M T M WEEK 1 LEADERSHIP COACHING...Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] •...

12
MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 1 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.] Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] Use the hook question provided with each lesson to help transition the group to discussion time by focusing the group on what is coming next. The questions are designed to point to the story and get people thinking about how it applies to their lives. Most weeks you will only spend about 5 minutes on the hook question, but if it sparks valuable discussion, you may decide to explore it a little longer. The background for the story is used to add context for the lesson, and it is meant to be shared in a very relational way. The background sets the scene for the person telling the story, and gives the group a way to know what is happening. Having the background available also enables us to put the “big picture” together in our minds as we see the stories fit together as a whole. Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] Practical tips for developing the apprentice: o Pray! Pray! Pray! Nothing else is more effective. o Allow your apprentice to have leadership responsibilities in the group. Start with small things first, and gradually build up over time. o Make sure your apprentice knows that he can approach you with anything, and will be received. Talk back and forth about issues in the group, but also allow your apprentice to talk about personal struggles as well. o Help your apprentice, as he grows toward spiritual parenthood, to identify someone he can be discipling and possibly have as an apprentice. Realize that you will not be able to disciple every person in your group. Your main responsibility is to disciple your apprentice and maybe one other. What does this mean for the other group members? It means that each person in your group should also be discipling someone else in the group. This is a more effective means of producing disciples who make disciples. Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The word “love” is used in many different ways, so it is important for disciples to have a good understanding of the Biblical concept of love. For the next several weeks, we will examine 1 Cor 13:4-7 to better understand the characteristics of love. 1 Cor 13:4-7 begins, “Love is patient and kind.” Patient love waits without becoming exasperated, calmly explains again and again, listens to lengthy stories, and understands when mistakes are made. Kind love uses gentle words, cares tenderly for others, shows consideration and respect, and is helpful. A very accurate way to gauge whether you are displaying these characteristics is to substitute your name for the word love (i.e. John is patient and kind). As we study this passage, use this method to examine your life in light of the Biblical standard.

Transcript of M T M WEEK 1 LEADERSHIP COACHING...Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] •...

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 1 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• Use the hook question provided with each lesson to help transition the group to discussion time by focusing the group on what is coming next. The questions are designed to point to the story and get people thinking about how it applies to their lives. Most weeks you will only spend about 5 minutes on the hook question, but if it sparks valuable discussion, you may decide to explore it a little longer.

• The background for the story is used to add context for the lesson, and it is meant to be shared in a very relational way. The background sets the scene for the person telling the story, and gives the group a way to know what is happening. Having the background available also enables us to put the “big picture” together in our minds as we see the stories fit together as a whole.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• Practical tips for developing the apprentice: o Pray! Pray! Pray! Nothing else is more effective. o Allow your apprentice to have leadership responsibilities in the group. Start with small things first, and

gradually build up over time. o Make sure your apprentice knows that he can approach you with anything, and will be received. Talk back

and forth about issues in the group, but also allow your apprentice to talk about personal struggles as well. o Help your apprentice, as he grows toward spiritual parenthood, to identify someone he can be discipling and

possibly have as an apprentice.

• Realize that you will not be able to disciple every person in your group. Your main responsibility is to disciple your apprentice and maybe one other. What does this mean for the other group members? It means that each person in your group should also be discipling someone else in the group. This is a more effective means of producing disciples who make disciples.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The word “love” is used in many different ways, so it is important for disciples to have a good understanding of the Biblical concept of love. For the next several weeks, we will examine 1 Cor 13:4-7 to better understand the characteristics of love.

• 1 Cor 13:4-7 begins, “Love is patient and kind.” Patient love waits without becoming exasperated, calmly explains again and again, listens to lengthy stories, and understands when mistakes are made. Kind love uses gentle words, cares tenderly for others, shows consideration and respect, and is helpful.

• A very accurate way to gauge whether you are displaying these characteristics is to substitute your name for the word love (i.e. John is patient and kind). As we study this passage, use this method to examine your life in light of the Biblical standard.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 1 –THE MESSIAH IS FOUND Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

How would you prepare for someone famous coming for a visit? Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

The book of John begins with the testimony of Jesus coming to earth in the flesh. John the Baptist has been preparing the way for the Messiah. He was not the Messiah himself, but was the messenger giving witness that the Messiah was coming. He prepared the way for Jesus to come to earth and fulfill His role as Messiah.

We also see in the book of Matthew what has taken place up to this point in Jesus’ life. He has been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. God clearly confirmed Jesus’ position as His Son. Jesus was then tested by the devil for 40 days in the wilderness. He was now ready to begin His ministry on earth.

Tell the story - this week’s passage is John 1:29-41 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

1. What did John the Baptist say and do to ensure people would follow Jesus and not himself?

2. What are you doing in your life to show that you are a disciple of Christ?

3. Who do you need to bring to Jesus?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Assign next week’s passage – John 3:1-21

Close in Prayer

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 2 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• Tips on storying the Bible: o Use your own words. Don’t try to memorize it word for word. Keep all the components and concepts, just tell

it like you would a personal story. o Use a children’s Bible as an example for how to tell the story in a simple way. This will give you an idea of

telling a story that is easily understandable. o Don’t add your own commentary or teaching while you’re telling the story. Just tell the story like it is in the

Bible. You may have an opportunity to discuss things further, but this is the time to keep it straight from the Bible.

o Don’t teach as you are telling the story. This time is not meant for Bible study. It is for the people in your group to hear God’s word, and get personal with it. The Bible is powerful all on its own. Let the Holy Spirit teach as the story is being told.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• As group leaders, we have certain responsibilities. One of those is to help the people in our groups to take “growth risks.” What does this mean exactly? Well, sometimes we might need to give someone a little push. Challenge the members of your group to serve. Challenge someone who has never told the story to tell it the next week in group. Encourage them to pray about what leadership positions God may be calling them to step into.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• Continuing our study of I Cor 13:4-7, the next sentence describing the characteristics of love reads, “Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.” The Message version describes it this way, “Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head.”

• Examine the way you relate to people in your home, your church and your community. Continue to substitute your name for the word love. If the description is not accurate, pray that God will help you make the necessary changes.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 2 –A NEW KIND OF COVENANT Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

How do you react when you hear something you don’t understand? Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

Jesus has begun His earthly ministry. He called Nathanael and Phillip to follow Him. These were His first disciples. In Cana, He performed His first miracle when He turned water into wine at a wedding feast.

Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover. He saw how the business owners were defiling God’s Temple with their business practices. They were cheating the people, and making a mockery of God’s house. Jesus drove them out. He overturned all their tables, let the animals go, and told the money-changers to leave.

Tell the story - this week’s passage is John 3:1-21 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

4. Why would Nicodemus wait for nightfall to come talk to Jesus?

5. How can we combat trying to clean up our “outside” before letting Christ work in us to change us Himself?

6. If Jesus can love us and save us just as we are, how should we respond to people in our lives who hard to deal with or accept?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Assign next week’s passage – Luke 5:1-11

Close in Prayer

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 3 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• Rebuilding the story gives the whole group a chance to talk through the story from beginning to end. Start by asking the group, “What happened first in the story we just heard?” You may need to prompt them to continue using questions like, “Then what?” or “What did he do next?” Be prepared to help them fill in the story line.

• During the rebuilding of the story, you may want to tell the group that you are going to go around the group and take turns telling the next part of the story. Alternately, you may ask one person to tell the group everything they remember about the story and then ask other group members add to that.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• Helping and supporting others is a vital aspect of group life. Be attentive to the practical needs in your group. Be aware of skills, knowledge and gifts that you or others in your group have that could be used to help one another.

• Offer help but be cautious not to offer unsolicited advice. Advice begins with “You ought to….” Help begins with “Can I offer to help by….”

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• The next phrase in our study of the characteristics of love is, “It (love) does not demand it’s own way.” The Greek phrase literally means “does not seek the things of itself.” In Philippians, Paul goes a step further. He writes, “ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

• Place your name in that sentence, “____________________ does not demand his/her own way.” Make a conscious effort this week to place the interests of others before your own interests.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 3 –FOLLOWING THE MASTER Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

Have you ever avoided doing a task, knowing what the outcome could be, only to get a completely different outcome?

Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

At this point in Jesus’ ministry, He is travelling from place to place casting out demons, healing people, and continuing to preach. Jesus is beginning to show His followers what it means to be a disciple. He even heals Peter’s mother-in-law, which shows us how personal and intentional He was in His ministry.

The crowds that continually follow Jesus want Him to stay with them, but He explains that He has been sent to other towns to preach the Good News as well. So, He continued to do this throughout Judea.

Tell the story - this week’s passage is Luke 5:1-11 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

1. Why do you think Peter found it necessary to tell Jesus that they had already tried fishing where Jesus was directing them?

2. Is one or the other greater: Faith or Obedience? Does one lead to the other?

3. What did Peter leave behind in order to follow Jesus? Have you left a past behind in order to follow Jesus?

4. How has your obedience in following Christ changed your relationships with the people you know?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Assign next week’s passage – John 5:1-30

Close in Prayer

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 4 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• It is imperative to read the story from the Bible during group time. We always want to open the Bible and read the story word for word. This establishes the authority of the story as part of God’s word to us. It also insures that the story is communicated accurately and completely.

• When reading from the Bible, you can ask one person to read the whole passage. This works well for shorter stories. For longer stories, and to involve more group members, you may want to go around the group and take turns reading. Ask each person to read one verse, or several verses, and then move to the next person. Keep track of where you are in the story in case someone needs a prompt.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• Make plans as a group to spend a day serving together. You may know of someone who needs help with yard work or household repairs. You may want to contact a local mission to see what they need help with. One of your group members may even have a need. Find a need and plan to serve together to meet the need.

• If someone in your group has a heart for serving, you can ask them to help plan the day of service for the group. Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• 1 Corinthians 13 continues, “It (love) is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” Phil Ryken, author of Loving the Way Jesus Loves, notes that irritability is a natural reaction to annoyances that we should take more seriously because Paul tells us that love is NOT irritable. Ryken asks, “When was the last time you asked the Lord to help you respond graciously to that special person who always annoys you?” To read more click here: http://www.crossway.org/blog/2012/04/do-you-take-your-irritability-seriously/

• When we love like Jesus does, we cannot hang on to a list of grievances that have been committed against us. Once forgiveness has been established and the relationship restored, the wrongdoing must be forgotten. Nothing will build more walls in a relationship than a laundry list of past failings. God does not continue to bring up our past. In fact, Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Next time you are tempted to dredge up a wrongdoing from the past and use it against someone, remember how completely God has forgiven you and give thanks that your past does not define you in God’s eyes.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 4 –MORE THAN A MASTER Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

How do you feel about asking for help? Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

Jesus is making His way to Galilee. Jesus has journeyed through Samaria and has spoken to the woman at the well. Many Samaritans believe because of the time Jesus spent there. Because of Jesus’ willingness to go beyond the norm and talk to a person the disciples would never have thought to, many people believed. Jesus was teaching the disciples His mission. That is to share the Good News with everyone.

Jesus went on to Galilee from Samaria. He came to Cana where He had performed His first miracle. There He met an official whose son was very sick. Jesus healed the son, and the man showed great faith by believing what Jesus said would happen.

Tell the story - this week’s passage is John 5:1-30 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

7. Why does Jesus ask the man if he wants to be healed?

8. How do you think the disciples responded when Jesus challenged the religious leaders? What would your reaction have been?

9. Which is easier: following rules or following God?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Assign next week’s passage – Matthew 8:5-13

Close in Prayer

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 5 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• Asking good questions is essential for an effective small group. When it is time to ask questions during group time, start with the ones we have provided for you. As time allows, and as you begin to discern what is going on in the group, ask deeper questions relative to the discussion.

• Ask open-ended questions. Don’t ask questions that can be answered with “yes” and “no.” You want to engage people in conversation. Start your questions with “What,” “How,” “Who,” “When,” and “Why.” These starters will allow people to be more open in their responses.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• Just as a shepherd knows whether or not his flock is thriving, you should have a good feel for how your group is doing. However, it is a good idea to check in with your group occasionally and ask how they feel things are going.

• A group check-in can be helpful two or three times each year. In Making Your Small Group Work, Dr. Henry Cloud, John Townsend and Bill Donahue suggest taking a few minutes to discuss these questions with your group:

• How do we respond when truth is spoken? • Does everyone feel safe to talk about their feelings? • How well are we listening to each other? • Are we free to say what we’re thinking (even when it’s a differing opinion)?

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• How are you doing with the challenge of inserting your name in the phrases about the characteristics of love found in the Bible? It can be quite convicting! Insert your name in this week’s sentence about love. “It (love) does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.”

• Can you say that you hate injustice and celebrate truth? Do you fight for justice those who cannot advocate for themselves? Do you want the best outcome, even for your enemies? Do you rejoice in the virtue of others?

• Be intentional this week to celebrate with someone around you who is embracing truth, has made a good choice, or is pressing into their relationship with God.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 5 –FAITH LEADS TO FOLLOWING Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

Who have you given authority to speak truth in your life? Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

Jesus has just finished preaching His famous “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew 5-7. His teachings have become more practical in nature. He talks about godly living in chapter five with the Beatitudes. He also challenges them to be salt and light in a dark world. He warns the people not to let the law blind them to the true message of the Gospel. The law was to accomplish the purpose of pointing people to Jesus.

Jesus goes on to teach about such things as how to deal with anger, avoiding adultery and divorce, keeping your promises, resisting the temptation to take revenge, giving to the needy, and the list goes on. Read Matthew 5-7 for the full sermon. You will see how intentional Jesus was not only with people, but also with His teachings as well.

Tell the story - this week’s passage is Matthew 8:5-13 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

10. Why did this Centurion’s understanding of “chain of command” illustrate great faith to Jesus? What was the Centurion acknowledging about Jesus?

11. Do you think your faith ever amazes God? How?

12. How can your faith inspire others to have faith of their own?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Assign next week’s passage – Matthew 16:13-20

Close in Prayer

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 6 - LEADERSHIP COACHING [The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Small Group Leader. Each week we will include concepts, challenges and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your group and grow as a disciple yourself.]

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively]

• Retelling the story reinforces the message of the story through repetition. At this point, the group has heard the story told by you or another group member, they have helped to rebuild the story together, they have read, or heard the story read straight from the Bible, and they have discussed ways in which the story applies to their lives. This final reiteration will help firmly plant the story in their mind and heart near the end of your time together.

• Asking for a volunteer to retell the story after discussion time each week also gives you the opportunity to involve more group members in the story telling process. Even a more introverted group member may be willing to retell the story after hearing it and discussing it several times during group. The more engaged each person becomes with the story during group, the more it will be imprinted on their heart to apply outside of the group setting.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep]

• Jesus makes it clear that in order to lead we must be humble servants. In Mark 9:35 He says, ““Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Think about the way you interact with the members of your group. Are you showing humility and serving them and meeting their needs? Find a practical way to serve your group this week.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself]

• “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” Love endures many things without giving up. Love does not resort to anger or revenge even when slandered or injured or betrayed…or hung on a cross. Love is constant and true, always and forever, no matter what!

• Go back and read all of I Corinthians 13:4-7. One more time, substitute your name for the word love in this scripture. Have you found this exercise difficult? Try substituting the name Jesus. That is much simpler, right? As believers, we have Jesus with us always, so we can tap into the reserves of His love when our human self runs dry. We also benefit from His example as shown in the gospels. If you question how you should love someone, look to how Jesus modeled it for us during His time on earth. We do not get to pick and choose from the characteristics of love we want to embrace and display. This kind of love is a way of life.

MASTER TO MESSIAH WEEK 6 –THE MESSIAH IS PROCLAIMED Open in Prayer Welcome/Introductions Remind group of Small Group guidelines Ask a hook question [Ask a thought provoking question to get the group focused]

When people hear your name, how would they describe you? Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story in the Bible]

At the beginning of Matthew 16, the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus and asked Him for a sign. He accused them of being blinded by their wickedness, and left them. Later on that day, Jesus taught the disciples a very important lesson. The Pharisees and Sadducees were deceptive in their teaching, and the disciples had to be careful not to be taken in by their deceit.

It is hard to change your thinking when you’ve been taught a certain way all your life. The disciples were faced with this constantly as they ministered with Jesus and walked with Him through His ministry. They were being shown that the Gospel is for all, and Jesus is the Messiah!

Tell the story - this week’s passage is Matthew 16:13-20 Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted] Discuss these questions:

13. What basis did Peter have for the answer he gave to the question Jesus asked?

14. What would your answer be if Jesus asked you, “Who do you say that I am?”

15. How did you come to your conclusion about who Jesus is?

16. How do your words and actions reveal what you believe about who Jesus is? How does that affect people you spend time with?

Ask someone to retell the story [Ask for a volunteer from the group]

Close in Prayer