Asking Great Questions-- continued...

Types of Questions

1. Information (Get-to-know-me) questions—These are history questions designed to surface answers that are self-revealing and informative. These questions are typically non-threatening and “safe” for everyone in the group to answer.

Early on…

o What section of the newpaper do you read first—funnies, sports, world news, local news, editorial, business? Why?
o What vacation or big trip (either as a child or adult) did you enjoy the most?
o When you are lost, which of the following are you most likely to do? a) stop and ask for directions, b) check a map, d) drive around until you find the place you’re looking for, or d) not admit to anyone that you are lost.

Established groups… (into the Bible questions)

o From Luke 15 (Two Sons)—Which of the following characters in the story do you most identify with and why? a) the father, b) the rebel son, c) the older brother, or d) the friends at the party.
o
2. Experiential questions—These questions draw out one’s experiences.
3. Into the Bible questions—These questions draw group members into the Bible to discover truth from the passage being explored.
4. Application questions—These questions are based directly on the application points from the group’s study.

Application questions

o Think about last weekend’s message, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
o If Pastor Trent had to have an abbreviated version of last Sunday’s message, what two points or ideas would you tell him to include no matter what?
o What is one thing from last week’s message that you hope we talk about?
o Was there any one thing that you most agreed with or disagreed with from the book [your group is reading, etc.]? What was it and why?

*Questions adapted from Larry Osborne's book "Sticky Church" and Willow's ReGroup.

SUMMER EQUIP 2009... Max Lucado's study, 3:16 The Numbers of Hope

Summer Equip kicks off Wednesday evenings, June 17th, 6:30-8:30 at ZCC. Join us for an eight week study of the 26 most powerful words in the Bible... John 3:16. Registration forms for Summer Equip are available at Guest Services.

innovate church

At the Innovate Church Conference with Zion's pastors. Great session yesterday hearing from Eric Geiger... check out Pastor Trent's blog at www.zionlife.com/blog. Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love)is speaking this morning.

The importance of good “icebreaker” or “get-to-know-me” questions

“Great icebreaker questions will help your group connect in powerful ways.”*

Good icebreaker/get-to-know-me questions help those in your group connect relationally and set the tone for entire the discussion. These nonthreatening, safe questions allow everyone in your group to participate in the discussion and help your group to develop a “shared story.”

Jesus, the master teacher, frequently used questions while teaching.

• “How many hours are in a day?” John 11:9
• “Where is your faith?” Luke 8:25
• “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13
• “What do you want me to do for you?” Luke 18:41
• “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” Matthew 11:7
• “Which is lawful on the Sabbath? To do good or to do evil?” Mark 3:4
• “How many loaves do you have?” Matthew 15:34
• “Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?’” Luke 5:23

For some possible icebreaker questions check out Chapter 22 in Earley & Dempsey’s The Pocket Guide to Leading a Small Group or. Remember, the purpose of icebreakers/get-to-know-me questions is to lay the groundwork for “into the Bible” and application questions.

*Dave Earley & Rod Dempsey’s Lesson #22 The Pocket Guide to Leading A Small Group, page 102.

Connect: LifeGroup Discussion-- Overflow.5 (Provision)

1. Reflect on the message, Overflowing Provision. What one principle or insight stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
2. Read Exodus 16:1-5, 21-23, 35. How was God’s provision for his people evident?
3. What stories have you heard of God supernaturally providing for his people? (for example, George Muller)
4. What insights can be gained about God’s provision for us from Matthew 5:45, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, and James 1:17?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 15. How have you been used by God to provide for another?
6. How has God used someone else to provide for you?
7. Why is it often more difficult to ask for help than to offer help?
8. Share some ideas for helping our children know and apply Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
9. How can your group help you experience God’s overflowing provision?

The first time your group gathered...

Describe your first group gathering.
How do we help people increase their relationship skills?

On-Mission Memorial Sunday, May 24th

Our groups have an on-mission opportunity this Memorial Sunday, May 24th. On this one* Sunday, we are collecting items to send to local troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Consider challenging your LifeGroup to donate the following:

o Toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental floss
o Breath mints
o Batteries
o DVD movies, new or used
o Puzzle books, crossword, sudoku
o Nerf footballs/Frisbees/games
o 35 mm disposable cameras
o Small flashlights
o Air fresheners
o Stamps
o Bibles and books
o Personal “thank you” notes!
o Instant drink mixes for water bottles
o Salted sunflower seeds or nuts
o Tuna in foil pouches
o Gum and hard candy (individually wrapped)
o Ramen noodles and instant soups
o Instant coffee packets, cocoa, herbal teas
o Liquid hand sanitizers or packets
o Lip balm/chap stick
o Individual tissue (travel size)
o Sunblock (SPF 45, zinc, Aloe-Vera gel)
o Insect Repellant or “Skin So Soft”

*Please make sure your group understands that this is a one-day event. Items collected prior to May 24th should be held until the 24th. There will be collection stations at ZCC and ZPV.

Our LifeGroup leadership gathering prior to DRIVE on Sunday, May 31st will address the “5th practice of a healthy small group” (ala Dave Earley), “works.” One of the most effective ways to build a tighter community is to “sweat together”. Here’s a few ideas:

o Celebrate and appreciate the ministries your group members carry out each week. For example, if a couple from your group work in SonGrove, take time in your group gathering to pray for them and their ministry.
o Use a group gathering night to clean up a widow’s or single mom’s yard.
o Bring some group members to the Campus Care Day, Saturday, May 16th.
o Put together a canned food drive for Jesus Pantry.

How does your group serve?

Read: Psalm 23:4 & 2 Corinthians 1:5

Discuss:
1. Share a time when you’ve experienced overflowing comfort.
2. “As sheep who have to walk through narrow passes with wolves on both sides we need not fear evil, or harm, for our Shepherd is with us – the One who can scare off the predators and protect us if they attack. Furthermore, God’s rod (of discipline or protection) and staff (of correction – bringing us back) comfort us because it shows the willingness of our Shepherd to keep us on His path.”

Genesis 22:14 God is our _______________________.
2 Corinthians 1:3 God is ________________________.
Judges 6:24 God is our ________________________.
Exodus 17:15 God is my ________________________.
Jeremiah 23:6 God is our ______________________.
Ezekiel 38:5 God is our _________________________.
Exodus 15:26 God our _________________________.
3. How can your group help you stay close to the Shepherd this week?

Connect: LifeGroup Discussion-- Overflow.3 (Direction)

Read: Psalm 23:3 & James 1:5, 3:13-18
Discuss:
1. Share a time when you’ve experienced God’s direction.
2. What role did the following factors play in your decision-making?
 Scripture  desires & goals  emotions
 counsel of others (family, spiritual leaders, fellow group members, etc.) prompting of the Holy Spirit
3. If you had to make the same decision over again, knowing what you know now, would you make the same decision?
4. What comfort should the Christ-follower receive from the promise of James 1:5?
5. How is the Christ-follower to distinguish between true wisdom that is from heaven and false “wisdom” of this world? James 3:13-18
6. How is the sentiment, “I’m waiting on God” sometimes a copout?
7. Why is “admitting your need” for direction an important first step to experiencing overflowing direction?
8. How is community a prerequisite for finding overflowing direction? (James 3:17)
9. How can your group help you stay close to the Shepherd this week?