Persecution and Christianity

This week’s discussion is about persecution and Christianity.

While we face certain types of persecution in America, there are also many Christians around the world who are suffering greatly for Christ.

As you spend time in prayer with your group this week, spend some time also praying for presecuted Christian’s around the world.

It may be helpful to read the prayer guide below with your group about 5 ways to pray for persecuted Christians.

This is the last week of the Fall Community Group Trimester.

Make sure to take time this week to discuss what’s next for your group:

  • Holiday gathering dates/plans

  • Start date for next trimester (January 14th)

  • Multiplication plans

  • Prayer/encouragement partners for staying connected during the holiday break

What Every Church Must Look Like

This week’s sermon focused on core practices of the early church, including:

  • eating together

  • celebrating communion together

  • meeting each others needs

  • praying together

In addition to or instead of group discussion, your group might consider:

  • sharing a meal together

  • celebrating communion

  • asking each other if there are any needs you can help each other meet

  • spending extended time praying together

The Spirit-Filled Church

It is easy to meet each week and forget why were are meeting and what we are trying to accomplish.

Before you jump into discussion this week, what areas below might it be helpful to recast vision to your group?

  • Reminder of the goal of group: Apply the Bible, Build Relationships, Care for Each other

  • Remind the group we want to invite others: Ask who they are inviting? Ask who they know who could be helped by joining the group? Encourage them to invite others they meet on Sundays.

  • Remind your group of the vision or plan to multiply in the future: When is this going to happen? What is your groups plan? Who might consider leading?

  • Remind them group is not about meetings but relationships: Encourage or assign partners during the week to checkin with each other, pray for and with each other, get together.

  • Remind of upcoming socials: What is your group doing outside of your weekly schedule to build relationships and care for each other?

God's Gift To His Church

Whether you are new to facilitating group discussions, or you have been doing this for a while, here are some good reminders of how to lead a great discussions.

7 Tips For Great Discussions

  1. Get comfortable with silence.

    • Be ok with silence. Don’t be the first to answer your own questions. It usually takes time for people to process the question and think of an answer.

  2. Ask followup questions.

    • After someone answers a question, use follow up questions to draw out more thoughts from them or someone else.

    • Use statements like “Tell me more”, “What do you mean?”, “Anything else?”, “Someone else?”.

  3. Give affirmation whenever you can.

    • You may not always agree with someone's answer, but the more you are able to affirm their thoughts, the more likely everyone will be to keep sharing. Use phrases like “Great question!”, “Thanks for sharing!”, “I love that”, “Very helpful”.

  4. Try to involve everyone.

    • The more people you can involve in the discussion the better. Use phrases like “Anyone who hasn’t shared yet?”, “How about someone on this side of the room?”, “Guys, any thoughts from you?”.

  5. Begin and end on time.

    • Know ahead of time when to begin and end discussion. Plan how long you want to discuss each question. It is better to leave people wanting more with a short discussion than to drag on too long.

  6. Don’t focus on getting through all of the material.

    • The goal of discussion is to help everyone apply their faith, not answer all of the questions. It is ok to only ask a few questions. Make sure to focus on application questions.

  7. Get Feedback.

    • After your first time facilitating, ask your leaders for feedback. It’s the best way to keep improving.

God's Plan To Save The World

If your group members don’t have a regular habit of taking notes during Sunday’s sermon, or looking at their notes during group discussions, take some time this week to encourage that practice.

Taking notes helps us think more deeply, pay closer attention, and better reflect on the truths we hear from God’s word each week.

Having the notes enhances discussions as people don’t have to rely on their memory, but can look at their notes.

If they don’t have the Northridge app where they can access the sermon notes, a link can be found right on our website under our media tab.

Here is the direct link to download the app that you can email or text to your group: https://subsplash.com/northridgechurch/app

Why You Must Forgive

This week’s discussion is all about forgiveness. It could lead to some hard conversations. Make sure to leave plenty of time for prayer at the end as group members wrestle with forgiveness in their own lives.

If there are care issues or questions you have as you discuss this message, reach out to your Groups Coach. We’d love to help.

If you didn’t get a chance to set growth goals last week, be sure to take some time in your group to do that this week.

Can We Talk?

If You didn’t get a chance last week to cast vision for your group by talking about the purpose of groups (Apply the Bible, Build Relationships, Care for Each other), vision (to invite others and multiply in the future), volunteer schedules, and the group agreement, you’ll find those included in this weeks discussion questions.

If you didn’t get a chance to set growth goals last week, be sure to take some time in your group to do that this week.

Rethinking Your Reactions

Included below are Week 1 details to cover with your group, like the group agreement, volunteer schedules, growth goal ideas, and an overview of how groups work to help new people get acquainted with group. The notes also include the sermon discussion questions for this week.

This is a great time to remind your group of why we do groups (Apply the Bible, Build Relationships, Care for Each Other) and that we are not just meeting for ourselves, but we want to invite others into our Community Groups.

You may also want to just spend this week catching up and discussing your groups plans for this trimester, especially if your group plans will look different than a typical trimester.

 
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