Passing on the Blessing of Forgiveness

 

Study Guide for the Week of  May 2, 2021

This Week Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Crossroads Community Group Guide:
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Broken Vessels  (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Announcements

1. Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page    

        Monday: Listening Room Resources for the week

        Children's resource each week  

2. Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

3. Announcements and Events:  Crossroads Web Site

4. Watch the Sunday service here Sunday 11:45am

E. Review   

1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What legacy do you want to leave in your life to your family and friends?

G. Read Background Information: 

These verses are written by the Apostle Paul. His life was radically changed on the road to Damascus (Acts chapter 9: 1-19). After his conversion Paul devoted his life to passing on what he had received from God. Jesus strategy is to saved people change their lives so that they can pass that message of new life to others.

Verse Outline:

      I.            Step One: Receive from God - verse 1-3  

Key Concept: You must first receive from God. You cannot give anything you have not received and experienced yourself.

Key Verse: John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Community Group Application: Community Group members receive from Jesus so they can pass on what they receive to others 

      I.            Step Two: Pass on to Others What You Receive - verse 3 and 4-8

Key Concept: You will pass on something – the question is whether it will be positive or negative

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:2  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Community Group Application: Community Group members are focused on passing on their faith to others outside of the group

Step Three: Keep First Things First - verse three focus on Firt things (see also 1 Corinthians 11:23)

Key Concept: When you put first things first get second things thrown in; If you put second things first you lose first things and second things 

Key Verse: Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.

Community Group Application: Community Group members help each other keep first things first 

     II. H. Word: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8  - break it down into smaller portions to read. Read it in portions aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?
4. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

I. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).
1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?
2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?
3. What do you learn about people from the story?

4. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

 
J. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 
1. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

K. Prayer Time:                
1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join your group. Name names of people specifically.                
2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.
L. For Next time:                
1. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.