Life Group Q's for 1/11: Gathering and Equipping

Questions for NEXT Sunday here

GATHERING: Questions from last Sunday January 11

Enriched, Not Lacking (Will Rutt) Message here

Text: I Corinthians 1:1-9

Context: Paul writing to believers in Corinth begins with the "speech before the spank" or the encouragement before the discipline...

1. Relationship: Whether parents or coach or otherwise - who is someone who encouraged you before discipline/rebuke and it worked well - how can we model that?

2. From V1-9, list specifically the way Paul characterizes this church. Knowing that several chapters of rebuke are coming - what does this teach us of God's grace to us? How could we encourage each other like Paul does here?

3. V5-6, 9: How does the truth of God's grace to you in the past protect you from the worldly shame of condemnation today?

4. V8-9: Why does these verses provide real and unique comfort to us as Christians that no other religion shares? How can we remind each other of these same things? What would that sound like in today's world?

5. Growth: What is a key application you take from this passage / message?

6. Prayer

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EQUIPPING RECAP: Main Points & Questions from last Sunday January 11

Godly Fellowship - Friendship (Adam Richardson, full notes and slides here)

FRIENDSHIP SKILLS:

• Know God and yourself, and pursue those same passions alongside others

• Evaluate personal hobbies/passions - how can you connect with others over them?

• Practice the three keys to developing friends:

  • Presence - time with others to discover mutual interests

  • Seeing - engaging those interests generously to connect

  • Liking - chemistry around mutual loves deepens bonds

• Initiate: “I’ve seen you... and would love to hear more of your story...”

• Specific!: “Next Tuesday or Thursday at noon? or another time?"

• Commit to generously seeing, listening, connecting - i.e. connect to give, not get

Which of the above skills seems most practical and helpful for you - and why?

How can we push back on isolation and create connecting forces?

WHY FRIENDSHIP MATTERS: We form our identity in friendship.

C S Lewis explains: “...if, of three friends (A, B, and C), A should die, then B loses not only A but "A's part in C", while C loses not only A but "A's part in B". In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles [Williams] is dead, I shall never again see Ronald's reaction to a specifically [Charles] joke. Far from having more of Tollers, having him "to myself" now that Charles is away, I have less of Tollers.” (The Four Loves)

What does this quote teach us about friendship and the value of small gatherings?

WHAT IT IS: Friendship is largely fueled by mutual loves & generosity.

Lewis again: “Friendship arises out of mere companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one." And now you generously give the gift of seeing and celebrating that passion in the other person as a bond to develop.

How is Lewis' 2-word definition of friendship "you too!" helpful?

How can celebrating and grieving together solidify friendships?