In this season of celebration, we are reminded that God saw us when we were far off and He chose to come near; Immanuel, God with us. In the same way, Jesus calls us to love the people around us – friends, family, the lonely, poor, and marginalized. As to-do lists and plans begin to pile up – let us truly see the people around us and CELEBRATE DIFFERENTLY.
Life Groups, let’s jump all in and show our community and beyond the transformational love of Jesus! Let us know how your Life Group is Celebrating Differently by tagging at sharing @marinerslifegroups, #mclifegroup and #celebratedifferently.
Lean In // 5 Minutes
What makes for a great love story?
Leader note: Great passion to family drama, every great love story is filled with intensity and power that attracts all people. Transition your group by pointing out the power behind the actions and the way the love in those examples is compelling and draws in both characters/people to the other and how God’s love does the same thing. Invite someone in the group to read the passage out loud and to begin exploring the greatest love story ever told.
Look Down // 10 Minutes
Read Romans 8:31-39
What do you learn about God’s life-changing love?
Sample answers may include…
- It spares no cost
- It’s powerful, able to back us up
- It protects and defends us
- It’s alive and active
- It keeps us close to God
- There’s nothing that can separate us from God’s love
- We are victorious, more than conquers through God’s love
- It’s given and expressed through Jesus
- It is sacrificial
- It is freely given and all of God is available to us
Leader Note: Point out verse 38 -39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is a reality we get to live in as believers in being the Children of God. Even when we don’t chose ourselves, God continuously chooses us. Life-changing love is stronger than all these things that used to overtake us.
Look Out // 10 minutes
Where have you seen life-changing love lived out, what did it look like?
Leader note: Invite your group to share stories here. As the leader, be attentive for points where you can ask follow up questions and engage with your group.
Look In // 15 Minutes
Leader Note: Point your group back the five questions we looked at during the weekend message that Paul addresses in this passage. Read each of the questions and then ask your group to share which one resonates with them the most, which one do they relate with and why? Then ask how God’s word can give them hope in the middle of their question, doubt or fear.
Which of the following questions do you identify with the most?
- Will enemies, opposition and challenges ruin my life? (Romans 8:31) – God is for me
- Will I have what I need? (Romans 8:32) – God gave His Son and He will provide all I need
- Will critics and accusers take me down? (Romans 8:33) – God chose me and declared me innocent
- Will my failures ruin everything? (Romans 8:34) – Jesus died for me and was raised to be my advocate
- What if I let go? (Romans 8:35,38-39) – Even when I let go, God will not let go of me
How does God’s word give you hope in those questions?
Leader Note: When your group begins point out the ones they identify with, follow up with them reading out the truth that speaks against that lie. Having them say it out loud makes it experiential. When you say it out loud, you affirm whatever it is that you are saying. This gives each person a chance to wrestle with what they really are accepting as truth.
Live It Out // 5 Minutes
What if we lived out life changing love?
How are those around us impacted? How are we impacted?
Leader Note: Serving is not something that we have to do as believers. It’s something we get to do! This is what it means to be a life group that lives in the community for the community. Meeting the needs of those around us both locally and globally is how people come in contact with the life changing Love of Christ. Brainstorm as a group where you can engage the Celebrate Differently campaign this Holiday Season! (Click the Banner or Here).
Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities
Looking to Join a Life Group? Check out our online group directory to get in touch with leader today.
Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.