We are fully known by God and fully loved. Would meeting at a different location change the group dynamic? But they didn’t keep making them over and over. But when you live a “wise” life, you’re protected from the negative consequences of your bad choices. Read Proverbs 2:5 and 3:3. What does this show about our human wisdom compared to wisdom we obtain from another source? If we have aligned our hearts and expectations with that of the Spirit, it frees us to take a thoughtful look at the small group experience itself. This guide for churches brings wisdom and practical insight into growing a gospel-centered, small-group ministry. Liked this lesson? Jesus then begins to predict his death. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will . As we continue our series on wisdom, this week we will explore how we grow in wisdom. Love Your Enemies, Brandt Jean’s Forgiveness, and Justice, Repenting of Our Supremacy, Loving Our Enemies, and Hope. Help your family understand each of the characteristics of earthly wisdom by defining them, and then Read Mark 8:31-33 and explain how these characteristics are found in … Give them a good amount of time to do this, maybe 10 minutes. (Pause for a minute) The big question is… What did you learn from it? 0000000876 00000 n As I did, I was humbled when realizing it was a 75 year old man! Gain a Christian perspective on a tough job. I worked some side jobs and saved my allowance to buy one I saw in a catalog (feel free to Google what a catalog is if you are under forty). 6. 127 0 obj <> endobj xref 127 29 0000000016 00000 n Not too long ago, I was furious at a guy behind me driving just a few feet behind my rear bumper. 0000106283 00000 n 0000106322 00000 n Ironically, it is often the experience of carrying one another’s burdens (which we tend to try to avoid) that brings the deepest moments of joy in community. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. Our small group may not reflect that perfectly as we allow ourselves to be known, but it certainly will not be possible if we continue to hide. 0000004137 00000 n You yell at your mom because you think she’s nagging you. 3. Think back to when you were a teenager. It will mean times of rejoicing and times of weeping. Why is it hard to trust God’s way rather than your way? Sign Up For Our Newsletter 1. In fact, in this quick video I share A REALLY DUMB decision that I made at 14 years old. Wisdom is the source of what? Take a second to think of it. 0000142238 00000 n Community is intended to function like a family rather than a business. =), Your email address will not be published. 9:1-3 ), and for your questioner's heart. Thanks so so much in fact my faith is lifted up. Good gyms are smart to build a sense of community, but if the gym doesn't provide adequate programming and gear, you will eventually move elsewhere. Sometimes, others make choices that affect you, and you have to live with those consequences. So, you’re pretty wise when it come to history. Do the same. Whether it is the awkward circle or the time that a group meets, we often feel obligated to propagate the same experience week after week. ), but instead to help us grow in our self-awareness, in learning from our mistakes, and in wisdom. How to Mobilize Your Small Group for Mission. How are we serving our group members who are single? 11]. Icebreaker: Do you have a favourite piece of “wisdom” or sage advice? Wisdom is the skill of living life in the way of God. Sitemap, Small Group Questions – Heavenly Dwelling (NLOL Week 6), Small Group Questions – Courage for the Challenges (NLOL Week 5), Small Group Questions – Rejoice Continually, The Book of James – Don’t write off the backsliders, Towards a Healthy Next with Dr Keith Farmer, Message Online: Who Do You Think We Are? We can see our group as a service to meet my needs. If we approach community as a commodity or service which we consume, we will forever be disappointed. Be clear that the point here isn’t to beat ourselves up over things we didn’t know when we were younger (that’s common to all people! The word of God is a small group’s primary source of spiritual power, encouragement, and wisdom. In Ephesians, Paul tells us about several of God's loving desires for us. 2) Think before you act. You just react to a situation without thinking. The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others. ie. How can we discern God’s perspective on the issues of life, as verse 15 describes, in other words, how do we get the mind of Christ? You would make a lot more “wise” decisions if you just paused before acting and took a second to think about the possible outcomes of that decision. I’ve been there about a thousand times. Community can sometimes feel like this. What would make this group more life-giving? 0000003764 00000 n Sign Up For Our weekly Newsletter There must be a deeper wisdom than this. .” (Eph. 0000001916 00000 n What did you learn from the experience? God’s plan is the best plan for your life. 0000003878 00000 n We all mess up. While I affirm that we are created for community, that fact does not limit us to one version of a small group experience. Each team will get equal amounts of newspaper, one roll of masking tape, and two chairs. In order to experience life-giving community, we must do the internal work of orienting our hearts toward one another as God has intended, and which Jesus made possible through his life, death, and resurrection. Are you “wise in your own eyes” or are you aware of your own foolishness? Why is the local church so important and essential for our spiritual growth as Christians—especially in the time of COVID-19? This guide for churches brings wisdom and practical insight into growing a gospel-centered, small-group ministry. When you do mess up, use it as a learning experience. The pursuit of wisdom. Jeff Vanderstelt offers some practical ideas for mobilizing your small group to be on mission for Jesus. End in prayer. That way, you can spend more time on building relationships with students, volunteers and parents. Share with the group, Read: Read John 3:13-16. How can we invite kids to participate with us? Discuss: Despite the action-packed pictures on the box, my boat was no match for ripples on the pond and it putted around like a bath toy rather than the zippy water rocket I had imagined. 0000082943 00000 n There are more than 35,000 free videos, sermon prep resources, kids lessons, graphics packages, music, ministry tips, and more that you can download and use in your ministry. Pray for each other: pray for an understanding of God’s wisdom. Our team is full of experienced youth leaders who work hard creating lessons, games and other resources for you. Seriously. In the Bible, there is a book called Proverbs. 7. We will never experience meaningful community if we are only in it for the first and not the latter. If community is getting stale, try something new. Fewer than eight and, with a few absences, the group is too small. 2. Personal invitations go a long way toward forming a meaningful small group. In the Wisdom Series, The Bible Project explores the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Have one of the group read 1 Corinthians 2:6-8. I. If this is you, I want to offer some thoughts that may help you get the most out of your community experience. Do your best to align your community with the natural rhythm of your life and that of the group's. As we see in Ephesians 1, God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. Leader note: People can have fun with this question by giving humorous answers, but it can also lead to some deep introspective discussion, so you can decide how you want to use it (I like encouraging both kinds of answers). Unfortunately, this is how we often approach community in the church. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Life Together, talks about this with the idea of a wish dream. Why does God allow us to suffer and go through discipline? Share with the group Read: Have one of the group read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 Discuss: Have one of the group read Proverbs 3:13-18 List the benefits of wisdom according to Solomon. In such a family, the benefits of support and love far outweigh the sacrifices made for others. For example, when we join a gym we have certain expectations based on the fact that we are paying for particular services. We exist to make your job easier by saving you time and money. This can be scary and may even lead to some of those hard moments we discussed above, but it is vital for a meaningful community.