Introduction

FAQs in Getting Started

Going Granular in Connect Groups

Example of a Connect Group Night

Lesson One: Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Lesson Two: Lost Sheep and Lost Coin (Luke 15:1-10)

Lesson Three: The Lost Son (Luke 15:11:32)

Lesson Four: The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8)

Lesson Five: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

Lesson Six: Barriers in Reaching The One (Matthew 9:9-13)

Lesson Seven: Living in Community (Acts 2:42-47)

Serve Weekend

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSONS

There’s something powerful about living a life of purpose and intentionality. When we focus on what really matters, not only does it produce a strong sense of fulfillment in our lives, but it also produces significant change in those around us. So what is it that really matters? How can we live this way? How can we make our lives really count? That’s what this series is all about. Join us as we journey through this study and discuss how each one of us can “Live on Mission.”

Lesson One: Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Lesson Two: Lost Sheep and Lost Coin (Luke 15:1-10)

Lesson Three: The Lost Son (Luke 15:11:32)

Lesson Four: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

Lesson Five: The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8)

Lesson Six: Barriers in Reaching The One (Matthew 9:9-13)

Lesson Seven: Living in Community (Acts 2:42-47)

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INTRODUCTION

FAQS IN GETTING STARTEDWe have designed this book to help you as you host a group.It will answer FAQs in hosting a study like this.

1. Do I have to have all the answers?Great news, no one has all the answers! So, we do not expect you to have all the answers either.The exciting thing is that this Connect Group Study is a “plug and play.” It is designed for itssimplicity while still offering great insight into God’s word.

2. Do I have to have extensive training to host a group?Hosting a group is similar to what you do when you invite friends over for dinner, watch a game, or barbeque. Invite friends and neighbors and have a good time.

3. I’m nervous about teaching the Bible or leading a Bible study, what should I do?That’s what we love about Connect Groups. We are not asking you to teach or lead. We would like you to host. It is straightforward: Watch, Talk, Pray. Once your group arrives and has some snacks, turn on the video from Right Now Media (WATCH). Watch the episode together (less than 20minutes). Ask the questions in the study guide to promote (TALK). When the night is over, pray for and with each other (PRAY). Simple, right?

4. How do I get people to come to our group?There are several ways. First, start with your friends, family, and neighbors. Invite them over for a watch party. Second, use your social media presence to invite others to come. Pray and ask the Lord who you could invite.

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Basic ground rules for group life:1. Keep to the subject. It is easy for a discussion to get sideways. When it does, use a gentle reminder

such as, “That was an interesting discussion, let’s circle back to our questions.”2. Keep to the agreed upon time. Your group should probably last 75 to 90 minutes from start to finish -

from snack to “see you next week.”3. Focus on God.4. Focus on “one another.” The New Testament is filled with the expression “one another” that helps

us understand how we should treat each other. A few of them are “love one another,” “forgive one another,” and “encourage one another.”

Basic ground rules for a meeting:1. Always start with the “one another.” Take some time at the beginning of the night to care for each

other, ask how each other is doing, listen, and be heard.2. Always include a time of prayer. Take some time at the beginning of the night to share a personal

need that is affecting them.3. Don’t force the lesson. You may not get to every question, and that is okay. Be sensitive to the Holy

Spirit and how He is ministering in your group.4. Wind your meeting up. Don’t leave the group in the morass of tragic stories of woe from prayer

requests. Make sure you end your group on a high note.5. Always thank your group for coming.6. Always give a reminder about the next week.

Dealing with people:1. The talkers: There may be those who love to talk. It’s okay to say as a ground rule, to limit our

comments to three to five minutes. You may even want to have a time-keeper.2. The know-it-alls: These walking Wikipedias are best dealt with by casually not looking at them after

the question is asked, or more directly by saying, “Wiki, before you answer, let’s give some others a chance.”

3. The jokers: When a sensitive topic emerges, some people begin making jokes to “clear the air” or take the tension out. However, this can also abruptly end what the Holy Spirit may be doing in someone’s life. Try not to laugh and gently bring the conversation back.

4. The devil’s advocate: A little debate or give-and-take is healthy and can help get us to a better answer. However, the constant argument can dampen a group’s mood. The casual method of dealing with them is just to let their comment die in the room by not responding to it and moving on like they said nothing. A more direct approach would be just to call it out, “It seems like you are playing the devil’s

advocate here. What do you really think?”

GOING GRANULARHERE ARE SOME OF THE FINER POINTS OF HOSTING A GROUP.

Setting the atmosphere:Our environment plays a significant role in our emotions and how we respond. Here are some things to think about in creating the setting for your group.1. Lighting: Consider what is necessary to see each other when in conversation, but maybe dimming the lights

for the video.2. Room size: If you have a large room but not many folks attending, find a small space to meet to create a better

sense of community.3. Chair arrangement: A circle is great for discussion4. Refreshments: Snacks are important but not essential. Do not make snacks the primary emphasis of the night.5. Grant permission and a tour: The first meeting, give a tour of your home and let people know where the

bathrooms are and what is generally off-limits.6. Name tags: Have name tags available for the first two weeks.

Facilitating tools:1. The nine-second rule: When a question is asked, wait nine seconds, and someone will answer the question.

Do not repeat the question or reword in that nine seconds, just wait.2. One question at a time.3. Look at people: After a question is asked, look around the group. When someone is speaking, look at them.

This creates community.4. Ask open-ended questions as a follow-up: a.) Closed questions end in yes or no. b.) Or can be answered with one word.5. Prior conversations: If you are going to ask someone to pray or read scripture, please ask them before the

meeting starts.6. Post conversation: Sometimes hosting means speaking to someone after the meeting. a.) If they need correction b.) If an offense has occurred c.) If they over-shared7. Do not teach—FACILITATE.8. Make good use of ice-breakers at the beginning.

Getting Ready for a Connect Group (Recruitment):1. Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting about who you should invite.2. Be bold and encourage people to join you in a connect group. a.) Facebook (and Messenger) b.) Text or phone call c.) Shoulder tap3. Contact them a couple of days before to remind them.

GOING GRANULAR (CONT.)

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Getting Ready for a Connect Group (the day of):1. Pray over your home and invite the presence of God in your home.2. Prepare the setting with enough seating for everyone to be comfortable.3. Prepare snacks and drinks.4. The first two weeks or so, you may want to give them a tour of your home and let them know what is off limits. It is good to have boundaries.

Here is an example of hosting an evening:Meeting Date: Planner:

Planning Step What Who

Have a treat table with snacks

One Another

Prayer

Follow Bible Study or questions provided

Closing Prayer

Announcements

Dismissal

Follow-up

Host and others

Facilitator or designee (prior conversation)

Facilitator, Group

Facilitator or designee (prior conversation)

Facilitator

Facilitator or designee

I prefer something simple like cookies, popcorn, or just coffee.

Greetings, catching up from the week, hosting first couple of weeks you may want to begin with some ice

breakers.

Open in prayer and requests from group

Group dialogue

Pray a blessing on group

Take time before people leave to remind them to come back next week and give them the announcements for

that week.

Say good-bye, thank them for coming, and remind them about next week.

Hang out, talk, eat snacks together.

Does anyone need a phone call?Does a report need to be made to the Pastoral team:

illness, lost a job, etc.

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LESSON ONE:THE GOOD SAMARITAN (LUKE 10) = THE HEART FOR THE ONE

Greetings and Prayer:Go around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. What game in school were you always picked first?2. When you were going to school, were you one of the cool kids or not? How do you know?3. In today’s society, who are the most respected? Who are the least respected?

Explain your answer.4. What makes someone have a good position in society?

Discover:Read Luke 10:25-37

What are some of the emotions that the victim could have had in this story?

The exchange between Jesus and the religious lawyer takes many turns. Jesus makes the ultimate response when He quotes from Leviticus 18:5, “Do this and you will live.” The lawyer knew it was impossible to fulfill these commands to love God and love your neighbor perfectly, so he looks for a loophole. When the lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbor?” he was trying to limit the scope and demands of the law. This exchange prompted Jesus to tell the story we read today.

What are ways people use to justify their own behavior?

The stretch of road from Jerusalem to Jericho was approximately 17 miles long and according to historians, it was very dangerous. Three men pass the victim, left for dead: a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. The priest was in a position to serve at the temple and had the victim been dead, he would not be able to serve as he would be unclean. However, notice in the story they were leaving Jerusalem, not going toward it, that is, his service in the temple was probably over for the day. The Levite also had similar religious objections and issues.

How has religion kept people from reaching out to those who have needs?

Now, Jesus is turning the story on its head. He introduces the hero in the story, a man from Samaria. Jews and Samaritans were religious enemies. The Jews believed that the Samaritans’ view and practice of the Torah was wrong. Both groups refused to participate with each other (Williamson 1992). Jesus makes the Samaritan the hero. The Samaritan man not only saves the man, but goes above and beyond to help.

What motivated the Samaritan to help?

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Looking back over the passage. How did the Samaritan go above and beyond?

It was probably clear that the victim was a Jew, yet the Samaritan still helped him. Who do wehesitate to help?

Jesus commanded us to be a neighbor like the Samaritan, “anyone in need is my neighbor, anyone who helps another in need is my neighbor, and anyone who helps me is my neighbor”(Zuber 2014:1574).

What are practical ways to fulfill this command in helping meet the needs of others?

The greatest need people have today is that they are disconnected from God. What are practical ways to help people who are disconnected from God?

Wisdom Step:As we think about those who are disconnected from God, make a list of people you know that are disconnected from God and pray for them each day.

If you don’t have any relationships with people who are disconnected from God, ask the Lord todirect you. Write down places where you can interact with people who are disconnected from God.

Pray:Pray that God opens our eyes to see the needs around us.

Pray that God gives us wisdom and courage to meet the needs of others, especially spiritually.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will be studying the stories of the lost sheep and lost coin.We have a Serve Weekend coming up, October 5-6. On Saturday, our small group will be doing _____(your group activity here)_________. Then on Sunday, we will sign up to help fill 50,000 meals for Meals from the Heartland. The times are 8:00 to 9:30; 10:00 to 11:30, and 11:45 to 1:00.

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LESSON TWO:LOST SHEEP & LOST COIN (LUKE 15:1-10)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever lost? Did you find it and where?2. How often do you misplace your keys or phone in a week? Who is worse, you or your spouse? (if

applicable)3. How do you go about looking for something - by yourself or do you recruit everyone around you?

Discover:Read Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15 records three parables of Jesus. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The lost son is arguably the most famous and will be discussed next week. Today’s lesson is on the two parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.

The context of these parables is very important. Jesus begins to tell these parables after He isverbally attacked for eating and hanging out with those that society deemed as low-status or even criminal.

If Jesus was alive today, who would you be shocked to see Him hanging out with?

Why do you think Jesus spent time with these people?

Parables are stories that have a specific meaning, usually a spiritual message. The first parable has one clear message.

The first parable is about a shepherd who leaves his flock unprotected in the wilderness to search after the one lost sheep. This parable is obviously hyperbolic to prove a point. When the shepherd leaves the 99 unprotected, he risks losing more than just one.

What point was Jesus trying to make?

The point of the parable is the importance of one person who is disconnected from God.

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Have you designed your life or your family to focus on how to reach those disconnected from God? If not, what are some ways to do that?

The second parable is about a woman who loses a coin. This coin was worth a day’s wage. In Israel during the time of Jesus, the houses in the country would likely have had a dirt floor. Animals may even have lived in the house for protection, and it was not tidy or clean. But, the coin was so important, the woman lit a candle and swept all the debris to find the one coin. Jesus ends this parable like the first one. She calls all of her friends together for a party! Again, this is an obvious exaggeration.

Why does the parable exaggerate about the party for the sheep and the coin?

Wisdom Step:The shepherd and the woman both went to action to find what was lost. What are some ways you can enhance a relationship with those who are disconnected from God? Brainstorm with your group.

Write down three doable actions you can accomplish in the next week with the people you wrote down in week one (that are disconnected with God).

Examples:• Send them an encouraging text or message.• Take them out for a coffee.• Call them to let them know you are thinking about them.• Go to the same place to interact and establish a relationship with them.

Pray:Pray that God gives us a heart that puts aside everything else to reach those who are disconnected from God.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will be studying the story of the prodigal son.

We have a Serve Weekend coming up, October 5-6. On Saturday, our small group will be doing _____(your group activity here)_________. Then on Sunday, we will sign up to help fill 50,000 meals for Meals from the Heartland. The times are 8:00 to 9:30; 10:00 to 11:30, and 11:45 to 1:00.

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LESSON THREE:LOST SON (LUKE 15:11-32)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. What do you like to do to celebrate a victory?2. What does a sore winner look like?3. Is it easy for you to rejoice over someone else’s victory? Why or why not?

Discover:Read Luke 15:11-31

The story of the prodigal son is one of Jesus’ most famous parables. The story unfolds when a young son asks for his inheritance and goes off seeking adventure and a sinful life. When the young man asks his father for his inheritance early, he is basically saying that his father is dead to him and he is no longer his son.

How would you have handled it if your children “divorced” from you?

The son goes as far as he could go in “sowing his wild oats.” Jesus says the son’s lifestyle led him to feeding pigs. In a socio-cultural note, Jews believed that pigs were unclean and refused to eat them based on the scripture that forbids it. Jesus is trying to show how far the son had actually fallen. We tend to judge different sins and actions by ranking them from bad to worse. What actions or sins were judged harshly 30 years ago, which do not seem to be as “bad” today?

Are there people that we try to avoid because of their lifestyle?

The prodigal eventually comes to his senses and wants to come back home, not as a son, but as a servant. This is the turning point of the story. When the father sees his son who wished him deadreturning home, he runs to greet him and bring him back home as his son! It is said that this is the only time there is a record of God running.

How do the father’s actions display amazing love and grace?

This is where some people end the story, however, over half of the parable is about the response of prodigal son’s brother. The elder brother is in the field working. When he comes home he hears about the big party thrown in his brother’s honor.

What is the elder brother’s response?

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Remember the context of these parables (Luke 15:1-2). What is Jesus saying to His hearers?

Why do you think the elder brother was so angry?

The elder brother exaggerates his brother’s escapades and says he wishes he could have a party with his friends! In the end, the true heart of the elder brother is seen. It was all about him. Hewanted all the accolades and all the attention.

How does this apply to the church today?

How does a consumer mentality affect the church?

Wisdom Step:How successful were you in the last week with your doable action step in building and enhancing relationships with those disconnected from God? If you haven’t gotten to it yet, make plans to do it this week.

What are practical ways you can make a new person’s church experience better the first day they visit? Brainstorm together and write them out.

Pick three ways that you can personally recenter your interactions to make the guest feel welcomed and included.

Examples:• Not sitting at the end of the pew.• Not talking only to your friends.• Looking for new people and be the first to introduce yourself.• Coming earlier than normal so you can have time to interact with new folks.

Pray:Pray and repent for times when you have carried the attitude that the church should be all about you.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will be studying the Great Commission.

We have a Serve Weekend coming up, October 5-6. On Saturday, our small group will be doing _____(your group activity here)_________. Then on Sunday, we will sign up to help fill 50,000 meals for Meals from the Heartland. The times are 8:00 to 9:30; 10:00 to 11:30, and 11:45 to 1:00.

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LESSON FOUR:THE HOLY SPIRIT (ACTS 1:8)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. Where is the farthest you have ever traveled?2. Do you consider yourself a homebody? If so, why or why not?3. What energizes you to get something done?

Discover:Read Acts 1:8

Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:45-49). He knew they were going to need the power of the Holy Spirit to tell people the gospel and connect them to God.

What part of sharing your faith or even inviting people to church is so difficult for people?

When Jesus said they would receive power after the Holy Spirit had come upon them, He was not referring to salvation. When someone believes in Jesus, they receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-23). Jesus was referring to a second work of the Holy Spirit that would give them the boldness to reach people who are disconnected from God (Acts 2:1-4). This experience is sometimes referred to as the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

If you have had an experience like that (being baptized in the Holy Spirit), please share yourexperience.

When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us! We believe that there is a second work of the Holy Spirit that gives us the boldness and courage to do His work. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the resources we need to invite and tell others about the good news of forgiveness. What are some ways you tap into the resources of Holy Spirit power in your life?

Jesus made four geographic references: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the religious center of the nation. Judea was the next area north; it was a large “county” away from the city. Samaria was a region north of Judea and wastheologically and socially antagonistic to the ways of the Jews. And for a Jew in Israel at the time, anything outside the Roman Empire would be the end of the earth.

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What pattern was Jesus setting out for the disciples?

What can we learn from this pattern?

Jesus has resourced us and given us the strategy to reach disconnected people from God. What is your first step in doing this?

Wisdom Step:What are ways we can begin to think more globally? Brainstorm and write out your list.What is one way you can be more global-thinking this week?

Take time this week to go to C Fresh Market ( an international marketplace) at 7th and University. Spend some time there walking the aisles and praying that the Lord will open your eyes to the global world around you. What is the Lord showing you? How did you feel there?

Make an effort this week to invite the person you have been praying for to church on October 13th to hear Johannes or October 27th for Candy Craze!

Pray:Pray for anyone who would like to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Pray for boldness to be witnesses.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will be studying the barriers in reaching the one disconnected from God.

Johannes will be speaking on Sunday, October 13 (Weekday CG only).

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LESSON FIVE:THE GREAT COMMISSION (MATTHEW 28:16-20)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. Tell about a tradition that was passed down from previous generations that you still participate in.2. How are you preparing your children to continue the legacy and traditions you are giving them?

Discover:Read Matthew 28:19-20

This passage of Matthew is regularly called “The Great Commission.” It is the last words of Jesus to His disciples. Jesus begins by talking about authority. When He talks about the authority He has been given, He is telling His disciples that He is giving them all authority as well.

When Jesus talks about authority here, what do you think He meant? (Use Matthew 18:18-20 as a help. It would be good to mention that authority refers to the “spiritual rights” that God has given us as believers.)

As people of God, we are given the authority (the “spiritual rights”) to bring heaven to earth wherever we go.

The Great Commission has only one direct command. Can you guess it?

The only command in the Great Commission is to disciple! Now that you know that, how does that change the way you view the Great Commission?

A better translation might read, “As you are going, DISCIPLE all nations…” This may remind you of God’s command in Deuteronomy 6 concerning the Shema. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” How could you make disciples while you are “going” on your way?

What are the two primary ways Jesus mentions how we disciple people?

Jesus started the mission of connecting disconnected people to God. He trained his disciples for over 3 years, but the mission Jesus started needs to continue. Jesus calls us to make disciples to complete the mission He began. How does it feel to know that God wants to use you to fulfill the mission of Jesus on the earth?

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Making disciples is not easy work. What is the scariest part of this mission? What assurance does Jesus give us as we make disciples?

Wisdom Step:Invite the person you have been praying for and building a relationship with to hear JohannesAmritzer on October 13 or to Candy Craze on October 27 (if they have children, especially). Offer to meet them at church at a certain time and sit with them; some may even offer to go out to brunch/lunch afterward. Which of these invite opportunities are you leaning toward?

What is the next step in discipleship? Brainstorm and write down your answers with the group.

Examples:• Invite to Alpha in the fall.• Invite to your Connect Group.• Sit down with your friend to go through a Right Now Media Bible study which we have

selected and placed in our DSM First channel.

Pray:Pray that God helps us to see our role and responsibility in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Announcement:See you back next week, We will be studying the Holy Spirit.If you signed up for Meals with a Missionary, Ladies’ Tea, and a Guys Only Event. Johannes will be speaking on October 13, so bring a friend to hear the gospel message!

LESSON SIX:BARRIERS IN REACHING THE ONE DISCONNECTED FROM GOD (MATTHEW 9:9-13)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. When you go to a party, are you a social butterfly or a wallflower?2. What is something you do that you have to “psych” yourself up for?3. If you delegate any part of your day, what would it be and why?

Discover:Read Matthew 9:9-13

Jesus just arrived in Capernaum on a water taxi. Capernaum was His base of ministry. After He healed the paralytic, He walks over and calls Matthew to follow Him. Matthew is the author of the book we are reading. We know Jesus knew Matthew from His time in Capernaum. Matthew was a Jewish man who was working with the Roman government extracting taxes for the oppressivecolonizers.

How do you think Matthew was accepted in Capernaum? Why or why not?

Why do you think Jesus called him?

Matthew gets up and follows Jesus and has a huge party with Jesus and His disciples. Matthew was there with all his friends. It was probably a rocking party.

What was the religious leaders’ biggest complaint?

What were they so concerned about?

The religious tradition in Jesus’ day was that you should only eat with people who are as religious and holy as you. Eating with someone was an indicator of accepting the individual you were eating with.

How does Jesus disrupt the religious tradition at the time?

Jesus explains His actions as a doctor visiting the sick. The church has long been referred to as a hospital.

How does the church operate like a hospital?

Why is it difficult to be in a hospital?

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What could we do as individuals who attend this church to better create a culture where we func-tion more like a hospital for sinners?

How would those changes make you uncomfortable?

The religious leaders thought tradition was more important than the salvation of those discon-nected from God. Jesus thought differently. His whole focus was reaching those who were dis-connected from God--even people others hated.

Wisdom Step:Brainstorm with your group. What are some traditions or beliefs that are keeping us from reaching those disconnected from God? Write these out.

Examples:• Dressing up for church• Singing certain songs• Taking the offering a certain way• I cannot relate with some people• They are too far gone for God to reach them

Think about these barriers. Write down two or three you see in your life. Make an effort to move away from these limiting traditions and beliefs.Remember to invite the one you have been praying for to come to Candy Craze on October 27th.

Pray:Ask the Lord to give you fresh, new ways of thinking about reaching those disconnected with God.Ask the Lord to remove any barrier that you may have set up that keeps you from the onedisconnected from God.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will be studying about living in communityCandy Craze is Sunday, October 27th. Make sure to invite a family.

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LESSON SEVEN:LIVING IN COMMUNITY (ACTS 2:40-47)

Greetings and PrayerGo around the group and share prayer needs and pray for each other.

Ice-breakers (choose the one that works best for your group):1. What are your favorite things to do with friends?2. Describe the perfect family evening or outing?3. Do you share your food with anyone? Why or why not?

Discover:Read Acts 2:40-47

Peter preached a message right at the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem. Three thousand people, disconnected from God, find a connection to God through Jesus Christ. Now what? These verses show how the disciples incorporated the Great Commission.

As you look at these verses, what are some things that demonstrate the Great Commission to make disciples?

I noticed they were baptized, learned from the apostles, spent time together, ate together, prayed together, worshiped with each other, and took care of those who had needs.

How are these activities still practiced today in the church?

This definitely looked like “discipleship-on-the-go” (Wong Loi Sing). How can your Connect Group demonstrate this same pattern?

What are the barriers that keep us from living this way?

One of the key factors of success for the early believers was that they put the needs of others over their own needs. How do we become “others-focused?”

What fears do people have in becoming others focused?

The “one another” passages found through the New Testament show us how the apostles expected us to do life together. Assign a few of the verses below and read these Scriptures aloud. What stands out in the ones you read?

(Rom. 15:7)(Col. 3:16)(Gal. 6:2)(Eph. 4:2)

(Rom. 14:19)(1 Cor. 12:25)(1Thess. 4:18)(James 5:16)

(Rom. 12:10a)(1 Thess. 5:11)(Eph. 4:32)(Rom. 16:16)

(Col. 3:9)(Rom. 12:10b)(1 Pet. 4:9)(Eph. 4:32)

(Rom. 13:8)(Rom. 12:5)(James 5:16)(Rom. 15:5)

(Gal. 5:13)(Heb. 10:24)(Eph. 5:21)

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Wisdom Step:Take communion together as a group. As the bread is passed around, say an encouraging word to the person that passed it to you. For example, “Michelle, I love how you bring such passion to God’s Word in our study.” “Joe, thank you for your faithfulness.”

Use multiple platforms to promote Candy Craze on October 27 -- Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Take time in your group to get your phones out and call or text people! Do it in your group tonight!

Pray:Pray that we would focus on others more than focusing on ourselves.

Announcement:See you back next week. We will begin a new study from Right Now Media called_____(your study here)_________.

(Wong Loi Sing, Julius 2006. lecture notes, Moody Bible Institute.)18

SERVE WEEKENDOCTOBER 5-6, 2019

We are asking each group to be involved in a Saturday ministry. Be sure to mobilize your group towards the Serve Opportunity that you selected on Saturday, Oct. 5th.

Saturday, October 51. Hillis Elementary School – We will be working in their gardens to keep them cleaned up. This

may result in a long-term project!! (5 to 10 people)

2. Joshua Christian Academy – DEEP Clean Day – 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (20 to 50 people)

3. Des Moines Dream Center – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will be doing some cleaning and helping with a Sidewalk Sunday School. (10 to 20 people)

4. Hope Ministries Serve Dinner from 4:00pm to 6:00 pm (8 to 12 people) Encore Store from 9:00am to 12:00 pm (8 to 10 people)

5. Joppa – 10:00am to 12:00 pm cleaning amount homeless camps along the river (8 to 10 people)

6. Central Iowa Shelter Service – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (10 to 15 people)

Sunday, October 6Coordinate your group for one of these times to make meals that feed people all over the world. Meals from the Heartland 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Gym.

8:00am to 9:30am (150 people)10:00am to 11:30am (150 people)11:45am to 1:00pm (150 people)

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