Pursuit Week Four

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PURSUIT: Week 4 – Our First Love Open in Prayer W elcom e/Introductions/Cast Vision Rem ind the Grow Group of the ground rules Share context of the story [Provide context by sharing the information below.]

As we conclude our study of I Timothy 6:3-11, we will now take a closer look at chapter two of Revelation. Jesus praised the church in Ephesus for their doctrinal integrity and endurance, but He rebuked them for their loss of love. Jesus later encouraged the church in Smyrna as they faced poverty and persecution. Tell the story – Revelation 2:1-11 [Have someone tell the story.] Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember.] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted.] Discuss these questions:

1. What do we learn about God from this passage? [God encourages us to not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9); God commands us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2); if we cast our burdens on the Lord, He will sustain us (Psalm 55:22); God wants me to repent of my sin and follow Him in an intimate personal relationship; God allows me to experience the consequences of my sin; Jesus came that we might have abundant life and eternal life (John 10:10); etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [I can often grow weary in following the Lord; I am unwilling to share my burdens or struggles with other believers; I can become stiff-necked and refuse to repent of my wrongdoings; there are people and things in my life that I love more than Jesus; I must continually abide in my relationship with Jesus or I will pursue ungodly things; in this life I will have trouble, but the Lord is always with me; I can cast my cares on Jesus because He cares for me, etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. In light of what you’ve learned today, what do you need to do to obey God? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. While growing up, who was your first love (crush, kiss, etc.)? 2. When did you fall in love with Jesus? What do you consistently battle that competes for Jesus’ prominent place in your heart? Assign Next week’s passage – Rom ans 4:1-5 [Ask someone to tell the story next week.] Close in Prayer

PURSUIT: Week 4 – Leadership Coaching The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Grow Group leader. Each week, we will include concepts, challenges, and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your Grow Group and grow as a disciple yourself.

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] Remember that our goal is to help our people walk through the head, heart, and hands process. Here are some good questions for gaining a head knowledge of the scriptures you are studying. (1) What do you see God doing, saying, or showing about Himself? (2) Who are the people in this scripture passage and what is God showing them? (3) What stands out to you in this passage? (4) What do you think is the main point of this scripture passage? (5) What does this passage show us about God? (6) What does this passage show us about us/man?

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] Spend the next 5 days praying for the members of your Grow Group. Divide them up evenly so that each day you can focus on praying for several specific people. Pray that God will give them wisdom and understanding; You will see clearly how you can encourage them in their walk with God; They will boldly take their next step in spiritual growth; They will overflow with the joy of Christ this week!

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] Paul constantly prayed for the people he discipled. We are fortunate to have a reference of these prayers as examples. A great model for intercessory prayer (praying for others) is found in Colossians 1:9-14. “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Pray through passage several times inserting the names of individuals in your Grow Group.