www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups

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Leadership Packet Week of October 14, 2012 This week’s Leadership Packet includes… Leader’s Notes Small Group Announcements

Learn to Lead flyer Border Bound flyer

5. We also heard, “There are three kinds of people that Jesus cannot heal from their spiritual sickness.”

a. Those who do not know about Jesus b. Those who know about Jesus, but refuse to trust Him c. Those who will not admit that they need Jesus

Which kind of person were you, before coming to Christ? Describe how your heart was changed. This question is a “pre-Jesus” question. Not only is it a great share-your-story question. It also sets things up for the last question (Bringing it Home, #2). If there are any non-Christians in your group, this question will get them thinking about where they are in their own spiritual journey.

Bringing it Home 1. Pastor Jeremiah said, “The legalists of [our day] have determined that being a

Christian is like going to a funeral.” How might your life feel this way? What might be keeping you from the joy of Jesus? What new tradition, or practice, could help you reconnect with Jesus in a fresh, new way? Wow, if you’ve ever lived your life like a funeral, this question will totally hit home. I have. It’s not a place I want to go back to, but leaving a funeral-life requires a change. Many times, change can be hard until we incorporate that change in a more practical, permanent way. New traditions, or practices, can help us install a new spiritual habit into our daily lives. This question is a very personal one. Everyone is viewing this question from a very specific life-experience and, therefore, their answers will be different. Help your group brainstorm through this process; ask clarifying questions (ask for more “details” about what they are saying).

2. Look back at question #5. You might be one of the three kinds of people

listed, right now. Which kind are you and what is keeping you from coming to Jesus to experience the joy that He promises? This is the question I wrote about in “Digging Deeper,” #5. How awesome it will be if someone “wakes up” to their need for Jesus and gives their life to Christ during your small group time!

www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019, 619.440.1802 © Copyright 2012 by Shadow Mountain Ministries

Sermon Notes I. Jesus did not come for saints, but for sinners. - Mark 2:13-17

A. The calling of Levi - Mark 2:14

B. The celebration in Levi’s home - Mark 2:15

C. The criticism by the Scribes and Pharisees - Mark 2:16

D. The conclusion of Jesus - Mark 2:17 II. Jesus did not come for sadness, but for gladness. - Mark 2:18-20; John 15:11 III. Jesus did not come for reformation, but for regeneration. - Matthew 2:21-22

A. Christianity is not something new added to something old. - Mark 2:21

B. Christianity is something new replacing something old. - Mark 2:22; Acts 4:12

Small Group Questions

Getting Started 1. Families observe traditions. Describe one of your family traditions from the

following list: holidays, school year, vacations, or daily/weekly traditions. How did this tradition begin? What is it about this tradition that makes it important to you? A couple holidays to consider are Easter and Thanksgiving (family meal, getting together with extended family, maybe a “road trip” to see family). Many families have ways they prepare for and move through the school year (school shopping, sports, homework times, Friday night pizza night, etc.). Daily traditions might include family devotions/praying, television shows that everyone watches together, house-cleaning duties, etc.).

A Different Kind of Religion October 14, 2012 Dr. David Jeremiah Mark 2:13-22

2. Have you ever exchanged an old family tradition for a new one? Why did the old tradition need to be changed? What emotions did you feel when you changed that tradition? When did the “new” tradition become comfortable and enjoyable for you? Christmas is changing for our family. My parents used to manage and direct the Christmas tradition. Over the past few years, my two siblings and I have taken over that responsibility. Last year, we celebrated at a totally different location than ever before; in a different state. The siblings were nervous as to how our parents would enjoy this change, and our parents told us that they were afraid the “special-ness” of the old tradition would be lost. Thankfully, this new tradition has a “special-ness” as well.

Digging Deeper 1. Local churches observe traditions. Describe a tradition that you’ve observed in

your church experience. Describe a time when an old church tradition needed to be exchanged for a new one. What was that experience like for you? What was it like for the rest of that local church? Some of the different traditions that you might talk about are: Sunday School programs, Sunday & Wednesday night services (many churches have done away with one or both of these traditions), and style of worship music (some churches use traditional hymns, others use contemporary, and still others blend these two styles).

2. This week we heard, “The rabbis wrote the graffiti of their own man-made

traditions all over the wall of the Word of God.” What happens when people choose to keep a man-made tradition that does not honor God? How might a man-made tradition limit the spreading of the Gospel (see Romans 10:14 & 15)? Another way to discuss this question would be to talk about how a new tradition can start out honoring God, but over time, loses its God-honoring capacity. Traditions may only be effective to the people who started them. When new people experience an old tradition, it might not impact them in the same, God-honoring way.

3. And yet, “… joyful celebration should be the normal experience of those who

follow Christ.” Read the following scriptures and discuss the truth of God’s desire for us to experience joy. Joy is one of the measuring tools of a God-honoring tradition, or practice. When God is honored, His people experience joy. When God ceases to be honored, His people lose their joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy of the Lord is my strength. God gives us His joy. His joy brings us a strength that we cannot express out of our own emotions (like happiness). Psalm 16:11 – In God’s presence is fullness of joy. The more time we spend in God’s presence, the more the Holy Spirit ministers to us and fills us with joy. Isaiah 12:1-3 – The Lord is my strength, song and salvation. There is something “all-encompassing” about life with God. As our lives are more and more directed by God, our needs are filled out of Himself. We are freed from producing our lives on our own effort and energy. He directs our lives; we respond to His direction (obedience) and joy is the by-product (end result). John 15:11 – Jesus desires that our joy be full. Joy is not a formula that we apply to our lives. Joy is a real desire, for our lives, from the heart of God. Jesus has this desire for us as well, along with the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:7 – The kingdom of Heaven is a matter of joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is almost like a vehicle that we travel through life in. As we live our lives in a relationship with Jesus, we are centered in a place of joy. As our joy grows, we find that we are ready and able to face all of life’s challenges.

4. Many rabbis, scribes, and Pharisees lost their joy for the Word of God; they were spiritually sick. This happens today as well. When a person loses their joy, what drives him/her to continue living without joy day after day? What keeps people committed to something that renders their lives joyless? You may be thinking of “rabbis, scribes and Pharisees” in contemporary society. There are many high-profile, “religious” leaders out there. They speak the truth, but what they say is tainted by something not-Jesus, not-Bible and not-joyful. It seems that part of our sinful nature drives us away from real joy in search of false joy (idolatry). It’s no wonder, then, that we get to a place (when our lives are not centered on Jesus) where we find we have lost our joy.

Announcements for your Small Group: Quick & Easy Way to Help with Royal Nite

If you’re not able to sponsor a booth at Royal Nite, but would still like to help out in some way, they're looking for people to donate candy for this event. Just drop off your bag of candy to the Pavilion before or after a weekend service.

Learn to Lead Thinking about leading a small group of your own? The Small Group Ministry is

here to answer your questions, give you the training you need, and help you get your group started. Just attend the 6 session Foundations in Leadership Training - it’s offered year-round at 10:45 am on Sundays. See the enclosed flyer or go to www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups. You can also call us at 619-590-2122.

Border Bound Over 3 ½ million Hispanics live in the combined areas of San Diego County and Northern Baja California. The Border Ministry serves on both sides of the border, facilitating evangelism of the lost and the establishment of Hispanic Churches. There are opportunities year round to help with construction, gardening, evangelism & children’s programs. For more info, check out the enclosed flyer. A Place for Young Married Couples

Are you married and between the ages of 18 and 35 or do you know someone like that? We have a place for them: our Young Marrieds Café! Young Marrieds Cafe is a mix of a Sunday school class and small groups. There are two meeting options: Sundays at 10:45 am or Thursdays at 6:30 pm on campus in Room C. For more info, visit www.shadowmountain.org/youngmarrieds.

Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Please Note! Next weekend, October 20-21, we will not have our normal Small Group Table in the Pavilion for you to pick up your Leadership Packets - instead, please look for a table right outside the Pavilion. Important Dates Sunday, December 2 Official Small Group Christmas break begins Sunday, January 6 Official Small Group season resumes Sunday, January 27 SMCC’s Stewardship Dessert

Week of October 14, 2012

Announcements for your Small Group: Quick & Easy Way to Help with Royal Nite

If you’re not able to sponsor a booth at Royal Nite, but would still like to help out in some way, they're looking for people to donate candy for this event. Just drop off your bag of candy to the Pavilion before or after a weekend service.

Learn to Lead Thinking about leading a small group of your own? The Small Group Ministry is

here to answer your questions, give you the training you need, and help you get your group started. Just attend the 6 session Foundations in Leadership Training - it’s offered year-round at 10:45 am on Sundays. See the enclosed flyer or go to www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups. You can also call us at 619-590-2122.

Border Bound Over 3 ½ million Hispanics live in the combined areas of San Diego County and Northern Baja California. The Border Ministry serves on both sides of the border, facilitating evangelism of the lost and the establishment of Hispanic Churches. There are opportunities year round to help with construction, gardening, evangelism & children’s programs. For more info, check out the enclosed flyer. A Place for Young Married Couples

Are you married and between the ages of 18 and 35 or do you know someone like that? We have a place for them: our Young Marrieds Café! Young Marrieds Cafe is a mix of a Sunday school class and small groups. There are two meeting options: Sundays at 10:45 am or Thursdays at 6:30 pm on campus in Room C. For more info, visit www.shadowmountain.org/youngmarrieds.

Announcements for Leaders & Hosts: Please Note! Next weekend, October 20-21, we will not have our normal Small Group Table in the Pavilion for you to pick up your Leadership Packets - instead, please look for a table right outside the Pavilion. Important Dates Sunday, December 2 Official Small Group Christmas break begins Sunday, January 6 Official Small Group season resumes Sunday, January 27 SMCC’s Stewardship Dessert

Week of October 14, 2012

Thinking about leading a small group? Great! We are here to answer your questions, give you the training you need, and help you get your group started.

Just attend the 6 session Foundations in Leadership Training—it’s offered year-round and you can jump in at any time. The class is offered on Sundays, 10:45 am, in the Family Ministries Classroom.

For more information about becoming a Small Group Leader or to sign-up for the training, contact the Small Group office.

Phone: 619.590.2122Email: smallgroups@shadowmountain.orgWebsite: www.shadowmountain.org/smallgroups

Learn to Lead

What leaders are saying about the training. . .“I was pretty apprehensive about leading a small group at first, but after going through the Foundations in Leadership Training, I definitely felt ready to start one of my own. Plus, I know that the small group staff is always here for me when I have questions.” —Ann Williams

“Not only did the Foundations in Leadership Training prepare me to lead a small group, but I’ve also been able to use what I’ve learned at work, with my family, and in my friendships--really helpful stuff!” —Colin Lepiscopo

BORDER MINISTRY Shadow Mountain Community Church

jim.shankula@shadowmountain.org 619-201-8654

Please sign up to reserve your spot. We normally leave from the parking lot of the SMCC Family Ministries. Transportation is provided.

Passport IS REQUIRED for ALL trips to Mexico! Please bring a sack lunch. For more information, please contact us!