Thrive Group Leader Guide by christchapelbc

GROUP LEADER GUIDE

Contents are a licensed Christ Chapel Bible Church derivative of original “STEPS” content

Used by permission.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Citizens Church.

ISBN 979-8-9875989-1-7

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Citizens Church 4501 Legacy Dr Plano, TX 75024

www.citizenschurch.com

CONTENT AUTHOR: Michael Snetzer

EDITOR: J. Collin Huber LLC

DESIGNER: Yessie Ortiz

Orientation

OPEN GROUPS 1-3

Overview and Expectations

Orientation: Week 1 (Open Group)

OVERVIEW

Session Goal:

Introduce participants to what a Thrive night might look like, and to the fruit-root relationship. We want potential participants to realize that the thoughts and motives they are rooted in are what drive their pattens, and ultimately produce fruit/behaviors.

Small Group Helps:

Remember that we don’t anticipate everyone will be eager to contribute to the conversation in group. As you ask questions, feel free to move quicker than in a closed group setting where you’ll want them to sit in the discomfort of an unanswered question.

Large Group Info:

Tonight, we will be sharing the basic expectations of Thrive and giving an overview of the entire process. We will also teach about the fruit-root connection using Jeremiah 17:5-8. (Next week we will get into the role of the heart.)

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER (5 MINUTES)

Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ASK AND LISTEN (25 MINUTES)

Tonight, we talked about what Thrive is and what would be required.

1. Have you ever experienced anything like this before?

2. Who can name the five components of Thrive that we learned about? (Bible Study, Assessments, Mentoring, Large Group Teaching, Small Group Community)

3. Do you have any questions about any of these components?

4. Have someone read Luke 6:43-45 aloud.

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

5. Name some “fruits” we see today that are similar to the ones Jesus is talking about in this passage.

For instance: judging and condemning others versus giving to and forgiving an enemy.

6. Is it possible to “bear good fruit” if you appear more like a thornbush/bramblebush? Why or why not?

7. In what ways have you attempted to look “good” on the outside

8. If you were to honestly label the “fruit/behaviors” in the tree diagram as they pertain to yourself, what words come to mind? (This could be words others have used to describe you, or ways in which you have self-identified behaviors you’d like to change.)

9. What patterns have you attempted to change to alter your behavior? (past or present) Why would you say that is not working?

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (5 MINUTES)

Thank everyone for responding. Remember that not everyone will feel comfortable to share this openly the first time they attend an open group orientation experience. You are simply providing a taste for the types of questions they might interact with in their closed group after they commit and are accepted into the program.

PRAY (5 MINUTES)

Close the group in prayer, particularly emphasizing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship : Aimed at the Heart

Orientation: Week 2 (Open Group)

OVERVIEW

Session Goal:

Introduce potential participants to what a Thrive night might look like, and think about the relationship the heart has to our words and actions/reactions

Small Group Helps:

Large Group Info:

Tonight, we will teach about the heart using Jeremiah 17:9-10. The focus will be on the Word of God treating the sickness of the heart, rather than the secular process of coping with symptoms. (Next week we will talk about the redemptive community of the local church.)

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER (5 MINUTES)

Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ASK AND LISTEN (25 MINUTES)

Tonight, we heard more about Thrive, but the teaching spent more time on the role of the heart in influencing our words, actions and reactions.

1. What did you think about the teaching?

2. What’s the strongest emotion you’ve had this week? What did you say in your head?

3. Explain the differences between thoughts, feelings, and actions.

4. Do you think it’s possible that these three things can work together to change us?

How so (or why not)?

5. After hearing the teaching tonight, what would you say you are worshipping a lot lately?

6. How have you attempted to change in the past?

7. Describe the different counsel you have received over the years.

8. How have you attempted to control how you feel rather than trust in God?

9. If someone were to “shake your water bottle” right now, what would come out? Why?

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (5 MINUTES)

Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

PRAY (5 MINUTES)

Close the group in prayer, particularly emphasizing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Redemptive Community

Orientation: Week 3 (Open Group)

OVERVIEW

Session Goal:

Provide a final chance for potential participants to commit to Thrive this semester and share about the version of community we want them to experience.

Small Group Helps:

Large Group Info:

Tonight, we will teach about several aspects of biblical community.

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER (5 MINUTES)

Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ASK AND LISTEN (15 MINUTES)

Tonight, we heard about several aspects of biblical community.

1. Which aspect stood out to you, and why?

2. Which of the elements of a redemptive community do you struggle to reflect?

3. How might the church hinder those seeking help from coming to Christ? (For an example, see Matthew 19:14)

4. Using the language from the teaching, describe the failures of the communities you have been involved in historically (programs, groups, churches, families, etc.)?

5. Is there any part of what Jesus is teaching on community that you are reluctant to enter into? If so, please explain.

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (5 MINUTES)

Thank everyone for responding, and especially those who were willing to share any hurts and past experiences that were difficult in community. It is vulnerable for them to share that in a different community group.

ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

Q&A:

Offer to help answer any questions your open group participants have about Thrive.

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT:

Before your open group participants leave, please review the Participant Commitment with them. You and they will need to sign the copy in their materials if they are serious about committing to Thrive this semester

Following this commitment that you walk them through, they will need to complete the commitment electronically, which includes paying for their Thrive materials. We advise everyone to do this before they leave campus so that any questions can be answered and that any situations regarding the process are fully resolved before people go home. The chances of a person committing and remembering in time are slim as soon as they exit.

PRAY

(5 MINUTES)

Close the group in prayer, particularly emphasizing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Closed Groups Begin

INTRODUCTORY MEETING

Introductory Closed Group Meeting

Meeting #1 (First Closed Group Meeting)

OVERVIEW

Session Goal:

Lead participants in getting to know one another and understand the diversity of backgrounds that have led them to this discipleship process.

Small Group Helps:

Prayerfully Prepare:

o Pray for the people who will be joining the group. Ask the Holy Spirit to move them into a posture of humility and openness to God’s work through Thrive.

o Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion. Taking time to plan for your group session will help orient your heart before the Lord and understand what participants study during the week.

o Prepare your testimony. You will be given 5 to 10 minutes to share your testimony. We encourage you to work hard on this because you will be setting the tone for the kind of sharing, and the length of time it takes to effectively share.

As They Share: It is best to let people answer coming from “where they are”. It’s good to remember that we are all awkward and come across a little sideways when we are uncomfortable. (We are not jumping in with feedback or questions this early on the group.) Simply thank them for sharing.

Large Group Info:

• Groups meet after participants have listened to the teaching. Small groups provide a place for members to process what they have heard. Leaders should also have listened to the teaching, or if in a group setting, be with their group during teaching.

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER AND ICEBREAKER (5 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

BREAK THE ICE:

Have everyone share their name and answer an ice-breaker question. Suggestions:

• Favorite ice cream

• Favorite board game to play

• Favorite sport to watch

• Worst playground injury

• If you had to present a 20 min. speech with no prep- what would the subject be?

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY (10

MINUTES)

ADMINISTRATION:

ü Pass around attendance sheet (explain the columns)

ü Let the group know that any children must be picked up by 8:30 p.m.

ü FYI: Group leaders have a “leaders meeting” after small group (at 8:30 p.m.)

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Read small group ground rules (consider having each person take turns reading aloud): The following characteristics will contribute to a safe and successful Thrive small group experience.

1. Successful small groups have a balance of each person getting to contribute and share without any one person dominating the group’s time and attention. So, don’t talk too little and don’t talk too much.

2. Avoid the temptation to try to fix one another. Safe and successful small groups are characterized by support rather than advice-giving. Trying to “fix” someone else is usually a sign that we don’t want to deal with our own stuff.

3. Share with honesty and authenticity. Sharing our struggles openly demonstrates our desire to pursue growth and freedom in Christ.

4. Do not romanticize your sin. It is tempting in group settings to compare struggles or take pride in things that grieve the heart of God. We do not celebrate sin; we celebrate repentance.

5. Scripture calls us to refrain from gossip. Please operate under the direction of God’s Word in the handling of information shared within the group. In order to provide a safe environment for your group, you must commit to NOT share information about one another outside the group, except in rare circumstances, such as:

o Potential harm to self or others

o Reports of abuse or potential abuse to a child, the disabled, or an elderly person

o *As leaders, we do sometimes share information with Soul Care Leadership and Mentors for our ongoing growth and health of the group and its members

6. In Thrive, each person should be allowed to share without interruptions. However, like most other successful conversations, others are free to contribute with comments or observations only to the extent that it is helpful for the person that is sharing. Counsel must be biblically rooted.

HOMEWORK AND FUTURE ACCOUNTABILITY (15 MINUTES)

ü Distribute homework (Bible studies and mentor prep work for this week)

ü Share the overview schedule for the semester, noting anything exceptional on your calendar. Have participants refer to their calendars and ask any questions.

ü Discuss daily homework rhythm, and answer any questions participants may have.

ü Explain next week’s accountability for homework and how that will be a part of the weekly group time.

ü Communicate that if anyone has further questions about any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

LEADER TESTIMONY (10 MINUTES, TOTAL)

Group Leader (and if applicable, also Apprentice Leader): share a 5 to 7-minute testimony focusing on any suffering or sin you have experienced and God’s redemption in these areas. Be vulnerable to help create a safe place for others to share.

Foster gospel-centered community through diversity. There is diversity in terms of backgrounds and even degree of struggles. All people, being created in the image of God, matter to God. He sees and understands your unique story.

ASK AND LISTEN (10 MINUTES)

Ask a few members who are willing to share:

1. How did you hear about Thrive? What led you to commit?

2. What fears or concerns do you have about the Thrive process or about being in a group like this?

3. Why are you here, and what do you hope to get out of this semester?

Give everyone a clear time frame to do this within. You will have the bulk of the time next

week to complete this so everyone can have a good amount of time.

ü Remind them that this will continue on next week for everyone to answer.

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (5 MINUTES)

• Assure participants that you are there for them

• Their presence speaks volumes about the value they are placing on spiritual growth.

• Encourage the group to be faithful to do the work by meeting with mentor, completing homework and seeking the Lord.

• Encourage them not just to check these off their to-do lists but to really seek the Lord. For the Mentor Prep questions, a right answer is an honest answer, not necessarily a theological correct answer.

• Share a meaningful Scripture, such as …

2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

Close the group in prayer, particularly emphasizing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Contact those participants who may not have shown up for the first week.

Understanding God WEEKS

1-4

The Beginning : Creation and Fall Meeting #2 (Covering Week 1 Homework)

OVERVIEW

ROMANS 5:12

Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.

Truth from Week 1:

Man, in relationship to his Creator, has fallen from a place of dignity, humility and dependence to a state of depravity, pride and rebellion. This has led to unfathomable suffering. Any attempts on our own to redeem ourselves are futile, only increasing the problem of independence and self-sufficiency. Any perceived success leads only to empty vanity. Apart from Christ, we admitted we are powerless to overcome sin (ours and others) and our attempts to control it only increase our chaos.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants in sharing where they are in terms of their relationship with God and a summary of the story behind how they got there.

Small Group Helps:

Prayerfully Prepare: Taking time to plan for your group session will help orient your heart before the Lord and understand what participants study during the week. Spend time in the scriptures, taking note of important truths. Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion. This way God’s Word will be fresh on your heart, providing the truth necessary to keep the session on track.

As They Share: It is best to let people answer coming from “where they are”. It’s good to remember that we are all awkward & come across a little sideways when we are uncomfortable. (We are not jumping in with feedback or questions this early on the group.) Simply thank them for sharing.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: Creation and Fall (Video Session 1) Video length = 44:55 mins (longer video)

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

• Day 1: Genesis 1:1-2:3

• Day 2: Genesis 2:4-25

• Day 3: Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:1-10; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Ephesians 5:22-33

• Day 4: Genesis 3: 1-24

• Day 5: Genesis 3:7-24

• Day 6: Genesis 4:1-16

WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED WITH THE MENTORS

• Day one introduces us to a creation that was initially empty, dark and disordered. To what degree do these describe your life? If they don’t, what words would describe your life?

• We were also introduced to our Creator, who by His Word, brought order, life and light to His creation. Do you believe that He is doing the same among us? Why or why not?

• We believe evidence of God’s love, pursuit of and plan for you is why you are sitting under God’s Word in this study. How is your heart responding to that pursuit? Are you listening and receiving or rejecting?

• According to the creation account, a functional human being is to live in a loving, dependent relationship with his Creator. In what ways have you looked to the creation rather than the Creator for care, direction, protection, provision, power, satisfaction, comfort, security, stability, hope, happiness, purpose, identity, meaning and value?

• Describe your current suffering. How are you responding?

• God created us to be in loving relationships with Himself and others. Describe your close community and friends. Do you reach out to others when you need help? Why or why not? Where do they point you for hope?

• In what ways do you disregard God’s voice and follow another voice in pursuit of your own desires?

• What are the “fig leaves” in your life ways you have tried to remedy the problem of sin with external solutions (religious activity, performance, possessions, power, personality, people, posterity, positions, etc.)?

• How have you attempted to justify yourself (value, worth, etc.) before God and others?

• Our self-reliant attempts to manage our sin or to control the sin of others reveals that we believe we are powerful enough to fix the problem. Understanding the magnitude of the problem helps us to see it is beyond us. Have you admitted that you are powerless and defeated apart from Christ? Do your actions reflect this? How so?

• As we examine our lives through the lens of scripture, it helps us to see what is most true. In light of what we have covered this week, what prayer would you like to offer to God about where you are at?

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Reminder of small group ground rules (consider having each person take turns reading aloud):

The following characteristics will contribute to a safe and successful Thrive small group experience.

4. Avoid the temptation to try to fix one another. Safe and successful small groups are characterized by support rather than advice-giving. Trying to “fix” someone else is usually a sign that we don’t want to deal with our own stuff.

5. Share with honesty and authenticity. Sharing our struggles openly demonstrates our desire to pursue growth and freedom in Christ.

6. Do not romanticize your sin. It is tempting in group settings to compare struggles or take pride in things that grieve the heart of God. We do not celebrate sin; we celebrate repentance.

7. Scripture calls us to refrain from gossip. Please operate under the direction of God’s Word in the handling of information shared within the group. In order to provide a safe environment for your group, you must commit to NOT share information about one another outside the group, except in rare circumstances, such as:

o Potential harm to self or others

o Reports of abuse or potential abuse to a child, the disabled, or an elderly person

o *As leaders, we do sometimes share information with Soul Care Leadership and Mentors for our ongoing growth and health of the group and its members

8. In Thrive, each person should be allowed to share without interruptions. However, like most other successful conversations, others are free to contribute with comments or observations only to the extent that it is helpful for the person that is sharing. Counsel must be biblically rooted.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

ADMINISTRATION:

ü (none this week!)

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster gospel-centered community through authenticity. God is merciful. He welcomes those who come humbly and honestly seeking help. He receives the weak, the wounded, the strayed, the lost, the addicted, the afflicted, the abused and the confused. It is okay to not be okay. Adam and Eve were honest, while Cain covered his sin.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What was your biggest takeaway from your time in the Word and with your mentor this week?

2. Where are you in terms of your relationships with God and others? Are they rich, vibrant and fruitful or lacking? Are you angry, confused, full of doubt, skeptical, hopeless, afraid or distrusting?

3. Summarize the story behind what got you here.

4. How would you describe your relationship with God in the midst of these circumstances? Does it exist? Is it vibrant and fruitful or lacking? Are you confused, skeptical, struggling, with doubt, hopeless, angry, afraid, or distrusting? (Where are you with God in this struggle?)

5. If needed, supplement the discussion with questions from the Mentor Summary list.

Encourage those who didn’t share: We will give you a chance to share next week before moving on. (FYI: Questions will start to get more targeted and will move us toward change.)

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Use this time to encourage the group, assuring participants that you are for them. This week encourage members of your group by communicating that their presence speaks volumes about the value they are placing on their spiritual growth.

Speak redemptively: It is important for those we disciple to see their problems biblically so that we can bring the hope of the gospel to their specific needs. You might feel tempted to think you have to have all the answers immediately. Keep your reflections for future sessions and for prayer. Introduce participants to scriptures that speak to their circumstances. Remind them of the promises and character of God.

Emphasize the hope of the gospel from this session’s teaching

• Genesis 3:15 – God’s promise of a redeemer was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

• Genesis 1 – God brings light to the darkness, life to our emptiness and order to our chaos.

Other Scriptures to encourage the group: (optional)

• 1 John 1:6-7

• Psalm 139: 1-6, 15-17, 23-24

• Psalm 27: 5,9

Truth From Week 1: Man, in relationship to his Creator, has fallen from a place of dignity, humility and dependence to a state of depravity, pride and rebellion. This has led to unfathomable suffering. Any attempts on our own to redeem ourselves are futile, only increasing the problem of independence and self-sufficiency. Any perceived success leads only to empty vanity. Apart from Christ, we admitted we are powerless to overcome sin (ours and others), and our attempts to control it only increase our chaos.

Exhort: Encourage the group to be faithful to do the work by meeting with their mentors and completing the homework for the week. Encourage them not just to check these off their todo lists but to really seek the Lord.

Encourage: Spend time talking about the commitment, reminding them the enemy makes it hard to come. When they show up it’s a big deal. Tell them how much you are committed to them.

Address Comparisons in an encouraging way. Normalize it but speak into it. How to handle comparisons between stories, especially with age gaps and different experiences:

• Name the elephant: Encourage that it’s tempting for all of us

• “God has unique plans for me and ways that I need to participate in this group. He ordained this season for me to be here.”

• “Comparison distracts and robs me of what God has for me in this group and season.”

• Comparison in this way can feel hurtful to others.

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

Ideally, leave a few minutes at the end of each session for the group to interact as the Holy Spirit moves. This is an opportunity for members to share something the Spirit is impressing on them, like a confession, a word of encouragement or a verse.

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Contact those participants who did not show up to group

o Reach out to half of the participants to encourage them in the commitment they have made and pray with them.

o Get to know the participant’s names and what brought them to Thrive. Ask yourself questions about each participant:

o Where is this person spiritually?

o What areas need healing?

o Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

o What sinful patterns or strongholds did you discern?

o How could you encourage this person?

o What Scriptures speak to their situation?

REFLECTION

A prayerful time of reflection will help lead you to speak redemptively into the lives of group members. This is an ideal time for discipleship and collaboration as the leader pours into the apprentice leader(s) and then prays alongside them for participants.

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

Ask the Lord to help you see each participant through His eyes and speak redemptively into the group. The following questions are meant to guide you, but don’t feel that you need to answer every question every week or let them limit ways the Lord might speak.

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

The Remedy : The Gospe l

Meeting #3 (Covering Week 2 Homework)

OVERVIEW

MATTHEW 7:13–14

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Truth From Week 2:

God lovingly intervened into our chaos and provided a remedy for the insanity of sin and the way back into fellowship with Him. We believe that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be redeemed.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants to understand their own insanity cycle (counterfeit redemption) and display true hope for redemption in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation. We are a slave to sin until we are found in Him.

Small Group Helps:

o Prayerfully Prepare: Spend time in the scriptures taking note of important truths. Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion.

o Plan to Speak Redemptively: It is important for those we disciple to see their problems biblically so that we can bring the hope of the gospel to their specific needs. You might feel tempted to think you have to have all the answers. Allow the process to unfold. Remind participants of the promises and character of God.

o Review FAQ for Group Leaders

o This week it is best to allow them the space to “sit in the mess” and the reality that their head knowledge doesn’t connect to their hearts. Don’t try to hand them answers or rush them to where they are going or what comes next in the curriculum. This is a good reminder to share with your participants before delving into the questions.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: “The Remedy: The Gospel” (Video Session 2) Video length = 40:53 min (longer video)

• We will be introducing the “Insanity Cycle” of sin/addiction.

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

• Day 1: Deuteronomy 5:1–22; Matthew 5:17–48

• Day 2: Genesis 6:5–22; Romans 1:18–2:3

• Day 3: Isaiah 52:13–53:12; 54–55

• Day 4: John 1:1–18

• Day 5: John 8:3–12

• Day 6: Acts 17:16–34

WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED WITH MENTORS

• If your heart wants to follow God’s perfect law but it ends up disobeying God, how heavy does this feel to you?

• Judgment and hell are unpleasant realities we tend to avoid and dismiss. How do these realities add weight to our sin? How does this help us see the love of God in what Jesus suffered for us? What is happening in your heart?

• In what ways do you suppress the truth or live in denial? See Romans 1:18.

• How do you relate to the law? In your sinful nature, are you fairly moral with a tendency to look down on others who are not a good or do you tend to disregard it?

• If the antidote to unrighteousness is not self-righteousness, what is it?

• What about Christ and the gospel did you find beautiful this week?

• In the past, to what or whom did you look to satisfy your thirst (Isaiah 55:1–2)? In what or in whom did you place your trust?

Extra Opportunity: Concept of God worksheet (Participant Appendix B)

• Scripture is clear: We must make a decision about our belief in Jesus. What is our reality if we do nothing and ignore the call of God?

• How have you responded to the invitation to trust in the suffering servant, the one who has come to save the world?

• In Acts 17:22–23, Paul says the men of Athens are very religious. Their practices (whether in the religious centers or in the marketplace) point to what they worship and live for. What do the practices of your life reveal about what you worship and serve?

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Remind of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster gospel-centered community through truth We want to receive but not mislead people to counterfeit solutions that do not address our deepest troubles. The truth will set us free. This means we have to swallow difficult truths about ourselves and our inability to fix the problem. In this we can look to Him. We can’t, but God can! The gospel is superior in finding freedom from the otherwise enslaving interplay of sin and suffering. All other solutions can only provide temporary, symptomatic relief.

If needed, remind participants that everyone gets to have their ‘moment’ after sharing and we don’t want to speak or rob from it in any way. Encourage them to focus on the unique things God is having each person work on in this season.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

Remember to specially make room for those who did not share last week to speak tonight.

1. What was your biggest takeaway from your time in the Word and with your mentor this week?

2. Describe your own insanity cycle (doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result).

3. Our insanity cycle and related practices reveal our disordered worship. What is it that you are living for or worshiping? Suggestion: Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Be willing to go first with examples of wrong worship from your own life.

4. Describe how Jesus has revealed to you personally that He alone is worthy of your worship and of the reordering of your heart around Him.

5. If needed, supplement the discussion with questions from the Mentor Summary list.

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Talk about the commitment, reminding them the enemy, (particularly the struggle with the flesh) makes it hard to come. When they show up it’s a big deal. Tell them how much you are committed to them.

Speak redemptively: Emphasize the hope of the gospel from this session’s teaching.

Redemption is freedom purchased through a ransom paid by a redeemer on behalf of the enslaved. Christ purchased our freedom from the bondage of sin by giving His life as a ransom. Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us, brought light to the darkness, life to what is empty and order to our disordered hearts. The gospel is the historical narrative of the triune God orchestrating the reconciliation and redemption of a broken creation and fallen creatures from Satan, sin, and its effects to the Father and one another through the life, death, resurrection and future return of the Son by the power of the Spirit for God’s glory and the church’s joy. We can’t, but God can!

Truth From Week 2: God lovingly intervened in our chaos and provided a remedy for the insanity of sin and the way back into fellowship with Him. We believe that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be redeemed.

Possible Scriptures to use to encourage:

• John 3:17

• Ephesians 2:4-9

• Titus 2:11-14

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Reach out to mentors and check in with them.

o Pray with them for participants and ask if they have any questions.

o Remind them of their importance as mentors.

o Reach out to the other ½ of the participants to encourage them in the commitment they have made and pray with them.

o Get to know the participant’s names and what brought them to Thrive. Ask yourself questions about each participant:

o Where is this person spiritually?

o What areas need healing?

o Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

o What sinful patterns or strongholds did you discern?

o How could you encourage this person?

o What Scriptures speak to their situation?

o Apprentice leaders: begin planning a social for around week 4. (Ideas for socials: order pizza before the group meets, meet for breakfast on a Saturday, etc. – Please no happy hours, or restaurants that push alcohol. You do not yet know the struggles hiding under the surface of each individual.)

REFLECTION

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

The Response : Faith and Repentance

Meeting #4 (Covering Week 3 Homework)

OVERVIEW

MARK 1:14-15

Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Truth From Week 3:

Through the Holy Spirit’s illumination of our desperate and helpless condition before God and the hope that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we step out in faith and repent as an act of worship and obedience, surrendering our will and entrusting our lives to Christ’s care and control. We are reborn spiritually and rescued from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light, where we now live as a part of Christ’s ever advancing kingdom.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants in sharing where they are in terms of their relationship with God and a summary of the story behind how they got there. Key word: repentance

Small Group Helps:

o Prayerfully Prepare: Taking time to plan for your group session will help orient your heart before the Lord and understand what participants study during the week. Spend time in the scriptures, taking note of important truths. Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion. This way God’s Word will be fresh on your heart, providing the truth necessary to keep the session on track.

o Come to group time with 2-3 examples of repentance from your own life to help group members understand what we mean when we use that word.

o Think through how you would connect the “insanity cycle” from last week (with a specific sin cycle for them) to this week’s idea of repentance.

ü You might feel tempted to think you have to have all the answers. Allow the process to unfold. Introduce participants to scriptures that speak to their circumstances. Remind them of the promises and character of God.

ü As They Share: It is best to let people answer coming from “where they are”. It’s good to remember that we are all awkward and come across a little sideways when we are uncomfortable. (We are not jumping in with feedback or questions this early on the

group.) Simply thank them for sharing.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: “The Response: Repentance” (Video Session 3) Video length = 29:49 min (shorter video)

• Covering Godly Repentance vs. Worldly Sorrow

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

• Day 1: James 2:14-26

• Day 2: Isaiah 6:1-13

• Day 3: John 3:16-21

• Day 4: Luke 15

• Day 5: John 14:15-31

• Day 6: 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED WITH MENTORS

• If you have received the gift of faith, how has that led to a heartfelt desire to be obedient to God?

• Describe any experiences where God’s presence and power humbled you.

• Describe how the reality of God’s love has affected your life?

• What of God’s character have you come to know as you have walked with Him?

• To whom or to what do you point for your justification? Or to put it another way, how do you attempt to justify yourself to others?

• What is your attitude toward God?

• What is your view of mankind?

• Define repentance. What has been your response to the call to repent? Why?

• What evidence of spiritual rebirth do you see in your life?

• Have you responded to the gospel in faith by repenting of your sins and trusting in the finished work of Christ? Have you accepted His invitation to follow Him, forsaking all others? If yes, describe the process. If no, why?

• Scripture gives us a lens to see where we stand before God. We cannot have right standing through our works. We can only have right standing surrendered to Christ. What honest prayer do you need to offer up to God?

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Remind of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster gospel-centered community through faith Genuine faith is active and causes us to live differently. Genuine faith causes us to war against sin and center our lives around Him.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What was your biggest takeaway from your time in the Word and with your mentor this week?

2. Tell us time where you have experienced worldly sorrow or false repentance.

3. Tell us of a recent time when you have experienced godly sorrow/repentance because of your sin. What action or actions did you take? (for instance, confession, obedience, gratitude, worship, a submissive spirit, surrender, etc.) This question is NOT ABOUT SALVATION.

4. What is personally meaningful or helpful to you in contrasting godly sorrow (genuine repentance) and worldly sorrow (false repentance)? Why?

5. If needed: Supplement with Mentor discussion question(s) on the previous page.

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

• Spend time clarifying repentance. This can be difficult for some to grasp, but remember you are planting seeds!

• Just as there is fruit of salvation – there is also fruit of repentance.

• Share 2 or 3 examples in your own life to help with these questions.

• Luke 15: Whether we have been the self-righteous Pharisee or the rebellious lawbreaker, our heavenly Father asks His children to repent and enjoy the blessing of coming under the riches of His kingdom.

• Help them connect the insanity cycle from last week (with a specific sin cycle for them) to this week’s idea of repentance.

• Remind them that this is a 13-week process! We are only in week 3, heading into week 4.

Truth from Week 3: Through the Holy Spirit’s illumination of our desperate and helpless condition before God and the hope that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we step out in faith and repent as an act of worship and obedience, surrendering our will and entrusting our lives to Christ’s care and control. We are reborn spiritually and rescued from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light, where we now live as a part of Christ’s ever advancing kingdom.

Exhort: Encourage the group to be faithful to do the work by meeting with their mentors and completing the homework for the week. Encourage them not just to check these off their lists but to really seek the Lord in their studies.

Possible Scriptures to use to encourage:

• Romans 6:12-13

• 1 Corinthians 10:13

• Joel 2:12-13

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Plan an event or two to gather and fellowship for a less intensive time together, such as a meal.

o Follow up with group members who are not actively participating in group sessions.

REFLECTION

A prayerful time of reflection will help lead you to speak redemptively into the lives of group

members. This is an ideal time for discipleship and collaboration as the leader pours into the apprentice leader(s) and then prays alongside them for participants.

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

The Result: Justification, Adoption and Sanctification

Meeting #5 (Covering Week 4 Homework)

OVERVIEW

ROMANS 8:29-30

Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Truth From Week 4:

As children of God armed with the Holy Spirit and standing firm in the gospel, we engage in the spiritual battle over the reign and rule of our hearts. God set us apart for holiness, and we look to put to death the areas of our lives that keep us from reflecting Jesus Christ to a dark and dying world. We first examine the fruit in our lives (or moral symptoms). As we move through the assessment process, we will uncover the roots of any ungodly fruit (pride and idolatry) that drives our ungodly thoughts, actions and emotions.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants in receiving what is true about them in Christ. Also, helping them acknowledge where they struggle to believe what seems too good to be true and praying that God would help their unbelief.

Small Group Helps:

o Prayerfully Prepare: Spend time in the scriptures taking note of important truths. Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion.

o Be ready to bathe the participants in truths (comforts) of the gospel before they dig into their hearts in the upcoming assessment weeks.

o Remember, your goal is to keep conversation moving in the right direction. Draw out what God is doing, not what you think is supposed to be happening in the Thrive process. Everyone has a difference experience and learns varied things at differing paces. It’s ok if they don’t connect with a certain lesson or fully ‘get it’.

o It can be appropriate to review group guidelines and address crosstalk. Talk to them

about when it is ok and helpful (when speaking encouragement and truth) but not helpful (when it becomes “but I do” or related a similar story). Be on guard against fixing and rescuing happening in the group. This protects introverts and the overall group dynamic.

o If you have it, bring your copy of the Thrive participant guide to use as you answer any questions about the upcoming week of homework. This coming week is a transition week!

o This is a good week for the apprentice leader to lead if they have not already done so.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: “The Result: Justification, Adoption and Sanctification”

Video length = 27:40 mins (shorter video)

• Salvation Chart presented

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

• Day 1: Romans 8

• Day 2: Revelation 21-22; 1 Peter 1:3-9

• Day 3: Romans 7

• Day 4: Matthew 15:1-20

• Day 5: Ephesians 4:17-5:2

• Day 6: Galatians 2:15-3:3

WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED WITH MENTORS

• How do you tend to view suffering in your life? How might the precious truths of Romans 8 shape your views? How might God redeem your specific suffering for His glory and your good?

• Paul rebuked the church in Galatia for trying to perfect themselves through human effort alone (works). How have you tried to overcome sin by trying harder instead of seeking God and trusting the Spirit’s work in you (grace)? How specifically does this look in your life?

• Where have you excused or placed blame for your ungodly thoughts, behaviors and emotions (examples: family upbringing, suffering and loss, a diagnosis, “the devil made me do it”, blaming others)?

• If God’s good goal for our lives is to conform us to the image of His Son, is this now your goal? How will you achieve this goal?

• What reservations do you have about examining your own heart?

• What “grievous ways” has God revealed to you (ways your sin has grieved the heart of God)?

• What evidences of the Spirit of God do you see at work in you?

• A changed heart means we move from an attitude of be grudging submission to an honest desire to engage the war going on in our hearts. Where are you as you head into assessments?

• Scripture tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Mortification often feels like crucifixion. What future glory is on the horizon for those who suffer with Him in this way?

• In your own words, what do each of these gospel truths mean for you personally? (ADOPTION JUSTIFICATION HEIR SANCTIFICATION)

• What are your thoughts, concerns, and fears about completing your assessments? If not ready, why? What time will you set aside to do them? When will you meet with your mentor to go over them (this may take longer than your previous meetings)?

• Going into assessments, what prayer would you like to offer to God?

• (Optional) Biblical lament includes getting honest with God about our suffering while being reminded of His presence, truth and promises. What difficulty do you need to get honest about? In your free time, write a psalm to God. Be sure to include truths that speak to your difficulty.

Note: Psalms often start with heartfelt angst, even questioning God about the trouble the psalmist is facing (see Psalm 13). God often meets the psalmists in the difficulty, reminding them of what is also true that helps them transcend the difficulty.

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Remind of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Foster gospel-centered community through rest. God invites us to rest in His finished work through Jesus. We work from a place of rest. It is impossible to please God apart from faith. We have peace with God in Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What was your biggest takeaway from your time in the Word and with your mentor this week?

2. What are some of the more meaningful “gospel truths” for you and your particular story? (Truths about God’s character, what the gospel says is true of us in Christ, and the promises of God) How will these truths help carry you through difficult trials? Be specific.

Adoption, Sanctification, Justification – these may need more explanation in your group Discern where there is understanding or misunderstandings.

3. The gospel can seem too good to be true. What truths do you have difficulty believing are true for you? Where is more faith needed?

4. What does the gospel call us to that is challenging, confusing or even questionable?

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Speak redemptively: Regardless of good days or bad days, God is accomplishing the salvation of His people. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Nothing can separate us from His love. We are His children. We are more than conquerors. We will be conformed to the image of His Son as we put to death the deeds of the flesh and set our minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8)

Spend time clarifying gospel truths and gospel pursuits. This can be difficult for some to grasp because these words/phrasings are new …

• Gospel truths/comforts (gospel indicatives)- unchanging realities for born again believers such as adoption, sanctification, and justification, that root believers in truth. Ephesians 1-3 (examples of gospel indicatives)

• Gospel pursuits (gospel imperatives)- what the gospel calls us to; commands. Ephesians 4-6 (examples of gospel imperatives)

You may want to introduce Participants to Appendix C & D: The Identity of a Believer and God’s Promises to a Believer.

Truth From Week 4: As children of God armed with the Holy Spirit and standing firm in the gospel, we engage in the spiritual battle over the reign and rule of our hearts. God set us apart for holiness, and we look to put to death the areas of our lives that keep us from reflecting Jesus Christ to a dark and dying world. We first examine the fruit in our lives (or moral symptoms). As we move through the assessment process, we will uncover the roots of any ungodly fruit (pride and idolatry) that drive our ungodly thoughts, actions and emotions.

Possible Scriptures to use to encourage:

• Romans 8:15-17

• 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17

• Galatians 2: 20

• Romans 8:1

• See also scripture references from Appendix

Pre-Assessment Helps:

This is a transition week and it will feel different. This coming week you will begin “week 5” of the curriculum, which is called “pre-assessment.” During this preparation phase you will work through the “Assessment Prep” section and share the answers to questions with your mentor. This is done in place of the daily structured Bible study. You might want to break your time up and cover the homework in several segments of time as you have availability.

Mentor scheduling reminder: When you schedule time to meet with your mentors to cover the week 5 homework, 3 consecutive hours each week are suggested.

Offer help: Next week’s Large Group teaching will be on trauma coming to the light. Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Send participants gospel encouragement this week in terms of what you are seeing in them individually, or as a group.

o Follow up with group members who are not as active in the group sharing time. Get to know them a little more and offer to pray for them.

o Contact mentors this week to check in with them and pray together for each participant as they begin the pre-assessment.

o Spend time praying for each participant to be rooted in the gospel truths they struggle to believe.

REFLECTION

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

Understanding Ourselves

WEEKS 5-8

Assessment Prep

Meeting #6 (Covering Week 5 Homework)

OVERVIEW

JOHN 21:4

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore.

Truth From Week 5:

Under the covering of God’s grace, we step out in faith, leaving behind our old, self-protective ways of covering sin and hiding from God. We prayerfully come into the light, confessing our sins before God and to one another so that we may be healed.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants in recognizing that the things we have been through in the past shape how we relate to God, self, others and our circumstances currently. We don’t want to heal our wounds lightly, but bring those wounds into God’s presence so we can be redeemed.

Small Group Helps:

o Prayerfully Prepare: Spend time reviewing the concepts and scriptures from week 5 of the Participant Guide. Examine your own heart so you can lead others in the discussion. This way God’s Word will be fresh on your heart, providing the truth necessary to keep the session on track.

ü *Remember that by addressing abuse in the homework this week, some participants will be overwhelmed and a bit hijacked (unable to focus on other things.) Be extra sensitive to those that have suffered abuse in your group. If they do share about it in your group, it’s helpful to respond by telling them how sorry you are that happened to them and empathize with them. (Make sure to STOP and do this before moving on!) *This guidance is especially important for leading women.

ü When anticipating future steps (8 and 9), if a participant is afraid of being asked to reconcile with an abuser, let them know that this is not expected or advised.

o Continue to pray for vulnerability as you lead.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: This week we will be listening to an audio podcast in the large room. The teaching covers an introduction to the topic of trauma

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES (NOT NECESSARILY DAILY READING)

• 1 John 1:5-10

• Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16; Acts 19:18

• Romans 7:18

• Jeremiah 6:14

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

• Matthew 15:18-19

• Galatians 5:16-23

WHAT’S BEING DISCUSSED WITH MENTORS

• What are the benefits of living in the light?

• What can we conclude about living in darkness?

• Would you say you have been primarily concerned with changing others and your circumstances or being changed by the gospel?

• In what ways can you see yourself living with a passive heart?

• How would you summarize your story before meeting Jesus? What were you pursuing, thinking everything would be okay if achieved?

• How has your life changed after encountering Jesus? What now defines your life?

• When we are stuck in self-pity, what are we not considering?

• How might these truths influence how you tell your story?

• Ephesians 2:1-10 describes the testimony of every believer. What worldly direction were you following before being made alive in Christ? What were your flesh patterns?

• What changed according to this passage? How? For what purpose? What does this all mean for you?

• As we examine the truth about our hearts, why is it important to remember and believe the gospel?

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Remind of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster Gospel-centered community through Christ’s redemption. This necessarily means that the community realizes their need for saving. Jesus is our Redeemer. Apart from Jesus, everything has been ruined by sin. Jesus delivers us from the bondage of sin and is bringing about something new through His precious blood.

Group time is going to shift focus. Because you are sharing your suffering, hurts and pain with your mentor, our group time will be more focused in the Word and moving toward the Light. It is not healthy to just come and share all the pain again.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What clarifying questions do you have regarding the lesson this week? What was most meaningful?

2. Are there troubling things from your past that the Lord wants you to talk about? Can you hint at what those things might be?

3. How have you pretended like everything is okay when in reality you are deeply troubled?

4. What patterned responses to trauma are you most familiar with? (ex: suppress, escape, numb, flee, avoid, deny, control) In what ways are you tempted to respond when triggered? Can you give examples?

5. In what ways do you feel your past is creeping into your current reality? What triggers you? (Hint: A sign of the past creeping in is when our responses are incongruent with the situation i.e. when we “overreact.”)

6. Living in the light promises fellowship with God and others, cleansing from all unrighteous, life without shame, and forgiveness. Does this describe the reality of your life? What would it take for you to live in the light?

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Use this time to encourage the group.

Speak redemptively: It is important for those we disciple to see their problems biblically so that we can bring the hope of the gospel to their specific needs. Introduce participants to

scriptures that speak to their circumstances. Remind them of the promises and character of God.

Reintegrate: Emphasize the hope of the gospel from this session’s teaching.

Scripture to Encourage:

• Proverbs 28:13 – There is mercy for those who confess and forsake their transgressions.

• 1 John 1:9 – Jesus cleanses all who come to Him in faith, agreeing with Him in the ways we have sinned against Him, and brings fellowship with believers.

• James 5:16 – Healing for our hearts is available as we confess and pray for one another.

Other Scriptures to possibly encourage with:

• Psalm 4 & 5

• Isaiah 53, 61:1-3

• James 1:2-16

• Romans 6:1-19 Romans 12:18-21

• 1 Peter 2:24-25, 3:13-17

Truth From Week 5: Under the covering of God’s grace, we step out in faith, leaving behind our old, self-protective ways of covering sin and hiding from God. We prayerfully come into the light, confessing our sins before God and to one another so that we may be healed.

Clarify Homework: Week 6 is the first full set of assessments: Trauma and Abuse. Walk through the pages with them. Make sure to point out where they need to stop and wait for the Mentor. Remind them that there are two assessments, and where to skip ahead to find the next assessment.

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Encourage participants to spend time daily in the Word and prayer during assessment weeks.

o Reach out and find out when participants are working on their assessments so you can be praying for them during that time.

REFLECTION

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

Examining Suffering and Anger

Meeting #7 (Covering Week 6 Homework)

OVERVIEW

MICAH 7:8

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

TRAUMA AND ABUSE:

Trauma, abuse, neglect and abandonment often provide the “fertile ground” for our dysfunctional patterns of relating to God, self and others. Trauma, according to the American Psychological Association, is an emotional response to a terrible event (or events) that hinders a person’s ability to move forward in a healthy way. Trauma can happen through a single event or through sustained exposure overtime.

Abuse can be understood as the misuse of anything. God created all things for His glory, and misuse of His creation is a type of abuse that is ultimately sinful. All sin is abusive, and sin against others is undeserved. There is, however, a type of abuse that moves beyond what might be considered normative in the Christian life. It often includes intent to harm and can characterize a relationship of oppression. This abuse is horrific and, in keeping with God’s heart for the oppressed, the church must be a redemptive instrument in intervening for and protecting the abused. As with any sin, we cannot overcome its effects independent of God, but He has provided the way to overcome sin through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

HEBREW 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

ANGER AND RESENTMENT:

To understand resentment, we must first understand anger. Anger is an emotional response to a perceived wrong that demands justice. A resentment is a “root of bitterness” that takes hold in our hearts when we fail to entrust offenses to the LORD. Resentments make us unfruitful, sucking nutrients (energy) that could be used productively. Resentments also defile others. They can be displayed in acting toward someone in a way we shouldn’t or not acting in a way toward someone that we should. We tend to replay in our minds the situations in which we have been treated unjustly.

Small Group Helps:

Prayerfully prepare: Spend time reviewing the concepts and prompts in week 6 (two assessments) Answer the small group questions yourself so you can lead others in the discussion.

Important considerations for leading a discussion where trauma, abuse and suffering are themes:

• The assessments completed may identify areas where a person is still being wounded in some area. Please be extra cautious from passing judgement or allowing comparisons to be vocalized in group. Hurting people are not always able to think logically or be objectively theological.

• When you step in to offer encouragement, be extra sensitive this week. Choose to “patiently listen” versus “admonish and warn,” because we do not want to increase shame.

• Be very careful regarding storytelling. Group time is meant to clarify truths about God and His character. Mentors will spend extra time this week working through the storytelling and offering personalized care and compassion to participants.

• We can cause re-traumatization if we are eager to hear a story that interests our own ears rather than provide a safe space for a person to express where they are in suffering through a tough situation.

• The participant needs to know they can share as little as they want and will not be pressured to share more. The person sharing a tough example may need to pause or stop altogether, and that is ok.

• Be cognizant that we would never ask a person to confront their abuser.

Large Group Info:

• Large Group Teaching: “Assessing Anger and Abuse” (Video Session 5) Video length = 35:40 (short)

• Covering Christian walking in flesh vs. in God’s Spirit

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES FOR TRAUMA AND ABUSE

• Deuteronomy 26:7

• Micah 7:8-10

• Psalm 9:7-10; 10:17-18; 12:5; 56:1-11; 71:20-22; 103:4

• Joel 2:25-26

• John 10:10

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES FOR ANGER AND RESENTMENT

• Matthew 5:21-22

• Luke 6:35-36

• Romans 12:19

• John 5:30

• Hebrews 12:15

• James 1:19-2

• Psalm 4:14

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Remind of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete both assessments, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

ü This week we continue in assessments. Each group member will need to intentionally set aside time to examine their hearts before the Lord (instead of completing daily devotionals) and to meet with their mentors (three consecutive hours each week).

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster Gospel-centered community through justice. God is perfectly just, meaning He does not allow sin to go unpunished. Sinners will either experience the wrath of God or the mercy of God through the substitutionary death of Christ for their sins. God contends against injustice by defeating sin on the cross, offering mercy through the gospel, but He will return to bring perfect justice to those outside of Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What was your experience as you spent time with God going through this week’s Assessments?

2. What clarifying questions do you have regarding the lesson this week? What was most meaningful?

3. Give examples from your assessments, or recent past, of how you typically respond to injustice or offenses committed against you.

4. In what ways do you justify your sinful anger or other bad fruit? (Give everyone the opportunity to answer.)

5. Read Matthew 5:21-22. This is Jesus’ teaching on unrighteous anger and its impact (physical abuse to verbal/emotional abuse). Murder and anger in our hearts are clearly different in degree, but who are they both liable to? (One person answers.)

6. Read Romans 12:19-21. Most of us respond to perceived injustices/offenses either passively or aggressively. (We can suppress the anger or retaliate.) How does Scripture call us to respond to our enemies? How does the world tell us we should respond? (One person answers.)

7. Read Matthew 5:38-42. What examples does Jesus give for responding to personal offenses? How does He say to actively respond to these injustices? (One person answers.)

8. What is challenging for you personally in terms of how the Bible teaches us to respond to injustices?

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Speak redemptively: It is important for those we disciple to see their problems biblically so that we can bring the hope of the gospel to their specific needs. You might feel tempted to think you have to have all the answers. Allow the process to unfold. Introduce participants to scriptures that speak to their circumstances. Remind them of their new identity and the promises and character of God.

• Romans 12:19-21 – Show the participant that we don’t have to take revenge, not because God doesn’t care about justice, but because God says that He will bring perfect justice. This helps us to win people to be reconciled to God rather than demanding what we feel we are due.

• 1 Peter 2:19-25 – This scripture explains that Jesus suffered abuse. He understands. He also responded righteously and left us an example of how to respond to abuse.

• Psalm 56:1-11 – This scripture illustrates God’s heart for the abused. He has not forgotten them, He has heard their cries. The cross of Christ doesn’t just justify sinners, it also vindicates victims.

A Redemptive View of Abuse and Suffering: Abuse is the misuse of anything. God created all things for His glory, and misuse of His creation is abuse and ultimately sinful. All sin is abuse, and sin against others is undeserved. We cannot overcome the effects of sin independent of God, but He has provided the way to overcome sin and its effects through the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has the power to redeem all forms of abuse and suffering. In Christ, through the Spirit, we will display His supremacy and victory over evil as we arise over sin, shame and even death.

A Redemptive View of Anger: Anger is an emotional response to a perceived wrong that demands justice. Not all anger is sinful. It can be the appropriate response to injustice. Unrighteous anger is rooted in man’s attempts to meet his own idolatrous desires. Righteous anger is aligned with the Spirit and flows from the heart of God in love for that which He cares about, spurring us on to gospel-centered action to eradicate evil and injustice.

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

Leave a few minutes at the end of each session for the group to interact as the Holy Spirit moves. This is an opportunity for members to share something the Spirit is impressing on them, like a confession, a word of encouragement or a verse.

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Whom do you need to admonish, encourage, help and be patient with?

o Consider sharing the following resources with any participants who you feel might benefit:

o Redemptive Views of Anger and Abuse

o “Understanding Anger”

o Psalm of Lament

o What action needs to flow from your role as a shepherd leader?

REFLECTION

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.

Examining Sex, Guilt and Shame

Meeting #8 (Covering Week 7 Homework)

OVERVIEW

1 CORINTHIANS 6:18-20

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Sexual immorality is any sexual act that occurs outside of God’s intended design for sex between one man and one woman within the marriage covenant. Beyond sexual acts, God looks deeper to the desires and motivations of the heart.

GALATIANS 2:21

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Session Goal:

The goal of this session is to lead participants in a discussion around what God’s word says about sex, guilt and shame. We challenge participants to think about how their view of sex may be distorted. We also want to help lead people to the freedom from their guilt and their shame that the gospel offers.

Small Group Helps:

Prayerfully Prepare: Spend time reviewing the concepts and scriptures from the Participant Guide. Examine your own heart so you can lead others in the discussion. This way God’s Word

will be fresh on your heart, providing the truth necessary to keep the session on track.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves …” (2 Corinthians 13:5a)

• Discourage comparisons this week.

• Each person’s struggle is different but equally as important to bring to the light. For example, struggling to be intimate with one’s spouse is just as important to share as lustful temptations, self-sex, etc.

• Due to varying degrees of shame related to sexual sin, not everyone will be able to share vulnerably this week.

• Be aware of body language and reactions when someone confesses sin. Be careful not to add more shame.

• Remember that all sexual involvement outside of God’s design is shame-inducing These two assessments are linked in that way.

False guilt is when someone didn’t do anything wrong, but they still feel like they did.

Here are some differences between guilt and shame:

GUILT

• Conviction from the Spirit

• Helpful and Necessary

• “I did something wrong”

• Something I can agree with

• I am guilty of ___________.

• Based on a specific action

Large Group Info:

SHAME

• Condemnation from the evil one or self

• Not helpful

• “I am wrong”

• Feels like “embarrassment”

• Attacks our identity

• Can be a result of someone sinning against us

• Can be anger towards self

• Often involves “exposure”

• Genesis “naked” - hiding from the Lord and others

• Involves judgment –something we perceive to be ugly, repulsive in ourselves

• Large Group Teaching: “Assessing Sex, Guilt and Shame” (Video Session 6) Video length = 26:23 (short)

• Concept introduced: Two Heart Issues: Pride and Idolatry

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES FOR SEXUAL IMMORALITY

• Genesis 1:22; 2:24

• Micah 7:18-20

• 1 John 3:2-3

• Joel 2:25

• 1 Corinthians 6:14-20; 9:9-11

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES FOR ANGER AND RESENTMENT

• Genesis 2:25; 3:10

• Psalm 34:15-18, 22; 51:7, 17; 71:1-3

• Hebrews 4:15-16

• 1 John 1:7, 9

• Romans 8:1

WHEN YOU MEET

PRAYER, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION (10 MINUTES)

PRAYER:

Open in prayer. Ask God to bless your time together and make it fruitful for His kingdom and to lead the session through His Word and the Holy Spirit as you submit to Him.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

ü Reminder of group guidelines that may have previously been crossed.

ü Did participants complete weekly homework, meet with their mentor, listen to teaching and attend small groups?

REVIEW, ASK AND LISTEN (30 MINUTES)

Offer help: Next week’s teaching will be on fear, grief and loss. Communicate that if anyone is struggling with any part of the program, you are available to help after the session.

Foster Gospel-centered community through confession. Sin makes us sick. The scriptures tell us that we are to confess our sins to one another so that we can be healed. As we walk in the light, we are cleansed from the defiling effects of sin and the resulting shame. God is merciful, meaning He delights in extending mercy as we return to Him.

QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP:

1. What was your experience this week as you spent time with God going through assessments?

2. What clarifying questions do you have regarding the lesson this week? What was most meaningful?

3. How do you view sex? Do you view it as dirty or a delight? Do you see it as gross or a gift? Do you tend to despise the gift, worship the gift or worship the Giver?

4. What has shaped your view of sex?

5. How do you deal with your sin and shame when you are not bringing it prayerfully to Jesus? Give examples (i.e.: beat yourself up, cover and hide, try to manage it, try harder, do religious or good things, minimize it, sit in it, confess just to feel better, deflect with humor, suppress it, etc.)

SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE (10 MINUTES)

Speak redemptively: It is important for those we disciple to see their problems biblically so that we can bring the hope of the gospel to their specific needs. You might feel tempted to think you have to have all the answers. Allow the process to unfold. Introduce participants to scriptures that speak to their circumstances. Remind them of their new identity and the promises and character of God.

Reintegrate: Emphasize the hope of the gospel from this session’s teaching.

• 1 John 3:3; Psalm 51:7 – When Christ died on the cross, He took our sin as well as our shame. In Him we are clean, pure, innocent and white as snow.

• Hebrews 4:15-16 – This scripture emphasizes the truth that we have been made clean and holy through Christ. We no longer have to let shame keep us from approaching God. He knew our dirtiness before we did and still decided to save us. Jesus has willingly taken all the punishment that we deserve so that we may approach our Father’s throne.

• Exodus 34:6-8 – God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He has made a way to return to Him. He will not clear the guilty, so we turn from sin and run to Him! Thank you, Jesus!

Additional Scriptures to possibly use as encouragement:

• Romans 8:1

• 1 John 1:9

• Joel 2:25

Sex is a beautiful and sacred gift given to us by God. It is to be worshipful, but not worshiped. It is to be enjoyed and celebrated within the marriage covenant as a reflection of the gospel and our union with Christ. Any sexual act that occurs outside of God’s intended design is sexual immorality. Beyond action alone, God looks deeper to the desires and motivations of the heart. Only through the gospel will God align our hearts with His purposes for this beautiful and sacred gift.

Guilt can be both a state and/or a feeling that occurs when we have violated a law or moral standard. We can feel guilty and not be guilty (false guilt) or we may be guilty and not feel guilty (hard hardheartedness). False guilt occurs when someone besides God is lord of our lives and their judgments matter more than His. Not feeling guilt when we are guilty is a sign of a hardened heart. Only the gospel can reconcile a heart of injustice. Life through the Spirit brings conviction when we operate outside of God’s intended design.

Shame is the intense feeling of being unclean, defiled and dirty. Closely related to guilt, it may result from the exposure of one’s own sin and depravity or from sin committed against one’s dignity. Shame is deeply rooted in identity (“I am worthless; I am dirty”). The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a new identity and a covering for our shame. Even though we may sin or be sinned against, shame no longer rules our lives because our identity is found in Jesus Christ.

RESPOND (5 MINUTES)

PRAY: COVER WITH THE GOSPEL (5 MINUTES)

As participants are transparent and bare their souls, it is important that we cover them with the gospel in prayer as we conclude.

AFTER YOU MEET

SHEPHERDING TASKS

o Reach out to mentors and check in with them about the assessment process.

o Consider sharing the following resources with any participants who you feel might benefit:

o Shame: “19 Motives for Pornography”

o Redemptive Views of Sex, Guilt and Shame

o Plan a gathering to pray over participants for deliverance and healing following Week 9. This can be done individually by mentors, during small group following the teaching or at a separate gathering. Prepare your group for this critical time of prayer.

REFLECTION

SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES

• Where is the group as a whole?

• Is there anything that you need to take note of regarding individual members?

• Were any lies spoken about the truths of God and His character?

• How could you encourage the group or individual members?

• What scriptures speak to the situation?

• Are there specific group guidelines or group dynamics that would be good to reiterate?

PRAY FOR GROUP AND MEMBERS

o Join with your apprentice(s) in asking the Lord to move in the hearts and lives of group members and watch for Him to move.