Session #3 - Disciples Grow - Leaders.pub
SESSION #3: Disciples Grow Romans 12:2— 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker: (Compare and Contrast Discussion) Chameleons: Reptile. Half of the world's chameleon population lives on the island of Madagascar. They are famous for their ability to change color. This serves as a form of communication, a response to temperature, light, and mood, as well as a defense against predators. Their eyes can rotate and swivel independently, enabling them to see almost a complete 360-degrees or observe two things simultaneously. Their tongues can be as long as their bodies. Chameleons can balance on a branch by gripping it with their claws and wrapping their tail around the branch to hold on. Chameleons can even sleep upside down!
Caterpillars: Insect. Butterflies and moths spend their childhood as caterpillars, called the larval stage. Caterpillars eat constantly. They outgrow their skin and shed it several times. After the last shedding, the caterpillar fastens to a branch and enters the pupa or chrysalis stage; moth caterpillars use a silk thread from their silk glands to spin a protective cocoon. Inside the cocoon, the pupa goes through a process called metamorphosis. The caterpillar's six front legs transform into the adult insect's legs, the other “prolegs” disappear, wings grow, and the insect emerges as a beautiful moth or butterfly.
(This information came via the internet. It is meant to aid in the discussion not be scientifically evaluated.)
Compare and contrast Chameleons with Caterpillars, listing the traits that make them similar but also unique.
How do you see these same characteristics in people? (please stay general and do not give personal examples)
Compare and contrast “conforming” and “transforming” in Romans 12:2?
How do these words relate to the types of people discussed in the previous question?
Question to Consider: Are you a spiritual Chameleon or Caterpillar?
INVESTIGATION: According to Romans 12:2, the means by which we are transformed is the “renewal of your mind.” With that in mind, answer the following questions: ♦ List the three main ways we can renew our mind as stated in the sermon. 1. The Word of God 2. The People of God 3. The Spirit of God
Group Leaders You may want to have a whiteboard, butcher paper, or some way of writing down the answers that your group comes up with for the following. ♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
Word of God.
♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
People of God.
♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
Spirit of God.
♦ Now, list all the influences the world, the flesh, and the devil use to
conform you.
♦ When considering the previous four lists, take a piece of paper and begin
to rank what in your life influences you the most to the least. Are you REALLY being transformed by the renewal of your mind, or are you being conformed by the world?
INTEGRATION: Read Romans 12:9-21 and Galatians 5:16-25. These verses compare and contrast spirit-filled and transformed people with people who are conformed to the world. Considering this, answer the following questions: ♦ If an outsider were to watch your life unfold, would they conclude that
you are conformed to the world, or spiritually transformed?
♦ We all have areas we need to grow. Based on these passages, where is
your greatest need for growth?
♦ What means of transformation would best help you take the next step
of growth in that area (the Word of God, the people of God, and the Spirit of God)?
♦ What needs to take place this week to begin the process of
transformation?
Leaders: Spend some time in prayer to conclude this session. Smaller groups would be preferable to allow people to be transparent and encourage participation. Depending on your group, you may want to have the men and women separate and pray in gender specific groups. Please allow time for prayer in your preparation, as this is a critical step for people to begin the transformation process. Also encourage ongoing prayer for each other during the week.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker: (Compare and Contrast Discussion) Chameleons: Reptile. Half of the world's chameleon population lives on the island of Madagascar. They are famous for their ability to change color. This serves as a form of communication, a response to temperature, light, and mood, as well as a defense against predators. Their eyes can rotate and swivel independently, enabling them to see almost a complete 360-degrees or observe two things simultaneously. Their tongues can be as long as their bodies. Chameleons can balance on a branch by gripping it with their claws and wrapping their tail around the branch to hold on. Chameleons can even sleep upside down!
Caterpillars: Insect. Butterflies and moths spend their childhood as caterpillars, called the larval stage. Caterpillars eat constantly. They outgrow their skin and shed it several times. After the last shedding, the caterpillar fastens to a branch and enters the pupa or chrysalis stage; moth caterpillars use a silk thread from their silk glands to spin a protective cocoon. Inside the cocoon, the pupa goes through a process called metamorphosis. The caterpillar's six front legs transform into the adult insect's legs, the other “prolegs” disappear, wings grow, and the insect emerges as a beautiful moth or butterfly.
(This information came via the internet. It is meant to aid in the discussion not be scientifically evaluated.)
Compare and contrast Chameleons with Caterpillars, listing the traits that make them similar but also unique.
How do you see these same characteristics in people? (please stay general and do not give personal examples)
Compare and contrast “conforming” and “transforming” in Romans 12:2?
How do these words relate to the types of people discussed in the previous question?
Question to Consider: Are you a spiritual Chameleon or Caterpillar?
INVESTIGATION: According to Romans 12:2, the means by which we are transformed is the “renewal of your mind.” With that in mind, answer the following questions: ♦ List the three main ways we can renew our mind as stated in the sermon. 1. The Word of God 2. The People of God 3. The Spirit of God
Group Leaders You may want to have a whiteboard, butcher paper, or some way of writing down the answers that your group comes up with for the following. ♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
Word of God.
♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
People of God.
♦ List different ways by which you can allow your mind to be renewed by the
Spirit of God.
♦ Now, list all the influences the world, the flesh, and the devil use to
conform you.
♦ When considering the previous four lists, take a piece of paper and begin
to rank what in your life influences you the most to the least. Are you REALLY being transformed by the renewal of your mind, or are you being conformed by the world?
INTEGRATION: Read Romans 12:9-21 and Galatians 5:16-25. These verses compare and contrast spirit-filled and transformed people with people who are conformed to the world. Considering this, answer the following questions: ♦ If an outsider were to watch your life unfold, would they conclude that
you are conformed to the world, or spiritually transformed?
♦ We all have areas we need to grow. Based on these passages, where is
your greatest need for growth?
♦ What means of transformation would best help you take the next step
of growth in that area (the Word of God, the people of God, and the Spirit of God)?
♦ What needs to take place this week to begin the process of
transformation?
Leaders: Spend some time in prayer to conclude this session. Smaller groups would be preferable to allow people to be transparent and encourage participation. Depending on your group, you may want to have the men and women separate and pray in gender specific groups. Please allow time for prayer in your preparation, as this is a critical step for people to begin the transformation process. Also encourage ongoing prayer for each other during the week.
