Facing Your Enemies

Facing Your Enemies

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday December 29, 2019

This Week Reading:  1 Samuel 17:1-51

Main Themes:  Overcoming Obstacles; Facing Giants in Your Life, Trust in the Lord 

Background Information:

This is the well known true story of David and Goliath. David was the youngest of his father, Jesse's, children. In the Hebrew culture at that time the youngest son was not the one expected to lead the family upon the fathers death. In fact David had been kept at home while his older brothers had gone off to war. The Philistines are the enemy of the people of Israel. Saul was the king of Israel at the time of this incident. A sling of the type used by David was a weapon they used in warfare. It was a deadly weapon and a baseball size stone could travel at about 60 mile per hour. 

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Key Verse: I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.  Verse 45

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Your presence is heaven to me (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Review

  1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
  2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
  3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
  4. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

E. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What are some of the things that people fear?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read  1 Samuel 17:1-51  aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?

3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

H. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?   

I. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

J. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to                                           join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide                                         into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

K. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the                                             next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read                           Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.

 Enfrentando a Sus Enemigos

Guía de estudio

Mensaje para el Domingo 29 de Diciembre de 2019

Esta semana Lectura: 1 Samuel 17:1-51

Temas principales: Superar obstáculos; Enfrentando a los gigantes en tu vida, Confía en el Señor

Información de antecedentes:

Esta es la conocida historia real de David y Goliat. David era el más joven de su padre, Jesse. En la cultura Hebrea de ese momento, el hijo menor no era el que se esperaba que dirigiera a la familia tras la muerte del padre. De hecho, David se había mantenido en casa mientras sus hermanos mayores se habían ido a la guerra. Los Filisteos son el enemigo del pueblo de Israel. Saúl era el rey de Israel en el momento de este incidente. Una honda del tipo utilizado por David era un arma que usaron en la guerra. Era un arma mortal y una piedra del tamaño de la pelota de béisbol podía viajar a unas 60 millas por hora.

Versículo clave: Vengo contra ti en el nombre del Señor Todopoderoso.  Versículo 45

Guía del Grupo Comunitario de Crossroads:

R. Bienvenido: Bienvenidos a todos, especialmente a las personas nuevas y lea en voz alta el propósito de su grupo

B. Propósito:

Nuestro propósito es multiplicar grupos. Hacemos esto invitando  a  nuevas personas a nuestro grupo y  construyéndolas para que sean seguidores de Jesús. Cada persona aquí tiene el potencial de tener el poder de comenzar y ser el líder de un nuevo grupo y multiplicar el reino de Dios.

C. Tiempo de adoración: Pasa unos minutos cantando una canción de adoración. Aquí hay uno que tal vez desee utilizar  Su presencia es el cielo para mí  (o elegir su propio en YouTube asegúrese de que tiene la letra en la pantalla)

D. Revisar

1. ¿Qué les ha estado diciendo Dios esta semana en su tiempo personal con él?
 2. ¿Cómo te fue con lo que querías aplicar a partir de la semana pasada?
 3. ¿Con quién compartiste con lo que aprendiste la semana pasada?
 4. ¿A quién invitaste al grupo para esta semana?

E. Pregunta de apertura (una pregunta simple para introducir el tema principal - llamado rompehielos): ¿Cuáles son algunas de las cosas que la gente teme?

F. Leer información de antecedentes

G. Palabra:     Lea 1 Samuel 17:1-51 juntos varias veces. (La meta es que todos entiendan la historia o los versículos de la Biblia contándolos con sus propias palabras - manténganse en ella hasta que todos conozcan la historia o los versículos)

1. ¿Qué palabras clave (importantes) ves en esos versículos?

2. Diga con sus propias palabras lo que sucede en estos versículos.
 3. ¿Cuáles son los detalles?

3. ¿Qué detalles puede agregar a lo que otros en el grupo han dicho? .

H. Discutir las siguientes preguntas generales juntos (El objetivo es utilizar estas preguntas generales para guiar un debate - el líder no debe hablar más del 30% de las veces - deje que el grupo descubra lo que Dios les está diciendo).

1. ¿Qué cosa nueva descubriste en la historia o los versículos que no conocías antes?

2. ¿Qué aprendiste acerca de Dios (Padre, Jesús o Espíritu Santo) de la historia?
 
3. ¿Qué aprendes acerca de las personas de la historia?

5. ¿Qué lecciones importantes para nosotros ven en esta historia?

6. ¿Qué le quitará de esta discusión?

7. ¿Qué harás con lo que has aprendido? (asegúrese de que todos contesten esto)
 
8. Como resultado de este estudio, ¿qué necesita dejar de hacer?
 
9. Como resultado de este estudio, ¿qué necesita sempezar a hacer?   

I. Compromiso - Obediencia - Aplicación (Esta es la clave - que todos respondan a esta pregunta):

1. Jesús te enseñó esto hoy porque alguien en tu vida necesita escucharlo. ¿A quién en tu círculo de relaciones compartirás lo que has aprendido a través de este estudio?2. ¿Qué en concreto se comprometerán a aplicar en su vida de este estudio?

J. Tiempo de oración:

1. Ore por una silla vacía que represente a nuevas personas a las que desea unirse a su

                     Grupo. Nombres de personas específicamente.

2. Orar por las necesidades de los miembros del grupo. Lo mejor es dividir en 2

                     uno de los hombres y la otra hembra.

K. Para la próxima vez:

1. Asigne a los miembros del grupo que estén listos para hacer diferentes partes de la siguiente

                    reunión a medida que los prepara. (Pregunta de apertura; Tiempo de oración; Leer

                     Información de fondo; grupo de plomo)

2. Pregunte a cada persona el nombre de una persona a la que invitarán a la

                   grupo para la próxima semana.

Christmas for Everyone

Christmas for Everyone

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday December 22, 2019

This Week Reading:  Titus 2:11-14

Main Themes:  Salvation, Transformation, Meaning of Christmas  

Background Information:

Paul is writing this book to the leader of the followers of Jesus on the Island of Crete, a man named Titus. Titus is the person Paul has left in charge of the churches that are on that Island. The purpose of the letter is to instruct the people on how to live the Christian life. Four times Paul mentions the phrase be eager to do good. Verses 11-14 are a simple summary of the Christian faith. Jesus came and died for us to bring us grace by which we are saved. This grace also teaches us how to behave now and instructs us to wait for Jesus' return with hope. Finally it exhorts us to be active in doing good.

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Key Verse: Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own eager to do what is good.  Verse 14

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Worthy of it All (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Review

  1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
  2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
  3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
  4. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

E. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): Why is the world so full of evil?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read  Titus 2:11-14 aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?

3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

H. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?   

I. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

J. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to                                           join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide                                         into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

K. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the                                             next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read                           Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.

Bring Back the King: Be Active

Series: Bring Back the King

Be Active

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday December 15, 2019

This Week Reading:  Matthew 25:14-30

Main Themes:  Second Coming of Jesus, Stewardship; Responsibility, Reaching the lost 

Background Information:

Jesus is coming back. As certain as each person is appointed to die once and then face God's judgement (Hebrews 10:27). It is the certain teaching of Jesus throughout His ministry that he would come back. This is also the teaching of the entire Bible. .In these verse Jesus tells a story (called a parable in the Bible) that tells us what his followers are expected to do during the time before Jesus comes back. Notice the following: 1. He gives them something.  2. They either put what they have been given to work or not. 3. The master comes back and calls each one to give an account for what they have been given. 4. There are rewards or punishment based on the faithfulness of the servant to do what was expected with what they have been given. 

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Key Verse: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what they have will be taken away. Matthew 25:29.

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Lead me to the Cross (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Review

  1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
  2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
  3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
  4. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

E. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What do sense God telling you to do that you are afraid to do?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read Matthew 25:14-30 aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?

3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

H. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?   

I. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

J. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to                                           join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide                                         into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

K. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the                                             next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read                           Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.

Bring Back the King: Stand Firm

Series: Bring Back the King

Stand Firm

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday December 8, 2019

This Week Reading:  Matthew 24:4-14

Main Themes:  Second Coming of Jesus, False Prophets, Reaching the lost 

Background Information:

Jesus is coming back. 1 Peter 3:10 states, "But the day of the Lord (Jesus' return to judge the world), will come like a thief in the night (unexpectedly). The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare". No one knows when Jesus will return. Jesus in chapter 24 and 25 of Matthew is preparing his followers by telling them what will happen before He returns. Jesus warns them:

• To not be deceived by false prophets
• To not be disturbed by catastrophic events like wars and earthquakes
• To not be surprised by persecution
• To not grow cold due to sin 

Instead Jesus encourages them to stand firm to the end and be busy reaching other people.

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Key Verse: And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Surrounded Thank you Song (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. Review

  1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
  2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
  3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
  4. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

E. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): Why is it important to tell people in your life about salvation in Jesus?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read Matthew 24:4-14 aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?

3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

H. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?   

I. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

J. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to                                           join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide                                         into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

K. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the                                             next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read                           Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                                         for next week.