5/2/09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
April 19th, 2009

Series: Life
Topic: When Life is Tempting

Getting Started

What would you be more tempted to lie about - your weight, or your age?

If you couldn’t eat anything for a day, and someone put food in front of you, what food would most tempt you to eat?


Digging Deeper

1) Earlier in the book of James we learned about trials. What is the difference between a trial and a temptation?

Trials are situations designed by God to get you to grow. Temptations are situations designed by the Devil to get you to sin. Temptation is an invitation to sin. God won’t invite you to sin. For example -a trial is when your boss treats you lousy at work. A temptation is when you say, since I've going through this hard time at work - I'm going to lie on my expense forms.

2) Verse 13 says that God doesn’t tempt us, but does He ever lead us into temptation? If so, why?

Jesus was led into temptation – Matthew 4:1

The Lord’s prayer says “lead us not into temptation


3) Read 1 Corinthians 10:13, what truths about temptation can we learn from this verse?

- God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear
- God will provide a way so you can stand up

4) James 1:14 tells us that temptation happen when our own evil desires drag us into sin. The book of James points out the issue of desires in causing spiritual problems in our lives. Read James 4:1-2. What does this say about desires?

5) James 1:14 uses a fishing analogy, what bait is most likely to get you to bite. When the devil wants to trip you up, what temptations, situations, pressures, people does he tend to use? 2 Corinthians 2:11 talks about being aware of Satan’s schemes. What schemes does He use in your life? What can you do to be more aware?

6) Jesus fought temptation with God’s word, and James 1:18 also points us to God’s “word of truth”. How does God’s word help us when being tempted?

7) Let’s say you have a desire in your life that’s tripping you up spiritually. How do you deal with the desire? Do you ask God to take the desire away? Do you redirect the desire to something good? Do you try to self-discipline yourself? Use some examples of real life situations and think through ways to experience God’s help when our desires draw us into sin.



Putting it into practice

1. What temptation are you battling? In what way do you need prayer?

2. Based on the “bait’ question above, what steps can you take to stand strong against temptation and be aware of Satan’s schemes?

3. What Bible verse could you memorize that would help you deal with that particular temptation?

Leader's Guide 4/19/09

Small Group Leader's Guide
April 19th, 2009

Series: Life

Getting Started

• Can you think of a situation in your life that was hard at the time, but looking back, God used it to help you grow? What happened?

• James 1:2 says that we face trials of “many kinds” what “kind” of trial are you currently facing?

Quick Review of James 1;1-4

• In a nutshell, why are we to consider it pure joy when we go through trials of many kinds?

• Why do you think difficulties are part of the spiritual maturity process?


Digging Deeper - A main point on Sunday is that God uses difficulties in our lives to develop maturity, to make us like Jesus. For this week’s small group, we’re going to study a passage in Hebrews that shows how God uses hardship to shape us. As a group, read Hebrews 12:1-13

Vs 4 - How does verse 4 help put hardship in perspective?

Vs 7 Says, endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as son. Did God treat his Son, Jesus with hardship? Why?

Vs 10 - According to verse 10, what is the purpose or product of this discipline?

Vs 11 - What does the first part of verse 11 recognize?

Vs 11 – What does the second part of verse 11 remind us of?

Vs 2-3 - If you’re going through a hard time, how can Hebrews 12:2-3 help you?

Making it Personal

• Are there Bible verses that you find comforting during difficult times? Share one with the group

• Are you in middle of a difficult time? How well are you responding to your situation? Do you have any hints of how God may be using your present circumstances to help you mature?

3-29-09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
March 29th, 2009

Series: Rewind

1) What is your favorite song we play on Sunday mornings?

2) Besides the host of the small group or the leader, who was the first person to arrive at the small group this week?

3) At the beginning of the year, we challenged members to get serious about reading God’s word. How are you doing in your personal Bible study?

4) We are encouraging each member to have “One” person they are praying for and reaching out to. Have you prayed for someone who doesn’t know Christ this week? Have you reached out in any way?

5) What role do you think evil spirits have in today’s world?

6) Read verse 17 and 18, what were the symptoms of the evil spirit’s presence in this boy’s life?

7) Verse 20 says that the evil spirit caused the boy to go into convulsions – today, how would a person know if a physical symptom was caused by a evil spirit or simply a physical condition? How do you think the boy’s father knew that source of his son’s problem was spiritual?

8) In verse 28, the disciples question Jesus on why they were unable to drive out the evil spirit. What was Jesus’ answer? In fighting a spiritual battle – why would this action be important?

9) Ephesians 6:10 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. In what areas of your life do you think you may be facing a spiritual battle? What can you do to look past the surface of you problems to identify and deal with the spiritual dynamics of the battles we all face?

10) In verse 24, the father seems to express both belief and unbelief at the same time. Can you think of situation where part of you believed, but the another part of you struggled with trusting God? What did you do in that circumstance?

11) In verse 23, the boy’s father says “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us”. In verse 23, Jesus zeros in on the father’s use of “If you can” Why do you think Jesus did that? What does Jesus go on to say about faith in verse 23?

12) Is there an area of our life where past disappointment has left you with an “if you can” faith? If you could ask God to give you faith for one area of our life, or one person in your life, what would that be?

3-22-09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
March 22nd, 2009

Series: Rewind
Message: Tell Me All Your Thoughts on God

1) What does this tell us about Jesus?

• What does the story of the woman caught in Adultery teach us about how Jesus deals with sin?

• What conclusions should we not draw from this story?

2) Are some sins worse than others? The Pharisees caught this woman breaking one of the ten commandments. Clearly she sinned. But Jesus points out in verse 7 (via a question) that everyone in that crowd had sinned. The Bible says that we all sin, but is some sin worse than others? For example, murder and overeating are both sins in the Bible, is one worse than the other?

3) The Christian and the Law of Moses - Verse 5 mentions that the punishment for adultery was death.

• As Christians, what part of the law should we still observe and what parts no longer apply? For example, we all agree that the commandment not to commit adultery (one of the ten commandments) is still a good one, why not the commandment to punish adultery?

• Look specifically at verse 5 it says that Moses “commanded” us to stone such a woman, were they being disobedient to God by not carrying out God’s command to stone the adulterer?

4) Trying to Trap Jesus – The religious leaders of the day attempted to trap Jesus. They often used questions to try to put Him on the spot. It seems that the hope was to box Jesus into an unpopular position. In many cases, Jesus responds to their question, by posing a question of his own. Let’s look at another case where this happens. Read Matthew 22:15-22. Why would their question trap Jesus? Why might a “yes” response cause problems for Christ, why might a “no” response cause problems for Christ?

If Christ said not to pay taxes –He would be undermining the Roman government. On the other hand, the Romans were an occupying force in Israel, and many Israelites were opposed to paying taxes. If Jesus was for taxes, many would see him on the side of the enemy – Rome


5) Did she get off easy? Read verse 11 – Did this lady get off easy? Adultery is a serious sin that destroys families, under the law of Moses, people were literally killed for it. How come Jesus doesn’t come out stronger with this lady?

6) Jesus the High Priest - Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and think through the following questions.

• This passage says that Christ is a high priest. In what ways is Jesus a high priest?

• In the old testament, the priest would offer sacrifices to atone for the people’s sins. Did Christ offer a sacrifice? What was the sacrifice?

o Read Hebrews 10:10-11

• Verse 16 says to approach the throne of grace with confidence, what in verses 14-15 would give us this confidence that we can approach Jesus in our time of need?

• Read Hebrews 2:17-18, what comparisons do you see with the verse in Hebrews 4:14-16.

• Both Hebrews 2 and Hebrews 4 emphasize the fact that Christ was tempted and because of that, is able to help us in our time of need. How might Christ’s temptations make him better able to help us?


Putting it into practice

In verse 11 Jesus tells the woman to leave her life of sin. Is there a sin you need to get up and walk away from?

Leader's Guide 3/16/09

Small Group Leader's Guide
March 15th, 2009

Series: Rewind
Message: I Get Knocked Down but I Get Up Again.

Getting Started

• What’s the hardest physical fall you’ve ever taken?

Review from the last Two Weeks

1) A few weeks back we asked the question – who is your one?

• Have you found that one person for you?
• Have you prayed for them?
• What have you done to reach out to them?

2) On week one of this series, we looked at forgiveness

• Have you taken steps towards forgiving someone?
• Have you moved forward in releasing a hurt to God?

Digging into this week’s topic


3) A Time to Give Up? - Ecclesiastes 3:6 says that there is a time to give up.

• How can a person tell when it’s okay to give up? Can you give an example?

• Let someone in the group share a time they had to give up on someone or something. What did they wrestle with in making that decision? Looking back, was it the right decision?

• Take time to help someone in the group who may be in the middle of a “is it time to give up?” situation.

4) “Do Not Give Up” In 2 Chronicles 15 God called the King and the people of Israel to make some serious spiritual changes in their lives. In verse 7 God promises that “be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”. Read verse 8, there are at least three responses to Asa has this message from God, what are they?

1) He took courage
2) He removed the spiritual garbage – “removed the detestable idols”
3) He refocused on God – “repaired the altar”

Small group leaders, challenge your group with the question, “Is there any garbage in your life that you need to remove”

5) At the Proper Team We Will Reap a Harvest - Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Can you share a time when you were getting “weary” of doing the right thing, but you did it anyway, and over time, you saw God bless it?

6) In Luke 18:1 Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Read the Parable and think about the following questions…

• What does this parable show us about persevering in prayer?
• Point out one quality that the widow showed in presenting with her request?

7) Read Ephesians 1:8-20. In verse 19 there is a pray that we know God’s incomparable power for those who believe. How do we experience that power?


Putting it into Practice

8) What do you do to draw on strength from God when you feel like giving up?

9) Do you need pray to get up instead of giving up – ask your group for prayer?

3-8-09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
March 8th, 2009

Series: Rewind
Message: It's Been One Week Since You Looked at Me.

How can you tell if you’ve truly forgiven someone?

How many times do you need to forgive?

• In Matthew 18:21-22 there is a discussion about how many times you should forgive someone. Do you always need to keep forgiving someone?

• If your spouse commits adultery twenty seven times, do you need to keep forgiving them? Do you need to stay married?

• If someone keeps sinning against you. Is there a point at which you can chose not to be around them anymore? Does forgiving someone require maintaining a relationship with them? What Bible verses would you point toward, to support your thoughts?

Making Up for our Debts - In verse 26, the person asks for more time to pay back the debt. Read verses 25-27 and think about the following questions.

• In what way is giving someone the opportunity to “make up” for what they did, not forgiveness?

Using the debt analogy, often time we simply offer a people an opportunity to refinance their sin/debt. Our idea of forgiveness is to offer an extended payment plan, or more attractive interest rates.

• Is it possible to be give someone a second chance but not offer them true forgiveness?

• In what cases is it right to ask someone to make up for what they’ve done?
Read verses 28-30 - The servant walked out, found someone that owed him money and demanded “Pay back what you owe me” What does this tell us about this servant who was just forgiven?

By canceling His debt, The King taught the man about unconditional forgiveness, but it seems the lesson was lost on Him. If God can forgive us of our eternal debts which cost the life of His Son, yet we can’t forgive others their temporary debts to us, what does that say about us?

It’s hard to release people from the wrong done to us? What truth in verse 33 will help make it a bit easier?

When we remember how much God forgave us (Millions of dollars) it’s easier to let someone off the hook for a couple bucks. The debt of our sin cost the Father His only Son, what has the debt of other’s cost you?


Receiving and Offering Forgiveness - Read Matthew 6:14-15.

• What is the main point of this verse? What is it that God wants us to understand? What is it that God wants us to do?

• Verse 15 says if we don’t forgive people of their sin, we won’t be forgiven? What does that mean for a believer who won’t forgive. Is their salvation revoked? Will they be held more accountable on the day of judgment for their post-Christian sins?

Putting it into Practice

• Read Matthew 18: 35 – God calls us to forgive others as He has forgive us. Who do you need to forgive?

• Is there a sin you need to ask forgiveness from God for?

• Is there a sin you need to ask forgiveness for from another person.

2/22/09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
Feb. 22nd, 2009

Series: One

Getting Started

Read the Philemon verse 6 (there is only one chapter in Philemon)

1. What is Paul praying for?

2. How active are you in sharing your faith?

3. According to this verse, is there a benefit to the believer for sharing their faith, if so, what is it?

4. How could sharing your faith give someone a fuller understanding of what we have in Christ?


Showing the Good News By Your Deeds

God calls us to show our faith by our deeds, or as scripture says, to let our light shine. The following are verses written to people in specific life circumstances, see what they show about showing our faith by our actions.

In a Relationship Setting – 1 Peter 3:1 is written to wives are married to unbelievers.

• Have you seen a marriage or relationship situation where you or someone you know was won over by the other person’s behavior?

• What about their behavior stood out to you?

In a Work Setting – Titus 2:9-10 is written to Christians who were in a difficult life circumstance, slavery. Read the verse and then think through the questions

1. How do our lives make the teaching about Christ “attractive”

2. Do people at your work know you’re a Christian? If so, do you think your actions would attract someone to want to know more about your faith?

3. Can you think of a Christian you’ve worked with that really let their light shine?


Sharing the Good News By Your Words

Read 1 Peter 3:15

• The verse says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” If someone asked you why you’re a Christian, what would your answer be?

Read Colossians 4:5-6

• What does verse 5 say about the way we act? How can we make the most of every opportunity?

• What does verse 6 say about our conversation?

• Christ calls us the salt of the world, how can we let our conversation be seasoned with salt?

• Specifically, what are some practical ways to bring up Christ and/or spiritual things into a conversation?


Putting it into Practice


1) Who is your one?

2) Besides prayer, What can you do this week to invest in that relationship?