I am a great believer in preparation. Not just because it ‘looks good’ but because I genuinely believe it will benefit both yourself and the small group you attend. We will gain much if we chose to see preparation as a gift we bring to the rest of our community of faith. As for leaders, I see this as a non-negotiable priority.

1. PRIORITY
Seems like a logical and slightly superfluous statement to make but unless you book it in your dairy and plan to be there, the small group will miss you and you will miss out. Each absence will influence the atmosphere and efficiency of the group.
As we live in an increasingly busy world, with work and family demands ‘screaming’ at us, we need to arrange our week around our spiritual priorities. Start on a Sunday night and plan the week ahead. As you look at your diary write the small group slot in it.
Factor in such things as the meal prep and the children’s care ahead so that you aren’t thrown into chaotic situations (well, as much as you can anticipate).

2. PRAYER
I know that it always seems compulsory to add prayer to any list, just to make sure it passes the ‘spirituality’ test. That is surely not my reason. Prayer is the most effective way to prepare for a community gathering.
Pray for your own mind and heart. Pray for sensitivity and freshness. Pray for those who will attend and those who are facing challenging situations at home or at work.
Pray for those leading and hosting the small group. Pray for the barriers that the enemy might attempt to put in the way of those wanting to attend or during the meeting itself.

PLANING
If you just turn up tired, frustrated and out of compulsion, it will be quite likely that the whole small group experience will be unsatisfactory. What could refresh you? Think about the subject to be discussed.
Download the notes where available. Listen to the podcast of the subject discussed if you are following a Sunday message. Read the Biblical passage and highlight what ‘grabs’ you. Make some notes and bring them along.
Write down questions and ideas. Bring with you any good books you read/songs you heard/blogs you found lately. Come prepared to listen and vulnerable enough to be transparent. Ask that the Holy Spirit will use YOU to encourage those present there.

I know that reading this might seem overwhelming and potentially discouraging. But that isn’t my intention at all… Start something new from the list. Baby steps… And hopefully both you and your small group will be renewed and inspired.

New Horizons 3 <<< click & print

Divinity Destiny & Decisions  <<< click and print

 
DIVINITY, DESTINY & DECISIONS

Why don’t you take some time this week to reflect on the plan of God for your life? These questions might be useful for reflection:

• Who is my God? What is He like?
• What are His deeds, in my life?
• What has he called me to be (as a Christ-follower)?
• What has He called me to do (as a Christ follower)?
• In what areas has He called me to serve my family, work colleagues, church community and neighbours?
• How am I fulfilling God’s call for my life?
• Of the treasures I have gathered here on earth – what will count in eternity?
• What needs to change, as a result of my reflection?

REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NOT CALLED TO LIVE THIS DESTINY IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH. THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT FOR CONDEMNATION BUT TRANSFORMATION. TURN TO PRAYER, TURN TO HIS WORD AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER YOU AS YOU SEEK TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY!

TITLE & PASSAGE: Next Step – Genesis 13:1-18

REFLECTION: remembering the main points:  Making decisions with God is a crucial part of our lives.

• Beware of making the wrong decisions or not making decisions at all
• God’s role is the defining factor in making good decisions
• Invitation to Survey (14-15)
• Invitation to Trust (15-16)
• Invitation to Act (17-18)
• Essential questions: What did God say/show? What are you doing about it?

DISCUSSION: helpful questions:

• Have you ever made mistakes in decisions, just like Lot?
• Why is decision-making such an important part of our lives?
• How can you be better acquainted with God’s Word?
• Can you think of Biblical examples of good decision making?
• What are some of the general promises the New Testament gives to every believer?
• In what area of your life do you need to act out in obedience to what God has already shown you?

APPLICATION: ideas that work

Why don’t you take some time this week to reflect on the plan of God for your life? There is a separate sheet that you can use for prayer and encouragement as you seek to live for His renown. See on the blog.

INTERCESSION: praying things through

Pray for the Church missionaries (Maureen, Dan, Walmsleys, Heidi & Firths). Why don’t you take time together as a group to wait upon God and write an encouraging card/e-mail to them? Maybe you could even try to invite Heidi to your LG!

New Horizons 2 <<< CLICK AND PRINT

TITLE & PASSAGE: Stand – Genesis 12:10 – 13:4

REFLECTION: remembering the main points:  Moving into God’s purposes is often easier than standing for/ in them:

• We can experience: Famine (12:10) that seems to oppose God’s promises.
• The decisions we make in famine are essential in order to prevent: Failure (12:11-13) – faithlessness opens a door in our lives to fear, which can lead to selfishness and external sin.
• However, we are able to stand because of God’s Faithfulness (12:17-20)– God is faithful to His promises, purposes and people. His faithfulness not only saves us but also sustains us.
• His faithfulness also restores complete Fellowship (13:1-4) with God, when we fail Him.  

DISCUSSION: helpful questions:

• Why do you think moving into God’s purposes can be easier than staying stood in them?
• Why do you think God allows ‘famines’ (trials/ events) that seem to contradict His purposes? 
• What ‘famines’ have you found yourself in (either past or present), did you learn anything through it?
• What factors led to Abraham’s failure in Egypt? How can we avoid these causes?
• Can you think of any examples from Scripture, your personal life, or other modern day instances, where God has overcome a ‘dead end’ or threat to His purposes? What can we learn from these examples?
• As Christians, why is it always possible to be restored to fellowship with God? What is our responsibility in this? (Consider: 1 John 1:5-10; Hebrews 10:19- 23). 

INTERCESSION: praying things through

Pray for the Youth Ministry here at CFMC. Pray for those undergoing exams in the coming weeks. Pray that God will continue to empower them to live for His glory and be a witness to those around them both in family and school.

New Horizons 1 <<< CLICK AND PRINT

TITLE & PASSAGE: God’s Call to New Horizons – Genesis 11:31 – 12:9

REFLECTION: remembering the main points:  God’s Call to Abram included:

• A CLEAR COMMAND – Genesis 11:31 -12:1
• A DEFINITE PROMISE – Genesis 12:2-3
• A TANGILBLE RESPONSE – Genesis 12:4-9

DISCUSSION: helpful questions: [Choose one or two of the following]

1. Clear Command - Why do you think God asked Abram to move away from UR?

• Was it to escape the pagan idolatry in UR [Gen 31:19 & Joshua 24:15]
• Was it to develop a deeper relationship with God in Canaan?

1. Definite Promise - “God’s commands are not always accompanied by reasons but are always supported by promises”. See Matt 28:18-20 & Acts 2:38

• God told Abram He would bless him & make him a blessing to others.
• In what ways have blessings come into the world through Abraham?
• Does God have favourites or is His call not so much a call to greater privilege but to greater responsibility?
• “I will bless those who bless you & cures those who curse you” 12:3
• In the light of this promise what should our attitude be to Abram & his descendents?
• “To your offspring I will give this land” 12:7
• In the light of this promise what can we say about the ownership of the land? Answer: It is God’s to give or take away.

APPLICATION: ideas that work:

• Abram heard God’s call. What might you/we do to enable us to hear God more clearly?
• Give people time to share the ways they believe God may be asking them personally or us as a church to focus on New Horizons or move into unfamiliar territory in 2012?
• In what ways would it be possible for us to move into unfamiliar territory without needing to move house or live in a foreign country?

INTERCESSION: praying things through

Pray for those in the church family with difficult jobs or without a job. Pray for a provision of meaningful ways of earning. Pray against discouragement and feelings of inadequacy. Pray that we would all be a means of support for them in this hard time.

Fresh Start – John 21 <<< click & print

TITLE & PASSAGE: ‘Fresh Start’ – John 21

REFLECTION: remembering the main points:

• Retrospective – looking back: John 21:1-6
• Perspective – looking forward: John 21:7-20
• So What – reflect > repent > respond

DISCUSSION: helpful questions

• Can you identify with Peter’s experience? How?
• What has been you greatest regret from the past year?
• How can we deal with regrets? Give examples of both positive and negative ways.
• Why is dealing with sins in the past so important to our spiritual progress?
• Reading about the dialogue between Jesus and Peter, what lies at the heart of the connection between Jesus and his followers?
• As you think of Peter’s renewed sense of mission, how does that relate to you?

APPLICATION: ideas that work:

• Write down on a piece of paper things of regret from the past. Fold the paper and write 1 John 1:9 on it and then after praying destroy it.
• Take time to listen to the Spirit for a Biblical encouragement and then write that on a ‘sticky note’ and share it with the person on your right.

INTERCESSION: praying things through

Pray for the CFM leaders, at the beginning of his year, that as they listen to God’s voice, they will be humble, wise, loving, courageous and willing to submit to His authority and power!