Leadership Group Guide - June 2022
Matthew 5 accounts for Jesus’ sermon on the mount where He teaches the disciples the beatitudes. After the teaching, Jesus tells them that those who face persecution and hardship in His name are blessed. Ultimately, Jesus is preparing their hearts to love those they are called to reach with His love despite the persecution they will experience by doing so. Jesus didn’t want fear to hold the disciples back, but rather their love for others to move them forward. Jesus says to the disciples:
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV)
Despite global unrest, national tragedies, economic uncertainty, and personal hardships, we must continue to be the “salt and light” to others around us. There are many suffering without the eternal hope of Christ, and although the world may say pull back and pull away from relationships for convenience and safety, Jesus teaches the opposite. His church must continue to move forward in loving God, loving others, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples.
As we’ve discussed, one practical way for ourselves and our Small Group members to be the salt and light is to remain relationally connected with the person or family God has placed on our hearts to reach. Despite the busy summer months, we must intentionally and consistently make time for them in our lives, ask how they are doing, listen to what they are experiencing, pray for them and serve them when possible. In building friendship and trust, the opportunity to share the Gospel will surface, and when it does, we must share the Gospel and believe they will receive the eternal hope of Christ.
Jesus calls us to change the world by being the salt and light in it. Despite the hardships we may face, we know God will use us mightily to change the world one life at a time.
Discussion Question (15 minutes):
Who is the one person that God is calling you to be the salt and light to? How are you personally making time in your life to stay connected with them?
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being not at all and 10 being always), how would you rate your Small Group as a whole in being salt and light to their one? How can you encourage everyone in your group to stay connected with their one?
Application:
Ask each member in Small Group this week who is the person they are being the salt and light to. Encourage each member to make time for their life to ask how they are doing, what they need prayer for, how they can practically serve them, and even share the Gospel with them.
Prayer Points (15 minutes):
Pray that our church would remain focused this summer on loving God, loving others, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples.
Pray for the salvation and ongoing discipleship of the one person or family God has placed on your heart to reach.
Pray that our church would reach the harvest and that we’d see many people receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior or recommit their life to Him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Growth Track
Our faith is not designed to be static, rather God desires all believers to grow in their faith. In this 4-week session class, we will learn how to grow in our relationship with God through the essential practices of Christianity which include: knowing God, following God, discovering your purpose, and making a difference by helping others do the same.
Main Campus Growth Track Registration
Discipleship Track
Over the course of four weeks, you will gain a deeper understanding of the gospel which will transform your life, equip you for ministry in the church, and for influence in the world.
Freedom Weekend(Men’s) Saturday, June 18 & (Women’s) Saturday, July 16 | Pearlside Main CampusA powerful class designed to allow God to speak His truth to us, draw closer to us, and transform us in a powerful way. The goal of this class is to help us arise out of our sin and its effects into a new life of freedom and victory. For more information and to register, go to pearlside.org/classes.
Zoom Reimbursement
We will continue to reimburse Zoom “Pro Package” subscriptions until further notice. This will enable you to keep hosting virtual Zoom meetings and not neglect meeting as a small group.
Once you have received your Zoom Pro invoice for the month, kindly forward them directly to info@pearlside.org in a timely manner. Thank you, leaders, for continuing to shepherd your people well during this time.