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How Can We Better Envision God's Plan for Us
Ice-Breaker: Describe how we have learned from each other by meeting regularly.
Psalms 37: 4Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. (CEV)
Matthew 17: 20-21.... If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you. (CEV)
John 6: 27Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so." 28"What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked. 29Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent." (CEV)
Romans 15: 5... I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. (CEV)
2 Peter 3: 9The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost (CEV)
1 Corinthians 9: 19I am not anyone's slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so that I can win as many people as possible.... 22When I am with people whose faith is weak, I live as they do to win them. I do everything I can to win everyone I possibly can. (CEV)
Matthew 9: 11Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?" 12Jesus heard them and answered, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. 13Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.' I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners." (CEV)
Matthew 8: 8But the officer said, "Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say.... Do this!' and he will do it." 10When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, "I tell you that in all of Israel I've never found anyone with this much faith! 11Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (CEV)
1. What is unique about small groups, and what results do they produce?
2. Why was Jesus so impressed by the attitude of the Roman Centurion who had a sick slave?
3. When we relate the Bible to our lives by comparing ideas, how does this change our lives?
4. How do periodic meetings of group leaders help improve our ability to serve and honor God?
5. Explain what you think God's vision for all the people of the world means to you personally.
Please study the above references and then add your observations and applications:
Observations Applications
Record of Prayer Needs for the Group
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Philippians 4: 6Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. (CEV)
What is unique about small groups?
They emphasize current and potential strengths and spiritual gifts.
They identify your weaknesses and strengths to determine what additional strengths are needed?
Forgiveness is made real with intimate and loving support.
Spiritual gifts enable us to develop relationships in the group, family, and with friends.
What results do small groups produce?
Greater empowerment and renewal of people to be truly like Jesus.
Greater enhancement of individual responsibility and growth towards spiritual maturity.
Greater service to others in and beyond the group.
Reduction in destructive thinking; replacement of fear with sensitivity, love and confidence.
Improved team spirit; new appreciation for the intimate "family" climate.
Constant focus on and guidance from the group's vision.
Constant discovery of new possibilities fed by their dreams and new ideas.
What other things do small groups accomplish?
Discoveries are integrated with the group's basic understanding of God's will.
There is a high degree of interpersonal discussion, interaction and intimacy.
Leadership develops spontaneously and effectively.
Facilitators and members learn to be both tough-minded and tenderhearted.
Just discovering possibilities for new and better relationships is inspiring.
The Group's Vision
Bring friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. to know Christ and to experience fellowship.
Help the church to multiply the present number of groups.
Develop mature and intimate friendships with each other.
Experience the same kind of love for one another that Jesus and His disciples experienced.
Be a truly loving support group.