His Story Week Five


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HIS STORY: Week 5 – A Giant Staircase To Heaven Open in Prayer W elcom e/Introductions/Cast Vision Rem ind the Grow Group of the ground rules Share context of the story [Provide context by sharing the information below.]

After the flood, God commanded Noah’s family to be fruitful and multiply. Unfortunately, against the Lord’s direction, the people began to cluster instead of spreading. They didn't want to be scattered over the face of the whole earth (verse 4). Intending to become famous and god-like, they began constructing a tower to the heavens. God brought an end to their selfish efforts by confusing their language. Tell the story – Genesis 11 [Have someone tell the story.] Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember.] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted.] Discuss these questions:

1. What do we learn about God from this passage? [God knows the thoughts of our minds and the intentions of our heart (Jeremiah 17:10); just as God used this painful situation to scatter the population across the earth, God sometimes uses difficult situations in order to accomplish His will; the Lord has our best interest at heart (Jeremiah 29:11); God disciplines the people that He loves (Hebrews 12:6); God’s presence is always with us; God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9); etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [When making decisions, I think I know what is best; I try and solve problems in my own wisdom and strength, and don’t look to God’s Word; I can tend to make decisions that are contrary to God’s will for my life; I often seek to find significance in my achievements (i.e. money, job, and possessions) instead of my personal relationship with God; I am prone to seek guidance from people who will agree with me; I need to surround myself with wise believers; etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. In light of what you’ve learned today, what do you need to do to obey God? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. Communication is critical in relationships. What can you do to make communication a greater priority in your relationship with others and with God? 2. Have you ever desired to be famous? What steps did you take to achieve popularity? Assign Next week’s passage – Genesis 12-21 [Ask someone to tell the story.] Close in Prayer

HIS STORY: Week 5 – Leadership Coaching The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Grow Group leader. Each week, we will include concepts, challenges, and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your Grow Group and grow as a disciple yourself.

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] I want to remind you about the “No Fixing” guideline. As your Grow Group grows closer together, “fixing” can become a greater problem. Be mindful to watch for it. Encourage your group to hear what people are sharing without trying to fix them. Do not interrupt with opinions or suggestions for solving the problem. If someone states something unbiblical, you will certainly have to address it, but do so with kindness and gentleness. Even asking the person for clarification will help you greater understand their level of spiritual maturity. If someone in your Grow Group tends to offer solutions during discussion time, take them aside. Explain to them that during discussion, we want people to be able to express everything that is on their heart and allow God to work in the situation. Suggest that if they have a helpful solution, they should find a time after group to ask if they may offer advice.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] Make plans as a group to spend the day serving together. You may know of someone who needs help with yard work or household repairs. You may want to contact a local mission to see how you can help them. One of your group members may even have a need. Find a need and plan to serve together to meet the need. If someone in your group has a heart for serving, you can ask them to help plan the day of service for the group.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] 1 Corinthians 13 continues, “Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” Phil Ryken, author of Loving the Way Jesus Loves, notes that irritability is a natural reaction to annoyances that we should take more seriously because Paul tells us that love is NOT irritable. Ryken asks, “When was the last time you asked the Lord to help you respond graciously to that special person who always annoys you?” When we love like Jesus does, we cannot hang on to a list of grievances that have been committed against us. Once forgiveness has been established and the relationship restored, the wrongdoing must be forgotten. Nothing will build more walls in a relationship than a laundry list of past failings. God does not continue to bring up our past. In fact, Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west.” Next time you are tempted to dredge up a wrongdoing from the past and use it against someone, remember how completely God has forgiven you and give thanks that your past does not define you in God’s eyes.