Questions for week Oct 7th-13th

The Ghost of Guilt

1) What about Sunday's message spoke to you the most and why?

2) How have you seen guilt affect you in your life?

3) Have you ever experienced a time where you felt the freedom from guilt? What avenue did you take to get free from the guilt?

4) How will this message change the way you deal with guilt in the future?

Make sure to fill out the Life Group Leader Report form here.

How to Recognize Potential Co-Leaders

Here are a few things that will help you when looking for your next co-leader(s).  It is very exciting that our life groups are so full, but that also means that we are to the point that if we don't train new co-leaders to become leaders we will no longer be able to add new people in groups.  And we have requests EVERY week for people who are interested in joining a group!!  So here are a few tips that I think will help you...

How to recognize a potential co-leader:

1. Look for group members who take Life Group seriously.

2. Look for gifted people.

3. Pray for new co-leader(s).  In Luke 6:12-16 we read where Jesus prayed all night before calling his 12 disciples.

4. Observe people who are on the same teams (Guest Services, Usher, Sound, etc.) as you.  If you see someone who performs their tasks well, works well with others, is always on time, these people are leaders and would make great co-leaders.

5. Look for people who you can see God at work in their life, who are emotionally stable and caring.

6. And look for people who have a teachable spirit and are willing to learn.

When you have determined you have found a person or couple that would be awesome life group co-leaders (and then leaders) your next step is to get with Tina or Xene and let them know whom you are thinking about asking. Sometimes we are aware of things that may exclude them from a leadership role at this time (They may be struggling with major issues, etc.).

Once you receive approval then it is time to talk to them. Let them know you see they possess leadership qualities needed to be a Life Group Leader and ask them if they would consider being a co-leader.

Here are a few responses you may receive from them and some great ways to address their concerns.

Typical objections to co-leading:

1. “I just don’t have the time.”-  Share with them that God has given them an ability to lead and to be used by Him is a great honor and privilege.  Cast the vision for the life change that can occur as they rise to the occasion and accept the challenge of co-leading a group with you (or another leader).  If they are already in a group then they are already setting aside time in their schedules to meet so let them know that being a co-leader or leader really doesn’t require much more time than that.  Just scheduling out your meetings and planning what to do and bring.  Let them know that they are not carrying the entire load of leading the group.   You (or whomever their leader is) are sharing the responsibility.  Once they co-lead for a while they will get a feel for it and realize that it is not the burden they think it is going to be.  And actually it is quite a fulfilling adventure!! 

2.  “I don’t have the gift of leadership.”-  Again, encourage them by reminding them that leadership is influence.  And they are already influencing someone whether they know it or not.  Let them know you see great leadership qualities in them (and share a few of them that you recognize) and let them know that you will make sure that they will receive the appropriate training they need to be effective.

3.  “I am not the leadership type.”  At this point you need to simply explore what the person really means by “leadership type”.  Perhaps their definition of leadership is incorrect.  They may view leaders and leadership as just people who are in charge and in control as opposed to someone who can facilitate life change by caring for, shepherding, discipling and loving others.

Sometimes all people need is for someone to believe in them.  Let them know that you do!

Thank you leaders for ALL you do!!  Please let Tina or Xene know if they can assist you in any way with identifying your next co-leader(s)!!

Questions for week Sept 30th - Oct 6th

The Wonder of One

1) When was the last time you experienced an extreme hardship of someone else that you could do nothing about?  How did you handle or deal with your feelings or the situation?

2) Read Galatians 6:9-10 in a couple different translations. 

-How does this verse of scripture effect you? 

-What are some of the good things that you do that cause you to get fatigued?

-What was a harvest that you have reaped after not giving up while doing good?  And how has that changed you?

3) Of the three tips to apply when doing for someone what you wish you could do for everyone (Go deep rather than wide, Go long-term rather than short-term, Go time not just money) which one do you struggle with the most? And why?

4) Have you already begun to pray about, and let God lead you to find, your ‘one’?

5) What are some of your fears when it comes to going deep, long-term, and not just money but time with an individual or group of people?  What steps can you take to help alleviate those fears?

6) What was your main take-a-way from the message The Wonder of One?

Don't forget to fill out your Life Group Leader Report found here.

Questions for week Sept 23rd-29th

1) After hearing the sermon, is there anything new, confusing, or convicting to you?

2) As disciples, our goal is to obey the Word, not just listen to it preached.  What are some of the instructions in the Bible that you find difficult to obey and follow?  Why do you feel you struggle with these instructions?

3) What are some of the instructions that seem to be easy for you to follow?  Why do you feel you find them so easy?

4) What have been some of the positive results in your life after obeying the Word?  How did it bless and change your life?

5) How can you apply what you have learned from this sermon over the next few days and weeks?

Great memory verse you can encourage your group to learn this week…

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8

Don't forget to fill out your Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week Sept 16th-22nd

1) What about Sunday’s sermon Do you know Him, or do you know about Him? impacted you the most? And why?

2) When it comes to the question, do you know Him or do you just know about him, how deep is your relationship with Christ at present compared to a year ago?

3) Give a brief explanation of how you have grown over the past 12 months.

4) What steps can you take or plan to take to continue to grow in your relationship with Christ?

Make sure you fill out the Life Group Leader Report form found here.

Questions for week Sept 9th - 15th

1) Of the various ways God speaks to you (through the Bible, through gifted speakers, through pain, through impressions) which way would you say God communicates with you the loudest?

2) Have you ever experienced a time where you had conflicting voices in your life?  A time you were confused about what you were hearing and what you were to do.

3) Read Proverbs 11:14 & 9. To whom do you ask to help you qualify a voice or impression you may have? What makes you choose that individual and allow them the permission to speak into your life?

4) Out of the 6 questions to test a voice or impression which one stood out to you or helped you the most and why?

-Does to agree with the Bible?

-Will doing this reflect the character of Christ in me?

-Does my spiritual family confirm it?

-Is it consistent with how God shaped me?

-Do I feel convicted or do I feel condemned?

-Do I sense God's peace about it?

Leaders don't forget to send in your Report Form found here.

Questions for week Sept 2nd - 7th

1) In what ways has God spoke to you through the scriptures? What methods do you use to read God's word consistently? Ex. Set certain times to read, reading strategically like using the Chronological Bible, etc. 

2) Have you ever been in a service when you felt the minister was speaking directly to you and your situation?  Have you ever thought about the fact that it was the actual voice of God speaking to you?  How does that encourage you to know God took the time to use another person to speak just to you?

3) Have you ever felt an impression from God to do something?  How did you respond?  What was the results of your response or lack thereof?

4) Sometimes God speaks to us through our pain.  Have you experienced this? What were the results of this time in your life? 

Don't forget to fill out your Life Group Leader Report form here.