Leaders Guide week of 2-3-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
February 3, 2008

Getting Started:

1. What did love feel like when you were a teenager? Is it different now?

Going Deeper:

2. Read Luke 6:1-5. In Luke 6:5, Jesus calls Himself Lord of the Sabbath. What do you think He meant by that?

• In the parallel passage in Matthew 12:1-14, He says that someone greater than the temple is here (referring to Himself)
• Jesus speaks about a passage in 1Samuel 21:1-6 when the priest in the temple gives David and his companions the bread that was meant only for priests. If the priest could give David the bread of the Presence, certainly the Christ could give His companions wheat on a Sabbath day.

3. In Luke 6:11, it says they discussed what they might do to Jesus. What, specifically, were they discussing? Was Jesus aware of their discussion? If so, what did He do about it?

• In the parallel passage from Matthew, it says they discussed how to kill Jesus. (Mt. 12:14)
• Matthew 12:15 says, “aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place”

4. In Luke 6:13, Jesus calls His disciples to Him and chooses 12 of them. He then calls them apostles. What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

• All apostles are disciples but not all disciples are apostles.
• From Strong’s Concordance, the Greek for disciple is - 3101. mathetes math-ay-tes' from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
• From Strong’s Concordance, the Greek for apostle is - 652. apostolos ap-os'-tol-os from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

5. In Luke 6:27, who is Jesus speaking to? Read John 10:27 and 14:15. Should the love described in the following verses of Luke 6 be expected of non-believers? Why or why not?

6. In Luke 6:29, do you think Jesus is teaching against self-defense? Why or why not?

7. Read Luke 6:30. Does Jesus really want us to give to “everyone” and “anyone” anything they might ask?

8. In Luke 6:32-34, Jesus contrasts the type of love He is speaking about to the type of love found among “sinners.” Why is the love of a believer supposed to be different than that found in the world?

• The love of a believer is supposed to look like the love of God. Read Luke 6:35-36

9. Verse 35 talks about doing good and lending without expecting anything in return. Does that mean we should never lend money unless we’re planning to “write it off”?



Putting it into practice:

1) Verse 36 gives promise of reward to those who obey Jesus’ command. It reminds us that God is kind to people whether or not they return the favor. Who is someone you need to show this type of kindness toward?


Quote Of The Week:
We all have some dying to do. Jesus showed us how it should be done.
--Stephen Neill

Accelerate Testimony

Seth is doing a "Super" job as a small group leader!
How do I know? Let me tell you a true story:

I was teaching in the Accelerate class two weeks ago and the group was discussing the finished work of Christ. One of the ladies in the group had several answers that were very insightful and theologically precise. When I remarked about what a great job she was doing and how well she understood the topic, she replied,
"I've been going to Seth's small group."

Keep up the great work, SuperSeth!

New Small Group!

Matt MacRitchie is one of two new small group leaders. He and his wife Kristin will be hosting the group in their home on Thursday nights and have even arranged childcare! When you see them, be sure to welcome them to the family and keep them in your prayers.
(I didn't have a photo of them so this one will have to do.)

Night At The Movies

Here’s an idea for a change of pace in your small group. How ‘bout a movie night? Movies are a great way to explore biblical themes and promote good discussions. Here are some tips and things to consider as you think through what movie to choose and how to use it in your small group:

1. Choose movies wisely. Check the rating on the movie and use the TV Guardian or other censoring software that is available on most DVD players to eliminate inappropriate language or images.
2. Watch the movie yourself first.
3. Plan discussion questions that connect with the themes presented in the movie.
4. Read reviews of the movie so you will know ahead of time what themes are present.
5. Don’t feel obligated to watch the whole movie. Feel free to stop or pause the movie at a key point for a discussion.


Here are a few of my own suggestions:

1. Signs
(A theme I noticed) How tragedy can affect a person’s relationship with God.
2. End of the Spear
(A theme I noticed) Ultimate forgiveness, realization of one’s sinfulness.
3. Bruce Almighty
(Favorite Scene) Bruce asks God how to get someone to love him without affecting free will. God replies, “welcome to my world”
4. The Village
(A theme I noticed) The tendency of people to want to push the envelope and take risks to get as close to a line that should not be crossed as possible without going over it.
5. Chronicles of Narnia
6. Passion of The Christ
7. Faith Under Fire
Lee Strobel hosts this talk show where issues of faith are explored and debated.
8. The Case for Christ (the movie) by Lee Strobel

Leader Guide week of 1-27-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
January 27, 2008

Getting Started:

1. Who in your life helped you meet Jesus? To what extreme did they have to go for this to happen?

Going Deeper:

2. Sandwiched between the story of the leper (Luke 5:12-15) and the story of the paralytic (Luke 5:17-26) is one lonely sentence known as verse 16. Why do you think Luke records this behavior of Jesus at this time? If Jesus is God, who is He praying to and why? What Bible passages help us understand this?

• Jesus emptied himself of his prerogatives as God. Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
• Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing. John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
• Jesus spoke only what the Father commanded him to speak. John 12:50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
• The world needs to know who Jesus is. John 14:31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

3. In Luke 5:17 we read that people were coming to listen to Jesus from “every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem.” Even the spiritual VIP’s such as Pharisees and teachers of the law were there. Why were so many people coming from miles around to hear Jesus?

• Jesus’ teaching like was none they had ever heard. While the people were regularly hearing teachers use the phrase, “Thus says the Lord”, Jesus used the phrase, “you have heard it said…….but I say to you” Jesus taught with authority and with accompanying signs such as healing, physical restoration, forgiveness of sins, and changed lives.
• Luke 4:32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
• Luke 5:15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
• Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

4. Luke 5:18-19 describes the actions of the men who carried the paralytic, but not in great detail. What do you think they must have been thinking before they actually picked their friend up to carry him to the place Jesus was? When they arrived? As they pondered how to get their friend into Jesus’ presence? Why were they so determined?

5. In verse 20 it says Jesus saw their faith. What exactly did He “see”? How do you define Biblical faith? Is faith and belief the same thing? What differentiates them?

6. Why does Jesus respond to their faith as opposed to their kindness, love, caring, determination or effort?

7. What is it about faith, in and of itself, that prompts a response from Jesus? What other Bible passages describe God’s response to faith or the lack thereof?

• Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
• Matthew 13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

8. Read Luke 5:20-24. What is Jesus trying to prove or demonstrate by saying these things? In these first five chapters of Luke, what has Jesus demonstrated His authority over and why?

• Teaching 4:32
• Demons 4:33-35
• Sickness 4:38-39
• Nature 5:4-6
• To cleanse 5:13
• To forgive sins 5:24

9. Verse 21 asks, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” What is the answer? Can Christians forgive sins? In what way is our forgiveness different than God’s? In what way is it connected?


Putting it into practice:

1) Some people are spiritually paralyzed or immobilized by sin, pride, fear, or doubt and may never hear “Your sins are forgiven you” unless their friends pick them up and carry them into the presence of Jesus Christ. Spend time in prayer for these people this week.

Quote Of The Week
I feel that God has put me beside a cliff where people dance close to the edge. I say to them, “Look, if I were you I wouldn’t get so close. I have seen people go over, and they always get hurt. Some of them get killed.” And the say, “I really appreciate your telling me that. I didn’t realize it was so dangerous.”
And then they jump!
I feel so responsible for the pain. And the Father reminds me through His Word, “Son, you are not responsible for the jumping; you are responsible for the telling. As long as you are faithful, you don’t have to play God.”
--Steve Brown

Leader Guide week of 1-21-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
January 20, 2008

How To Make A New Start

Getting Started:

1. What’s your favorite fish to eat? To catch? Do you like lake, stream or ocean fishing?

Going Deeper:

2. In verse 5, Peter explains to Jesus why His suggestion wont work but then agrees to do it anyway. Have you ever been prompted by God’s Word to do something that didn’t make sense at the time? Share the event with your group.

3. Read about Peter’s reaction to the success of their fishing trip in verse 8. Why does Peter want Jesus to “go away”? What emotions do you think are being experienced by Peter? Is Peter afraid? If so, of what?

• Exodus 33:18-20 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

4. Compare Peter’s reaction in verse 8 to Isaiah 6:5. How is Isaiah’s reaction similar or dissimilar to Peter’s? Continue reading the verses that follow. What do you see happening in these verses that alleviates the tension we are reading about? What are the resulting responses?

5. In verse 10, Jesus tells Peter that he will now “catch men.” What does Jesus mean by this? What can be learned about the process of catching men from what Peter just experienced?

6. As you read verses 8 and 10, why do you think Jesus chooses to use a “sinful man” in the endeavor of “catching men?”

7. “I’m a good person” is a statement you will hear often when discussing with people their need for a savior and how God has provided for that need. Do you think it’s important for a person to arrive at the conclusion that Peter did in verse 8? Why or why not?

Putting it into practice:

1) Have you gone “fishing” lately? Pray to be used by God to “catch men.” Pray also for God to be preparing the people you are talking with and inviting to church.



Quote Of The Week
People in general, Christian people in particular, tend to divide sins into two categories: their sins and our sins. The Bible, of course, knows no such distinction. Sin is sin, without partiality shown to the sins of God’s people—our sins.
--Joe Bayly

Leader Guide Week of 1-13-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
January 13, 2008

Small Group Announcements (please announce these to your group).

Countdown to Sunday!
There’s still plenty to do in the building between now and Sunday. If you can help, please let us know. We will have the building open from 9:00am-9:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We will be meeting with county officials regarding the development of our property on Thursday. This is an important meeting because it will determine our “path of travel” in the county approval process. Please pray for this meeting and for Growing In Faith as we seek God’s hand of favor in this process.

January 13, 2008
How To Make A New Start

Getting Started:

1. What do the following songs all have in common? Error Of Our Ways, Just My Imagination, Can I Get A Witness, My Girl.

• All these songs are done by the Temptations.

Going Deeper:

2. Read Luke 3:21-22. Why was Jesus baptized? Is baptism commanded for Christians, or is it more of a suggestion or good idea? What Bible passages help answer these questions?

• Matthew 3:13-15
• Acts 2:38-39
• Matthew 28:19-20

3. What Bible passages describe the symbolism of baptism?

• Colossians 2:11-12
• Romans 6:3-4

4. After Jesus was baptized, He was led into the desert, “full of the Holy Spirit.” Who led Him into the desert? What does James 1:13 teach about temptation? Based on these two passages, what do you think it means in the Lord’s Prayer when it says, “lead us not into temptation?”

• Notice that the Spirit led Jesus in the desert but it is the devil that did the tempting.
• God does not tempt us but I think He does test us. These tests are not meant to tell God something about us that He doesn’t know, but to tell us something about God that we may not know.
• Based on these two passages, what do you think it means in the Lord’s Prayer when it says, “lead us not into temptation?” If I put it another way, I might say; “God, please don’t lead me into a time of testing, for I fear I may fail.”

5. Read Luke 4:6. Is what the devil says in that verse true? What Bible passages provide insight to this question?

• 1John 5:19
• John 12:31
• Ephesians 2:1-2

6. In Luke 4:12 it says not to put the Lord your God to the test. What is the difference between trusting and testing God?


7. When do you think the “opportune time” of verse 13 was?

• Matthew 16:23
• John 14:30
• Luke 22:3

8. Over and over, Jesus quotes the Bible in response to the temptations of the devil. In Luke 4:10, the devil quotes the Bible to Jesus. What Bible verse is being quoted by the devil? Is his quote accurate? Is his use of this verse acceptable? Why or why not?

• Scroll down to the next post for thoughts on this question.

9. If you know that you are particularly “at risk” for certain temptations, what kind of plan or strategy do you have in place to overcome them? Share some “overcoming” insights with your group.


Putting it into practice:

1) If there’s ever a good time to be tempted by the devil, it’s when you are “full of the Holy Spirit.” Pray in your small groups for a fresh filling of the Spirit. Consider laying on hands in your groups this week.


Quote Of The Week
I have more trouble with D. L. Moody than any other man I know.
--D. L. Moody

Thoughts on Question 8

Many theological, and even practical misunderstandings about the Bible and living the Christian life are the result of the misuse of Scripture. Often, this misuse is completely unintentional. One of the most common misuses of Scripture is using a passage or verse out of context.

A very good way to make sure you are not using Scripture out of context is this simple rule: Never Read A Bible Verse. In other words, never just read one verse without reading the verses that precede and follow it. The surrounding verses and paragraphs will help you understand the context. Knowing the contextual setting for a verse will help you understand the meaning more clearly and allow you to make a more Biblical interpretation. With the right interpretation, you are now ready to apply this truth to your life.

In Luke 4:10, the devil is quoting Psalm 91:11-12. If he would have read just one more verse, he would have been talking about his own destruction! As you can see, the intentional misuse of God's Word is one of the devil's favorite tools. He's been using it for quite some time. (See Genesis 3)

Leader Guide Week of 1-6-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
January 6, 2008
How To Make A New Start

Getting Started:

1. Did you make a New Year’s resolution? If so, what was it? If you could make a resolution that you knew would stick, what would it be?


Going Deeper:

2. Why do you think Luke bothers to list all of the political and religious figures in verses 1 and 2?

• Luke is often called a historian. Here, he seems to be fixing for the reader a precise date and chronology for the beginning of John’s ministry.
• I think this should tell us something about the care and accuracy that, for Luke, seem to be a priority in writing this Gospel.

3. Verse 4 quotes a prophecy from Isaiah. In what way did John the Baptist “Prepare the way” for the Messiah? Does repentance prepare the way for salvation?

4. Verse 3 says that John preached a “baptism of repentance.” In what ways is that similar/different from Christian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

5. Scripture teaches that anyone who believes in Christ needs to be baptized. If someone was baptized by John the Baptist, and then subsequently believed in Jesus, would he/she need to be baptized again? Why or why not? How does Acts 19 1-7, fit into your answer?

6. Read Luke 3:7. What is John referring to with the term “the coming wrath?” Also read Luke 3:17. Are these two statements referring to the same thing?

7. In Luke 3:8, John talks about something to do and something not to do. In this verse, how do these two statements relate to one another? How does a person “produce fruit in keeping with repentance?” What point is John trying to make?

• Romans 2:28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.
• How does a person “produce fruit in keeping with repentance?” In verses 10-14, the people were asking the same question. John gave them some examples.

8. After reading Luke 3:7-17, what is your opinion of John’s evangelism technique? How is his technique different than yours? What would you have included/not included?

9. How does what is written in verses 3-6 connect with the central thrust of John’s message? Do you think John gave a complete Gospel presentation? Why or why not?


Putting it into practice:

1) In verses 10-14 the people were asking John, “What should we do?” In what way do you think John would answer that question for you if you could ask today? Pray about that in your groups.


Quote Of The Day
A salty pagan, full of the juices of life, is a hundred times dearer to God, and also far more attractive to men, than a scribe who knows his Bible….in whom none of this results in repentance, action, and above all, death of the self. A terrible curse hangs over the know-it-all who does nothing.
--Helmut Thielicke