Study Guide for Week of July 21, 2024
This Week's Scripture: 14:1-14 and verse 27.
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 (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- What kind of things happen in life that trouble our hearts?
H. Background Information for this study:
In John 13:31-38, Jesus tells the disciples plainly that He is leaving them soon and He will not be with them . In addition Jesus tells them that Peter will betray Jesus. The disciples are obviously distressed on hearing that Jesus is leaving them. Their hearts are troubled.
In the Bible the heart refers to the center of our lives. Having a troubled heart means fear, despair, discouragment being agitated and upset and worried. Jesus then begins in John 14 one of His longest teachings in the book of John (chapter 14, 15, 16 and 17). This teaching is designed to prepare them for Jesus leaving them. He starts in John 14 with how to deal with having a troubled heart.
The antidote for a troubled heart is to trust in Jesus.
First Section: John 14:1-4 and verse 27 - The antidote for a troubled heart - knowing that Jeus is preparing an eternal home for us in the Father's house.
Second Section: John 14:5-7 - Knowing the way to have the peace that Jesus offers. Discuss what it means that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.
Third Section: John 14: 8-14 - Who Jesus is and what He promises.
In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.
J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. 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.)
- What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?
- Pray for your group to multiply.
- Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
- Pray for the needs of the members of your group
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