Unlikely Disciples: Part 5 - Counterintuitive
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
May 15, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
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 I need what I've never had before, God will do what He's never done before.
John 13:1-7 NLT
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
1. God’s new way of doing things in my life is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
John 13:8 NLT
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
2. My comfort does not equal confirmation.
John 13:9-11 NLT
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
3. Jesus is serving me in new ways even when He knows I won't serve Him.
John 13:13-17 NLT
13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
4. Jesus serves me in new ways so I will do the same for someone else.
Start Talking
When have you experienced something that was new, and it even seemed counterintuitive? Like, "Why would I need that when I already have this?" Or "That will never work." But now you look back and realize it was just because it was new and maybe uncomfortable, and now you are thankful for it.
Start Thinking
Read John 13:1-3.
- What details about Jesus in these verses give context for why He is about to wash the disciple's feet?
- Why do you think these verses show us why He chose now to teach this lesson and give this example?
Read John 13:4-5.
- What do you think was going through the disciples minds as Jesus started doing this?
- What would you have thought?
- What would you have maybe said? Why?
Start Sharing
Read John 13:6-7.
- When have you experienced something in your life, or more specifically something that God was doing in your life, and you didn't understand it at the time, but you did later?
- How hard was it to trust God since you had never experienced that before?
- How did it build your faith and trust for future experiences after you began to understand it better later?
Read John 13:8-9.
- When have you tried to argue or barter with God when you were experiencing something new or being pushed by Him to do something you had never done before?
- When God's Word or the Holy Spirit seemed to make it clear that God wanted you to do something, what did you try to add or adjust because it was uncomfortable to you?
How does this statement convict you or impact you: "My comfort doesn't equal confirmation"?
Start Doing
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, and Isaiah 43:18-19.
- What do you sense the Holy Spirit is saying to you is the new spirit or new thing He wants you to do or experience?
- How is He stretching you and growing you?
Read John 13:13-17.
- How are you doing "these things" for other people?
- What new way of serving others or what new thing that will impact others for the Kingdom can you do?
- How can sharing your story and living on mission to those far from God be a new way to serve others and a new thing God wants you to experience?
Start Praying
Pray for each other to be open to the Holy Spirit's leading to new things and new convictions. Pray specifically for the answers you each gave in the previous section, and pray that each other will trust God that even if you don't understand it now, someday you will.
_____________________
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 15, 2022
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
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 I need what I've never had before, God will do what He's never done before.
John 13:1-7 NLT
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
1. God’s new way of doing things in my life is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
John 13:8 NLT
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
2. My comfort does not equal confirmation.
John 13:9-11 NLT
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
3. Jesus is serving me in new ways even when He knows I won't serve Him.
John 13:13-17 NLT
13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
4. Jesus serves me in new ways so I will do the same for someone else.
Start Talking
When have you experienced something that was new, and it even seemed counterintuitive? Like, "Why would I need that when I already have this?" Or "That will never work." But now you look back and realize it was just because it was new and maybe uncomfortable, and now you are thankful for it.
Start Thinking
Read John 13:1-3.
- What details about Jesus in these verses give context for why He is about to wash the disciple's feet?
- Why do you think these verses show us why He chose now to teach this lesson and give this example?
Read John 13:4-5.
- What do you think was going through the disciples minds as Jesus started doing this?
- What would you have thought?
- What would you have maybe said? Why?
Start Sharing
Read John 13:6-7.
- When have you experienced something in your life, or more specifically something that God was doing in your life, and you didn't understand it at the time, but you did later?
- How hard was it to trust God since you had never experienced that before?
- How did it build your faith and trust for future experiences after you began to understand it better later?
Read John 13:8-9.
- When have you tried to argue or barter with God when you were experiencing something new or being pushed by Him to do something you had never done before?
- When God's Word or the Holy Spirit seemed to make it clear that God wanted you to do something, what did you try to add or adjust because it was uncomfortable to you?
How does this statement convict you or impact you: "My comfort doesn't equal confirmation"?
Start Doing
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, and Isaiah 43:18-19.
- What do you sense the Holy Spirit is saying to you is the new spirit or new thing He wants you to do or experience?
- How is He stretching you and growing you?
Read John 13:13-17.
- How are you doing "these things" for other people?
- What new way of serving others or what new thing that will impact others for the Kingdom can you do?
- How can sharing your story and living on mission to those far from God be a new way to serve others and a new thing God wants you to experience?
Start Praying
Pray for each other to be open to the Holy Spirit's leading to new things and new convictions. Pray specifically for the answers you each gave in the previous section, and pray that each other will trust God that even if you don't understand it now, someday you will.
_____________________
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
Recent
Past Blogs
2024
February
March
2023
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
2022
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August