Leader Huddle Season 1 Wk. 5

 

 BIG NEWS if you haven't seen the video on social media yet, here you go! 

I am so expectant for how God is going to use Wes in his next step of obedience and in awe of God's providence to place me at North Campus. As for rGroups, not much will change. I will continue in the current role that I have with you leaders, except that new members will start to cycle through your campus pastor instead of directly through me. 

Let me know if you have any questions or comments regarding how rGroups will move forward!

Life Of David Week 2

Text Recap:

    In this passage we see the source of David's courage in facing the Philistine giant named Goliath. David's courage in the face of overwhelming odds challenges us to courageously defend God's honor in a deteriorating culture. These are not fairy tales. They really happened. These Bible stories weren't written just to inspire people; they were recorded because they are real historical events. We’ll see that the story of David and Goliath is not so much about who David is fighting, but rather what David is fighting for (1 Samuel 17). 

    It’s a classic face-off, with the good guys on one side and the bad guys on the other. It seems that neither side really wanted to fight, because this staring competition went on for forty days. But eventually, someone has to blink. The Philistines proposed a solution to this standoff: instead of thousands of people dying, let’s each send out one champion to fight on behalf of the entire army. The Philistine champion, Goliath, was over nine feet tall! His armor weighed 125 pounds. This is the guy who came out and taunted Israel's army day after day for forty days! 

    The battle was in the Valley of Elah. The Philistines knew that if they controlled the Valley, they would have easy access into the heart of the Israelite kingdom. The Valley of Elah was an important economic trade route. Controlling it allowed the flow of exports and imports, so protecting this area was critical to Israel's economy. The Philistines already controlled the two key cities which guarded the entrance to the Valley of Elah. A win here would put them in control of the entire valley—which was the key to maintaining Israel's security and way of life. There is a lot riding on how this battle between the Israeli's and the Philistines plays out. As important as these factors are, they are not the focus of the Biblical narrative. 

David was driven to challenge this Philistine champion for a different reason: Goliath had dishonored Israel's God.  That's one thing David would not tolerate. Six times in 1 Samuel 17 Goliath taunted God and his army (see v. 10, 25, 26 [twice], 36, 45).  Goliath’s defiance of Israel's God is what ticked David off!  

Here’s a question: Does it bug you when belief in God is ridiculed in our culture?  It sure bothered David. It was David's thought that God should be honored that led him to take on an opponent who, from a worldly perspective, he had no business facing.  The situation was actually worse than most people think.  The Philistines had iron weapons, which was advanced technology for that time.  Only King Saul and his son Jonathon had swords on their side.  No one else in the Israeli army had them (1 Samuel 13:19-20; 17:38-40).  Talk about an ill-equipped army! Goliath comes to the battle dressed like Iron Man—and David shows up with just a slingshot! 

The question is this: Where did David get the courage to fight someone like Goliath?  Saul was no help (see v. 33).  It all came down to David's view of God.  David had a big view of God.  David knew that God Himself was concerned about his glory and reputation. God was neither indifferent to Goliath's trash-talking nor intimidated by Goliath's size.  For David, God's power wasn't just something he had read about in the Scriptures. He had personally experienced it (1 Samuel 17:34-37). 

Sometimes, like David, we sense that God is calling us to take a stand for Him in a culture that mocks God and those who follow Him.  In those times, we face our own fears (our giants).  In those times, remember that you serve a big God—a God who has chosen you and equipped you to represent Him in the world. He has given you the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. That means that you're not just bringing your limited human resources into the battle. David realized this was a battle for God's honor and for the preservation of God's people. God loves to use the weak things of the world, the despised things, to shame and defeat the strong and arrogant. Don't ever underestimate what God can accomplish through someone whose heart is fully His. David didn't have the size, the experience, or the equipment to match Goliath, but he had one thing Goliath didn't have—God's help!  

There is “territory” that God is asking you to protect and defend.  Your purity is a territory that God wants you to protect.  If you are married, God wants you to protect your marriage.  God wants parents to protect the territory of their families.  Our culture will not help you raise kids who honor and serve God.  We need to defend and protect a biblical truth and morality.  Will you take a courageous stand and defend these territories that God has entrusted to you? We serve a big God. He loves to use the weak things and the despised things to shame the strong. He wants to use you. Will you let him? 

Questions for Reflection:

1- Who do you know personally that ridicules or scoffs at the things of God?  How does it play out?

2- Share about a time when you “stood up” for your faith or beliefs in God.  How did it go?  Did you stand alone, or did others join you too?  What was the outcome? 

3- When someone ridicules the things of God, what upsets you more: God’s reputation or yours?

4- The Philistines had so many perceived advantages over the Israelites.  How do you assess the culture in America today?  Who has the advantage—God or evil?

5- Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Make a list of the things which are CONTRASTED in this passage.  Who appears to be winning at the moment?  Are you ok with that?  Why or why not?

6- Read Hebrews 11:32-38.  Notice the CONSTRAST between the two groups: those in vs 32-35 and those in vs 36-38.  Notice the similarity between them (vs 39).  Are you ok with this?  Why or why not?

Application/Challenge:

1-    Choose to trust in God’s strength.

2-    Choose to defend the territory that God has entrusted to you: personal purity, marriage, family, biblical truth, morality, etc.

3-    What is one small, concrete step of obedience you will put into practice this week?

 

 

Daily Bible Reading (Monday-Saturday):

This week let’s talk about living for the Glory of God.  If God IS glorious, then how can we add anything to His glory?

Monday- 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Philippians 1:9-11

Tuesday- Joshua 7:19 and Revelation 16:9

Wednesday- John 14:13 and Exodus 33:18

Thursday- 1 Corinthians 16:18-20

Friday- Philippians 2:9-11

Saturday- 2 Samuel 20

 

5 Question Bible Study (to answer every day in response to the Daily Bible Reading):

a- What idea particularly strikes me from this text (note which verses it comes from)?

b- What question does this text raise in my mind—and how would this text answer it? 

c- What about Jesus—his character and/or redemption—relates to this text?

d- What action must I take as a result of this text?  Be concrete and specific.

e- With whom will I share what I learned from this text?

 

SPEC for the Text

Sin to avoid

Promise to claim

Example to Follow

Command to Obey

 

“I Will” Statement…

-Based on this text, what is one specific, measurable thing you will do this week to live it out?

Leader Huddle S1 Wk. 4

New Series this week means new content. Nathan has developed some in depth new rGroup content that will help you guys move forward in your faith and move your group forward as well!

Check out this introductory video:

3 things to know about the new content:

1. Sermon notes - moving past Sunday throughout the week
2. Study Questions - same thing, but different and deeper
3. SPEC Study - here's how to move forward after your rGroup 

Life of David Week 1

1. SERMON NOTES:

This week, we began a new series on the Story of David.  The series starts with David as a teenage shepherd boy.  In 1 Samuel 16:1, we see that God rejected Saul as King of Israel, and he instructed the prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint the new King that He had chosen.  This King was to be selected from among Jesse’s sons.  Out of all Jesse’s manly sons, God appointed the youngest of the group, a little shepherd boy, to lead the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 16:12).  So why David?

David had a Heart for God.  Everyone else was looking at the outward appearance, but God was looking at David’s heart. That was the real test. To have a heart for God means that you have a heart that is sensitive to the things of God.  If you have a heart for God, He can use you mightily.  He is always on the lookout for people with that kind of a heart (2 Chronicles 16:9). What is God looking for? He is looking for men and women whose hearts are completely His. Not partially, but thoroughly. That means that there are no areas of your life that are off-limits to God.  Nothing has been swept under the rug. That means that when you sin, you own it. You turn from it. You care not only about your actions but about the motivations behind them. David was that kind of a man. 

David had a Vision from God.  Not only did David have a heart for God, but he was also given a vision from God. After Samuel anointed the young shepherd boy as king, David was different. Scripture tells us that the Spirit of God came mightily upon him. At that moment, David knew that God had singled him out for a particular purpose.  That knowledge informed and motivated everything he did moving forward. While God hasn’t chosen any of us to be kings or queens, he has chosen us to be the recipients of a great salvation. According to the Bible, the moment you placed your trust in Christ as your Savior, several important things happened: 

·       The same Holy Spirit who came mightily upon David came to live within you (Ephesians 1:13) 

·       You became a brand-new person with a new identity (2 Cor. 5:17) 

·       Your sins were forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14) 

·       You were reconciled to God (Romans 5:10) 

·       You became a member of God’s spiritual family (John 1:12) 

·       God gifted you to serve Him (1 Peter 4:10)
Just as God had a plan for David’s life, God has a plan for ours (Ephesians 2:10). The truth is, God chose you just as he chose David. People with a heart for God and a vision from God can do great things for God. 

David had Faith in God.  David was called upon to minister to King Saul. Saul sensed that God’s hand of blessing was no longer upon him and became discouraged and depressed. Someone in the King’s court heard about David’s skill as a musician and thought that the beautiful music he played might soothe the king’s spirit.  They were right. David gained favor in Saul’s eyes, and he moved from the pasture to the palace. Can you see how God worked behind the scenes in David’s life to prepare him for his ultimate role as Israel’s next king? During the time he was ministering to Saul, David watched and learned, observing the good things Saul did as well as the bad.  David faithfully remained in that role until God decided that it was time for Saul to go and David to reign. You, like David, can prepare for God’s future purposes for you by being faithful in what he sets before you today.  How can you do that?

·       If you sense he wants you to encourage someone today, do that. 

·       If you sense he wants you to share your faith story with someone, do that. 

·       If you sense he wants you to pray for someone, pray for them. 

·       If he prompts you to be generous to someone, be generous. 

·       If he leads you to serve someone inside or outside of the church, step up and serve wholeheartedly!

If you do that every day, God will open doors and he will use you in ways that you have never imagined (2 Chronicles 16:9). 

David modeled faithfulness, even early on in his life.  The story opens with David being faithful with his job as a shepherd in the field.  He was faithful, even when things didn’t change.  He stuck with it even though the familiar seemingly mundane aspects of life.  Finally, David was faithful when he was apparently forgotten.  David did not become King as soon as he was anointed.  It was almost 15 years after his anointing that he actually assumed the position of leadership as King.  Yet, he was faithful in the waiting!

 

2. STUDY QUESTIONS

1- Samuel 16:7 states: "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Tell about a time when outward appearances deceived you or someone you know. 

2- How confident are you that next time you would—and could—"look at the heart"? Explain. 

3- Read 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and Acts 13:21-22. How do the Scriptures describe David? 

4- Clearly David was not sinless, so, what does—and doesn't—it mean to be a man "after God's heart"? In what ways does that describe you? Be specific. 

5- Read 2 Chronicles 16:9.  The word “strengthen” refers to both physical and spiritual strength.  God gives this assistance to those "whose heart is completely his." What sort of difficulties do you think arise from having a heart which is entirely God's?  What passages can you think of to support your answer? 

6- To who is 1 Peter 2:9a addressed? Does that include you? Let's see..."a chosen race"—read Ephesians 2:11-14 and 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14.  "A royal priesthood"— read Revelation 1:6 and Hebrews 13:15-16.  "A holy nation"—read Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7 cf. 1 Peter 1:16.  "A people for God's own possession"—read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

7- For what purpose has God chosen you? (1 Peter 2:9b)

8- To what degree are you fulfilling your purpose? 

Application/Challenge:

1-    Choose to be a person whose heart belongs entirely to God

2-    Choose to pursue God’s vision for your life.

3-    Trust in God’s strength

4-    Be faithful in what He’s placed before you today.

5-    What is one small, concrete step of obedience you will put into practice this week?

 

3. S.P.E.C. STUDY

 

Daily Bible Reading (Monday-Saturday):

This week, let’s learn about David’s heart for God.  Let’s start with the contrast between David and Saul.  As you study, look for examples of blame-shifting, rationalization, and out-right lying from King Saul.

Monday- 1 Samuel 15:1-7

Tuesday- 1 Samuel 15:7-13

Wednesday- 1 Samuel 15:13-21

Thursday- 1 Samuel 15:19-23

Friday- 1 Samuel 15:24-31, 35

Saturday- 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 31-47

 

5 Question Bible Study (to answer every day in response to the Daily Bible Reading):

a- What idea stands out to me from this text (note which verses it comes from).

b- What question does this text raise in my mind—and how would this text answer it? 

c- What about Jesus—his character and/or redemption—relates to this text?

d- What action must I take as a result of this text?  Be concrete and specific.

e- Who is someone I can share with what I learned from the text this week? 

 

SPEC for the Text

Sin to avoid

Promise to claim

Example to Follow

Command to Obey

 

“I Will” Statement…

-Based on this text, what is one specific, measurable thing you will do this week to live it out?

Leader Huddle S1 Wk.3

 Replacing Yourself: 

The goal of every Christian relationship should be to raise up your own replacement. We want to create disciples who make disciples. 

In rGroups that looks like your co-leader, host, and admin. Who on your rGroup lead team could replace you and do your job? And who in your rGroup could replace the person that replaces you? This type of constant growth, moving forward, taking next steps, is our goal.

Let's start with how to do that with your co-leader. 5 steps of leadership development:

1. I do. You watch. We talk.
2. I do. You help. We talk. 
3. You do. I help. We talk.
4. You do. I watch. We talk.
5. You do. Someone else watches

At each stage you're intentionally looking for opportunities to demonstrate how and why you do what you do. Then, you slowly give over the reins, helping them along at each step until finally letting them fly on their own!

Plus this process also shows your replacement how to replace themselves, and so on and so on. 

Let's work ourselves out of a job this week! 

This week our rGroup leader prayer focus is Star Roman and Kristen Wallace. They lead a ladies group via Zoom on Wednesdays at 7pm. Be sure to pray for them then. When I asked Star how we can best pray for their group, she said this: 1 - That God will help us share His Word with the ladies and that we stay hungry for it. 2 - We all continue to grow closer as a group relationally and spiritually. 

Let's be praying for them specifically this week! 

Just Pray - Wk. 3

 Icebreaker: What is your top 3 least favorite foods? this icebreaker has nothing to do with the rest of the study, it just helps get conversation going!

1- When in your life have you been most consistent in prayer? Why do you think that was the case?

READ Daniel 9:1-3

2- Hardship - being an exile in a foreign land - turned Daniel to God through prayer. What difficult circumstances has God used in your life to push you closer to Him? 

3- God's Word, specifically the book of Jeremiah, is what helped Daniel have understanding of his current situation. What practices are you currently doing to help you spend time with God's Word? 

4- God's Word also helped form Daniel's prayer that we are about to study. Have you ever used the Bible as a tool to help you pray? If so, share how that went. If not, how do you think it could be helpful to your prayer life?

As a way to form our prayers in accordance to God's Word, we are going to work through a model of prayer during hard times using the rest of Daniel 9. Each section will conclude with 1-2 questions and one way to pray it in your life. Encourage your group to use this prayer model this week with different passages of Scripture and in their own life situations.

READ Daniel 9:4-6

5- What do these verses tell you about God? What do they tell you about humankind? The first way to pray is a prayer of confession of sin against God.

READ Daniel 9:7-10

6- What do these verses tell you about God? What do they tell you about humankind? The second way to pray is to be honest with God about how you feel.

READ Daniel 9:11-14

7- What do these verses tell you about God? The third way to pray is to acknowledge the consequences of sin. Then, praise God that the ultimate consequence has been taken by Jesus' death on the cross.

READ Daniel 9:15-16

8- What do these verses tell you about God? The fourth way to pray is to remind yourself of all that God has done in the past on your behalf, then ask God to provide again.

READ Daniel 9:17-19

9- What does this passage tell you about God? The fifth way to pray is to recognize where the provision comes from in every circumstance. 

Summary: this week pray by confessing, being honest, acknowledging consequences and praising God for Jesus, reminding yourself of God's faithfulness, asking God to do it again, and recognizing God as the source for any and everything that happens as a result of this prayer. 

10- What was the group supposed to hold you accountable for in prayer over the past 2 weeks? How has it been going? How can we continue to pray for you and with you this week? 

Leader Huddle - s.1 Wk.2

How do you as a leader handle that person that talks WAY too much and dominates the conversation? Or what about the people that sit on the sidelines and very rarely contribute? 

I hope this one tip will solve both of those problems! 

1- Rather than asking a general question to the group, point out one person and ask their thoughts. Then, open the floor for anyone else to contribute.

        - It could sound like this: "Matt, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this question: __________?" 

I've done this multiple times in my group and have been the target of this tactic in some of Nathan's groups haha! But hey, it works! I hope that's helpful.

Each week we are going to be praying for individual group leaders and their groups. I'm really excited about how this will connect you to other leaders in the church that you may not know. Here's our prayer focus for this week:

PRAYER POINT- This week we are going to be praying for John and Abby Wood. They have been co-leaders in the past but are taking on a larger leadership role this season. Their group meets on Mondays @ 7pm. According to John their biggest prayer needs are: 1- a group member who's unbelieving father is in the hospitable. Prayers for his healing, but ultimately for his salvation. 2- more peace and trust in God for John and Abby in their larger leadership role.