WAYMAKER Study Guide for the week of October 4, 2020

WAYMAKER Study Guide for the week of October 4, 2020 PDF Version

STF_CG_covenant-group_pages (1) PDF Version

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1. Would you rather:

… always be 10 minutes late or always be 20 minutes early?

… have unlimited, international, first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at a restaurant?

… be without your phone for a week or without transportation for a month?

2. What room in your house best reflects your personality?  Why?

QUICK REVIEW

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 week, we were reminded in seemingly hopeless situations where we can’t see any way out, God’s power has the opportunity to shine the greatest. The most important thing we can do in our times of trouble, is abide.  Read John 15:1-8 and jot down the roles each of the main characters (God, Jesus and the believer) play and the responsibility each of them has in the spiritual growth process.

John 15:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

How could understanding these differing roles and responsibilities affect your spiritual growth?

What are some challenges for you to consistently remain in Christ?

2.  Another one of the marks of being a disciple is to pursue Jesus’ character. In 2 Peter 1:3-9, the Apostle Peter gives a list of character qualities he calls us to develop so we can be more like Jesus. As you look at the list, are there any that you’ve specifically worked on in the past or been challenged to put into action?

2 Peter 1:3-9 New International Version (NIV) 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Is there one quality you think you need to be more intentional at putting into action?

Can you think of any potential roadblocks that keep you from developing godly character?

TAKING IT HOME

Looking back at this week’s teaching and study, what is most important for you to remember and why?

PRAYER REQUESTS

Prayer is an amazing avenue God has given us to communicate with Him and He with us, but we also come to it with a lot of different thoughts and feelings. Which of the following statements are most true for you?

Prefer to pray silently instead of out loud Find my mind wandering when praying Like to write out prayers

Look forward to time in prayer Don’t really know how to pray Other

TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being in Community Group. Over the years we’ve found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines. WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME – Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request either before prayer begins or during the prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it’s covered, the group moves on to the next topic. PRAY MORE THAN ONCE – Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray. WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE – Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it’s hard for the other members to stay focused and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.