Unlikely Disciples: Part 4 - Life Lessons From a Mom
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
May 8, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents - May 15
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place next Sunday, May 15 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. For more information or to sign up, mark the “Kids Salvation & Baptism” box on your Connection Card.
Kid City Summer Prep Night - May 18
Summer is almost here, and it’s time to get Kid City decked out with our new summer theme! At 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 18 at your campus, you’re invited to help us make it all happen. From cutting out crafts, decorating, building crazy games, and more - it’s a lot of fun and a great way for you to get involved. Write “Prep Night” on your Connection Card for more information or to let us know you’re coming.
Micro Church Launch & Lunch - May 22
To kick off the summer, we’re having a Micro Church Launch event on May 22 at 12:15pm at our North & East campuses. If you’re not a part of a Micro Church, this is the perfect opportunity for you to join one. At the event you’ll get to meet your new Micro Church and have lunch together. Childcare will be provided. Mark the “Micro Church” box on your Connection Card and we’ll follow up with more information. Also, if you’re interested in starting or leading a Micro Church, let us know on your Connection Card as well.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off Night - May 25
On Wednesday night, May 25 at 7:00pm, our middle and high school students from both campuses will come together at our East Campus for our Summer Kick-off night! There will be food, epic games, and a big reveal of our theme for the summer. Rising 6th graders, you’re invited to attend as well! For more information, or to keep up with everything happening in OneLife Students, mark the “OneLife Students” box on your Connection Card. We can’t wait to see you there!
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GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: When the struggle is real, remember that the struggle is worth it.
Matthew 8:14 NIV
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
1. Jesus sees my struggle.
Luke 4:38 NIV
38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.
2. I'm not expected to do it alone.
Luke 4:39 NIV
39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
3. Jesus comes close and offers rescue when I need it most.
Luke 4:39 NIV
39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
4. The most important work is Kingdom work.
Start Talking
Start Thinking
Skim over Luke chapters 2-6 to get a context of what Jesus is in the midst of.
The essence of the Gospel is that sin ruined God's perfect creation and every person who has lived since then has struggled with the consequences, but Jesus came to defeat sin and give victory over those consequences. Now Read Luke 4:38-39 and do two things.
1. Paraphrase this short story in a way that you could retell it to someone. Make it a story that is conversational and allows you to share it without even opening a Bible.
2. How does this story you've told show the Gospel at work? Where do you see the effects and consequences of sin and where do you see Jesus' redemptive work that defeats sin and its consequences?
Start Sharing
Read Luke 4:38 again in the NIV. Thankfully this lady had Jesus AND a community of faith around her when she was struggling! But if we're honest, we often don't let this happen for us.
Start Doing
What can you do or what do you do every day to stay close to Jesus in your struggles and to be part of a faith community so you can reach out in your struggles and be with others when they struggle?
What is the Kingdom-work that you have been called to and that you want to make the most important priority in your life above anything else?
Think about a struggle that God has gotten you through. Now tell your story with that struggle overlayed with the Gospel message. Follow the "Before Jesus - Jesus - After Jesus" model. For example, someone might say,
Before Jesus"My marriage was on the rocks and we were struggling. I didn't think we were going to make it and I felt all alone. I was approaching my marriage and my family without Jesus being the center.
JesusBut then I surrendered my struggle to Jesus. I asked Him to show me where my heart was hardened and I began to pray every day for my family.
After JesusIt wasn't easy, but I felt Jesus with me and realized I wasn't alone no matter what happened. My heart began to heal and I learned where I needed to make some changes, and now our family has a foundation of faith that we are building on."
Start Praying
Share a struggle you are going through or have been through recently. Share how the faith community around you, your micro church, can ask Jesus to help you like Peter's community did for his mother-in-law. Pray for each other in your struggles, and ask God to use the story of these struggles to show the power of the Gospel to the people in your lives where you live, work, and play.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
May 8, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salvation and Baptism Class - for Elementary Kids & Parents - May 15
If you’re a parent of an elementary student and your child has been talking to you about their relationship with Jesus - or if you’re wanting to learn more about HOW to talk to your child about Jesus - then we have a class you don’t want to miss. It’ll take place next Sunday, May 15 at 9am in the Meeting Room of our North & East campuses. For more information or to sign up, mark the “Kids Salvation & Baptism” box on your Connection Card.
Kid City Summer Prep Night - May 18
Summer is almost here, and it’s time to get Kid City decked out with our new summer theme! At 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 18 at your campus, you’re invited to help us make it all happen. From cutting out crafts, decorating, building crazy games, and more - it’s a lot of fun and a great way for you to get involved. Write “Prep Night” on your Connection Card for more information or to let us know you’re coming.
Micro Church Launch & Lunch - May 22
To kick off the summer, we’re having a Micro Church Launch event on May 22 at 12:15pm at our North & East campuses. If you’re not a part of a Micro Church, this is the perfect opportunity for you to join one. At the event you’ll get to meet your new Micro Church and have lunch together. Childcare will be provided. Mark the “Micro Church” box on your Connection Card and we’ll follow up with more information. Also, if you’re interested in starting or leading a Micro Church, let us know on your Connection Card as well.
OneLife Students Summer Kick-off Night - May 25
On Wednesday night, May 25 at 7:00pm, our middle and high school students from both campuses will come together at our East Campus for our Summer Kick-off night! There will be food, epic games, and a big reveal of our theme for the summer. Rising 6th graders, you’re invited to attend as well! For more information, or to keep up with everything happening in OneLife Students, mark the “OneLife Students” box on your Connection Card. We can’t wait to see you there!
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: When the struggle is real, remember that the struggle is worth it.
Matthew 8:14 NIV
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
1. Jesus sees my struggle.
Luke 4:38 NIV
38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.
2. I'm not expected to do it alone.
Luke 4:39 NIV
39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
3. Jesus comes close and offers rescue when I need it most.
Luke 4:39 NIV
39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
4. The most important work is Kingdom work.
Start Talking
- When have you had to really struggle to get through something or make something work, but deep down you knew it would be worth it?
- What were the hardest parts of the struggle?
- When were there times that you began to wonder if you would really get through it?
- How did this experience help you when you faced a similar struggle the next time?
Start Thinking
Skim over Luke chapters 2-6 to get a context of what Jesus is in the midst of.
- What are some of the big things you notice that Jesus is doing?
- How busy, tired, or other emotions do you think He was experiencing?
- What do you think it means about His heart that he took the time to go to Peter's house and heal his mother-in-law?
- What should we take from this for our lives?
The essence of the Gospel is that sin ruined God's perfect creation and every person who has lived since then has struggled with the consequences, but Jesus came to defeat sin and give victory over those consequences. Now Read Luke 4:38-39 and do two things.
1. Paraphrase this short story in a way that you could retell it to someone. Make it a story that is conversational and allows you to share it without even opening a Bible.
2. How does this story you've told show the Gospel at work? Where do you see the effects and consequences of sin and where do you see Jesus' redemptive work that defeats sin and its consequences?
Start Sharing
- When have you felt alone in a struggle and wondered if God was there or even saw it?
- What made you doubt that he saw your struggle?
- Read Deuteronomy 31:8. What sticks out to you or even surprises you about this verse?
- How can that serve as a faith-builder for you when you face a struggle?
Read Luke 4:38 again in the NIV. Thankfully this lady had Jesus AND a community of faith around her when she was struggling! But if we're honest, we often don't let this happen for us.
- When are you most likely to try to get through a struggle on your own, without truly leaning on Jesus and without letting your faith community help?
- At the same time, when have you experienced Jesus and your faith community getting you through a struggle, maybe even because you were like Peter's mother-in-law and finally got to a place that you had no choice?
Start Doing
What can you do or what do you do every day to stay close to Jesus in your struggles and to be part of a faith community so you can reach out in your struggles and be with others when they struggle?
What is the Kingdom-work that you have been called to and that you want to make the most important priority in your life above anything else?
Think about a struggle that God has gotten you through. Now tell your story with that struggle overlayed with the Gospel message. Follow the "Before Jesus - Jesus - After Jesus" model. For example, someone might say,
Before Jesus"My marriage was on the rocks and we were struggling. I didn't think we were going to make it and I felt all alone. I was approaching my marriage and my family without Jesus being the center.
JesusBut then I surrendered my struggle to Jesus. I asked Him to show me where my heart was hardened and I began to pray every day for my family.
After JesusIt wasn't easy, but I felt Jesus with me and realized I wasn't alone no matter what happened. My heart began to heal and I learned where I needed to make some changes, and now our family has a foundation of faith that we are building on."
Start Praying
Share a struggle you are going through or have been through recently. Share how the faith community around you, your micro church, can ask Jesus to help you like Peter's community did for his mother-in-law. Pray for each other in your struggles, and ask God to use the story of these struggles to show the power of the Gospel to the people in your lives where you live, work, and play.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
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