Differences To be gentle and gracious to people with different spiritual maturity, personal opinions, temperaments, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;imperfectionsâ&#x20AC;? in fellow group members. We are all works in progress. Confidentiality To keep anything that is shared strictly confidential and within the group, and to avoid sharing improper information about those outside the group. 60

Encouragement for Growth To be not just takers but givers of life. We want to spiritually multiply our life by serving others with our God-given gifts. Shared Ownership To remember that every member is a minister and to ensure that each attender will share a small team role or responsibility over time. Rotating Hosts/Leaders and Homes To encourage different people to host the group in their homes and to rotate the responsibility of facilitating each meeting. (See the Group Calendar on page 60.)

OUR REMINDERS Refreshments/mealtimes _____________________________________ Childcare ________________________________________________ When we will meet (day of week) _____________________________ Where we will meet (place) __________________________________ We will begin at (time) ______________ and end at ______________ We will do our best to have some or all of us attend a worship service together. Our primary worship service time will be ________________ Date of this agreement ______________________________________ Date we will review this agreement again _______________________ Who (other than the leader) will review this agreement? ________________________________________________________

Small Group C A L E N D A R

Date

Lesson

Host Home

Planning and calendaring can help ensure the greatest participation at every meeting. At the end of each meeting, review this calendar. Be sure to include a regular rotation of host homes and leaders, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget birthdays, socials, church events, holidays, and mission/ministry projects.

Dessert/Meal

Leader

Memory V E R S E

C A R D S

One

Two

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Matthew 9:12-13

Three

Four

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:7

1 Corinthians 12:27

Small Group Leaders

Hosting

A N

O P E N

H O U S E

If you’re starting a new group, try planning an “open house” before your first formal group meeting. Even if you have only two to four core members, it’s a great way to break the ice and to consider prayerfully who else might be open to joining you over the next few weeks. You can also use this kick-off meeting to hand out study guides, spend some time getting to know each other, discuss each person’s expectations for the group and briefly pray for each other. A simple meal or good dessert always make a kick-off meeting more fun. After people introduce themselves, have everyone respond to a few icebreaker questions: -

What is your favorite family vacation?

What is one thing you love about your church/our community?

- What are three things about your life growing up that most people here don’t know? Next, ask everyone to tell what he or she hopes to get out of the study. You might want to review the Small Group Agreement and talk about each person’s expectations and priorities. Finally, set an open chair (maybe two) in the center of your group and explain that it represents someone who would enjoy or benefit from this group but who isn’t here yet. Ask people to pray about inviting someone to join the group over the next few weeks. Hand out postcards and have everyone write an invitation or two. Don’t worry about ending up with too

many people; you can always have one discussion circle in the living room and another in the dining room after you watch the lesson. Each group could then report prayer requests and progress at the end of the session. You can skip this kick-off meeting if your time is limited, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll experience a huge benefit if you take the time to connect with each other in this way.

Leading

F T F T

O R H E I R S T I M E

Sweaty palms are a healthy sign. The Bible says God is gracious to the humble. Remember who is in control; the time to worry is when you’re not worried. Those who are soft in heart (and sweaty palmed) are those whom God is sure to speak through. Seek support. Ask your leader, co-leader, or close friend to pray for you and prepare with you before the session. Walking through the study will help you anticipate potentially difficult questions and discussion topics. Bring your uniqueness to the study. Lean into who you are and how God wants you to uniquely lead the study. Prepare. Go through the session material. If you are using the DVD, listen to the teaching segment. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare. Ask for feedback so you can grow. Perhaps in an email or on cards handed out at the study, have everyone write down three things you did well and one thing you could improve on. Demonstrate an openness to learn and grow. Prayerfully consider launching a new group. This doesn’t need to happen overnight, but keep growth as a goal. Not all Christians are called to be leaders or teachers, but we are all called to be “shepherds” of a few someday. 70

Share with your group what God is doing in your heart. God is searching for those whose hearts are fully his. Share your trials and victories. We promise that people will relate.

Prayer A N D

P R A I S E

R E P O R T

PRAYER REQUESTS __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 72

PRAYER REPORTS __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 73

Small Group R O S T E R

Name

Phone #

Address

t c e n n o C A place to:

Connection means each of us brings something to the table and each of us receives something from the table we can’t supply on our own. Connecting is a great word! It’s an even better experience. When we hear the words connect and connected, it’s hard to think of a negative meaning. It’s a strong alternative to lonely and alone. Even in a culture that highly values individualism and self-reliance, there has always been an appreciation for the importance of connections.

Ray Harris

LEAD PASTOR, THE POINTE CHURCH

Ray moved to Indiana from Granite Bay, California. A veteran of 35 years of ministry, Ray has served as an executive pastor, teaching pastor, and pastor to students. In 2005, he founded The Pointe Church. Ray and his wife, Lisa, have been married 26 years and have six sons. In the winter months, the Harris’ enjoy snowboarding in the “mountains of Michigan” — a sport Ray has enjoyed since the neon-colored turtleneck sweater days of the 1980’s. Ray also enjoys fantasy football, real life racquetball as well as volleyball (although reportedly, not at the same time). “Lately, my teenagers have been schooling me in basketball in our driveway.” A gifted communicator, Bible teacher, and leader, Ray enjoys helping people see how the ancient truths of the Scriptures relate to our everyday lives.

www.thepointechurch.net | 5335 Bass Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808