Story

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FELLOWSHIP GROUPS Discussion Guide

STORY Fellowship Group Curriculum | Session Four

Group Stories Begin your group meeting time by sharing Gospel Stories. Plan to spend 20-30 minutes taking turns sharing Gospel Stories. Be sure to follow the Gospel Story Guide as you write your story. How to Listen: As you listen be sure to give each person your undivided attention. Remember this is their story, so they cannot tell it wrong. Honor their story by not inhibiting their sharing with clichés, platitudes, “At least…” statements, or critical remarks. If you are not sure what to say or how to respond, say nothing. You can honor them with your silence. Respect each other’s privacy by keeping what is shared in group in the group. Don’t share stories or details without explicit permission form the person. Be aware of the time as people share. Honor group time by giving each person a two-minute warning before they reach the seven-minute limit. Sharing stories is part of group time, but not the entire time.

Story Blessing Group: Take five minutes after each story for the group to encourage and bless the person who shared. Group Leader: After the group has shared comments, pray over the person who shared their story.

Bible Story Discussion Story: The Man at the Pool of Bethesda

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Text: John 5:1-15

Read the Bible story text. Then have someone volunteer to retell the story in their own words. 1. Why did John tell this story? 2. What new detail did you discover from the text? What did you find interesting in the retelling of the story? 3. How does the story illustrate the Gospel in the context of God’s Greater Story? Elaborate on the elements you read or heard: Creation, Fall, Redemption and ReCreation. BIG IDEA: For this man, crossing the threshold of faith was simple. Jesus asked, “Do you wish to get well?” and the man acknowledged his inability to get down to the water on his own. Therefore, Jesus says “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” As followers of Jesus, we walk by faith in what Jesus did and not what we can do. •

How does this story improve or strengthen your understanding of the Gospel?

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How does this story admonish or encourage your personal relationship with Jesus?

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Share one way you plan to apply this story to your own life. How can the group encourage you to apply God’s Word to your life this week?