CG Study Guide Winter Kick Off for the week of January 16, 2022 PDF VERSION
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY GUIDE
For the week of January 16, 2022
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
- What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?
- If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be?
- If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
No matter what we face, God is alive and well, wanting us to experience His love, grace and purpose. What are one or two things you’re looking forward to in 2022?
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. This past week, we heard, “Our biggest questions are about method; God’s biggest question is about motive.” How might the following passages help us understand the role of suffering in our lives and the attitude God wants us to have toward our suffering?
James 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 5:7-8 New International Version (NIV)
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
1 Peter 1:6-7 New International Version (NIV)
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Romans 5:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Based on the above passages, what is most challenging for you to accept about hardship?
2. As you read John 16:33, circle what catches your attention and will help you in challenging times in 2022.
John 16:33 (New Living Translation)
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
LOOKING AHEAD
The blessing of doing Community Groups is having a front row seat seeing God is at work as you connect, care for one another and encourage each other to follow Him and live out His Word.
What are you looking forward to in your Community Group this quarter?
Thinking back on this weeks sermon, how would you like to see God sustain and/or grow in you this next quarter?
Is there anything specific you need prayer for, or is there any other focus you would like to have in order to grow this next quarter?
COMMUNITY GROUPS: THEIR PURPOSE
Community Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and study of God’s Word (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24, 25). We’ll do this by focusing on four primary activities:
SHARE
Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions”. But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable.
STUDY
Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life.
SUPPORT
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another, and meeting real needs.
SERVE
Spiritual Growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve, and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.
FIVE MARKS OF A HEALTHY GROUP
For our group to be healthy, we need to…
Make spiritual growth our number one priority (Romans 8:29).
Accept one another (Romans 15:7).
Take care of one another (John 13:34).
Treat each other with respect (Ephesians 4:25-5:2).
Keep our commitments to the group (Psalm 15:1-2, 4b).
GUIDELINES & COMMITMENT
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1. |
Dates |
We’ll meet on ______________ nights for _____ weeks. Our final meeting of this quarter will be on ___________. Fill in blanks |
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2. |
Time |
We’ll arrive between ______ & ______ and begin the meeting at _______. We’ll spend approximately _____ minutes in singing (optional), _____ minutes in study/discussion, and _____ minutes in prayer/sharing. Fill in blanks |
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3. |
Children |
Group members are responsible to arrange child care for their children. Nursing newborns are welcome provided they are not a distraction to the group! |
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4. |
Study |
Our studies will focus on the same topic covered in the previous Sunday’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life. |
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5. |
Prayer |
Praying for one another. |
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6. |
Homework & Attendance |
Joining a Community Group requires a commitment to attend each week and do the homework ahead of time. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts, and other special events—but not much more! If we cannot come to a meeting, we will call _______________________. |
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7. |
Desserts |
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8. |
Social & Service Project(s) |
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9. |
Other |