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Encounter 1
Background Info:
”
Jesus began his ministry by inviting some men to come be with him. To learn
from him, to spend time with him, to be a part of what he was doing – He still
is inviting people to this kind of life and relationship with him.
Matthew 4:17-5:2
>>
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Encounter 1
Warm Up:
1. What did you do this summer that involved a crowd? Maybe you were part of
a crowd, or at a crowded place.
2. What brought you here? What do you anticipate for this coming year with
our home group?
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Encounter 1
Matthew 4:17-5:2
2. What do you notice about the disciples – Peter, Andrew, James, John?
A. What do you think it meant for these first disciples to follow Jesus?
B. List as many things as you can that were impacted by that decision.
C. Think about when you hear Jesus call to you – what is impacted by your
response?
3. This passage mentions ‘crowds’ and ‘disciples’. What is similar between the two
groups? What is different?
A. Describe the kind of relationship you think Jesus and the disciples might
have had.
A. What do you need from the small group? What do you want to offer to
the group?
>> Matthew 4:17-5:2
B. How can we help each other’s families grow in pursuing Jesus in our
homes?
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Encounter 1
Faith in Action:
Use one of these suggestions or create your own response to God.
1. Set aside time this week to remember how Jesus called you to be his follower.
Ask him to help you love him more deeply and to pursue him more intentionally
this coming year.
2. Tell your family the story of Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James and John. Ask
everyone what it means for them to follow Jesus? Just listen to where they are at
in their relationship and understanding of Jesus. Take time with your spouse to
talk about what you heard and pray for each family member.
3. Think about your relationships with your home group. Who will you intentionally
pursue developing a deeper relationship to share what Jesus is doing in your lives?
Are there people or another family who you will invite to spend some additional
time with you ( or you and your family) during this next month?
4. List the people who are in your life (and your family’s life) that don’t yet know
Jesus. Begin praying for them regularly by name. Watch for ways to serve them.
Prayer Time
Take time to pray together.
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Encounter 2
Daily Encounter: Reserve a daily time with God to know Him and His will
“
through Bible reading, prayer, and reflection.
Rather, speaking the truth in
Day 1 - Ephesians 4:1-16 love, we are to grow up in every
Day 2 - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:1,2 way into him who is the head,
Day 3 - Hebrews 5:11-6:2, Hebrews 13:20, 21 into Christ, from whom the
whole body, joined and held to-
Day 4 - Colossians 1:27, 28; Colossians 3:16-17
gether by every joint with which
Day 5 - Ephesians 4:1-16 it is equipped, when each part
is working properly, makes the
body grow so that it builds itself
Digging Deeper: up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
”
Read Ephesians chapters 1-4 in one sitting, 2-3
times this week.
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
Background Info:
Ephesians is an epistle, a letter written from an apostle to a group of Christ-
followers. Usually letters answered questions, clarified truth by reminding the lis-
teners who Jesus was, what he did and who they were, and encouraged practical
ways to live life like Jesus in very real settings. Paul writes this letter to the Ephe-
sians to build up the body, to grow up together, unified and experiencing the grace
that God had given them through Jesus.
>>
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Encounter 2
Warm Up:
1. Share a time when you where getting trained to do something or you were
teaching/ training someone.
2. What is something that you would like to learn to do? How would you go
about doing it?
3. What kind of people bring out the best in you? What two or three people
in particular? Why?
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Encounter 2
1. What does this passage show us about God’s heart for the body?
2. This passage talks about us as a body together and as individuals in the body.
4. What kind of relationships, truth, and experiences are needed to help people
“mature” in Christ?
5. How will these truths effect the kind of relationships we build in this group and
the commitments we make to each other?
A. What does this mean for how you relate together at home?
>> Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
encounter 2
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Encounter 2
Faith in Action:
Use one of these suggestions or create your own response to God.
1. Use the tool on appendix page 26. Spend some time talking with God
about growing in Christ this coming year. Maybe sketch out a plan for an area
you want to grow with Jesus in. You might even share it with someone.
2. If you are a parent: Talk with your spouse about where you as individuals,
couples and a family are in the journey of growing up in Jesus. Single parents
– do this with a trusted close friend. Pray over each of your kids no matter what
age they are. Talk about what God would have you do at this stage in your life
to help your family grow.
3. If you are single or don’t have children: What group of people, with multiple
generations, will you invest in and let them invest in you?
4. Invite someone from your home group to spend some time to gether outside
of home group. Intentionally be curious about their story and where they are in
their journey with Jesus. Practice being a good listener and encourager. Don’t
fix. Try praying together. You could do this as individuals, couples or families.
Prayer Time
Take time to pray together
Resources:
Check out page 26 in the appendix for a tool to help you think
>> Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
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Encounter 3
Big Idea
We don’t want to waste our lives and resources by being ‘busy’ or distracted. We
want to live for the purpose that God saved us. This requires us to be intentional
and purposeful in our relationships, activities and lifestyle.
Daily Encounter: Reserve a daily time with God to know Him and His will through
Bible reading, prayer, and reflection.
”
Read the book of Colossians in one sitting. Try this 2
or 3 times this week.
Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17
>>
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Encounter 3
Background Info:
We look at a passage from Colossians. Colossians is a letter written by Paul. He
wrote it to remind the church in Colosse that who Jesus was and what Jesus did
made him supreme. Our lives, both in attitude and priorities, should reflect our
understanding of who Christ is.
Warm Up:
1. If you had to describe your day/week as a weather report what would
it sound like?
2. How do you answer the question: “What on earth are you here for?”
3. What are the three most important things in your daily schedule?
a group?
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Encounter 3
2. How does this passage speak to the life purpose of someone who follows
Christ? Try to express “why we live the way we live” not “what to do.”
3. How does understanding who we are and why we are here impact our relation-
ships?
A. Discuss how the commitments we make are effected by what we think our
purpose is.
4. Describe the role God’s word can have in our relationships from this passage.
A. What has been your experience with God’s word being a part of your rela-
tionships?
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Encounter 3
5. What has God been showing you about his heart and being committed to follow-
ing him?
Faith in Action:
Use one of these suggestions or create your own response to God.
1. Evaluate your choices and commitments this week. Look at what you do and
what do you not do. What do your commitments and schedule tell you about
what is important to you? Is this the purpose you want to be investing your life in?
2. Consider your family’s schedule. Schedule one night in the next few weeks as
a ‘family only’ night. Have your family spend time together, no social media. Find
ways for your family to interact with one another, face to face. Schedule another
night as ‘friends night’. Everyone invite a friend, or invite another family. Have
all the family members and all the friends spend the time together. Maybe have a
scavenger hunt, play tag, play a game.
3. Specifically plan to include your people from your small group in your life out
side of group time on a regular basis.
4. Create room in you and your family’s life to initiate relationships with people in
your neighborhood, workplace or school. Look to see how God is working in their
lives.
Prayer Time
>> Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17
Resources:
See page 28 for a list of “One Another” passages.
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Encounter 4
“
Daily Encounter: Reserve a daily time with God to
know Him and His will through Bible reading, prayer, and
reflection. Now when they heard this they
were cut to the heart, and said
Day 1 - Acts 2:36-47
…”Brothers, what shall we do?”
Day 2 - I Corinthians 13 And Peter said to them, “Repent
Day 3 - Romans 12:9-21 and be baptized every one of
Day 4 - Ephesians 5:15-21 you in the name of Jesus Christ
Day 5 - I John 4:7-21 for the forgiveness of your sins,
and you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit. … And they devot-
ed themselves to the apostles’
teaching and the fellowship, to
Digging Deeper: the breaking of bread and the
prayers.
Read through the book of I John, or read through Acts 2:37-38, 42
several passages from the “One Another” passages
found in the Appendix on page 28.
”
Acts 2:42-47
>>
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Encounter 4
Background Info:
Acts tells of the Holy Spirit’s acts in and through people’s lives as the first
church was formed and the good news of Jesus moved across the known
world. This passage tells of how those who first heard Peter preach the truth of
Jesus were impacted.
Warm Up:
1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
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Encounter 4
1. Picture your self as part of this group of people. Describe what you think one of
their gatherings might have been like.
2. What in this passage might cause you to think that their community was about
relationships not only activity?
3. Talk about how the activities they participated in impacted their relationships.
4. Why do you think God’s word, intentional relationships, remembering and cel-
ebrating what Jesus did, and prayer got prioritized? What could have been some
things that competed with these priorities?
B. How does God’s word, fellowship, remembering what Jesus did, and prayer
get prioritized in your relationships?
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Encounter 4
A. In what ways would you like your family and small group
to grow?
Faith in Action:
Use one of these suggestions or create your own response to God.
1. Read through the “One Another” list in the appendix. Determine which one
you will consciously practice for the next week.
2. Have a ‘date night’ with a family member – does not have to be spouse. If
you are single without children have a ‘night out’ with a friend. What you do
isn’t the point so doesn’t need to be elaborate or cost anything. It is intention-
al time to be together. During the time together purposefully talk about what
God is teaching you from his word, or what Jesus’ means to you. Be interested
in what they want to share about their life. Pray together. You might even plan
to do this regularly between now and Thanksgiving. Try doing this every 2 or 3
weeks.
3. With some friends from your small group, practice ‘acts of kindness’ to
people in your community. Practice being the Presence of Jesus in your com-
munity by serving people together.
Prayer Time
Take time to pray together
>> Acts 2:42-47
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Encounter 5
Daily Encounter: Reserve a daily time with God to know Him and His will
through Bible reading, prayer, and reflection.
Day 1 - Matthew 25:31-40, 41-46
“
Day 2 - Matthew 9:35-37; Luke 5:31, 19:10
Day 3 - Isaiah 6:1-8
Day 4 - James 2:14-17 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the
Day 5 - Acts 1:8; I Cor. 5:14-21 truth, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
”
Digging Deeper:
Read Matthew 10, Luke 10, & John 17.
See if you can read them twice this week.
>> Matthew 25:31-40
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Encounter 5
Announcements:
Harvest Festival is on Thursday, Oct 31, just a few weeks away. Take some
time to pray for it. Talk over how your family and your group will be involved.
Background Info:
Matthew 25 is part of the teaching Jesus gave to his disciples during the last
week of his life. He was responding to their questions about what it was going
to be like before He returned.
Warm Up:
1. What is the worst tasting thing you’ve ever eaten?
When you think about the past few weeks of sermons, bible reading, small group
discussions, what themes or patterns stand out to you? What about God most
clearly comes to mind?
>> Matthew 25:31-40
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Encounter 5
There are more questions provided than you will have time for. Leaders: Choose
the questions that are appropriate for your group.
1. On what basis did Jesus separate the sheep and the goats?
2. Our eternal inheritance (Romans 8:17) and our righteousness (1 Cor 5:21) is
based on what Jesus did on the cross and we receive them by faith (Eph 2:8,9).
Why would Jesus separate the sheep from the goats the way he did?
3. What do you think abut the sheep not remembering seeing Jesus in need?
A. Talk about what might have motivated them to live such lives in their com-
munity.
B. What does (or doesn’t) motivate you to see others need for Jesus?
Matthew 25:31-40
4. When you think of the groups of people mentioned here what comes to mind?
5. How does this passage fit with being ‘deployed’ into our communities?
>>
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Encounter 5
Faith in Action:
Use one of these suggestions or create your own response to God.
2. As family identify who your family can love and serve. How will you use
the Harvest Festival as a tool for being ‘deployed’ to reach others?
3. As a group share names of people that are your “Who’s your one?”
friends. As people share, have someone in your group “adopt them.”
Adopting means committing to pray for both the fellow group member and
the person who needs Jesus. Brain storm ways how you can share God’s
kindness with the people you are all praying for.
4. Plan some practical ways you, your family, your group can care for peo-
ple who are ‘hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and in prison’. What
groups and opportunities are right in front of you?
Prayer Time
Matthew 25:31-40
Take time to pray together. Pray for the upcoming Harvest Festival.
>>
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Encounter 6
Sabbatical Return
Big Idea
Rhythms and Relationships. Life rhythms and relationships require time and
space to breathe, pause, process.
Daily Encounter:
Reserve a daily time with God to know Him and His will through bible reading,
prayer and reflection.
Your personal time with God is critical for your growth. Listening, praying, read-
ing God’s word are healthy habits that help transform hearts and renew minds.
Do you have a regular pattern of spending time alone with God?
Determine your own plan for reading this week based on what God has been
showing you through sermons, small group discussions, spiritual conversations
with friends or read back through the discussion passages. Share with your
family and trusted friends something from your time with God.
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Encounter 6
Announcements:
Harvest Festival is in a few weeks. What about bringing candy? Volunteering?
Inviting people to attend?
How has your thinking and beliefs been challenged in the last five weeks? What
adjustments/changes are you working on?
Prayer Time
Take time to pray together.
encounter 6
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Appendix
Spiritual maturity is a process, not a destination to ‘arrive’ but a race to run with diligence. How
do you become aware of your growth process?
Trying to determine the progress of a soul is like looking at the growth of an oak—you can’t
actually see it growing at the moment, but you can compare it to where it once was.
The following questions can help you discern whether you are maturing spiritually. Use them to
evaluate the past 6 to 12 months.
2. Are you more and more loving, sacrificing your own preferences, plans, or rights
for those of others?
3. Are you more transparent, less judgmental, willing to be accountable, and seeking
to encourage others to grow spiritually in the midst of relationships?
6. Are you concerned more with the physical and spiritual needs of others?
7. Are you more concerned with God’s purposes, the Kingdom of God, and your part?
10. Are you thinking more of heaven and being with the Lord Jesus?
11. Is it more important to you to develop habits that help you grow in understanding
God’s heart and perspective?
(habits like:, prayer, being in and learning God’s word, fasting, serving, confession,
worship, generosity, sharing with others where you are at and what’s God doing)
12. Are you more concerned with helping your family grow spiritually?
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Appendix
13. Are you aware more of those who do not know Jesus personally and concerned
about their need for him?
14. Do you recognize asking “what does Jesus say about this?” more often as you
make choices and decisions?
15. Are you conscious of more often seeking to express love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, gentleness, humility, faithfulness, honesty or generosity in
your relationships?
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Appendix
• Love one another: John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 13:8; 14:13;
1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11,
3:22; 4:8; 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 1: 5
• Serve one another: Galatians 5:13; 21; Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 4:9; 5:5
• Encourage one another: Romans 14:19; 15:14; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11;
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds: Hebrews 10:24
029
Appendix
Prayer Requests
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Prayer Requests
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