Be Like a Mother: Never Give Up

 

Study Guide for Week of May 8, 2022 

This Week's Scripture:  Revelation 1:1-20

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud 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: Won't Stop Now  (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                   

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. 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?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• Why is it tempting at times to give up following Jesus?

H. Background Information for this study: 

The verses for this week were written by John the Apostle and disciple of Jesus. He was one of the 12 original disciples. He is now an elderly man and he has been arrested and placed on a prision Island called Patmos. It is here that he had a vision of jesus Christ risen and alive. Jesus gave John a revelation to write down for all to read including us. 

While the book of Revelation has many messages, one of the main messages is not to give up. The reason we do not give up following Jesus is because jesus is alive and that He has all authority and He will return and set up His eternal Kingdom. 

Go over this first chapter with your group. Break it down into sections and discuss each section. The key is to remember john position - he is in jail on a prision island and is seperated from friends and fellow Christians. That is definitely a discouraging situation and a situation in which we could give up.

Since this past Sunday we use mothers as an example of not giving up. 

Lets look at 3 characteristics of a Good Mother   

Characteristic One: A Good Mother Suffers for the Right Reasons – Verse 1-9 

Characteristic Two: A Good Mother Maintains Godly Habits – Verse 10 

Characteristic Three: A Good Mother Places Her Hope In the Risen Jesus Alone - Verses 11-20

I. Verse Outline: Key Points to Discuss

       1. Characteristic One: A Good Mother Suffers for the Right Reasons – Verse 1-9

• Key Concept: When you suffer ask yourself if you are suffering for the right reason. 

• Key Verse: 1 Peter 4:15-16 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 

• Community Group Application: We are never alone when we suffer for the right reasons - we are part of and supported by the church and our community group.  

 

2. Characteristic Two:  A Good Mother Maintains Godly Habits – Verse 10 -11 

• Key Concept: Can not hear from God if you are not in place spiritually and physically where that can happen. 

• Key Verse: Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. 

• Community Group Application: Take the growth track steps and establish godly habits in your life  

3.    Characteristic Three: A Good Mother Places Her Hope In the Risen Jesus Alone – Verses 12-20

• Key Concept: True hope comes from knowing that Jesus is alive and at work and will return.  

• Key Verse: Revelation 21:4-5 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

• Community Group Application: We all need an encounter with God    

J. Word: Read the scriptures above. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to 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 jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

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

 
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application

(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.) 

1. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

M. Prayer Time:  Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex           

1. Pray for your group to multiply.
2. Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
3. Pray for the needs of the members of the group.

N. For Next time: Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.