This week in Power Up, we learned about being humble! It can be easy to think that we are better or smarter than people around us, but when we are humble we will listen to what they have to say!
In Large Group, Rom and Ram had to make their way to a button and press it before being blasted by lasers. Rom and Ram were unsuccessful because they refused to listen to each other. Using the code segments sent from the Game Boss, our tour group was able to unscramble a message and send it to Rom and Ram. They learned I Will Be Humble! After learning this, Rom and Ram helped each other and made it to the next level!
In Small Group, we read a story from 2 Chronicles 26 about a man named Uzziah who became king when he was 16 years old. God made Uzziah very successful as king. King Uzziah decided to go to the temple one day and burn incense as a way of worshipping God. However, only priests were allowed to burn incense in the temple. The high priest told Uzziah that he should leave the temple, but Uzziah knew he was being disobedient and he thought the rules did not apply to him. Then, God caused Uzziah's forehead to break out in a skin disease called leprosy that spread all over his face. God was punishing Uzziah for being prideful. Uzziah had to live in a room far away from everyone else to keep them from getting sick too.
We also learned the next part of our Memory Verse. We will continue adding to this verse throughout the series. Here is what we learned on Sunday:
“Run away from evil things that young people long for.
(run in place)
Try hard to do what is right.
(thumbs up)
Have faith, love, and peace.
(count on fingers 1, 2, 3)
Do these things together with those who call on the Lord”
(point to everyone in the group)
2 Timothy 2:22 (NIrV)
Come back next week to see Rom and Ram take on more challenges in the Sector and learn more about God as we go through the video game!
This week in Power Up, we learned about giving! We learned about different ways we can give to others!
In Large Group, Button and Switch got the chance to go into the Candy Zone and collect as much candy as they could fit into their bags. After leaving the Candy Zone, Button and Switch decided to share their candy with the Gatekeeper because he was not allowed to go into the Candy Zone. Since Button and Switch decided to do what is right by giving their candy, the Gatekeeper gave them the Power Up Piece! Button and Switch helped us learn I Will Give!
In Small Group, we read a story from Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and John 12:1-8. In this story, Mary brought some very expensive perfume to Jesus while He was eating with his disciples. Mary poured this perfume on Jesus' feet and then washed His feet with her hair. Jesus was thankful for the gift Mary gave because it showed Jesus how much she loved Him. Mary understood what we need to know today, which is I Will Give!
To help your preschooler remember to give this week, here is a fun activity you can do! Sing the following to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. Fill in the blanks with SMILE, HUG, HIGH-FIVE, WAVE, etc.:
If you love Jesus, give a ______!
If you love Jesus, give a ______!
If you love Jesus, & you really want to show it,
If you love Jesus, give a _____!
Come back next week to see if Button and Switch find the next Power Up Piece!
ALL IN - WEEK 5
“Aftermath”
Group Leader Guide for use February 5-11, 2012
Directions: This guide provides a menu of teaching and discussion materials to help in leading your group. Please select and use the materials that best suit your group.
SERMON RECAP:
In this series, we have learned that a growing relationship with God is intentional, not accidental. This means that God is always ready and available to bless us and to help us grow, but it is our responsibility to dedicate ourselves to obeying Him. It is our responsibility to go all in.
Looking back to Mark 12:30, we are talking about how to love God with all our souls. As we celebrate some stories of changed lives, we see two facts about Jesus that impact us:
ICEBREAKER:
What is your favorite movie of all time? Who was your favorite character in that movie?
(Leaders, don't feel like you have to rush this part of the discussion. People love talking about movies and using those conversations to connect with each other. That's the purpose of this icebreaker!)
Don't be afraid to sound dorky when answering that question; there's nothing wrong with really loving a good story.
Have you ever wondered why you love that movie so much?
Without being too over-analytical, there are some obvious factors that cause us to love a story/movie: the plot is relevant to us, it holds our attention, and a character becomes a hero. It's really cool that we all have personal stories, and there's a common Hero in all of them. This definitely calls for continued celebration, but it also requires us to stay focused on the one thing that really matters, and we'll spend today's meeting talking about that in a little more depth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Leaders’ note: Answers provide Bible verses for the group to look at together as you reinforce the Bible as the guide and source for victorious living.
Q: We often see the apostle Paul preach the Gospel to the Church in his letters to them. Why did he do that? Why is it important for believers to talk about the Gospel?
A: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Colossians 2:6-7; Hebrews 12:1-3; Titus 3:1-8.
The churches that received Paul's letters were full of people who already believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul knew, though, that the Gospel is not just a ticket to Heaven. The Gospel saves us, but it also sustains us and sanctifies us. Faith in Jesus is what will keep us growing and pressing forward. Paul preaches the Gospel to believers for the same reason that you have meetings at work: to remind them of what is important. Without the message of Jesus Christ, there is no point in reading our Bibles, going to church, or praying; He is the reason for and the faith behind doing those things! It is always valuable to be reminded of the main thing.
Q: How would you explain to a nonbeliever how "Jesus is here"? If Jesus died 2,000 years ago it may be hard for some people to understand.
A: Mark 16:1-8; Acts 1:8, 13:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6.
When Jesus left the earth 2,000 years ago, He left us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was God, and the Spirit is also God. The sacrifice that Jesus made and the Spirit that now dwells in us are actively changing us just as much today as ever.
Q: Is it possible to share the Gospel with someone without mentioning Jesus?
A: Ephesians 2:4-9; Romans 5:6-8.
No. The Gospel is the story of Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection and how He overcame death so that we might be justified before God. We are sinful, so logically we should not have God's favor, but thankfully God is not confined by logic. He gave up His son Jesus for us anyway, and that is what the Gospel is all about. Jesus did not just come to be a friend to sinners; ultimately His mission was to be their Savior.
Q: What is the most important element of your personal story?
A: 1 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 13:34-35.
The most important element of your personal story is the fact that Jesus loved you and redeemed you, even though you were a sinner. The Gospel is the most important part of your story. When you share your testimony, you are explaining the Gospel of Jesus Christ - HE is the hero in all of our stories. Notice that God doesn't advertise with marketing ploys and schemes; He works through our lives to show His power. Therein lies the value of telling your story.
Q: The topic of this entire series has been, "What Happens When a Group of People Go All In." So... what happens? What really happens if your home group goes all in?
A: The book of Acts (e.g. 2:42-47, 4:8-22).
In the book of Acts, the early Church radically changed the culture of the world they lived in. They saw many people saved and many lives changed, while at the same time much of their community seemed to be in an uproar about these people. Some people really believed the message of Jesus Christ, and some people really opposed it, but it is not likely that many people were unaware of their cause. When that group of people went all in, things happened that had never happened before. That is how God operates - He is not confined by what has already happened. He is not confined by anything! Why wouldn't we go all in for that?
L.E.A.D.S. Application - The heart of NewSpring home groups is summarized by the acronym LEADS:
L – learn the Bible together
E – embrace serving together
A – assist one another
D – devote ourselves to generosity
S – send people out to start new groups
Assist one another.
We have talked a lot in this series about taking your "next step." For some people that step may have been salvation, and for others it may have been to start volunteering, but whatever your next step is, you shouldn't do it alone. Just like we can't do life alone, we can't always just take our next steps alone either!
Share your next step with your group! Chances are that someone in your group has a little wisdom, has had some experience, or can provide a little accountability that can help you in taking that step. Spend a few minutes going over those next steps and assisting one another in making a plan to carry them out.