FLBC Community Group Discussion Guide
FLBC Community Group Discussion Guide October 1, 2017
Session #3
“Connecting Points!” Series A 6-week worship series on
building relationships with others. Series Time Frame:
September 10---October 22, 2017
Key Verses for Series: Romans 12:4-5 “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
CONNECTING AT HOME
October 1, 2017
Session #3
Sermon Verse: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Sermon Summary: The “Connecting Points” worship series is focused on improving our relationships with others. Thus far in the series, we have looked at the value of lasting friendships, ways to help our marriages be healthy for a lifetime, and the importance of good communication. This week we are focusing on having better relationships with those closest to us: our family. Most of us realize that our family relationships are not what they need to be, but we struggle with ways to improve those relationships with each other. How can we get better connected with those in our family, and at the same time, show the world how our faith can be lived out in the context of our everyday lives?
Discussion Questions: 1. Relationships, especially in our families, can be fun and frustrating at the same time. Paul told us in the verse above to be kind to one another. Can you think of a time when someone in your family showed kindness toward you? Can you share some practical way that we can be kind to others? 2. Walking away from relationships is easier than working through tough times. Love demands that we forgive others when they wound us, or our relationship suffers beyond repair. Can you think of a time when you have been forgiven by someone? How did that act of love affect your relationship with that person in the end? 3. Scripture encourages us to pray for each other. Prayer can help us find God’s strength to forgive the past and focus on the possibilities for the future. How can we pray for others in consistent, practical ways that will help us connect better with them in our relationship?
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4. Connecting in healthy relationships with others involves the risk of rejection. Caring about others means they may choose not to care about you, or to care the way you want them to. How can believers handle rejection in a way that reflects the attitude of Christ? 5. The ultimate rejection of love was experienced by Jesus as he died for us on the cross to pay for our sins. The memory verse below (Romans 5:8) says that Christ showed us his love, even though we did not deserve it. Can you share your experience of receiving Christ’ love and how that experience has changed your life? How has His love helped you love others? 6. Discuss the Connection Points from the sermon and how you can apply them to your lives.
Connection Points: 1. First Things List (Make a list of the things that should be priority in your life & ask God to help you reorder your life around those important people and things.) 2. Baby Steps (Find something simple that you can do to help strengthen your relationships and do it this week.) 3. Community Group (Nothing builds relationships like small groups. Attend one this week with a friend.) 4. Salvation (Receive the love that Christ has for you by trusting him as your savior today.) 5. Memorize: Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Ministry Moment: Finish your service project this week, if possible, and give a report to the church office of how God worked through your group to establish connections with others. Plan your fun time together. Everyone enjoys a party, and an outing to local park for a picnic or to a restaurant for dinner (or whatever you choose to do as a group) will give you a chance to connect with people outside your Community Group.
2
Session #3
“Connecting Points!” Series A 6-week worship series on
building relationships with others. Series Time Frame:
September 10---October 22, 2017
Key Verses for Series: Romans 12:4-5 “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
CONNECTING AT HOME
October 1, 2017
Session #3
Sermon Verse: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Sermon Summary: The “Connecting Points” worship series is focused on improving our relationships with others. Thus far in the series, we have looked at the value of lasting friendships, ways to help our marriages be healthy for a lifetime, and the importance of good communication. This week we are focusing on having better relationships with those closest to us: our family. Most of us realize that our family relationships are not what they need to be, but we struggle with ways to improve those relationships with each other. How can we get better connected with those in our family, and at the same time, show the world how our faith can be lived out in the context of our everyday lives?
Discussion Questions: 1. Relationships, especially in our families, can be fun and frustrating at the same time. Paul told us in the verse above to be kind to one another. Can you think of a time when someone in your family showed kindness toward you? Can you share some practical way that we can be kind to others? 2. Walking away from relationships is easier than working through tough times. Love demands that we forgive others when they wound us, or our relationship suffers beyond repair. Can you think of a time when you have been forgiven by someone? How did that act of love affect your relationship with that person in the end? 3. Scripture encourages us to pray for each other. Prayer can help us find God’s strength to forgive the past and focus on the possibilities for the future. How can we pray for others in consistent, practical ways that will help us connect better with them in our relationship?
1
4. Connecting in healthy relationships with others involves the risk of rejection. Caring about others means they may choose not to care about you, or to care the way you want them to. How can believers handle rejection in a way that reflects the attitude of Christ? 5. The ultimate rejection of love was experienced by Jesus as he died for us on the cross to pay for our sins. The memory verse below (Romans 5:8) says that Christ showed us his love, even though we did not deserve it. Can you share your experience of receiving Christ’ love and how that experience has changed your life? How has His love helped you love others? 6. Discuss the Connection Points from the sermon and how you can apply them to your lives.
Connection Points: 1. First Things List (Make a list of the things that should be priority in your life & ask God to help you reorder your life around those important people and things.) 2. Baby Steps (Find something simple that you can do to help strengthen your relationships and do it this week.) 3. Community Group (Nothing builds relationships like small groups. Attend one this week with a friend.) 4. Salvation (Receive the love that Christ has for you by trusting him as your savior today.) 5. Memorize: Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Ministry Moment: Finish your service project this week, if possible, and give a report to the church office of how God worked through your group to establish connections with others. Plan your fun time together. Everyone enjoys a party, and an outing to local park for a picnic or to a restaurant for dinner (or whatever you choose to do as a group) will give you a chance to connect with people outside your Community Group.
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