Church as Family
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CHURCH AS FAMILY
Read the Church as Family PDF (Church as Family PDF)
OR Listen to the training below
How does your earthly family affect how you view your Community Group as a family?
If your personal picture is negative - how does Christ redeem this picture? If you have had a very positive earthly example of family - how does Christ give us an even greater fulfillment to family?
What are a few practical examples of when your group felt most like a gospel-centered family?
What are a few ways that your group can feel more like a gospel-centered family?
Are there times in your group where it doesn’t feel like a family?
With your group this week, discuss how you all can feel more like a family and plan a way to actively practice this eternal reality.
Invite someone in your group into an opportunity to practice being family (do some yard work, share a meal, etc.)
Group Meeting Time
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GROUP MEETING TIME
Read the Group Meeting Time PDF (Group Meeting Time PDF)
OR Listen to the training below
Group Scenario
Sam’s group gets into great theological discussions each week, and it seems like everyone is growing by reading their Bible and serving at the soup kitchen on Saturdays. The problem is that they don’t feel like they know each other very well and they aren’t really friends. Where might this group need to focus some energy? How should Sam go about addressing this?
Consider you group. How is your group doing with the four elements that should be present? Which aspect of Group Meeting Time does your group often handle well? Which aspect can your group grow in?
Brainstorm a few ways to assist your group in growing in these categories. Pick 1 or 2 to take the first steps towards implementing this week.
Walk through with your Group Leaders in developing a plan for next steps in helping your group grow in whichever area you are the weakest. Work so that you can take the lead in implementing your plan.
Group Rhythms
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GROUP RHYTHMS
Read the Rhythms PDF (Rhythms PDF)
OR Listen to the training below
Developing Healthy Rhythms
Currently what are the intentional rhythms in your group?
Given the ideas for rhythms listed in the Potential Rhythms Chart, what might be some potential avenues for rhythms in your Community Group?
The chart below is a personal rhythms calendar. Take a minute to map out a schedule for yourself like this. (Fill in what life usually looks like for you, who you are normally around, etc.)
Now, try to think through where you might have opportunities for consistent rhythms with others in your group given your understanding of their schedules.
Plan something that could possibly become a rhythm for your group. Get one other person to commit to be involved and then invite the rest of your group.
Celebrate the Mess
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CELEBRATE THE MESS
Read the Celebrate the Mess PDF (Celebrate the Mess PDF)
Or Listen to the training below
Situation 1: Miranda, a college student in your group, says, “I’m pregnant. I found out a couple weeks ago. I told Jimmy, but he said he isn’t ready to be a dad and that I should have been more careful. Now he won’t take my calls. I’m afraid to tell my parents because I know how they’ll react. I really don’t know what to do.”
How should you respond right then?
How should your group respond over the next few weeks?
Situation 2: In your group discussion time, Darrell shames his wife Krystal by talking about how she spends all their money. He blames her for their financial issues.
How do you respond in the moment?
What could be your next actions steps?
Situation 3: Denise’s car is on it’s last leg. She talks it over with your group and decides it’s time to get a new car. Your group has talked with her about budgeting for both the car and insurance payments. She purchases a car where the payment alone is slightly more than she can afford monthly.
What is your response?
How do you lead your group?
What is the next thing you and your group should do?
Are there currently any difficult situations in your group? Is there anyone in your group that you can invite into helping bear this burden with you?
Is there a tough situation in your group that has gotten better? Have you taken the time to celebrate? How might you find a why to celebrate this situation?
Confession and Repentance
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Confession and Repentance
Read the Confession and Repentance PDF (Confession and Repentance PDF)
Or Listen to the training below
How might you respond if someone in your group says the following during confession:
Every couple of weeks, my girlfriend and I have sex when we're hanging out at my apartment. I want to stop, and we do good for a while, but then we always fall back into it.
When I come home from working all day, the house is a wreck and it seems like none of the stuff around the house has been done. I know I shouldn't be angry and prideful, but I work too hard to have to come home and do all of this when she's been home all day.
I'm frustrated with God. I feel like every time I get in a good spot in life, he messes everything up. Job, family, money - it's never stable.
I’ve been smoking weed since I was in high school. I know it’s technically illegal, but it’s the only way I can relax. I guess I should stop, but I’m honestly not really sure I want to. It doesn’t hurt anyone.
When you group next has a confession and repentance night be sure to lead one of the narrating sections (explaining why we can confess, how we approach it, reminding your group of the gospel, etc.).
Church Discipline
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Church Discipline
Read the Church Discipline PDF (Church Discipline PDF)
or Listen to the training below
Mark comes to you and says that Aaron lied about him to another member of your group. How might you respond and help them to walk through the outline we see in Matthew 18? If Mark never acknowledges his sin and repents, how do you proceed?
Is there someone in your group that you can train through this concept? Set up a time to discuss how we as believers ought to go about addressing sin in one another.
