Leadership Group Guide - September 2023
Important Perspectives to Love Others in Times of Crisis
1. Remember S.L.A.P.P.
START conversations so people can tell their stories.
LISTEN. Practice incarnational listening.
ASK follow-up questions.
PRAY for their needs.
PROCLAIM the truth.
2. God BLESSED mankind.
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…’” (Genesis 1:28 NIV)
3. God gave man FREE WILL .
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’” (Genesis 2:15-17 NIV)
4. The curse of death is the result of HUMAN SIN.
“…Cursed is the ground because of you…until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17, 19 NIV)
5. CREATION is broken because of sin.
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21 NIV)
6. God LOVES and redeems.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NIV)
7. EARTH is no longer our home.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” (Revelation 21:1-4 NIV)
8. God GRIEVES over human sin and suffering.
“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. (Genesis 6:5-6 NIV)
“Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
(Mark 3:4-5 NIV)
9. God works for GOOD in all things.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
10. God IS LOVE.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8 NIV)
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16 NIV)
Just as Jesus demonstrated love by slowing down to enter into human sin and suffering, we must slow down and enter into the lives of others to bring the hope of the Gospel.
Discussion Questions:
What stood out to you from todays teaching?
How can you apply any of the principles taught today to help someone walk through crisis? Explain.
Future Small Group Leaders Summits:
February 10, 2024 - All Coaches Summit
April 20, 2024 - All Leaders Summit
September 14, 2024 - All Leaders Summit
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