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www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups
619.590.2122
Leadership Packet Week of February 10, 2013 This week’s Leadership Packet includes… Leader’s Notes Small Group Announcements
Migrant Ministry Trip Flier
Bringing it Home 1. Pastor Jeremiah also said, “The believer’s confidence is in God, not in his own
weak efforts.” How have you listened passively to God’s Word, and then struggled to grow on your own? What did this type of growth plan give you? What have you learned this week that gives you confidence in God, versus your own effort? As your group keeps talking about this, a rhythm will start beating in their heart; following God’s will really works the best. There are plenty of options to believe lies that tell us our own way is the best way. This lesson helps us connect with the truth. This question also sets everyone up to get specific and current with their own lives.
2. How might you be working really hard to mature and grow, yet find yourself
still slipping and struggling to make progress? What will you have to do to change your listening style from passive to active? How will making this change help you hear and understand what God is teaching you from His Word? Help your group get into the “now” place in their lives. Help them think about a current struggle, challenge or obstacle they are facing. The sermon and questions have done their jobs, now it’s response time for the people in your group.
3. What is beginning to get clear or make sense to you as you continue to think
about the sermon and these questions? What next step of faith can you take, right now, to walk in greater obedience to God and His will for your life? Hopefully, some of your members will have a “light bulb” experience through these questions. Encourage the sharing of that experience and then celebrate their eyes being more fully opened to the truth.
© Copyright 2013 by Shadow Mountain Ministries 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019 www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups 619.440.1802
Sermon Notes
I. We are to have a glowing faith. - Mark 4:21-25 A. A glowing faith is an apparent faith. - Mark 4:21; Matthew 5:14-16;
Acts 13:47; Ephesians 5:8; Philippians 2:14-15; I Thessalonians 5:5; I Peter 2:9
B. A glowing faith is an authentic faith. - Mark 4:22-23 C. A glowing faith is an advancing faith. - Mark 4:24
II. We are to have a sowing faith. - Mark 4:26-29
A. The planting of the seed - Mark 4:26
B. The perplexity of the seed - Mark 4:27 C. The production of the seed - Mark 4:28; Philippians 1:6; 2:13;
John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 4:16
D. The product of the seed - Mark 4:29; Psalm 126:5-6; Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:8
III. We are to have a growing faith. - Mark 4:30-32
A. The parable of a growing faith - Mark 4:30
B. The paradox of a growing faith - Mark 4:31-32 1. An insignificant beginning - Mark 4:31 2. An incredible growth - Mark 4:32; Isaiah 11:9; Mark 4:33-34
Small Group Questions
Getting Started 1. Let’s talk about light. Describe the different sources of light you use every day.
When you walk into a room, why do you turn on a light? What does light provide? What are some differences between a well-lit room and a dark room? Light provides illumination, clarity, visibility, and understanding. In the dark, things are obscure, unclear, fuzzy, shadowy, and dark. You could go a step further and ask your group to describe times when they’ve tried to figure
“How to Grow Your Faith” Mark 4:21-34 February 10, 2013 Dr. David Jeremiah
something out in the dark (finding a ring in a dark room, for example) and, only when they turned on a light, were things clear enough so that they could figure it out.
2. The “light bulb” effect. Describe a time when you were confused about
something and then, all of a sudden, the confusion cleared and everything made sense. Describe the process we go through when we move from confusion to understanding, or from “darkness” to “light.” “Aha” moments are amazing stress relievers. Think about the stress and frustration that builds as we work and work at trying to solve a problem, only to meet dead end after dead end after dead end. But, the relief that comes from solving that problem is wonderful. Maybe ask your group members to describe a problem they are currently working on.
Digging Deeper 1. God and His Word have much to say to us about life, but there is something
we are required to do for understanding to come: we are to listen. How do people listen with their ears only (passive listening)? How do other people listen with their heart (active listening)? What is the difference between passive and active listening? One way you could help your members get into this question is to ask them to, “Describe a time when a scripture passage became clear to you, after hearing that scripture for months – maybe even years – when it didn’t make sense to you.” The point is to show the difference between simply listening to words and connecting with the meaning of those words in a personal way.
2. One reward for an active listener is getting clear about God’s will for their
lives. Describe the process of the active listener who hears God’s will, obeys, and then hears more of God’s will. How does this process help a person to grow? God only gives us enough to get us going. Then He unrolls a little more as we continue to walk down his path. He knows that we will get overwhelmed if we take on too much too soon. So, He works at our pace with our capacity. The great thing about obedience, is that we gain confidence in God; His ways work in our lives.
3. Pastor Jeremiah said, “Growth is sure, but it is slow.” Read the following verses and discuss the different ways that we grow. 2 Corinthians 9:10 - God supplies the growth in our lives and He helps others grow through people He brings to their lives. Ephesians 4:11-16 - We grow up through relationship with Christ. We are gifted in accordance with God’s will for our lives. Hebrews 6:1-3 - Maturity is God’s plan for our lives. I Peter 2:1-3 - We start young and immature, but “grow up” over time. II Peter 1:5-9 - We have a roadmap to follow as we mature. 2 Peter 3:18 - We grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
4. Sometimes we want God to grow us in a certain way and we find out He has other plans for our growth. How does trust help us stick with God’s plan for our growth? How does God’s growth plan always prove to be better than our own growth plan? Because God only reveals a little bit at a time, we really need to trust Him. Ask your group to talk about a time when they trusted God, even though they weren’t sure where He was headed. What was the result of that time of trust? What did that experience do to prepare them for the next “trust” experience with God?
5. As we continue to rely on God to do the work, fruit happens in our lives. How
have you seen fruit come from God’s work in your life? What obstacles have been moved out of the way? What challenges have been overcome? How has the power of God brought about growth in your life? This is like a continuation from question #4. Helping your group connect with the fruit, obstacles and challenges helps each person personally connect with a confidence builder; God really is trustworthy in their specific challenges in life. And, this serves to create vision in their hearts for the next challenge that comes their way.
Announcements for your Small Group: Summer Mission Trip
Looking to serve on a mission trip, but have limited time and resources, and don’t have a passport yet? The Migrant Ministry Trip is only 1 week long during the summer, costs $350, and is in central California. If you’re interested, please see the included flier for details & attend their informational meeting on Sunday, February 24, 4:30 pm in Room G-11 (a classroom behind the Worship Center).
Elevate Class
Did you know that we have a class for children with special needs on Sunday mornings, 10:45 am? It’s for ages 4 to 18 years old. Pre-registration forms are at Guest Services in the Mountain High Kid’s Lobby. For more information, contact Toni Vowles at 619.590.2165. Sticky Faith - A Seven Week, Interactive Parent Equipping Class Launch your kids & teens on a lifelong journey of faith and service! Everyday Ideas to build lasting faith in your kids! No matter the age of your children or teens it is never too early or too late to build a faith that “sticks” long term. Sunday class begins February 24, 10:45 am; Monday class begins February 25, 6:30 pm. Register by contacting Toni Vowles at [email protected] or 619.590.2165. Courageous: Men of Resolution Group
Men, have you wanted to be a part of one of our Men of Resolution small groups, based on the popular movie “Courageous”? A brand new group is starting soon, Sunday mornings, 9:00 am in the Family Ministries Building. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Jeanne Johnson at 619.590.2122 or [email protected].
Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Save the Date, Leaders, Co-Leaders and Hosts! Our next Small Group Leadership Community Breakfast is Saturday, March 2, 9:00 - 11:30 am. Can you RSVP by February 22 to [email protected] or 619.590.2122. Thank you - hope to see you there!
Week of February 10, 2013
Announcements for your Small Group: Summer Mission Trip
Looking to serve on a mission trip, but have limited time and resources, and don’t have a passport yet? The Migrant Ministry Trip is only 1 week long during the summer, costs $350, and is in central California. If you’re interested, please see the included flier for details & attend their informational meeting on Sunday, February 24, 4:30 pm in Room G-11 (a classroom behind the Worship Center).
Elevate Class
Did you know that we have a class for children with special needs on Sunday mornings, 10:45 am? It’s for ages 4 to 18 years old. Pre-registration forms are at Guest Services in the Mountain High Kid’s Lobby. For more information, contact Toni Vowles at 619.590.2165. Sticky Faith - A Seven Week, Interactive Parent Equipping Class Launch your kids & teens on a lifelong journey of faith and service! Everyday Ideas to build lasting faith in your kids! No matter the age of your children or teens it is never too early or too late to build a faith that “sticks” long term. Sunday class begins February 24, 10:45 am; Monday class begins February 25, 6:30 pm. Register by contacting Toni Vowles at [email protected] or 619.590.2165. Courageous: Men of Resolution Group
Men, have you wanted to be a part of one of our Men of Resolution small groups, based on the popular movie “Courageous”? A brand new group is starting soon, Sunday mornings, 9:00 am in the Family Ministries Building. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Jeanne Johnson at 619.590.2122 or [email protected].
Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Save the Date, Leaders, Co-Leaders and Hosts! Our next Small Group Leadership Community Breakfast is Saturday, March 2, 9:00 - 11:30 am. Can you RSVP by February 22 to [email protected] or 619.590.2122. Thank you - hope to see you there!
Week of February 10, 2013
Fill out an application. Schedule an interview. Be accepted by trip
leaders. Recruit prayer
partners. Raise support for trip. Complete training and
preparation
For more information, please contact:
BORDER MINISTRY Shadow Mountain Community Church
619-201-8654
Information Meeting
Sunday, Feb. 24, 4:30-6:00pm
Location: SMCC Lower Campus
Rm. G-11
Training / Planning Meetings
Sunday, Mar. 24, 4:30-6:00pm
Sunday, April 21, 4:30-6:00pm
Sunday, May 19, 4:30-6:00pm
Sunday, June 23, 4:30-6:00pm
Sunday, July 21, 4:30-6:00pm All meetings will be in: SMCC Lower Campus Rm. G-11
Support raised should be sent to SMCC Border Ministry to receive tax-deductible receipts. Eligible participants may receive partial support from SMCC.
Cost per person: $350
(includes transportation)
Join us as we minister near
Oxnard, California. You can serve
in:
Vacation Bible School
Food purchase, preparation
Recreation (games, sports)
Face painting, ballooning
Set up – take down
Music and worship band
Promotional Art
Food distribution
Evangelism and follow-up
Teaching
Crafts