02-12-2023 This is Living! B.L.E.S.S.ing

ICEBREAKER
How did you or your family become Christians? Did anyone lead you to Christ?
 
We're discussing a teaching series from church called "This is Living!: The Thrill of Life in Christ." This week, our discussion will be around Jesus'  where Jesus taught his disciples that serving others is greater than being served.
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REVIEW & DISCUSS
REVIEW
This week, our discussion stems the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. Particularly the "go and make" part. B.L.E.S.S. is a way of thinking about loving our neighbors. BLESS is five missional practices that help us introduce people to Jesus.
B - Begin with Prayer
L - Listen with Care
E - Eat Together
S - Serve with Love
S - Share your Story
DISCUSS

1. Begin with Prayer
   1. Where have you been blessed in your life by the prayers of other people for you? 
      
   2. How do you want to approach prayer for the unchurched people in your life? 
      
   3. How might we respond? 
      
   4. Could you start a BLESS prayer list and listen to the Spirit as you write out prayers for your list?
2. Listen with Care
   The R.E.A.D. strategy can help you hear others well. 
   Repeat what the person shared until they let you know they feel heard. Experience—name the emotions the other person experienced in the story they shared. Affirm every true thing you can about their position  or experience. Disclose—only now do you “disclose” your view  or offer a challenge.
   1. When have you cried out to Jesus, and felt that he listened, heard you, responded, and that he valued you?
      
   2. In what ways do you need to grow in listening to others and in showing that you value them?
      
   3. In your life, who is far from God right now that you want to listen to more deeply, and to care for and value?
      
3. Eat Together
   1. When have you experienced the bonding power of hospitality and eating together?
      
   2. What have you learned about how to cultivate opportunities to eat with others?
      
4. Serve with Love
   1. Think about people who have served you in a way that made a difference in your life, or ways you have seen someone exhibit the kind of service Jesus practiced. Tell a story about an experience of being served and why it was meaningful. 
      
   2. Which acts of service come naturally to you? Where would you like to grow?
      
   3. Do you care for people in the ways you want to feel loved, or in ways you think they want to feel loved? 
      
5. Share your Story
   1. Have you ever shared your story with anyone who isn't a believer?
   2. How will you explain to someone on your B.L.E.S.S. list how Jesus has changed your life? Is there a particular image of grace on the grace wheel that resonates more with you than others?

PRAYER
First, take some time to identify ways you can pray about what you just discussed. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in praise and prayer.