Getting Started

Main Idea:
Take one step closer to being and bringing love to the real people and problems all around us.

Discussion Starter:
What are some ways you can minister to your neighbors? Examples: When a neighbor is ill or recovering from surgery, mow their grass or deliver a ready-to-eat meal.

Introduction:
It all started when we realized that God loves us. Then God filled us. We continue to be loved and filled until we are full. This fullness is to pour into other people’s lives. Sometimes God puts us near a person we don’t even like. Then it’s time to let God pour into us and show us that person as He sees him/her. When God has done the filling, we are ready to pour.

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Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor Chris asked, “What is in your hands?”  God asked Moses this question  in Exodus 4:2. Recall and relate what God taught Moses in verses 2-5. Now ask yourself: what is in your hand that God can use to pour out love on the people all around you?

2. Following Luke 6:27-28, how do you respond when a person posts something mean about you on Facebook or Twitter?

3. Which is easier, doing good for someone who hates you or praying for someone who mistreats you? Why?

4. James 1:27 says to keep from being polluted by the world. What choices do you need to make for this to happen?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Luke 6:27-36 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage with a particular focus on verses 27-28.

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Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the groups into dyads or triads for this section.
This passage in Luke says to go the second mile, maybe a third, without expecting to be paid back. Is this practical for our current culture?

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Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Consider volunteering to help with the Christmas Spectacular at your campus:  https://faithpromise.org/events/christmas

Engaging in Community: Pick up a “Love Local” shopping bag at your campus and fill it with easy to cook items and snack items for local school children to take home over the holiday break.

Engaging the World: Pray as a group for the Faith Promise missionaries serving far from home.

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Expand God’s Kingdom

Pray as a group for those you are planning to invite to Christmas at Faith Promise. Pray that God would soften hearts during this Christmas season.

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Leader’s Notes

Homework suggestion: Each morning write in your prayer journal which of the verses from Luke 6 that you aren’t sure you understand. Ask God for an opportunity to see this verse in action. In the evening write about how the day went.

E-Groups
– Encounter Groups: the primary focus of Encounter Groups is the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– Embrace Groups: the primary focus of Embrace Groups is making friends and being friends on a deeper level.

– Engage Groups: the primary focus of Engage Groups is serving the people of our area through our local partners and through God-directed opportunities.

– Expand Groups: the primary focus of Expand Groups is the development and multiplication of disciple-makers to lead more groups at Faith Promise.