Community Group Leader’s Guide
For the week of November 25, 2018
QUICK REVIEW
- Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there a particular point, verse, or comment that caught your attention, challenged you, or raised a question?
MY STORY
- What images, ideas or mental pictures did you have of heaven when you were in grade school?
In what ways has your image of heaven changed over the years?
- Americans have many privileges and opportunities that we enjoy by living in the United States. In light of either your travels to other countries or what you’ve seen or read about them, what are a few privileges and opportunities that are different or missing in those countries as compared to the United States?
DIGGING DEEPER
- 1. It’s not hard to find people all around us with needs. The challenge is knowing which of the needs has your name on it (i.e. knowing if this is something you need to respond to). How can each of the following verses help shape your response to the needs of people around you?
(The purpose of this question is that we are all in the mission field and we have all been called to serve where we are right now. Serving is an ongoing work and we need to pray daily for wisdom from God of whom and how to serve in this current moment)
Matthew 6:1-4
[1“]Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.[2] “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.[3] But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,[4] so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.[NIV]
Proverbs 22:3
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.[NIV]
Proverbs 28:27
A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.[NIV]
How do you decide if a need has your name on it?
What boundaries or guidelines do you generally follow when it comes to helping others in need?
(For further discussion: With the holidays approaching, the request for needs tends to be greater. How and where do you help others in need and why do you feel prompted to do so?)
- Our righteousness affects other people. The reality is that what we do or say will often affect and influence those around us. King Solomon had great influence in his life. What attitudes do you see reflected in his prayer in 1 Kings 3:7-10 that could help explain why he had such great influence?
(A young Solomon had just succeeded his father Said as Israel’s king. the “discerning heart” that Solomon used in the first part of this chapter. The Hebrew translation of this kind of heart literally means a ‘hearing heart”, one that would listen to God)
1 Kings 3:7-10
“Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. [8] Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. [9] So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” [10] The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. [NIV]
Why do you think those attitudes are important for having a positive influence?
Can you think of any reasons why we all seem to struggle with consistently having these attitudes?
(For further discussion: In Ephesians 1:18 the Apostle Paul prayed for Christians, asking for the “eyes of your understanding being enlightened”. Why do you think Paul prayed this?)
- One of the other privileges of being a citizen of God’s kingdom is the promise of spending eternity in a place that will not disappoint us. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to live in light of that future. How do the following passages encourage us to live given our eternal destiny?
(Commentary: Jesus drew the conclusion that you can only have your treasure and your heart in one place; we can’t store up treasure on earth and on heaven at the same time. The treasure is so wonderful that Jesus would give all to purchase in the individual believer. This powerfully shows how Jesus gave everything to redeem the whole world to preserve a treasure in it, and the treasure is His people, the pearl of great price. 2 Corinthians 4 begins by declaring “since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” Paul is explaining this life-giving ministry of being a missionary for Christ is worth all the cost for the reward is unmeasurable.)
Matthew 6:19-21
[19] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.[20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.[21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.[NIV]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
[16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.[18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.[NIV]
Matthew 13:44-45
[44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
Taking IT Home
- As a result of this week’s teaching regarding where you start in terms of seeking the good in our city, do you sense God calling you to…
…focus more on being the work of God before you do the work of God?
…change the way you care about those in your life?
…be a bit more open about going to church and your commitment to Christ?
…begin to invite some friends to church to come and see?
…ask your friends some questions about their spiritual background?
PRAYER FOR IMPACT
- Pray that you can be the light God wants you to be at work, and with your family and friends through words, actions, and attitudes.
- Pray for any friends or family that you hope come to know Jesus.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Upcoming Mission Trip: N. FL Disaster Relief Trip
About: We will partner with the FL Baptist Convention and a local church on the ground in the disaster zone of the FL panhandle. The focus of our trip will be cleanup, distribution, and encouragement to those who were affected the worst by Hurricane Michael just a short while ago.
Date: December 6th-9th, 2018
Team Leader: Marc Corradino, STF Missions Pastor
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Next Steps
DiscoverSTF is a place for you to find community and purpose at South Tampa Fellowship.
We believe that the church is an extension of the family. It’s the connection we have in Christ, rather than attendance on a Sunday morning, that makes us part of the family. A church home is often a source of comfort and can provide a sense of belonging and even accountability. DiscoverSTF is a way to find out about our family of believers and learn the next steps to get connected. It is one Sunday morning class in which a person can discover the history, personality, passion, and purpose God has placed on the heart of South Tampa Fellowship.
DiscoverSTF meets onsite at our Ballast Point Campus. Our desire is for everyone (especially if you are new) to join! If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, this class is required. Our next DiscoverSTF class will take place on December 3.
Baptism
Please go to our website to read more about Baptism and our statement of faith at stfchurch.com/baptism/