Month: February 2013

Luke 17:1-10 // Fearless Generosity Wk 2


Date:  February 23-24, 2013
Series:  Fearless Generosity
Message:  A Scandalous Generosity
Passage:  Luke 17:1-10

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

 

When was a time you received some unexpected money (or generous gift) “just in the nick of time”?

Leader note:  The objective here is to get your group to start identifying what it means to either be forgiven a debt, have a debt paid – but in a surprising way, or to receive an extravagant gift (like a vacation, or retreat, or even material gift that saved them from having to buy it themselves). 

 

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

 

Read Luke 17:1-10.  What do you learn about fearless forgiver?

Leader note:  Have your group talk about who is asking the question, the response, the parable Jesus tells, the whole situation, not just the parable as it will give insight to a bigger picture than just forgiving a certain number of times.

 

Commentary:

  •  
  • It’s something we’re supposed to do (in the parable we are compared to the servant)
  • Something we should do out of gratitude
  • Forgiveness no matter how many times
    •                7 times a day
    •                7 x 70
  • The stakes get bigger each time they come back for forgiveness, it gets harder, and we forgive less
  • Requires faith  – big faith for forgiving big offense
  • Great forgiveness requires great faith
  • Forgiveness is for me
  • If we don’t forgive we cause others to stumble – Watch out!
  • We can rebuke them
    •                Calling out the truth, the offense, the hurt, the pain (don’t dismiss, but don’t take them out and shoot them.) 

 

There is a scale of rebuking that goes from severe (taking them out and shooting them) and pretending it never happened, or dismissing it all together.                                               

  • Rebuke, have to have both truth and grace
  •                Basis is love – isn’t to be right, find justice, not “we need to agree on the facts”– want loving relationship, heart of reconciliation

 

What are things people do that requires us to forgive?

  • Lie, deceive, steal
  • Abuse – take away innocence, dignity, name, value
  • Take away relationships
  • Disappoint

 

Why should we forgive?

  • Ends the cycle of retribution – change the world
  • Intimacy with God
  • Radically different way of doing things
  • If you don’t you die, bitter root that grows, becomes a cancer

                                   

  • Doesn’t take fearless generosity to be on either side of the scale
  • Releasing the person from the hurt that they’ve caused you
  • I relieve my hurt and can release the person from the hurt they’ve caused

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

 

What obstacles keep people from forgiving?

  • Been burned before
  • Want to be right, vindication, proved right, what’s fair
  • Want justice
  • There’s pain, sometimes it’s hard to let it go, if I was understood
  • Holding forgiveness as a protection
  • Sense of power by holding onto forgiveness, lose power when you forgive
  • Have to own up to something if you forgive, have to admit your part, be vulnerable,
  • Before you forgive you get to be “right”, better than all others,
  • already feel small, I have to “admit” they are bigger than me, I will cease to be

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

 

Which one of the obstacles do you struggle with?

Leader note:  Look at the list you created in the previous question and talk about one or more than stand between you and forgiving someone who wronged you.  The previous question may actually have been a tip off to you on people’s obstacles – they may talk about them in the third person when they are really struggling with it themselves. 

 

What would it look like for you to let go of it?

Leader note:  One way to think about this would be to consider both parties in the situation.  What would the relief to the offender look like?  Does it matter?  What do you carry around because you can’t, or won’t forgive?

 

LIVE IT OUT

What would it look like if we said the cycle of not forgiving stops here?

Exodus 3:1-4:17 // Fearless Generosity Wk 1

Date:  February 16-17, 2013
Series: Fearless Generosity
Message:  Afraid to Let Go
Passage:  Exodus 3:1-4:17

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

 

When was a time you had to do something and didn’t feel qualified?

Or

How did you feel on the first day of your first job?

 

Leader note:  We’ve all had those times.  Whether it was your first day on the job, or as a kid doing a science project for your class, or a job someone pushed you towards, or maybe giving a presentation and you didn’t feel like you were the right one to give it.  Maybe it was babysitting a baby that couldn’t be consoled, or being picked to be on a sports team that you hadn’t practiced up for. 

 

OBSERVATION – 15 MINUTES

 

Read Exodus 3:1-4:17.  What do you learn about God’s call and Moses’ response? 

 

Brief summary of Moses’ life up to this point:  The Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses ordered the death of all Hebrew children, Moses’ mother places the baby Moses into a basket up river from Pharaoh’s daughter who rescues Moses, takes him to Pharaoh who orders a Hebrew woman (happens to be Moses’ mother) to care for the child in his courts – help raise the boy.  In his youth, Moses kills an Egyptian while protecting his brother Aaron and must flee Pharaoh’s courts.  He runs to Midian, works for Jethro, marries Jethro’s daughter Zipporah.  Zipporah had Moses’ son, Gershom.  All this time the Israelites remained in slavery in Egypt, the king of Egypt had died, God remembered his covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (to bring them out of slavery and make them a great nation and decided it was time to act.  That brings us to this passage.

 

Leader note:  Pay extra attention to the part of the passage that deals with God’s calling Moses and Moses’ response to that call as that is what the next couple of questions deal with.  There are a lot of answers in this long passage, so be sure to allow enough time to go through it.

 

Commentary:  Some of the things that your group should see in the passage are:

  • Moses was a shepherd for his father-in law
  • God came to him in the form of a burning bush (vs. 4)
  • God called Moses by name
  • Moses responded “Here I am!”
  • God identifies himself as the God of Moses’ ancestors.
  • Moses was afraid to look at God
  • God tells Moses about the “Promised Land”
  • God says “YOU must lead my people”
  • Moses protested “Who am I?” (He says it twice in vs. 11)
  • God says “I will be with you”
  • God told him of the first sign he would give Moses after he led the people out of Egypt
  • Moses protests again asking who he should say sent him when they ask.
  • God replies to Moses “I AM WHO I AM”  “Yahweh (eternal name), the God of your ancestors has sent me to you.”
  • God told Moses to gather the elders of Israel and tell them of the plan to escape the oppression of Egypt and go to the Promised Land.
  • God tells Moses the elders will accept the message.
  • God tells Moses he must appear before the king of Egypt and tell him they need to leave to offer sacrifices, God lets Moses know that he will use miracles to prove to the king that they need to go and he will finally let them.
  • God says he will “cause” the Egyptians to look favorably on Moses and the Israelites and they will even give them gifts when they leave.  They will strip the Egyptians of their wealth.
  • Moses protested again by saying “they won’t believe me”
  • God turned Moses’ shepherd’s staff into a snake and back again and told Moses to perform that sign for the people.
  • God turned Moses’ hand into one inflicted with leprosy and then restored it and told Moses to perform that sign for the people.
  • God told Moses for a third sign he should poor water from the Nile River and that the water will turn to blood.
  • Moses protested again saying he wasn’t good with words and would get tongue-tied.
  • God reminded Moses it was He that made his mouth.
  • Moses protested again and pleaded that God send someone else.
  • God finally agrees to let Moses’ brother Aaron speak to the people for Moses, but reminded Moses that the words he used would come from God to Moses and then Moses to Aaron.
  • God told Moses “you will stand in the place of God for him” meaning Moses would tell Aaron what to say as God was telling him.

 

What made Moses think he wasn’t up for what God called him to?
 

Leader note:  For this particular question review the history of Moses’ life up until this passage as well.  It was as much based on his history, how he felt he failed in Egypt, he was a murderer, had to run, as it did with what he told God in this passage.

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

 

Where have you seen people hindered because of their past or perceived inadequacies?

Leader note:  Think of people who experienced divorce and avoid commitment, or feel as though a past sin renders them useless to God – or anyone else for that matter.  Maybe they dropped out of school, or suffered an injury, or feel inferior for any reason.  It could be someone in your family, or circle of influence, if that’s the case, don’t use names.

 

How can the promises God gives Moses encourage them?

 

Leader note:  God reminds Moses that He created Him exactly as He wanted for him to be able to accept this call.  God reveals the power Moses would take with Him.  God reminds Moses that it is Him that will equip and accompany him, Moses wouldn’t be doing it in his power, or in his name.  God reminds Moses that he is the right person.

 

What kind of people does God use?

 

Leader note:  Consider people you have come in contact with who have either ministered to you, or you see them engaging others.  What are the qualities they have?  Do you know their history?  What from their history might have held them back, but didn’t   God uses all kinds of people – and pretty much everyone is broken or damaged by something in their past.  It is how they view God that determines if it hinders or compels them to engage.

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

 

What is the dream God has given you?  What keeps you from engaging?

 

Leader note:  You can rephrase the first question to, “What has God put on your heart, or what’s your passion?  Or what is God calling you to?” 

Help each person identify a sort of nudging, or even loud call from God to something in their life.  Mentoring.  Working with couples.  Ministering to the marginalized.  Community reconciliation.  Global interests.  Personal relationships that need restoring, forgiving, reconciling.  New opportunities.  Commitments.

Leader note:  Then have them look into their past, where they see failures, inadequacies, limitations, and have them own that reason, say it out loud like Moses did.

 

How can God’s promises to Moses encourage you to engage?

 

Leader note:  You may want to remind your group of those you highlighted in the previous question who moved past their inadequacies, or perceived limitations to engage in their calling, job, marriage, opportunities.  Remind them to not let past failures or fear of the future render them useless to the Lord.  God doesn’t see it that way.  He created them perfectly to embrace whatever He calls them to.

 

Pray:  Take the final moments of your group’s time together to pray.  Ask God to make his prompting clear to each of your members.  Pray that they will know that as with Moses, God will be with them, God has designed them for the task at hand, and as they undertake the purpose He has given.  Thank God for his faithfulness, the resources He equips us with, and the support of your group as you take on new responsibilities and challenges.

 

Live it Out

 

In the next year, what would change in our community if we were all to embrace the dream God has given us?

 

Leader note:  Mariners Church will be hosting a “Dream Event” April 21.  This is a great opportunity for those wanting to dig deeper into finding their dream or living it out.  Consider attending this event as a group. 

 

 

Romans 8:1-17 // Relationology Wk 5

Date:  February 8-9, 2013
Series:  Relationology
Message:  It’s Not You, It’s Me
Passage:  Romans 8:1-17

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES
 

What are things you see around you that will never change?

Leader note:  You can use this time to talk about the wonders of the world, creation, or anything you see that stays the same.

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

 


Read Romans 8:1-17.  What is God doing in your spouse’s life?  Friend’s life?  Roommate?  Sibling?  Parents?

Leader note:  Personalize your answers this way, “In _________ life, God is…”

Leader note:  Take the scripture in pieces, 5 or 6 verses at a time.

Commentary – some sample answers:

God is removing all condemnation, changing her desires, giving her life and peace
he’s bringing freedom
he’s bringing clarity to the future
he’s teaching her to depend on the spirit
God is transforming Gary to live in freedom
Strengthening her spirit
Giving her patience
God is showing him what is really important
God is bringing Ron freedom from condemnation
God is giving him the desires of the spirit
Teaching her how to be faithful
God is releasing her of the control of the sinful nature has had on her heart
God is transforming his to live in the Spirit, and agree with the Spirit, live according, governed by (ruled and directed)
God is telling him every day he is a loved child of God
God is making her glorious
God is teaching him that he doesn’t need to live in fear.
God is teaching him to be released from the shame of the past.

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES


How does this make you feel about your spouse or the person you highlighted in the previous question?

Leader note:  As your group is sharing their opinion, feelings toward the person they see God transforming should be changing, becoming stronger and more loving.

Sample answers:

I want to be part of it, encourage it.
I want him to know it and to know that I believe it.

 

How does this make you feel about God?

Loving.  He’s involved.  He’s a better friend that I am. 

How are you celebrating what God is doing?  How could you celebrate on it more?   How have you been blind?

I see Him spending time in God’s Word, He is leaving more in the Spirit.
Where are you celebrating
Through seeing God transform her from living from the spirit of the flesh – getting out of debt.
God is speaking and he is listening more and more in his life and aware of His presence.

   

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Affirm the transformation you see in that person (spouse, friend, sibling, parent).   

What would help you to notice what God is doing in his/her life on a regular basis?  Making it a lifestyle?

 

Leader note:  Some ways to make this time special –  Write a poem, letter, note, note to this person…

 

LIVE IT OUT

What would happen to our community if people saw us living this truth in our marriages, relationships. 

Genesis 2:18-24 // Relationology Wk 4

Date:  February 2-3, 2013
Series:  Relationology
Message:  Be Her Hero
Passages:  Genesis 2:18-24, Deuteronomy 33:29, Psalm 33:20

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

 

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES


Read Genesis 2:18-24.  What do you learn about the man and woman?


Leader note:  Encourage your group to talk about all of the words used for man and woman, their responsibilities and the intended role for each.

 

Read Deuteronomy 33:29, Psalm 20:2 and Psalm 33:20.  What do you learn about the words “help” or “helper”?

 

Leader note:  For this question you will want to ensure you are using the NIV translation, otherwise the word helper is translated a little differently (not incorrectly, just not using the term “helper”)

Leader note: If this is not revealed in your observation of the passages, give this further definition of “help” and “helper”. 

In Hebrew, the word for helper used in Genesis 2:18 and 20,  is ezer, and it is only used in the Old Testament in the context of vitally important and powerful assistance.  Ezer is a combination of two roots, meaning “to rescue, to save”, and ”strength”.

Ezer describes aspects of God’s character – he is our strength, our rescuer, our protector  and our help.   And ezer was the Holy Spirit’s choice of word to describe the first woman.  Eve was someone who would provide valuable and vital strength and assistance to Adam.

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

 

What are ways people misconstrue, or misuse the word “helper”, or misrepresent the woman’s role?

 


Leader note:  Steer your group to discuss how culture has defined the woman’s role – in marriage, church and their communities – try to divert discussion from bashing a particular gender or group.  It’s fine to discuss different religious cultures and beliefs, but don’t let this time be focused only on that, the main purpose of this discussion is to understand the intended role for women and the difference it could make if others recognized it as well.

 

What would it look like if women fulfilled the intended purpose of “helper” in marriage?  In their communities?

 

Leader note:  If you look at the definitions from the passages – helper is defined as valuable strength, rescuer, complementary and suitable, supporter and protector.  Talk about how these attributes, the same ones used to describe God’s character and relationship to us, affect relationships, marriages, even responsibilities in their communities. 

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

 


Where in your life has a woman fulfill the role of “helper”? 

 

Leader note:  You will be asking different questions to the men and women in your group. 

 

Men:  How have you, even subtly, misconstrue the word “helper” or a woman’s role? 

 

How can you encourage or affirm the “helper(s)” in your life?


Leader note:  If you are in a couple’s group you may want to have the men affirm their spouse with one or more of the words that describe helper from the passages, and how he sees her model that in their marriage and family.  If you have a men’s group, you may want to have them write notes to their wives, or others who have fulfilled the role of helper. 

 

Women:  How have you, even subtly, deviated from being a “helper”? 

 


Leader note:  You may have women who have willingly taken on a “lesser” or subservient role in various aspects of relationships as it is easier, or they have misunderstood their role.  Maybe they have even judged other women for choices to be stay-at-home moms, or on the other end of the spectrum – for choosing to work.  These are all ways people dishonor the intention of the role of woman.

 

In what ways can you be a “helper” in your marriage?  Family?  Church?  Community?

 

LIVE IT OUT

 

What would change in our families and communities is we embraced the intended roles of man and woman?