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MARKS OF A DISCIPLE



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Marks of a Disciple Fall Life Groups 2016

Table of Contents How to Use this Workbook ……………………………………….4 Week 1: Introduction: Marks of a Disciple...……………………7 Week 2: “Love Jesus Above All”…………………………………8 Week 3: “Obeying Jesus / Developing a Biblical Worldview”…11 Week 4: “Deny the Dark Side”………………………………….14 Week 5: “Transparency & Accountability”……………………17 Week 6: “Love as Jesus Loves Them” ………………………….20 Week 7: “A Spirit Empowered Life”……………………………23 Week 8: “Join in Jesus’ Mission”……………………………….26 Week 9: “Practice Generosity with Time, Talent & Treasure”………………………………………………………29 Week 10: Marks of a Disciple “Wrap Up”..…………………….32 Contact Information……………………………………………...33 Upcoming Events…………………………………………………34



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How to Use This Booklet Life Group This booklet will provide you a handful of helpful tools designed to help you have an enriching and pleasant life group experience. 1. Review: Take a few minutes and review the “Daily Reflections” from the previous week. Share what insights you may have had. Share how God impacted you with the verses you pondered. Ask any questions that may have come up as well. 2. Theme: Read the “Title and Anchor Verse” for each week’s group. Afterwards read the “Theme” that goes with each verse. 3. Discussion Questions: Follow along with the discussion questions during your meeting. These questions are meant to serve as suggestions for your discussion. Please don’t feel like you have to respond to every single question. Give each other space and time to share their thoughts. If you don’t stick strictly to the discussion questions, that’s fine. Explore what God is doing. 4. Prayer Suggestions: At the end of each session you will find a simple suggestion for your group’s prayer time. Praying together for each other is one of the greatest parts of life group. If you are unsure how to pray, or feel uncomfortable praying aloud, don’t worry! You can feel free to grow in this area at your own pace, and your group leader will help you.



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5. Daily Reflections: There are five “daily reflections” accompanying each weekly theme. Use them for your personal time of connection with God. Look up the verse and take time to think about what God might be saying to you each day. We have given you space to write your thoughts, impressions and even questions.

Tips for the Facilitators This study guide material is meant to be a tool to help you, not a rigid blueprint. The point is not to “complete” the sessions; the point is to take time to let God work in your lives. Also, it’s not usually helpful to “go around the circle” before you move on to the next question. Give each other the freedom to speak, but don’t make everyone take a turn. Your group will enjoy better, more open discussion if people don’t feel that kind of pressure. You want to help your group have an engaged, lively discussion with others. You want them to share their opinions, air out their feelings and express their thoughts. A great rule of thumb for you, as the facilitator for discussion, is to ask open ended questions instead of yes or no questions. Then let the group participants share with each other.



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It’s in the context of a safe and real discussion that God will often direct each person toward their own next steps for growth. Watch for that! Then pray for each other, and celebrate it together, when you see it happening!

*All Bible references are New International Version (NIV) To stay on track with our series you can watch the sermons on our website, pathwayvineyard.com. Click on sermons and stay up to date.



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Life Group Week 1 - “Introduction” Take this week to have snacks and get to know each other. Take plenty of time to allow everyone to introduce themselves and share how long they’ve been coming to Pathway Vineyard and to share a little about themselves. For larger groups give everyone a minute or two.

Discussion Questions: Invite everyone to give feedback about the introduction to this series; Marks of a Disciple. • What are your initial thoughts? • What has been your experience in life groups? • What do you hope to get out of this series? Prayer: If this is your first group experience, or you’re unsure how to pray, or simply feel uncomfortable praying aloud, don’t worry! You can grow in this area at your own pace, and your group leader will help you. Pray for each other to grow over these next 9 weeks.



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Life Group Week 2 - “Love Jesus Above All” Anchor Bible Verse: John 14:6 “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” Theme: The only way for humanity to find peace is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. People turn to many alternatives to fill the God shaped hole within them. As N.T. Wright says, “The trouble with that is it just doesn’t work. If you dethrone Jesus, you enthrone something or someone else.” (John for Everyone Part 2, pp 59) Discussion Questions: • What are some of the things people turn to, to fill that God shaped hole in their lives? How has that worked out? • Why do people hesitate to make Jesus the center? • Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? If you have what has been your experience? If you haven’t, what’s stopping you? Start Your Journey with Jesus: “Dear Jesus, thank you for making me and loving me even when I have ignored you and gone my own way. I realize I need you in my life and I am sorry for my sins. I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please help me to understand it more. As much as I know how, I want to follow you from now on. Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept your gift of salvation. Please help me to grow now as a Christian.”

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Daily Reflections: Day One: Colossians 1:18 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Day Two: 1 Timothy 2:5 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: 2 Corinthians 4:4 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Day Four: Matthew 22:37 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Day Five: Romans 10:9 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 3 - “Obeying Jesus / Developing a Biblical Worldview” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 2 “Love Jesus Above All”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Bible Verse: Matthew 4:19-20 19 “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.” Theme: By nature, we are predisposed to follow our own way. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” By this he means that Christ’s way trumps our natural desires. The way of the cross may not be the easy path but it is the path that leads to life. (The Cost of Discipleship, pp 99)

Discussion Questions: • What do you think it looks like to obey Jesus? • In today’s culture, what are the obstacles that hinder people from obedience? • What are some of the positive results of obeying Jesus?



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Prayer: Lord if there are areas in my life I have been withholding from you, help me to recognize them and give me the strength to surrender them to you.

Daily Reflections: Day One: John 14:23 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: Deuteronomy 13:4 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: Luke 9:23 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Day Four: 2 John 1:6 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: Luke 11:28 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 4 - “Deny the Dark Side” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 3 “Obeying Jesus / Developing a Biblical Worldview”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Theme: Darkness can come at us in two ways: First, John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Secondly, we all have a sin nature that can lead us down a path of destruction. It’s God’s hope and invitation that we learn to overcome both these assaults and live life abundantly. Discussion Questions: • What are some of the not so obvious ways we are seduced to the dark side? • What is God’s provision in denying the dark side? (discuss Ephesians 6:10-18, the full armor of God) • How do you escape if trapped in the dark? (discuss 1 John 1:9) • Read the following and discuss the hope we have in Jesus to overcome darkness: John 1:5 & John 12:46

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Prayer: The Lord’s prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Lord if there is any area of my life that I have succumbed to darkness I ask for your forgiveness. Give me the strength to overcome and fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit.

By reflecting on this week’s topic if you have questions or want to discuss anything further please contact the pastoral staff at Pathway Vineyard Church at 784-9500. Daily Reflections: Day One: Titus 2:12 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

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Day Three: Romans 12:2 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Four: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: John 8:12 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 5 - “Transparency & Accountability” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 4 “Deny the Dark Side”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25 24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Theme: People tend to spin out when they either live on an island unto themselves or live in the shadows. As a disciple of Jesus, a built in provision that keeps us from falling into destructive patterns, is walking in healthy Christian relationships. We are encouraged to be transparent with one another; transparency develops trust; trust is the pathway that leads to accountable relationships. Discussion Questions: • Why do people find it so hard to allow others to speak into their lives? • What are the pitfalls for a Christian that chooses to not live a life of accountability? • What are some healthy and practical ways we can become more transparent and live more accountable lives?

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Prayer: Lord give us courage to be open, honest and accountable in Christian relationships. Help us to be gracious and forgiving when others let us down. Fill us with your love and help us to love others. Daily Reflections: Day One: Galatians 6:1 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: James 5:16 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: Ephesians 4:25 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

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Day Four: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: Romans 14:12-13 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 6 - “Love as Jesus Loves Them” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 5 “Transparency & Accountability”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Theme: We live in a polarized world where the smallest of disagreements drives wedges between people. Jesus calls us to a radical love. A love that is not only directed to those that are like us but also toward those that hate us. Discussion Questions: • Is it practical to think we can love as Jesus loved? What does that look like? • What are some ways we can love as Jesus loved? • Read Acts 7:54-60. Why was it possible for Stephen to feel this way about those who were taking his life?



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Prayer: Jesus fill me with your love so that I may love those around me. Help me see others the way you see them. Soften my heart towards those who have hurt me. Remind me that Satan is the enemy and that people are not. Jesus fill me with your love. Daily Reflections: Day One: John 15:13-17 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: Mark 12:30-31 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

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Day Four: Proverbs 10:12 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Day Five: 1 John 3:16-18 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 7 - “A Spirit Empowered Life” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 6 “Love as Jesus Loves Them”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Theme: It would be futile for us to think that we can become more like Jesus without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Sprit that empowers us to do the things that Jesus calls us to be and do. We are to be dependent on the Spirit’s leading in the same way Jesus was throughout his life on earth. Discussion Questions: • We live in an age where people are fascinated with power and the supernatural. Why then when we talk about a supernatural God, do people get nervous? • What types of things does the Holy Spirit empower His people to do? • How can a person become filled with the Holy Spirit? (A note for our facilitators: simply tell them to ask)



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Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Daily Reflections: Day One: Acts 1:8 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: John 16:13 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: Romans 14:17 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________



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Day Four: Romans 8:26-27 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: 2 Corinthians 3:17 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 8 - “Join in Jesus’ Mission” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 7 “A Spirit Empowered Life”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Theme: We have long said that life has more value when you live it for others. A distinctive of the Vineyard is “every member is a minister”, simply meaning everyone gets to play. Ministry is not reserved for a select few, rather God deposits things in each of us that He desires for you to use in His Kingdom’s cause. Discussion Questions: • What does “every member is a minister” mean to you? • What are you passionate about? (Our passions often align with our assignments.) • How can you pursue those passions to join Jesus’ mission?



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Prayer: Lord, I want to see You at work in my daily life. Help me to know how to participate and join You and Your mission in the lives of those around me. My desire is to use the gifts and passions You have placed within me for the well being of others. Daily Reflections: Day One: John 14:12 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: Ephesians 2:10 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Three: James 1:27 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

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Day Four: Luke 10:1-3 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: 1 Peter 4:10 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Life Group Week 9 - “Practice Generosity with Time, Talent & Treasure” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 8 “Join in Jesus’ Mission”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Anchor Verse: Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Theme: In today’s culture we have been conditioned to be selffocused. The acquisition of possessions, titles and power at any cost has become normative. The disciple’s life pushes back against the “me first” mentality. The Kingdom of God calls us to live sacrificially and to be generous with our time, talent and treasure.



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Discussion Questions: • What are some ways we can be generous with our time? • What are some ways we can be generous with our talent? • What are some ways we can be generous with our treasure? Prayer: Lord, show me in what ways I can be generous with my time, talent and treasure. Forgive me for the ways I have been selfish and empower me to put You and Your kingdom first. Daily Reflections: Day One: 2 Corinthians 9:6 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Two: 2 Corinthians 9:11 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________



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Day Three: James 2:15-16 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Four: Hebrews 13:16 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Day Five: 1 John 3:17 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________





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Final week Life Group Week 10 - “Wrap Up” Review: • Take time and revisit the five verses from the Daily Reflections of week 9 “Practice Generosity with Time, Talent & Treasure”. • Look up each verse one at a time and share what discoveries, reflections, and insights were discovered. • What questions, if any, came up through the verses? Discussion Questions: Invite everyone to give feedback about this series, Marks of a Disciple. • What did you learn from this series? • What changes, if any, have you experienced since the beginning? • How have you grown from this series? Prayer: Lord thank you for how you have met us these past 10 weeks. We invite you to continue to work within us and that we would continue to grow by the power of your Holy Spirit. End with a nice social connecting evening.



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Pathway Vineyard Church Contact Information: Pathway Vineyard Church P O Box 1610 Lewiston, ME 04241-1610 Phone: 784-9500 Fax: 777-3076 Website: pathwayvineyard.com Office e-mail: [email protected]

Site Locations: Pathway Vineyard Church—Lewiston Campus 9 & 12 Foss Rd. Lewiston, ME 04240 Service Times: Early Weekend Service: Thursdays at 6:30pm Sunday Services: 8:30am & 10:30am Pathway Vineyard Church—Brunswick Campus 2 Columbus Dr. Brunswick, ME 04011 Service Times: Sundays: 8:30am and 10:30am



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Upcoming Special Events:

Car Care: Saturday, October 15th 8am at both campuses

Trunk N Treat: Monday, October 31st 6pm at both campuses

Nativity: Thursday & Friday, December 8-9th at 7pm & Saturday, December 10th at 2 & 5pm at the Lewiston Campus

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