Archive for May, 2010

“Mutual Conflict Resolution”

Icebreaker:  What is the first thing (other than people) you would grab if your house caught on fire?

Read James 2:2-13: The Sin of Partiality

What are some (practical) ways that you avoid impartiality?

What are some ways that you show impartiality?

Is it Biblical to treat family like Gentiles or tax collectors?  What does that look like in practical terms?

Have you ever had to talk to another Christian about them sinning against you?

Who should you take with you when confronting someone about an issue?

What does “bear with each other” mean to you?

8.  Read Proverbs 25:21-22, Why does God reward us for making people angry?

Read Jude 20-23

Clash Week 2

Read 2 Samuel 16:5-14 Then answer: v. 5 What is your first response when someone is cursing you? v. 7 & 13 What about when the cursing continues? v. 6 What if they start throwing things? How should we respond? Matthew 5:43-45

Have you ever responded like David? How did he respond?

Have you ever wanted to “cut someone’s head off” in defense of someone else?  What did you do?  (Hopefully, no one says they actually did this).

If you were to defend someone who was being verbally assaulted and that person told you not to worry about it, what would you say or feel?  James 3:7-10

How is the inward response to criticism different than the outward response?

If your heart has changed on the inside (relationship with Christ)?  How has your external appearance changed? (give time for responses to this question and the next few may need to be rhetorical depending on your group)

Rhetorical: How you dress? How you act when your church people are not around? When you are at home?  Work? When you are not at church?

Rhetorical: Has anyone ever said to you “man you are the same today as you were years ago”?  Is this good or bad?

What is one external part of you that needs to change?

Leaders: In all of these passages, we see nothing about engaging the person being verbally abusive but simply ignoring them and as King David did, going on about our business.  Jesus goes further in saying we should bless them and pray for them.  Imagine if we all actually did that! What would our lives and world look like?

“Clash” Week 1

Icebreaker: Are you a morning or a night person? Explain?

Read Col. 3:7-10 and Eph.4:22-32

Talk about baggage.

How did you handle problems or conflict before you were a Christian? Eph. 2:2,

How do you handle them now?  Is it any different? Romans 12:2

What are some things non-believers do in our culture that Christians typically don’t do? Vice versa?

How different was your life before Christ?

Besides eternal life what have you gained? Col. 3:10

What has your family gained by your becoming a Christian? How have the dynamics in your family changed?

2 Cor. 4:16 Is there some aspect in your life right now you feel like you are inwardly wasting away and not being renewed? What is it?

What is one thing that needs to change in order for you to get to that next level in your relationship?  (Baggage) Col. 3:7

What do you suppose the most frequent command in the bible is?

Is it “Be good” or “love one another”? Or is it ” don’t sin” or ” don’t be mean”?

No

The most frequent command in the bible is: “Do not be afraid” and “Fear not”

Lets be honest, that’s exactly what we want to hear. We want to know that we don’t have to be afraid. We want to know that God is in control of things and that we dont live in a ever changing web of happenstance. Then why is this the least followed command? Fear dictates our day from the moment we wake up. From what clothes we pick to how we perform at our jobs, fear is our guide. There is fear of rejection, fear of commitment, fear of death, fear of embarrassment, fear of failure.

Can you live a normal, responsible life without the sense that everything is going to go terribly wrong. It’s why we have insurance, security systems, and mirrors!

By following the command that was stated by God, angels, prophets, and Jesus himself, we can have freedom from fear. The God who made this world is the God who raised Jesus from the dead, and is now calling you to follow him.

The only thing to fear is…well…nothing. Trust that God is in control.

Primal Week 5

Icebreaker:  What is the hardest job you have ever had?

How was the homework? (Read a book, find a quiet place, and become an expert at something.)

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11

When have you used your physical strength for God? Explain

What do you depend on God for the most? Least?

How do you administer God’s grace in its various forms?

Read Hebrews 13:2

When is it the hardest to love? Is that because of you or because of the other person/thing?  Proverbs 10:12

How do we love each other deeply? James 5:20

What is it as a small group we can do to love each other more deeply? 1 Peter 1:22 (from the heart)

Does love really cover a multitude of sins?  Explain? Is there something you are needing love to cover over?  (Pray for those that share) Spend the rest of the time in prayer or fellowship.

We are a growing body of believers and with interest in grow groups increasing we have decided to start a new group on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8. This group will be led by Pastor Eric. To get more info on this group and other current groups just click on GROW at the top of the page then click GROUP INDEX. We are excited to start this group and encourage you to try out one of CrossPoint’s groups. Whether you are new to the faith, seeking, or are looking to make meaningful friendships with other believers then Grow Groups are CrossPoint’s way of helping you get connected. If you are not sure what group you want to attend you can email me (Ryan Booth) at rab3_7@hotmail.com or call 785-829-0166 and I will help you find the right group for you.

At our last Parent’s CONNECT class we talked briefly about praying character qualities over your children.  While blog hopping this morning I landed at Mama Cabra’s blog… check out this great prayer calendar emphasizing character qualities with scripture to pray over your children.  Happy Praying!

Joel Beckner will be graduating Saturday, May 8 2010. The Commencement Ceremony will be held at 1:30pm in the Bernie White Gymnasium at Ell-Saline High School.

Joel would like to invite to the Commencement Ceremony and also a reception in his honor. The reception will be held at 1433 Austin Circle Salina, KS on May 8th, 4-6pm.

Congratulations Joel!

Primal Week 4

Read: Psalms 26:2, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Timothy 4:2

Do you “actively” think about how you can serve God?

Do you think about Godly things and study His Word so you can know the answers?

What do you do personally to know the answers?

Are you prepared to act? If not, why do you think you don’t?

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:9, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 8: 5-9, Colossians 3: 2, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Is our every thought “obedient” to Christ?

Is your mind controlled by the Spirit? Is it set on things above?  How do you know? What earthly things keep your mind from the things of God?

Read: Psalm 5:3, John 1: 47-50

Is it OK to expect big things from God?

Do you “expect” a lot from God? If not, then why not?

What do you expect from God or what do you want from God?

Close in prayer!