HOPE LIVES! We carry the HOPE of the World!

Transcription

1 HOPE LIVES! We carry the HOPE of the World! November 2010 Featured Teacher: Rick Warren, Saddleback Church (portions from videos on his book: Purpose Driven Life)

2 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 2 Leader Notes: Welcome to the November 2010 Curriculum for our Life Group Launch. We re SO GRATEFUL for the way God is working thru the life groups to minister to people, grow each of us in faith, and connect more people to Christ. This year, we re making additional effort to provide materials that deepen your group, and prepare us for another expansion season in fall of This curriculum is a tool it is provided to help you easily facilitate your group, but you are not bound to it. Each lesson will coincide with the messages on Sundays, but each is also independent and allows for people to join anytime. Take advantage of the tool as you see fit, and let us know what works/doesn t work for future development efforts. Our church goals for 2010 s fall program are to: - Build a greater hunger for Scripture and deepen the knowledge of group members - Engage in the stories Jesus used, allowing us to get a greater picture of His heart - Encourage people to take action from the lesson, and also share it with someone else We d ask you as leader to pray for these targets and celebrate them as they happen in the group. God bless you for leading! We re here to help in any way we can, and want you to know we re praying for each of our groups. Feel free to contact us with questions, needs, issues and feedback. Our desire is to grow every person and help them become fruitful multipliers for the Kingdom of Christ. The Elders of Journey Christian Church

3 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 3 HOPE LIVES If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose. Rick Warren The goal of this study is to learn and apply biblical standards on serving others. In this study we will focus on Discipleship and Ministry as found in the book, The Purpose Driven Life. Session #1 What on Earth Am I Here For? Memory Verse For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) Read the text: Philippians 3:12-14 Jeremiah 29:11 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Watch DVD Session #1 The benefits of knowing your purpose Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV) 1. Knowing the purpose of your life will give your life focus. 2. Knowing the purpose of your life will give simply your life. 3. Knowing the purpose of your life will increase your motivation in life.

4 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 4 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) Discussion Questions 1. What does this week s memory verse tell you about God s purpose for your life? Do you believe it s true? If so, how should it affect the way you live? 2. God uses other people in specific ways in each of our lives. In whose life does God want to use you? Now is a great time to consider whom you might invite to your next meeting. 3. In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself? 4. Kindness is the choice to see every person as important to God s Purpose. How can you (your family) grow the level of Kindness in your lives? SOAP and Prayer Notes: Write down a learning or action from this passage, and how you might share this with someone. Prayer 1. ASK (Ask, Seek and Knock) for prayer requests

5 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 5 2. Pray for Tracy s civic and religious leaders that they may have the strength and courage to lead our community in a spirit of Hope. Session #2 Ministry You Were Shaped for Serving God Memory Verse Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV) Read the Text: Luke 10: Corinthians 10:24 Galatians 6:2; 10 2 Corinthians 1:4 Proverbs 3:27-28 Watch DVD Session #5 I. Three Attitudes Toward People in Need 1. Keep my distance. 2. Curious but uninvolved. 3. Get close enough to care. II. Fours Steps to Serving On Purpose 1. Start seeing the needs of people around me. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24) 2. Sympathize with people s pain. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

6 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 6 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT) 3. Seize the moment and meet the need. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" when you now have it with you. (Proverbs 3:27-28 NIV) 4. Spend whatever it takes. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10 NIV) Discussion Questions 1. In your opinion, why do many people walk past opportunities to serve others? 2. Pastor Rick said that to be a servant you must move against your fears. What personal fears keep you from serving others or meeting needs in your church family? 3. According to 2 Corinthians 1:4, God allows certain struggles and hardships in your life so you can sympathize with and minister to the same kinds of needs in other people s lives. In what ways do you see injustice around you (or that s affected you), that you can get involved to bring hope into the lives of others? 4. Discuss ideas for a ministry project you can do together. This could be a project at your church, or an opportunity for your group to help a family or individual in need. Select a volunteer to discuss your idea with your pastor or someone else in leadership at your church.

7 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 7 SOAP and Prayer Notes: Write down a learning or action from this passage, and how you might share this with someone. Prayer 1. ASK Prayer requests. 2. Ask God to help you slow down and see the needs of people around you. Ask Him to help you care about what He cares about, and to give you a heart that is willing to reach out to people in need.

8 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 8 Session #3 Discipleship- You Were Created to Become Like Christ Memory Verse Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5 NIV) Read the Text: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Romans 8:28-29 Psalms 119:9-11 John 15:4-5 James 1:2-4 Watch DVD Session #4 I. Three Tools God Uses to Make You Like Jesus 1. The first tool God uses to make you like Jesus is the Bible. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) 2. The second tool God uses to make you like Jesus is the power of the Holy Spirit. 3. The third tool God uses to make you like Jesus is circumstances. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29 NIV) II. Three Choices That Will Help You Become More Like Jesus 1. You can choose what you think about. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:9-11 NIV)

9 Life Group Curriculum November 2010 Page 9 2. You can choose to depend on God s Spirit moment by moment. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5 NIV) 3. You can choose to respond to circumstances the way Jesus would. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV) Discussion Questions 1. Read 2 Timothy 3: Paul says the Bible is useful. In what ways have you found the Bible useful in your life? What keeps the Bible from being more useful in your life? 2. Read Romans 8:28 and James 1:2-4. How has God used circumstances and trials in your life to bring growth and Christ likeness? 3. People need the hope that comes when they see others live righteous lives. In what ways can you step up your relationship with God to bring more righteousness into the world? SOAP and Prayer Notes: Write down a learning or action from this passage, and how you might share this with someone.