Leader Guide 9-7-08 / Ephesians 5:15

Small Group Leaders Guide
September 7, 2008
One Week To Live

Getting Started:
1. If you had one week to live, what are some of the things you would do? If you only had time to make one phone call before you died, who would it be to?


Going Deeper:
2. Read Psalm 90:12. What do you think Moses means when he uses the phrase, “number our days aright?” If you prayed that prayer, how would you say it?

3. Read the prayer in Psalm 39. Why would someone want to know their “life’s end” What do you think he meant by this prayer?

4. Read Ephesians 5:15-16, what do you think it means to make the most of every opportunity? What do you think it means to live carefully?

5. If God were to look at your life, what would He point out as the greatest time wasting activity? If you were to stop that time wasting activity, what do you think God would have you fill that time up with?

6. Share some Bible passages that describe God’s purposes for us and the way we live. Discuss how you see God fulfilling those passages in your life and your role in that process.

• 1Peter 1:14-15
• 1Peter 2:12
• 2Timothy 2:15
• Romans 8:29
• Romans 12:2
• 1Timothy 4:12
• 2Corinthians 3:18
• Philippians 2:1-5
• Philippians 1:9-11
• I couldn’t begin to come up with all the passages but here are a few to get you started.

7. Read Acts 20:24. Paul had a “if nothing else” attitude about sharing Christ. In your life, if nothing else, what are some things you want to do/become/experience?

8. Many people say they would like to go back to school, pray more, read the Bible more, spend more time with family, etc. What is it that stops people from making these changes?

9. During our series we’re going to look at five topics, live purposefully, reconcile quickly, love completely, act generously and think eternally. Which of those will be most helpful for you and why?

10. Read John 15:5. This is the first step to living purposefully. In what way or what area does this step need to be taken in your life so that it is no longer “apart”?



Putting it into practice:
11. Is there a decision you’ve been putting off or haven’t acted on that would help you live more purposefully? Pray about this in your groups.

Quote Of The Week:
Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
--Washington Irving