Week 2
Small Group Study Guide
SUPPLIES
- 1 Three Relationships Card for each person in your group. If you don’t have one, go here and use the one on the home page of this site.
- Group journal
- Pen or pencil
- Bible for each participant
NEXT STEPS REVIEW
(10-15 minutes)
Have each person share a brief report about the Next Step they took from last week: becoming a more focused disciple maker. Use the group journal to remember if needed.
DISCIPLE-MAKING & MISSION
(30-35 minutes)
Before you begin, ask if there are any insights anyone would like to share from their time meditating on Matthew 28:18-20 this past week.
Read: Acts 1:1-9
- Summarize what Jesus said in this text.
- What is a “witness” and what is their primary job?
- From your understanding of what a witness is, what do you suppose is Jesus’ plan for us and how long does His plan last?
- If this is Jesus’ expectation for His followers until He returns, where does He expect us to be active?
- In understanding the original language (Greek), we see that Jesus intends for us to be His witnesses in all the places mentioned simultaneously. How does one do that? Examples?
BONUS QUESTION: What is the mission statement of our church and how does it fit with Jesus’ command to be His witnesses to the world?
USING A TOOL
(20-30 minutes)
As a group, spend some time practicing the use of the Three Relationships card.
- Pair up and decide which partner is Person A and which is Person B.
- For the first 5 minutes, have Person A talk about how they are doing in each of the three relationships. Person B should ask probing questions and help guide the conversation.
- For the second 5 minutes, switch roles and have Person B share while Person A asks questions.
- Come back together and, as a group, discuss what just happened. Potential discussion items:
- Describe what happened in your conversation.
- How easy or difficult was this exercise?
- How can you use this card to be a witness for Jesus?
- Name a few people in your life with whom you could use this tool.
NEXT STEPS
(15-20 minutes)
Journal as a group. Give each person 30-90 seconds to share what step they will take this week to use the three relationships concept in their life. The step might be a small one; that’s okay. Write down in your group journal what each person shares and next week there will be an opportunity for feedback.
HOMEWORK
Meditate. Throughout the week meditate on Acts 1:1-9. Consider memorizing verse 8.
Pray: Ask the Lord to show you where you can become a better witness and thus fulfill Christ’s purpose for you.
Next Step: Follow through on the Next Step you committed to with the group. Be prepared to share how you did next week.
Take the Assessment: Before group next week, each member needs to go to the Assessment page and complete the Three Relationships assessment.
Bring: When you complete your assessment, you’ll see your results immediately on your screen. You can print that screen to have a paper copy of your results. Bring them to group next week. You will also get an email with a link to your results. You can bring your electronic device and use that for your results rather than print it.