1 / 30

Changing the Face of Christianity™

Changing the Face of Christianity™. Transformational Life Groups. A Whole NEW Way of Doing Christian Small Groups, Where….

quang
Download Presentation

Changing the Face of Christianity™

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Changing the Face of Christianity™ Transformational Life Groups

  2. A Whole NEW Way of Doing Christian Small Groups, Where… • The goal is NOT to fill your head with “another study”, but to transform your heart and live your Christian faith. (Luke 24:25-32, Psalm 119:10-11, Psalm 119:33-34, Romans 1:8, Philippians 1:27) • The result is NOT just personal growth, but a life that produces fruit and positively impacts your neighborhood, community, and world(Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:1-8, Matthew 5:13-16, Hebrews 13:16, James 2:14-24) • Prayer is NOT an afterthought, but an integral and transforming aspect of your group(2 Timothy 1:3, Philippians 4:6, James 5:13-16)

  3. A Whole NEW Way of Doing Christian Small Groups, Where… • Church isn't something you go to each Sunday, but something you ARE together • Everyone is expected to lead and share the load • Everyone is accountable to each other

  4. A Whole NEW Way of Doing Christian Small Groups, Where… • Being overwhelmed, burnt-out, and playing "catch up" are a thing of the past • Repeatedly wondering “what are we going to do next?” is no longer an issue • Your group relationships will strengthen, flourish, and grow DEEP • Your group will be a witness that Christians are the best "lovers of people" (Christians and non-Christians) the world has ever known, bringing glory to God!

  5. Ok, so after 2000 years, what could be so revolutionary? Here are some questions for you: In your current small group… • Are you “going through the motions?”, going from one study to the next? Do you ever stop and DO what the study is teaching? • Are you always running out of time for prayer requests? • Ever feel like your conversations are skin deep? • Ever feel like you don’t really know your small group members on a real level?

  6. Ok, so after 2000 years, what could be so revolutionary? Here are some questions for you. In your current small group… • Is it difficult to get some people to share, open up, or pray? Or when people share, do you feel like they are holding back? • Know anyone that prays for others but never asks for prayers for themselves (lacking vulnerability)? • Ever feel inadequate to contribute to the discussion, or self-conscious because others in your group are more "learned/spiritual/mature"?

  7. Our Proposal: Break through these connection barriers by getting back to basics What does it mean to BE a Christian? A Church? • We are called to love and serve God • We are called to love and serve others • We are called to honor and glorify God in all we do • We are expected to learn more about God, and enjoy our Christian friendships • We are expected to be mutually accountable within our Christian community (and small group) • We are commissioned to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our words and actions

  8. The Plan: For groups meeting 4x/month The month is broken into 4 quadrants: • The first week/quadrant is "Bible study and discussion" • The second week/quadrant is "Service" • The third week is "Prayer, Praise, and Worship" • The fourth week is "Fellowship and Fun" • In months with a fifth week, pick any of the above or take the week off

  9. The Plan: For groups meeting 3x/month • The first week/quadrant is "Bible study and discussion" • The second week/quadrant is "Service" • The third week is "Prayer, Praise, and Worship" • The fourth week is off • The following week just continue with the rotation... "Fellowship and Fun" • from here, just continue the rotation

  10. The Plan: For groups meeting 2x/month The month is broken into 2 quadrants: • The first week/quadrant is "Bible study/discussion and prayer, praise and worship" • The second week/quadrant is "Service, fellowship, and fun" • These weeks are more compressed, so scale back the quantity of what you do, or extend the time as necessary. If possible, we recommend moving to 4 weeks a month if and when that’s possible.

  11. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 1: Bible Study and Discussion Key to this week/quadrant: • WHY are you studying? To fill your head or transform your heart and your life? • Spend one week studying and discussing the material during your meeting • Focus on understanding and discuss application • Don’t just go from study to study. Apply it the rest of the month. That's it.

  12. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 1: Bible Study and Discussion • Bible study is never “finished”. Focus on studying, not on finishing. Take your time. • We have recommended studies, but you can tackle any study, book, verse(s) you want • As a group, you are only studying 1x/month and you have the entire month to study for this 1 week • “A” types can read ahead or “finish” other personal studies on their own time • We encourage daily Bible reading regardless

  13. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 2: Service Key to this week/quadrant: • This is not about you. This is about serving others. • If you aren't serving, you aren't living the Christian life. Last week you studied, so this week you DO. • God commands us to Love one another and to serve one another • He commands us to care for widows and orphans and others in need

  14. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 2: Service • This week, do a community act of service. You’ve got a month to plan it and 1 day to do it. • Serve your neighbors and your community in some way, together as a group • Get out of the comfort of your homes and churches and serve. Make a difference in your own way. • Not only will this show the world the love of God, but you will also draw closer to your small group members through the shared experience

  15. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 3: Prayer, Praise and Worship Key to this week/quadrant: Prayer • Prayer is integral to the Christian life. Do you believe God hears your prayers? He does…so, pray! • God says to pray for anything, everything, and everyone. Short prayers are ok too! • Prayer (speaking with God) is critical element of our relationship with God • Prayer changes things, and can change you

  16. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 3: Prayer, Praise and Worship Key to this week/quadrant: Praise and Worship • Honoring and giving thanks to God isn’t restricted to Sunday, at church during church hours. • Can you only sing at church? • Jesus is Lord every day of the week…not just Sunday. • He is worthy of our adoration all the time

  17. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 3: Prayer, Praise and Worship • Spend part of your group time praying for yourself, and each other in your small group. • Don’t say “I will pray for you”. Go ahead and pray NOW. • Also, spend time praying for others you know that are suffering in some way • Don’t worry about praying “correctly”. Just open your mouth and say what’s on your heart TO God

  18. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 3: Prayer, Praise and Worship • Spend part of your group time in praise and worship to God • Print some lyrics, put on a CD, and sing together • Open the Bible to Psalms…read out loud • Spend part of your group time sharing what God is doing in your lives, then thank God • Praise and Worship is about recognizing God’s role in our lives, and saying thanks with a sincere heart

  19. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 4: Fellowship and Fun Key to this week/quadrant: • A small group is a relationship. You are doing life together, not just studying the Bible. • Do something fun together, enjoying each other’s company • Get to know each other on a social level, with no strings attached. Just have fun. • Get passed “how are you?”, “I’m fine”

  20. Week/Quadrant Summary Week 4: Fellowship and Fun • You’ve got one month to plan, and 1 day to have fun together. Make it count, but remember it doesn’t have to cost much money. It’s about relationships! • Encourage variety and break out of any ruts you are already in • If you normally meet just men/women, or without the kids, occasionally bring everyone together

  21. Recommendations Bible Study and Discussion • The Bible – just read it (start with the New Testament) • Changing the Face of Christianity 5 Week Bible Study Series (free download from http://www.changingthefaceofchristianity.com/educate/bible-study-series) Confront and overturn the most common Christian stereotypes: judgmental, anti-homosexual, hypocritical, too political, and superficial • Deeper Bible Studies (free download, from www.deeperbiblestudies.com) Study the books of James, 1 John, and Jude with a focus on life application and accountability • MasterLife series, by Avery T. Willis, Jr. MasterLife 1: The Disciple's Cross; MasterLife 2: The Disciple's Personality; MasterLife 3: The Disciple's Victory; and MasterLife 4: The Disciple's Mission. • The Purpose Drive Life, by Rick Warren • unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyon

  22. Recommendations Bible Study and Discussion • The Hole in our Gospel, by Richard Stearns • Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt • The Next Christians, by Gabe Lyons • The Christian Atheist: Believe in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist, by Craig Groeschel • Lord, Save Us From Your Followers: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America?, by Dan Merchant. • Generation EX-Christian: Why Young Adults Are Leaving the Faith. . .and How to Bring Them Back, by Dick Dyck • God’s Pursuit of Man, by A. W. Tozer. • Classic Christianity – Bob George Have a study to add to our recommended study list? Let us know!

  23. Recommendations Service • Make a meal for a family that has experienced a layoff, family illness, or is struggling in some way • Visit a nursing home or a hospital intensive care unit or Emergency Room or NICU (neo natal intensive care unit, for prematurely born babies) • Babysit for or take a collection and provide a financial blessing to a single mom • The possibilities are endless

  24. Recommendations Prayer, Praise and Worship • Pray for yourself. What are YOU thankful for and what do YOU need? • Pray for each other in your group, neighbors, families, church members, and co-workers • Pray for city/state/country, as well as those suffering around the world • Not sure what to pray about? Pick up any newspaper, read the headlines, and pray.

  25. Recommendations Prayer, Praise and Worship • Pick a worship song and print the lyrics for your group. Listen to and sing along. Then, read the lyrics and discuss them as a group. • Google “names of God”, and consider how each name applies to your life. Example: Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide). How has God provided? • Read a Psalm out loud, then discuss how it might apply to your life

  26. Recommendations Prayer, Praise and Worship • Talk about what God is doing in your lives • Commit to a day of fast…as a group • Share a small-group communion • Praise God for what He did on the cross for you and share feelings about what that means to you

  27. Recommendations Fellowship and Fun • Go bowling or play pool • Watch a game or play cards • Watch a movie • Go to a sporting event or amusement park • Go camping or swimming • Have a pot-luck dinner or go to a restaurant • Take a cooking class or go shopping together • Go for it!

  28. Vulnerability and Accountability Pick a meeting once a quarter and intentionally invite vulnerability and accountability • Discuss these questions: • What commitments have I made to God that I need to follow-through on? • What commitments have I made to this group that I need to follow-through on? • What new commitments are you willing to make to God and/or your group? • Share areas of spiritual weakness with your group and ask God and your group for support and forgiveness. Thank God for His grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

  29. We’re Here to Help Let us know how we can support you and your group.Contact using the following information: Brad White Founder – Changing the Face of Christianity Inc. 4100 River Branch Trail Plano, TX 75024 214-906-7455 brad@changingthefaceofchristianity.com www.changingthefaceofchristianity.com

  30. Changing the Face of Christianity ™ Transformational Life Groups

More Related