GROUP MEETING #3
WELCOME
Welcome back! Again, this group meeting has three segments:
1. LOOK BACK [10 minutes]
2. LOOK UP [25–30 minutes]
3. LOOK AHEAD [20 minutes]
Okay, have someone open in prayer, and let’s get started with the first segment.
1. LOOK BACK [10 minutes]
• Each share something you’re thankful for.
• Each share the status of Week Two's Checklist.
• Identify ways to do better this week, if necessary.
2. LOOK UP [25–30 minutes]
• Read, re-tell, and discuss a Bible passage.
• Read and discuss a “Heroes of the Faith” story
• Pray for other believers and ourselves.
3. LOOK AHEAD [20 minutes]
• Watch the “PT-2” video.
• Review the plan for the week.
Okay, have someone open in prayer, and let’s get started with the first segment.
LOOK BACK
1. Praise: Each share something you’re thankful to God for.
2. Loving Accountability: Each share the status of your Week Two Checklist.
3. Encouragement: Identify ways to do better this week, if necessary.
2. Loving Accountability: Each share the status of your Week Two Checklist.
3. Encouragement: Identify ways to do better this week, if necessary.
LOOK UP
1. Bible Passage [15–20 minutes]
• Read Luke 15:11–32.
• Let someone re-tell the passage (others can help).
• Discuss the following four questions:
1) What does this passage teach us about God?
2) What does it teach us about people?
3) What does it teach us we ought to do?
4) Who should I share this passage with?
2) What does it teach us about people?
3) What does it teach us we ought to do?
4) Who should I share this passage with?
2. “Heroes of the Faith” Story [5–10 minutes]
• Someone read the below story aloud:
RUSSIA: HYPOCRITES
They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
"What are you doing here?" they shouted. "Worshiping your imaginary God?" The church members cowered in the pews, wondering if there were more soldiers and more guns outside.
"All those who are faithful to God, move to the right side of the church," said one of the soldiers, his face a mask of hatred. "You will be shot for your faith. You who wish to go home and keep your life, stand on the left side. You must decide to live or die. Those who are faithful to this 'God' will die. Those who deny him can live freely."
Ten minutes earlier, everyone had sung praises equally. Now it was a question of life or death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. Some stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.
"You on the left are free to go," one of the soldiers said moments later. Those people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead.
When only those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their weapons. "We, too, are Christians," they said, "but we wish to worship without hypocrites."
• Discussion question: What can we learn from this story?
• Pray (aloud), asking God:
1) Please protect followers of Jesus around the world.
2) Please help us to be strong and follow Jesus.
LOOK AHEAD
1. Practical Training #2 Video (PT-2) “My Story” [10 minutes]
[Play on a large screen, if possible, to improve viewing]
• All Group Meeting videos are available on:
1) Jesus’ Disciple TV app (Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV)… select “Practical Trainings.”
2. This Week’s Plan [10 minutes]
LET’S LOOK AT OUR WEEK THREE CHECKLIST
DAILY ACTIVITIES
1) Bible reading: Read John 15-21 (1 chapter per day)
• (Recommended) Additional reading: (additional 4 chapters per day)
o 1 Corinthians 1-16
o Colossians 1-4
o 1 Peter 1-5
o 2 Peter 1-3
2) Prayer:
Pray the Lord’s Prayer each day (see Matthew 6:9–13).
Pray for "The Lost I (You) Know"
3) Scripture Meditation: Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (At least 5 minutes twice per day).
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
1) Faithbuilders: Listen to two Faithbuilder messages:
• “The Bad News”
• “True Repentance”
• (Recommended) 3 Additional messages:
o Guidance
2) Ministry Assignment: Practice “My Story” (your story) multiple times and share it with two non-believers.
Let each person share if they’ll also complete this week any incomplete assignments from previous checklists.
Once everyone is clear about “This Week’s Plan,” close in prayer asking God to help each person follow Jesus this week.