cg leader's Guide

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P U R S U I N G G O D ’ S B I G P L A N FO R YO U R L I F E

C O M M U N I T Y

G R O U P

L E A D E R’S

G U I D E

PASTOR JIM’S MESSAGE TO COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS Over thirty years ago, my wife Sue and I took a leap of faith to answer the call of a group of six couples who wanted to reach their friends for Christ in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Christ Community Church has grown in families, campuses, and impact far beyond what we could have imagined. Our growth is a result of the power of God’s Good News found in Jesus proclaimed and lived by his generous and faithful followers at Christ Community Church.

As we prayerfully look ahead to what is next for us, we are moved by the realization that we cannot rest on what God has done in the past, but we must continue to be faithful to the mission Jesus has given us. We are called, as the early church was, to make an impact locally, regionally, and globally. (Acts 1:8) One Less Thing is the annual pairing of two completely optional, coresponding events to inspire, equip, and appreciate Community Group Leaders, Apprentice Leaders, Staff Coaches, and their spouses. Attend one, both, or neither! There is no cost, but registration is required for both events by the January 15 deadline. Got kids? Childcare cost reimbursement will be available upon request (following the event) at ccclife.org/onelessthing.

We are taking the next step in our adventure of following Jesus together by launching NEXT, a two-year season of intentionally sacrificial and faith-filled generosity. This is a God-sized step of faith that will impact Christ Community Church campuses and ministry partners for many years to come.

Our hope is that everyone who calls Christ Community their church home would engage with

OUR 2016 THEME: ENGAGE: REACHING THOSE AROUND US EVENT #1: FRIDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 29, 2016, FROM 6-8:30PM Meet at the DeKalb Campus for a delicious dinner, great company, and an inspiring message from Christ Community Church’s Teaching Pastor, Clayton Keenon.

NEXT. This is particularly true during our four-week NEXT message series when all ongoing adult and student Community Groups will study the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah and discuss on the weekend messages together.

As Community Group Leaders, your role is of particular importance as you shepherd and lead your group through this critical season. We want you to be informed. In the pages that follow, you will find advanced details regarding the five key

EVENT #2: SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 30, 2016, FROM 9AM-12 NOON (Continental Breakfast at 8:30am)

initiatives of NEXT and the information you’ll need to lead your Community Group through the four-week all-church study.

Meet in the Hub Theater at the St. Charles Campus ready to be equipped by Evangelism Pastor, Jym Kay with practical tools to help you lead your group members to engage with

Grateful For Your Leadership,

the people around them.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

 

Online registration is now open at ccclife.org/onelessthing.

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First Service: 140 people

$99,000 needed to build the St. Charles Campus. $190,000 is raised!

“Eyes Toward The Harvest” campaign for education space “Imagine” campaign for office space, chapel renovation,

& new auditorium. MET GOAL: $6 MILLION

KidsWorld & The Hub. MET GOAL: $10 MILLION The DeKalb Campus launches St. Charles Campus KidsWorld opens

The Blackberry Creek Campus is adopted The St. Charles Campus adds The Hub for students West Wing added to Blackberry Creek Campus debt-free thanks to above-and-beyond gifts Bartlett Campus launches

NEXT CAMPAIGN NEXT will be the largest and most comprehensive campaign in our church history. We pray that everyone who calls Christ Community Church home will join us in raising $11 million

Bartlett moves into its new home!

above and beyond our regular giving. We move confidently into this faith adventure because we have already witnessed: • Thousands of people trusting Jesus as their Savior and King. • Over 3,000 people meeting regularly in over 300 Community Groups. • Over 300+ people annually participating in GO Teams to the nations. • Thousands of our church members serving monthly in the church and community. • Our church family gathering each weekend at four campuses in ten services. • 5,000+ churches planted through our International Impact partners, reflecting tens of thousands coming to Christ. • A continued legacy of generosity by giving over $1 million a year to missions, outreach and benevolence ministries extending Christ’s mission outside of our church and campus walls.

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OUR PURPOSE The purpose of NEXT is to invigorate and accelerate our focused attention on the mission Jesus has given us to make passionate disciples of Jesus who are belonging, growing, serving, and reaching across all our campuses.

NEXT

will

address

critical

constraints

and

strategic

opportunities to expand our reach and create more room for making disciples.

Our goal is to have everyone at Christ Community Church help raise $11 million over-and-above our regular giving in the next two years.

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• MORE CAPACITY. Our current DeKalb Campus auditorium (inside an old, rented Farm & Fleet) seats 350. Weekend attendance averages close to 850 across three services. The planned auditorium space will have 500 seats (a 40-plus percent increase in capacity). This means that the DeKalb Campus could host 1,500 over three services or 2,000 if a fourth service were added.

• STEWARDSHIP & LEGACY. For 11 years, we have leased space in the old (and leaky) Farm & Fleet building. It has served us well and been a great start to our story in DeKalb. Instead of continuing to write rent checks for tens of thousands over the years, we will now invest those same “facility designated funds” into a permanent building of our own. NEXT will allow us to have a presence in DeKalb County as a testimony to and for Christ for decades to come.

DEKALB CAMPUS FAQs ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The need is $7.3 million but the goal is $4.5 million. What about the$2. 8 million gap? • Our DeKalb Campus family has been setting aside money to build a permanent home for a number of years now. We have nearly $900,000 set aside to help address this $2.8 million gap. The additional funds needed to complete the project will be financed. The projected payments on the financed portion are anticipated to be less than the current monthly payments for rent at the Farm & Fleet. Because these payments will be going toward a permanent home instead of rent, church leadership sees this as better stewardship. If we raise more than our campaign goal, these funds will lower the amount financed.

When does this project need to begin? • We have a lease that runs through 2017. Construction should take approximately 18

1) DEKALB CAMPUS PERMANENT HOME ESTIMATED NEED = $7.3 MILLION | CAMPAIGN GOAL = $4.5 MILLION

months. Our hope would be to take occupancy and begin ministry in August, 2017. To reach this timetable, we would need to begin construction in the spring of 2016. There are several factors beyond our control that will impact the construction time-table: building

This new permanent campus home has many benefits including:

permit approval, contributions, secured funding, and anticipated construction costs.

• LOCATION. We own 12 acres of prime real estate right next to the new DeKalb

What if our DeKalb campus needs additional capacity in the future?

High School and just 1.5 miles from Northern Illinois University (NIU), where over 25,000 college students attend from all over the world. Additionally, a new housing

• These architectural plans were drawn to allow for additional capacity in the future.

development next to our property is estimated to add up to 1,100 new homes in the next 5-10 years.

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2) BLACKBERRY CREEK CAMPUS EXPANSIONS AND ENHANCEMENTS ESTIMATED NEED = $2.7 MILLION CAMPAIGN GOAL = $2 MILLION

Our Blackberry Creek Campus has seen great growth over the last few years. To keep up, here’s what we need to create more room for making disciples:

• ADDED PARKING. Being landlocked, our only option is to add desperately needed additional parking by demolishing the old house that has been used for our staff offices.

• EXPANDED MINISTRY SPACE. Tearing down the house and adding parking solves one problem—but means we need to add staff offices by expanding our existing church facility. All our growth has also meant cramped community spaces. We will increase the building by 2,000 square feet including a larger Lobby and additional ministry space.

• AUDITORIUM ENHANCEMENTS. The gymnasium gives us great space for continued growth, but it is challenged acoustically and aesthetically. We will give the gym a long-needed, critical makeover to make it feel more like an auditorium while still being useful for sports.

BLACKBERRY CREEK CAMPUS FAQS ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The need is $2.7 million but the goal is $2 million. What about the $700,000 gap? Our Blackberry Creek campus family has been setting aside money for expanded parking. We have nearly $500,000 available to help address this gap. If needed, the additional funds to complete the project will be financed. If we raise more than our campaign goal, that money will lower the amount financed.

When does this project need to begin? Since money has already been set aside for additional parking, we have demolished the house and moved staff offices temporarily to the current campus facility in Room 101. We hope to begin office space construction by spring of 2016.

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5) FIFTH CAMPUS ESTIMATED NEED = $1.5 MILLION | CAMPAIGN GOAL = $1.5 MILLION We don’t know when or where yet, but God is clearly moving Christ Community toward a fifth campus. We’ve observed several growing communities in Illinois and beyond that do not have vibrant churches. In addition, a number of local churches have contacted us regarding possible adoption (which is how our Blackberry Creek Campus became part of Christ Community). We are preparing for, praying about, and proactively investigating many different opportunities.

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WHAT ABOUT BARTLETT CAMPUS? As one church, we gave in 2013 to prepare our Bartlett Campus for its new home as

3) ST. CHARLES CAMPUS OFFICE EXPANSION ESTIMATED NEED = $2 MILLION | CAMPAIGN GOAL = $2 MILLION

part of the year-end giving campaign. That giving has paid off. In 2014, we moved into a newly renovated space. Our weekend attendance has nearly doubled since moving to this new space!

As we grow at each campus, we have an ever-increasing need for more office space for centralized departments that provide support to all campuses. These all-campus support teams (which include our Creative Arts, Communications, and Accounting teams) are housed at the St. Charles Campus, and we are out of office space.

4) COMMUNITY & INTERNATIONAL IMPACT ESTIMATED NEED = $1 MILLION | CAMPAIGN GOAL = $1 MILLION We have made it a church-wide goal to give 10 percent of our income to help support the ministries of our Community and International Impact partners. We want to do the same as part of the NEXT campaign. In the past, we have helped fund the audio translation of scripture into 12 languages spoken by more than 185 million people. We supplied over 100 villages with fresh water wells and filters. And we have played a significant role in responding to disasters at home and around the world. As part of NEXT, we are already vetting similar impactful opportunities.

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KEY INFORMATION OCTOBER 10 & 11 Group Connect Weekend

Participant Guide Distribution

OCTOBER 17 & 18

On the weekend of October 17 & 18, everyone attending the weekend services will receive a NEXT

Group Connect Weekend

participant guide. This participant guide will contain critical information about the NEXT campaign,

Participant guides will be distributed at Weekend

details of The 5 Key Initiatives of NEXT, and three or four discussion questions for Community

Services to all attendees

Message #1: How to Capture a BHAG

Group members to consider in preparation for each Community Group meeting.

(groups meet Oct 18-24)

OCTOBER 24 & 25

Take as many additional copies of the participant guide as you think you will need to distribute to those

Message #2: How to Rally the Troops

in your group who did not attend services that weekend. Additional copies for leaders can also be

(groups meet Oct 25-31)

found at the Community Groups counter at your campus throughout the campaign.

OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 Message #3: How to Overcome Opposition (groups meet Nov 1-7)

NOVEMBER 7 & 8

Weekend Messages Online for Group Members Group Members can view the weekend messages at ccclife.org/nextmessages. Messages will be posted by Monday afternoon.

Message #4: How to Keep a Good Thing Going (groups meet Nov 8-14)

Weekend Messages Online for Group Leaders For leader convenience and preparation, links to Saturday night’s message will be posted at

NOVEMBER 14 & 15 One Church Commitment Weekend

ccclife.org/cgnext by 10pm on Saturday night.

This Guide as a PDF A PDF version of this Community Group Leader’s Guide can be found at ccclife.org/cgnext.

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FACILITATOR NOTES TIME: These studies are intended for a 45-60 minute time frame.

Feel free to adjust the questions

to suit your group’s needs and agenda. Incorporate prayer, sharing, and other typical agenda items wherever you see fit.

There are more questions here than most groups can answer in 45-60 minutes. Spend some time editing for yourself the questions most beneficial to your group. Alternatively, use only the seven questions marked with an asterisk (*) to create a shorter study.

PREPARATION QUESTIONS:

Questions which have been highlighted in green are those

which will be included in the participant’s guide. Your group members will likely arrive having considered these questions and will be expecting to discuss them.

MESSAGE REFLECTION: These questions will be the same every week and will prompt your group to highlight parts of the weekend message that were particularly relevant or new to them. It will also allow your group to voice any questions they have about the content or application of the message. Some of the discussion content of the Message Reflection section may overlap with the scriptural study questions.

COMA:

The study questions given below each scripture reference follow our recommended

pattern of scriptural study: Context, Observations, Message, and Application.

PRAY:

In addition to the prayer topics relevant to your Community Group and the application of

scripture passage, each of the four weeks of this study will guide your group to focus prayer on one of our campuses. Read the campus/project information from the participant’s guide to catalyze your time of prayer.

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COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING #1

1 HOW TO CAPTURE A BHAG ICE BREAKER

OBSERVATIONS

Describe a time in your life when you faced a need greater than your available resources.*

What part of Nehemiah’s story in these verses jumped out at you (and why)?*

How did you first come to Christ Community Church (even if it was just this group)?

What does Nehemiah’s prayer reveal about Nehemiah?

NOTE: Also share names if anyone is new to the group. Nametags?

What does Nehemiah’s prayer reveal about God?

MESSAGE REFLECTION

MESSAGE

What jumped out at you from the weekend message?*

Four months passed from Nehemiah 1:1 to Nehemiah 2:1 (Chislev to Nisan). What are some possible

What questions do you have about the weekend message?

implications of this passing of time?* What obstacles were in Nehemiah’s way?

READ: NEHEMIAH 1:1-2:10

Where does wisdom show up in Nehemiah’s actions?*

CONTEXT

APPLICATION

Read these excerpts from Old Testament Survey (by Lasor, Hubbard and Bush: Eerdmans, 1996; pgs

Share something significant that you are currently building.*

554-556) to your group.

What part of Nehemiah’s response to need is something you could mirror? What, if any, new BHAG (Big Heavenly Audacious Goal) have you felt called to this week?*

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah present the events of two distinct periods of Israel’s restoration to the land after the exile to Babylon: (1) the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the

PRAY

temple, 538-516 B.C. (Ezra 1-6); (2) the establishment of the community’s religious life (Ezra)

In the participant’s guide, read the section on the DeKalb Campus permanent home (pgs. 6-7) to

and physical surroundings (Nehemiah), 458-420 B.C. (Ezra 7-Neh. 13).

prompt your time of prayer. Include any individual applications or concerns shared during your group’s discussion. How might turbulent times affect individuals?

During this restoration period, Judah was only a small part of a vast Persian province. Its political and religious fortunes depended on Persian power and policy. When Nebuchadnezzer, the conqueror of Jerusalem, died in 562, Babylonian power rapidly declined under ineffectual rulers. Babylon’s end came at the hands of Persia, a new power destined to dominate the ancient Near East for two centuries.

This turbulent, momentous period in ancient Near Eastern history is the setting for the events of the return from exile and establishment of the Jewish community under Ezra and Nehemiah.

How might turbulent times affect a culture? How might turbulent times affect individuals?

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COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING #2

2 HOW TO RALLY THE TROOPS

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING #3

3 HOW TO OVERCOME OPPOSITION

ICE BREAKER

ICE BREAKER

Describe a time when you felt your participation in a team effort was needed for the team’s success.*

What is the biggest obstacle you are currently facing?*

If you could join a team (of any kind), what team would you join?

What is the biggest distraction you are currently facing?

MESSAGE REFLECTION

MESSAGE REFLECTION

What jumped out at you from the weekend message?*

What jumped out at you from the weekend message?*

What questions do you have about the weekend message?

What questions do you have about the weekend message?

READ NEHEMIAH 2:11-20

READ NEHEMIAH 6:1-4

CONTEXT

CONTEXT

Why might rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem be seen as rebelling against the king? (see 2:19)

Will someone summarize the story of Nehemiah up to this point?

What is the significance of the Sanballat’s, Tobiah’s, and Geshem’s origin?

What are the challenges of being in the middle of a project (as opposed to the beginning or end)?

OBSERVATIONS

OBSERVATIONS

Have your group members silently reread 2:11-2:16 to themselves.

What jumps out at you from this passage?*

What jumped out at you from a second reading of this passage?*

What types of pressure did Nehemiah’s enemies put him under?*

Have your group members silently reread 2:17-2:20 to themselves. What jumped out at you from a second reading of this passage?*

MESSAGE Where does wisdom show up in Nehemiah’s words and actions?*

MESSAGE

How do you think Nehemiah recognized the conspiracies?

Why did Nehemiah inspect the walls at night?

Read Nehemiah 6:15-16. Why do you think Israel’s enemies so easily saw God’s hand behind the

In what ways are individual goals more challenging than team goals?*

building of the Jerusalem wall?*

In what ways are team goals more challenging than individual goals?* Why was Nehemiah’s speech met with such a positive response from the people?

APPLICATION What types of pressure that Nehemiah’s faced are you also facing?

APPLICATION

Where have you recently observed generosity that really cost someone?*

In your own words, how would you describe the need driving Christ Community Church’s NEXT campaign?*

Where might you need to “keep calm and carry on”?*

Share a goal or an area of your life where you need to rally some help. Where have you been holding back your participation in a larger vision or team goal?

PRAY In the participant’s guide, read the section on the St. Charles Campus office expansion and the

PRAY

Community and International Impact section (pg. 10) to prompt your time of prayer. Include any

In the participant’s guide, read the section on the Blackberry Creek Campus expansions and

individual applications or concerns shared during your group’s discussion.

enhancements (pgs. 8-9) to prompt your time of prayer. Include any individual applications or concerns shared during your group’s discussion.

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COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING #4

4 HOW TO KEEP A GOOD THING GOING

MESSAGE Why might Ezra’s reading of the Law have caused such a reaction?* What critical role did the Levites play in verse 7-8?

ICE BREAKER

What are some of the reasons the Israelites returned to celebrating the Feast of Booths?

Describe a time when you started something “big,” but it fizzled.*

Why might the Feast of Booths have “fizzled” over the years?*

Describe an event (of any kind) that you remember with joy?

What are the dangers of never looking back?

What is a good habit you once had, but now no longer practice?

What are the dangers of looking back half-heartedly?

MESSAGE REFLECTION

APPLICATION

What jumped out at you from the weekend message?* What questions do you have about the weekend message?

READ NEHEMIAH 8:1-18

CONTEXT Read these article excerpts from Ligonier Ministries (ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/feast-booths) to your group.

Few of the feasts that were a part of old covenant worship were as joyful as the Feast

Pastor Jim mentioned four success factors this past weekend: 1) Study Scripture; 2) Confess Sins; 3) Make Commitments; and 4) Celebrate Victories. Which of these factors are you most likely to embrace?* Skip?* What is an important success factor for your own current BHAG (if you have one)? What next step of faith (if any) do you feel God calling you to take?*

PRAY In the participant’s guide, read the Fifth Campus section and the What About Bartlett Campus? section (pg. 11) to prompt your time of prayer. Include any individual applications or concerns shared during your group’s discussion.

of Booths. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or by its Hebrew name, Sukkot, this celebration was the last of the fall festivals and was held at the end of the agricultural year when the grapes and olives were harvested in Israel. This was a time to thank God for all

NEXT SERIES FAQS

of the preceding year’s provision and to pray for a good rainy season, which lasted from

What if one or more of my group members does not attend Christ Community Church?

October through March.

As a Christ Community Church Community Group, we expect that your group will still fully participate in the campaign. For those who don’t attend the weekend services, messages can be viewed on our website at ccclife.org/nextmessages. Leaders should adjust the study and content based on their own group make-up.

Primarily, however, Sukkot was designed to remember the wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan, when God made the people live in booths (Lev. 23:33–43). During the time of the feast, each Israelite family was supposed to construct a booth, or sukkah, and live in it for a week (vv. 42–43).

Moses often warned the Israelites not to forget the God who redeemed them from slavery once they were fat and happy in the Promised Land (Deut. 8). This reveals another purpose of Sukkot. It could be tempting for the Israelites to sit in their houses after a great harvest and say, “Look at what we did and how we have profited.” Living in booths for a week reminded them that their success in Canaan was wholly on account of the Lord’s grace.

OBSERVATIONS What role did scripture have in their renewal of the feast?*

What if my group does not meet weekly? Please plan to meet weekly during this brief season. If this is not possible, combine the meeting notes as you see fit.

What if my group meets on Saturday Night? Our schedule assumes that Saturday night Community Groups will discuss the message from the previous weekend. If for some reason your entire group attends a Saturday night service, and you’d like to discuss the weekend message while it is fresh, feel free to move up your schedule by one week.

What if my group grows too large as a result of the campaign? Awesome. During the Campaign you can separate into smaller groups for all or some of the meeting times to keep a healthy discussion dynamic. Have an Apprentice Leader? Consider multiplying into two Community Groups after the campaign. Don’t have an Apprentice Leader? Now is the time to pray and look.

More Questions? Connect with your Staff Coach.

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WHAT’S NEXT AFTER NEXT? If you are still considering study material for your group, here are two recommended studies on the subject of outreach.

ORGANIC OUTREACH (13 WEEKS) ccclife.org/organicoutreach

“Every follower of Jesus has a sincere desire to share God’s love with others. We want to tell friends and family about who Jesus is, what he means to us, and all he has done for them. Deep in our hearts we have a burning passion to pass on the good news we have received. But, where do we start?”

LIFE ON MISSION (6 WEEKS) ccclife.org/lifeonmission

“The movement of God’s mission sweeps across everyday, ordinary lives to draw in business people, soccer moms, grandmothers, neighbors, students, lawyers, teachers, baristas, contractors, white collar, blue collar, or no collar at all. Regular people like you and me united by the one who lifts the curse of the fall. Filled with his spirit, laying down our lives, denying ourselves for the mission of God and the good of others. This is the invitation.”

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NOTES

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C C C L I F E . O R G / C G N E X T