go deep: going beneath the surface

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GO DEEP:

GOING BENEATH THE SURFACE Life Group Agenda #1

September 20—26, 2015

CELEBRATION CHURCH

Getting Deeper... The Life Group Agendas for our Go Deep Spiritual Growth Campaign will be a little different. For the duration of the Fall Spiritual Growth Campaign, Life Groups will incorporate video-based worship and teaching that is integral to your discussion. Additionally, we will be initiating a new portion of weekly Life Group agendas called BREAKOUTS. At the close of the WORD section of the agenda, the entire group will breakout into clusters of 3 or 4 individuals of the same gender. Following the BREAKOUT time, the group will come back together for prayer and Shared Ministry.

OUTWARD Welcome everyone, have introductions (especially if you have new people) and share the Goals and ONE Guideline at this time.

Ice Breaker: How did you learn to ride a bicycle? Focus UPWARD: Worship the Lord with the video songs and watch this week’s testimony and message from our pastor. (Click HERE) INWARD: Read 1 Samuel 15

1. What was Saul instructed to do by the Lord, and how did he twist the Lord’s instructions to suit his own needs? 2. How did God respond to Saul’s plead for forgiveness, and why do you think that He responded in this manner? (Leader note: This was not Saul’s first offense against God, instead it was a habitual lifestyle of disobedience). 3. Saul was sacrificing to the Lord in verse 15 (being religious), but was in turn being disobedient; what are some ways in which we can serve or sacrifice to the Lord but do it with a wrong attitude or in a self-seeking manner? 4. In verse 24 Saul gives excuses to Samuel for the reason that he sinned, why was he more afraid of or more interested in pleasing others instead of God? 5. Why do you think that we are so interested in pleasing people instead of being obedient to God? 6. How can we set up safeguards in our lives to not allow our insecurities lead us into making bad decisions? 7. As we look at verse 17, Samuel is reminding Saul of who he is, how does understanding who we are in Christ help us to go deeper in our relationship with Him?

GO DEEP: GOING BENEATH THE SURFACE

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FORWARD: Click here for goals and guidelines!

“If we don’t move beyond the basics of our faith, we’ll miss out on God’s greatest plans for us.” - Peter Scazzero

LEADERS: Remember that the BREAKOUT is intended to cultivate transparency, accountability, and relationships that can later serve as a pathway for ongoing equipping and discipleship. Identify and recruit prospective BREAKOUT leaders in advance. You should consult the Goals and Guidelines For Breakout Leaders to help you identify, as well as, prepare prospective BREAKOUT Leaders.

Break into smaller, likegendered groups of 3-4. Address the following questions: 

What is one significant truth or lesson you learned from the discussion?

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What is something the Holy Spirit is convicting you of this week?  How can we help you become a stronger follower of Jesus this week?  How can we pray for each other?

CLOSING 

Share ministry assignments for next week, who is bringing snack, who is hosting Life Group next month, who will help with the children, etc.  2015 Annual SERVE Day is COMING in two weeks on Saturday, October 3rd be sure to pick up your t-shirt and sign-up today!!!  Women’s Victory Retreat is October 9 at 7pm (dinner served at 6pm). This is a great time for women to find freedom in Christ from hurts, habits and hang-ups. Mark your calendar and click here to sign-up!  Join us for “A Jazzy Night with HHCD” 6th Annual Fundraiser on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 6:30 – 9:30 PM SAVE THE DATE & BE A PART OF THIS GREAT NIGHT!! Click here for tickets.

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Read Chapter 1-2 of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

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Invite a friend, relative, associate or neighbor to join you at church this weekend to GO DEEP.

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Pray for those in your break-out group, send texts, emails or note cards encouraging them through the week and let them know they are being prayed for regularly.