He's Just That Into You, pt. 2

February 22, 2009

Opening:
Last week we had a discussion about our experiences of feeling loved (and unloved). We looked at several passages that assured us that God loves us. This week we want to find out what difference knowing and embracing God’s love can make in our lives. Ask yourself in this discussion, “Do I really believe in the promise of John 3:16?”

Digging Deeper:
John 3:16 can be broken down into four simple movements:

• God loves…
• God gave…
• We believe…
• We live…

Discuss each- how did God show his love? Use examples from the Old Testament, New Testament, and your life.

What did God give? What did it really cost? Why was there such a high price to pay? This part of the conversation should focus on the “atoning sacrifice” of Jesus. Why a sacrifice? Why Jesus? Why did if have to happen this way?
Read 1 John 4:7-12. How dies this help us to understand the effects of sin and the sacrifice of Christ.

What does belief actually look like? Where do trust and faith fit in? Does this make it all seem too easy for us? Why is belief so important to God?

What does eternal life mean? Really, examine the implications of God’s promise of eternal life.

Closing:
Ask yourselves, “What do I really make of this promise? Is there eternal life in Jesus, and if so, what does that mean for our present life in Jesus?” And of course, pray for one another.

___
1 John 4:7-12
⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^b]">[b] into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^c]">[c] our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

He's Just That Into You, pt. 1

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS
February 15, 2009

Opening:
A fun start would be to share some Valentine memories- vote for who has the best and worst story!

Another fun start would be to listen to the song “Yellow,” by Coldplay.

Yellow - Coldplay
Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow,

I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called yellow

So then I took my turn
Oh all the things I've done
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
you know you know I love you so
You know I love you so

I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow

I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
you know for you i bleed myself dry
For you i bleed myself dry

Its true look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine
look at the stars look how they shine for you



Digging Deeper:
Some find it hard to believe that God is love. Others find it had to believe they are lovable. Where do you fall? What experiences have shaped your beliefs in this regard?

Read Psalm 139:1-16.
Does this frighten you, or thrill you?
Do you want to be this close to God, or would you prefer a more distant relationship?
What does this tell us about God?
What does this teach us about ourselves?
What does it mean to be fearfully and wonderfully made?
What does it mean that God has ordained all the days for you?

Read Zephaniah 3:17.
The heart of this series is try to grasp, or even experience, this biblical teaching- God is really THAT into you. He is with you, loves you, delights in you, and saves you, he even sings over you.
Have you longed for this love? Have you experienced this kind of love?
What do you long to hear from God? What is the song He is singing over you?

Closing:
Encourage each other with some “whispers.” What do you want to tell each other? Spend this time in prayer with God and with one another, sharing some of those things we long to hear; we need to hear.

Psalm 139…

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

Soul Revolution: REVEAL

Opening:
Take time to welcome any new comers. Perhaps you’ll need to look over the Connection Group Commitment again- review the hopes and expectations for these groups. Perhaps mix things up a bit this week- take the first part of your gathering to pray for one another. Share joys and concerns and invite everyone to participate.

Digging Deeper:
Read the story of the “Road to Emmaus,” Luke 24:13-35. The two disciples (about how many disciples were there at this time?) were talking about “all that had happened.” Review what had happened in the days preceding and read v.19-24.

Jesus changes gears and begins “revealing” to them the scriptures. Some have said that v. 27 is the most frustrating verse in the bible! Imagine what that conversation may have covered and share your thoughts or even bible passages.

Starting in v. 30 we find a “communion-like” scenario. Why do you think Jesus reveals himself at this time and in this way?

Verse 32 has become descriptive for many who come to faith. Dive into this- have you ever had a “burning heart” experience while in worship, reading the bible, in prayer, in a conversation? Feel free to go deep here! This is the crux of the soul revolution!

Read John 8:31. This one verse gives us simple and clear guidance for the Christian life. Review some of the teachings of Jesus that have directed your life. Expect, and enjoy, the variety of responses within your group. Feel free to go deep and use up your time here.

Closing:
This wraps up the “Soul Revolution” series. We have talked more about an internal change of heart, rather than any outward practices or disciplines. What has God been doing inside of you? Pray for each other if you have not already done so.

LUKE 24:13-35
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ^[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

JOHN 8:31-32
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."