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WELCOME ICEBREAKER

What do you like most about being in a home group?

WORSHIP

Psa. 149:1 Praise the LORD!
  Sing to the LORD a new song.
  Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
Psa. 149:2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
  O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
Psa. 149:3 Praise his name with dancing,
  accompanied by tambourine and harp.
Psa. 149:4 For the LORD delights in his people;
  he crowns the humble with salvation.

WORD

Prior to the home group evening you should:

  1. Phone or email your existing members.
  2. If you had names past on to you by the church office please call and invite them.
  3. Watch the Host Tips on the DVD/video and preview the lesson. If you have someone else hosting the group try and arrange for them to watch the Help For Host and lesson before. If this is not possible review the lesson with them, let them know how the evening will go and pray with them. The session you need to watch is session #4 called Growing Together, and it is just over 20 minutes long. Have it ready to go. Make sure you show the group the lesson not the Host Tips.
  4. Review the discussion questions and lesson.
  5. Pray for everyone who will be attending by name.


Welcome: Welcome new guests and regular attendees. Give the group an overview of the evening.

If you have new people in your group this week tell the group prior to watching the DVD/video:
1. We are going to watch some teachings by Rick Warren, the well-known author of The Purpose Driven Life, as he taught 40 Days Of Community from his church in Saddleback California. Our church is not doing the full 40 Days of Community but using some of the messages to help us in our TOGETHER WE CAN campaign.
2. He will mention that we need to do a group project. We will talk about this after our discussion.
3. We don’t have study guides so I encourage you to take notes as Pastor Rick talks and write down the four key points.

Discussion questions:

1. This lesson covered three aspects of love that can sometimes be very difficult: patience, truthfulness and forgiveness. Which part of the lesson was most meaningful to you? Why?
2. Where does impatience show up in you life?
3. What is the difference in judging people and confronting them in love?
4. What are the consequences of choosing not to forgive?

WORK

Break into subgroups of three or four people. Tell each other if you have a relationship that needs healing, either through patience, truthfulness or forgiveness. This is not a time to share details or assign blame. Simply mention the situation and share as openly as you feel comfortable so the group can pray more specifically for you. Then pray for each other and ask God for the courage to face the situation. Remind your group of the water baptism next Sunday. Invite someone to church this Sunday.