Connection Group Leader Notes: February 7-13, 2021

Connection Group Leader Notes: February 21–27, 2021

Dear Big Idea Group Leader, 

Thank you for your willingness to dig into the Word of God and bring to life the Sunday message.  The following outline and questions below are not designed that you need to answer each question, but created to be more of a guide for your journey of discovery! You will still need to look into the text, study, and be ready to take your group of friends to a place where they can know what God is saying, and how they can respond. 

Each Group should end with the question, "What are we going to do with what we have learned?"

TEXT
Nehemiah 4 & 6:1-14

OPEN
Describe a time when you faced a great deal of adversity and/or opposition.

• How did it make you feel? What do you think was the cause of the adversity?

• How do you typically deal with adversity and resistance?

  • Push through? Get angry? Withdraw? Complain? Give up?

• Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others”

  • What are some ways that you have personally witnessed this, or modeled this, in your own life?

DIG
Nehemiah was faced with many challenges in Nehemiah 4 and 6.

• What were some of those specific challenges from the text? (you may have to re-read chapters 4 and 6)

  • His enemies taunted him (vv. 4:2-3)

    • Have you ever had to endure taunts or people mocking you when you stepped out to do something great for God? (“great” could include simply becoming a follower of Jesus)

  • His enemies plotted against him (vv. 4:7-8)

    • Have you ever had to endure people plotting against you to hold you back?

  • The people he was leading/working with began to get worn out and had low morale (vv. 4:10-12)

    • Have you ever led or been a part of a team that was overworked and lost motivation?

    • What was it like working in that environment?

    • How did you contribute to changing (or maintaining) the “atmosphere”?

  • The enemy tried to convince him to stop working by threatening to slander his character and motives to the King of Persia (v. 6:5-9)

    • How have you dealt with perceived attacks against your character? How did it make you feel? (remind people of the power of 1 Peter 2:12, 15)

• What were some of the things Nehemiah had going for him?

  • He and the people “had a mind to work” (v. 4:6)

    • Discuss a time when you have seen diligence pay off in your life or in someone else’s life

  • Vibrant Prayer Life (vv. 4:4-5, 9; 6:9b, 14)

    • Name a time when you have seen God move on your behalf in prayer, or give you the strength to “keep going” simply by seeking Him and spending time in His presence

  • He was strategic and had great resolve (vv. 4:13-23)

  • He was inspirational

    • Have you ever worked with or been around someone that inspired you to go beyond what you thought you could do?

    • How did that feel? What were the “end results”?

  • He knew who he was (v. 6:11)

    • Discuss a time when knowing who you are in Christ has enabled you to overcome or face adversity

• On Sunday, there were 4 areas where the enemy tries to challenge us through opposition. What were they? (Calling, Courage, Conviction, Character)

  • Discuss moments in your life where you have had to face the enemy’s challenges in these areas in your life. How did you respond?

  • What are some ways that you can respond better or work to become more “rooted” in these areas in order to withstand the devil’s attacks? (groups and teams; V&F; Grow Foundations; etc.)

REFLECT/JUST DO IT

At BCC, we exist to help people “begin” and “become.” Some of the ways we do that is by providing great opportunities to know who God is, figure out His plan for our life, and take our Next Steps with Him.

• Next Steps (teams and “calling”); Connection Groups; Discipleship classes; one-on-one and group relationships; Personal Ministry Time (PMT)

• Before you leave today, write down (Commit!!!) at least one opportunity/area that you are going to strive to grow in and share it with your Connection Group leader so that they can help keep you accountable.

GROUP LEADER

Please personally invite all married/engaged couples to attend the XO Marriage Event on Saturday, March 13 from 9am-1pm. Cost is $40. Childcare is available for children 12 and under.

Share with your group why are you going? What are you believing for your marriage?

Please also personally invite all members of your group to attend the GROW Foundations Class on Sunday evenings beginning on March 7 from 6-8pm at the North Braddock Campus. Give a CLEAR “WHY” we are doing this training and equipping. “We are really looking forward to this opportunity to grow together in our understanding of the Bible, prayer, church, relationships, worship, and so much more! Our heart behind this class is that each person will have a basic understanding of the vision of Bridge City Church and that we would see people getting connected and taking their next steps to grow and mature as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”