Alive Without Breathing - Community Christian Church

Big Idea Discussion Guide - Session 1 - Without Scripture

Community Bible Experience Week 1: Luke-Acts

Luke consists of a prologue and three main sections which tell the story of Jesus as he ministers in Galilee, journeys to Jerusalem, and lays down his life—only to rise again and become Ruler and Savior of the world. • • • • •

Day 1: Pgs 1-11 read until “…he left them until an opportune time.” Day 2: Pgs. 11-24 read until “…whoever is not against you is for you.” Day 3: Pgs. 25-33 read until “…worked all through the dough.” Day 4: Pgs. 33-42 read until “…and kill them in front of me.” Day 5: Pgs. 42-54 read until the end of Luke.

Icebreaker

What is the scariest/dumbest thing you have ever eaten? Share the story with the group. To be asked if we as Americans like food is a bit like asking bears if they like honey. We have so many shows about food that we have actually dedicated an entire television network to the love of food! Food is a gift from God to sustain life and be enjoyed and celebrated. Nourishment is crucial to our daily lives—hardly any of us would go a single day without eating something. The Bible, God’s Word, is mean to be another form of nourishment. 1. If you could use one word to describe the Bible, what would it be?

Community Bible Experience Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

What’s something you noticed for the first time? What questions did you have? Was there anything that bothered you? What did you learn about loving God? What did you learn about loving others?

Alive Without Breathing Series Big Idea

Ever feel like spiritually you’re not really living, like you’re just surviving? This series is to help us go from surviving to thriving by breathing in deeply the air of key spiritual disciplines. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” -MLK, jr.

This Week’s Big Idea

The task of being a part of changing the world has been given to all of us. So, where do we start? Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Too many times we look around us and see darkness and devastation and think that government is going to change it or that it is someone else’s problem. The crazy thing is, everything we need to be that change is right in front of us. We have the nourishment the rest of the world needs! Listen to the words of Scripture as it speaks about itself… Jeremiah says in 15:16 “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name O Lord God Almighty.” In Psalm 113:19 David says, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” 2: What are the barriers that keep you from reading Scripture?

Regular Scripture reading leads to spiritual thriving instead of just surviving.

Community Christian Church / www.communitychristian.org

For copies of Big Idea products visit www.bigidearesources.com

Big Idea Discussion Guide - Session 1 - Without Scripture In Ezekiel 3:1-3, Ezekiel is told to eat the scroll before him and it tasted as sweet as honey to his mouth. God’s Word is described as milk, honey, joy, and more. For 20 centuries, the Scriptures have been read, devoured, loved and hated. There have been many kings and rulers who have tried to stamp out the word of God. In fact, the French philosopher Voltaire stated that in 100 years the Bible would disappear from the face of the earth. Ironically, the Geneva Bible Society moved into his house 50 years after his death to be use his printing presses to print more Bibles! 3: When was a time you felt nourishment from Scripture or when you felt like it spoke directly to your current situation?

Hebrews says that the “Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.” If we listen to what God has to say it will perform necessary surgery on us and then we can be more effective in changing the world. 5: As we challenge ourselves to read the Bible more consistently, what do you hope to get out of it?

Next Steps 1. Have someone in your life hold you accountable to this reading experience and commit to meeting once a week or once every other week and talking about what God is teaching and showing you.

There was a man named Josiah who took the kingship at 8 years old after his dad was assassinated! Talk about a rough start! When he was 26 years old, he began some repairs on the temple of God. The High Priest came back and reported to the king that they found the Book of the Law. It was read to Josiah and his court and listen to Josiah’s reaction in 2 Kings 22:11-13.

2. Pray about and really ask God how he wants you to be a part of changing the world. 3. Find something significant to reflect on as you read and write it in a journal to further process.

“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders… Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in the this book!” It took Josiah 18 years into his reign to discover this long lost Book. His reaction is one of repentance and a desire to obey God. 4: Was there ever a time in your life where you felt like the Word of God was “lost”—where it felt completely foreign or non-relevant to your life (maybe that time is right now)? Explain.



Leader’s Guide - Session 1 - Without Scripture Icebreaker - Everyone has eaten something they have regretted so to get them talking this will focus on food. The food discussion will lead them into the talk on nourishment and the Scripture being food, milk, honey, etc. 1. There are so many opinions on the Bible, this could really spark a debate on the importance of Scripture or it might serve to bring out some past issues with family or religion. If we are going to change the world, the Bible must be at the forefront as a catalyst. 2. Having grown up in the church, often times I have had personal barriers and others I have ministered to and with have had walls up when approaching the Scripture. They could be tradition, mundane, “it’s a textbook”, ritualistic background where Scripture was largely absent. Hopefully, the group will open up about how they view Scripture and what is holding them back. 3. If the Bible is truly nourishment, then prayerfully we have had an opportunity to be fed. Approaching this question right before Josiah will help the group to see the need for the Scripture. Josiah’s reaction is one of repentance because he regrets his leadership over the past 18 years. No nourishment leads to death! 4. The Scripture describes itself in many ways, but one way is living and active, like a sword. However, Josiah was not cut or transformed for the previous 18 years because he did not access it. It was lost to him and to the Kingdom of Israel. There are times in our lives where we can lose God’s leadership and Words when we are not accessing the living word. 5. As we embark on a journey as a church, as a group, discuss your hopes and expectations of this reading together. Set goals and find accountability!

Community Christian Church

Written by Eric Barton Edited by Carter Moss, Sher Sheets, John Wentz, Dani Seaton, Catherine Redford, and Jesse Vaca Community Christian Church / www.communitychristian.org


Small Group Mission

Small Group Mission

Helping People Find Their Way Back to God


Missional Practices: B.L.E.S.S.


B Begin with prayer: L Listen: E Eat: S Serve: S Story:


to which we are sent. are sent.

We will pray for the people or place

We will listen to the people or place to which we

We will share meals with those to whom we are sent.

We will respond to the needs we discover among those to whom we are sent. We will share the story of Jesus and what he is doing in our lives with those to whom we are sent.

Type of Small Group On Mission







One Mission: The entire small group commits to going after the same mission. This can be a new idea originating from the group, or it can involve plugging into an existing ministry or program in the community.


Multiple Missions: Each member of the group has a specific mission they are following God in. The group provides a place to celebrate individual stories, wrestle through questions and challenges and provide support and encouragement.


Mission, Plan and Milestones: • Our/my mission is . . .


Group Dynamics

Group Dynamics

Confidentiality: Everything shared in group stays in the group.


Participation: Everyone participates in our discussions and our mission.


Empty Chair: We always keep an “empty chair” as a sign of our openness to new people joining us.


Group Leadership

Group Leadership

Coach______________________________________________

Coach______________________________________________

Leader _____________________________________________

Leader _____________________________________________

Apprentice Leader ___________________________________


Host _______________________________________________

Host _______________________________________________

Community Christian Church | communitychristian.org


Big Idea Discussion Guide - Session 2 - Without Journaling

Community Bible Experience Week 2: Luke - Acts, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Acts (days 6-9) has six parts, each describing a successive phase in the expansion of Jesus-followers outward from Jerusalem. The apostle Paul’s first two letters, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (day 10), were written to encourage a church facing persecution and to assure them of their coming vindication.. • • • • •

Day 6: Pgs. 55-64 read until “…priests became obedient to the faith.” Day 7: Pgs. 64-75 read until “…word of God continued to spread and flourish.” Day 8: Pgs. 75-86 read until “…spread widely and grew in power.” Day 9: Pgs. 87-102 read until the end of Acts Day 10: Pgs. 103-115 read until the end of 2 Thessalonians

Icebreaker

If you had the chance to meet anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?

All of us probably have someone we have longed to meet over the years that have inspired us, challenged us, or changed us in some way. If you got a chance to interview someone, you would bring something to write with and a pad to remember the encounter. Why do certain people make an impact while others pass like ships in the night? What do they do? It can be difficult to remember a specific event unless it changed you or the world you inhabit. However, when you write things down, you increase your chance of remembering them.

1. What important event or thing in your life did you accidentally forget about when it happened (forgot a test, an anniversary, a party, a work meeting, etc.)? How did it affect those around you?

Community Bible Experience Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

What’s something you noticed for the first time? What questions did you have? Was there anything that bothered you? What did you learn about loving God? What did you learn about loving others?

2. When you think of the word “journal,” what comes to mind? Why?

Alive Without Breathing Series Big Idea

Ever feel like spiritually you’re not really living, like you’re just surviving? This series is to help us go from surviving to thriving by breathing in deeply the air of key spiritual disciplines. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

While the Bible never mentions the word “journal”, it does talk a lot about the importance of “remembering.” In fact, we are commanded by God to remember over 200 times in Scripture! Listen to one particular section in the book of Deuteronomy 6:49: (The Message)

Big Idea

Journaling is a key way to move from spiritual surviving to thriving

Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only! 5 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! 6-9 Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home



4

Big Idea Discussion Guide - Session 2 - Without Journaling or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

Journaling is not a command but a tool to draw you into relationship with your God and Father. Many times in Jesus’ life he went out into the wilderness or climbed a mountain just to be alone with His Father. He meditated and listened for the Father’s voice. Writing things down or recording them audibly can be crucial when revisiting where God has brought you through. It can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

God longs to speak to us and he wants transformation to take place in our lives. Years ago, the Israelites were about to cross into the Promised Land after wandering around the desert for 40 years. God wanted them to know the law that could lead to life and relationship with Him and the best way to do this was instructing them to remember well.

There are so many elements that can lead to a great relationship with an unseen God, but regular journaling can be the difference between hearing from God and a deafening silence. Give God the chance to speak into your life today!

3. What are some of the most effective ways you have used to remember something important?

5. Reflect on this last week in your life—how would you describe it in 10 words or less? (Optionally write it out first, but be sure to share it with the group)

What’s Next

Journaling can be a lost art because so many of our activities are online or paperless. In fact, on ESPN Sportscenter (a sports news show) a while back they were doing a story on Peyton Manning (a talented Quaterback) where he wrote a handwritten note to a former coach. That was the whole story! It was such a big deal that someone would write something out by hand that they did a news story on it. The point is not to get bogged down into one type of journaling but to remember the words God has spoken to you. Write them down and go back over them. All over the Scripture, there are reminders set up to help us recall God’s love and providence. The Passover was an annual celebration of God’s freeing of the slaves called the Exodus in the Old Testament. In honor of the Passover, Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread and juice and set them up as key reminders for his death and resurrection. He knew his followers would need visuals to REMEMBER!

1. The first one sounds simple but it is very practical. Commit to journaling once a week. Share some of your journal entries with your small group and be open! After a week, figure out how you would like to journal and enjoy it! Oh, and don’t stop! 2. Use the D. A. I. L. Y method of journaling from the 3C Journal. *

D - Dig

What are the facts, what do they mean, and how will I respond to what I have read.

A - Adore

Take some time to acknowledge God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done for you.

I - Inquire

Write down your prayer requests and be sure to go back and see what prayers God has answered.

L - Listen

Take time to just listen to what God might be telling you and write it down.

4. Describe a time when something you wrote down previously had an impact in a certain situation.

Y - Yield

Write down areas of your life that you need to increasing yield to the power of the Holy Spirit. * Community Christian Church / www.communitychristian.org

You can purchase a 3C Journal by visiting www.communitychristian.org/leaders and clicking on “Leader Resources” For copies of Big Idea products visit www.bigidearesources.com

Big Idea Discussion Guide - Session 2 - Leader’s Guide 1. There are times in our lives that we can outright forget something very important to us. It can crush the spirit of those involved and counting on us. Lead them to think about how they choose to remember and what works for them. 2. Journals can immediately conjure images of diaries, tiny keys, and sneaking into someone’s room to read their deep, dark secrets. However, journals are a very good way to reflect and remember how God is working in our lives. We need to seek God in times of reflection and write things for remembrance and future use. 3. We have all used different modes of writing to remember important things and they can be called journals. Get them to think about different ways to journal and reflect on Scripture. We cannot get locked into one particular brand of journaling and the freedom should allow all of us see the benefits. 4. Written sentiments can really make an impact. When we write down what is on our hearts, it can be powerful for those we love. If God loves us enough to send Jesus, then we can share that love with others. A forgotten word has no impact at all. 5. Provide paper and allow for time. Not everyone in your group are going to be writers so give them time and be patient. Tell them to have fun with it!

Community Christian Church

Written by Eric Barton Edited by Carter Moss, Sher Sheets, John Wentz, Dani Seaton, Catherine Redford, and Jesse Vaca Community Christian Church / www.communitychristian.org


Small Group Mission

Small Group Mission











We will respond to the needs we discover among those to whom we are sent.

We will share the story of Jesus and what he is doing in our lives with those to whom we are sent.














Group Dynamics

Group Dynamics







Group Leadership

Group Leadership

Coach______________________________________________

Coach______________________________________________

Leader _____________________________________________

Leader _____________________________________________



Host _______________________________________________

Host _______________________________________________

