Matthew 2:1-12
God used Astrology to attract Pagans to his son Jesus. Wow. How does this story redefine your viewpoint of the ways God can work to bring people to himself? He was shattering the religious mold when he wrote the story of Jesus being born.
This morning, Pastor Nathan talked about the message being closed and non-negotiable, but the methods are limitless and have no boundaries apart from sin. What are the non-negotiables of your faith and theology? What are some ways you've seen people think outside of the box in their methodology?
Share your story of meeting Jesus. How different are you now than you were before you met him? What were ways in your own life that you were "unable to return the same way" after you had an authentic encounter with Jesus?
Here is a recap of the Story Telling Method that we mentioned last week. Answer these questions and talk about what this passage means for your group today.
1. Retell the story. Tell the group the story from the passage above. It doesn't have to be word for word, but be familiar enough with is so you aren't having to read it but you don't leave out any of the important details. Telling a narrative story can be a lot more engaging that simply reading text from a page!
2. Allow the group participants to respond to some or all of the following questions:
a. What is God trying to say to you?
b. What does this passage say about God?
c. What do you like/not like about the passage?
End with this question: Now, what are you going to do about it? What are you going to tell people about this passage?
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Word Night, December 11-17
Text: Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
An old-school method of small group leadership is making a comeback in the discipleship world, especially for missionaries overseas. It's called "Story Telling." Try it out this week with your group and see how you like it!
1. Retell the story. Tell the group the story from the passage above. It doesn't have to be word for word, but be familiar enough with is so you aren't having to read it but you don't leave out any of the important details. Telling a narrative story can be a lot more engaging that simply reading text from a page!
2. Allow the group participants to respond to some or all of the following questions:
a. What is God trying to say to you?
b. What does this passage say about God?
c. What do you like/not like about the passage?
End with this question: Now, what are you going to do about it? What are you going to tell people about this passage?
I hope this gets the conversation moving some and will help involve some people in your group that may not be regular contributors or big talkers.
If you prefer to stick with the old format, here are some questions to think about.
1. What were some of the characteristics of Mary and Joseph? Their personal lives, their relationship with God, how they treated others? How important do you think those characteristics were in God choosing them to be a part of the Bethlehem stories? What challenge is that to us as we desire to be used by God and be a part of His story here in Winston-Salem?
2. Talk about some of the adjectives Mary uses to describe God and Jesus in Luke 1:46-55. Catholicism, along with some other religious sects, believe that Mary is the hero of the Christian faith. Talk about the difference between the vessel that is used and the actual savior. What is the difference between us having the message and being the mouthpiece, and Jesus being the message and having all the power?
3. So many of us are good. We have good stories, good ideas, and good lives. The story of our life is good. But how can you move from good to God? How can your life be a God story instead of just a good story? Is your story this Christmas about family, carols, Christmas trees, and presents? Or do you want your story this Christmas to be bigger than that? How can you change your attitude, actions, and lifestyle this season to make your life a vessel available to God so he can tell a story through you?
An old-school method of small group leadership is making a comeback in the discipleship world, especially for missionaries overseas. It's called "Story Telling." Try it out this week with your group and see how you like it!
1. Retell the story. Tell the group the story from the passage above. It doesn't have to be word for word, but be familiar enough with is so you aren't having to read it but you don't leave out any of the important details. Telling a narrative story can be a lot more engaging that simply reading text from a page!
2. Allow the group participants to respond to some or all of the following questions:
a. What is God trying to say to you?
b. What does this passage say about God?
c. What do you like/not like about the passage?
End with this question: Now, what are you going to do about it? What are you going to tell people about this passage?
I hope this gets the conversation moving some and will help involve some people in your group that may not be regular contributors or big talkers.
If you prefer to stick with the old format, here are some questions to think about.
1. What were some of the characteristics of Mary and Joseph? Their personal lives, their relationship with God, how they treated others? How important do you think those characteristics were in God choosing them to be a part of the Bethlehem stories? What challenge is that to us as we desire to be used by God and be a part of His story here in Winston-Salem?
2. Talk about some of the adjectives Mary uses to describe God and Jesus in Luke 1:46-55. Catholicism, along with some other religious sects, believe that Mary is the hero of the Christian faith. Talk about the difference between the vessel that is used and the actual savior. What is the difference between us having the message and being the mouthpiece, and Jesus being the message and having all the power?
3. So many of us are good. We have good stories, good ideas, and good lives. The story of our life is good. But how can you move from good to God? How can your life be a God story instead of just a good story? Is your story this Christmas about family, carols, Christmas trees, and presents? Or do you want your story this Christmas to be bigger than that? How can you change your attitude, actions, and lifestyle this season to make your life a vessel available to God so he can tell a story through you?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
-Communion Sunday-
Last Sunday, we are taking communion as a church.
Luke 22:14-20
vs. 14-15
-Looking forward to being with his disciples to observe the Passover
-Last night before his journey to the cross begins, totally in the obedience to the will of God.
This passage is a 3-fold story:
-Story of agony: broken body and spilt blood
-Celebrate the victory: we are on the winning team! We remember the sacrifice, but 3 days later...
-Anticipate His return: next time Jesus eats again, it'll be a party!
-Bread (vs. 19)
-Cup (vs. 17-18, 20)
Take some time to answer these questions in the group.
1. Where is the hope in this passage? How do you think what Jesus said in this passage helped the disciples in their ministries after Jesus died?
2. What are the promises in this passage, and why are they significant?
3. What is the importance of taking communion as a body of believers? Why do we need to remember the death? Why can't we just focus on the resurrection?
4. Spend some time reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus. Is this passage personal to you? When the sins are yours and not someone else's, and the purpose of Jesus being on the cross is for the atonement for YOUR sins, this passage becomes extremely powerful and humbling.
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