WEST COBB GROUP CURRICULUM

WEST COBB GROUP CURRICULUM

Session 1: I Will Be A Functioning Church Member Key Takeaway Membership in a local church is important in the life of the believer and is important for the effective functioning of the church. Main Points 1. Membership means we are all necessary parts of the whole. 2. Membership means we are different, but we still work together. 3. Membership means everything we say and do is based on a Biblical foundation of love. You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. Membership means we are all necessary parts of the whole. We all own many things that are made up of parts or pieces of a whole your car, electronics, computers, cell phones, kitchen appliances the list is endless. And we all know what it s like if one of the parts on any of those devices is not working properly. It can be a large part the engine on a car or a small part the battery on a remote control. But in either case, the result is the device doesn t work properly. In the same way, the Body of Christ cannot operate as it was intended to, if it is missing a key part. (YOU) 1. Read Ephesians 4: 11-16. This passage emphasizes the reality that when each member in the body works together properly, the result is clear the body grows. Ask: How does this passage say growth happens? Is it possible the primary reason churches do not grow (spiritually among its members and numerically) is that the members in the church are not working properly? Do you feel that you are using your gifts to build up the body of Christ? Why or why not? Membership means we are different, but we still work together. 1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 Ask: What is your spiritual gift? Have you felt as if there was a time you exercised your gift within the body of Christ? Share your experience. Do you feel as if you have an opportunity within West Cobb Church to explore or exercise your spiritual gift? If you do not know what your gift is, would you like to find out?

2. How can you encourage other members as they use their gifts within the body of Christ? Why do you believe some members are hesitant to use their gifts? Membership means everything we say and do is based on a Biblical foundation of love. 1. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Point out that this is understood as the Love chapter and they may have heard it at weddings. There s nothing wrong with that, but we need to understand that Paul wrote this to a very divisive church within the context of a spiritual gifts discussion. (1 Corinthians 12 and 14.) Ask: How is the love chapter related to church membership? What happens if love is not present within the church? What happens if it is present? 2. Read Thomas Ranier s quote on page 14. We are not to love unconditional love. Have you ever been part of a church, or are you now, that displayed this kind of love? Describe your experience. Ask: Read John 3:16-very familiar verse. It was love that caused Jesus to come to rescue us from our sin. What are some concrete ways we can make sure love is our motivation this week? Do you love the church and the people in it? Does love motivate you to step out, give, pray? 3. Close with asking everyone to think of the answer to this question throughout the week, How can I best serve my church? Ask the Lord to identify your motivations for service in the church, and to transform things that need to be changed or to continue in service the ways He wants you to.

SESSION 2: I Will Be a Unifying Church Member KEY TAKEAWAY: The Bible emphasizes church members have a responsibility to create and maintain unity within the church. Main Points: 1. Unity is essential. Unity in the church is not an option. 2. Gossip and negativity tear down unity in the church. 3. Forgiveness restores and builds unity in the church. You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. Unity is essential. Unity in the church is not an option. Key verse is John 13:35: Jesus said, By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. 1. Ask: Can you describe a time when you were in a church that was not unified? What about a time when you were in a church that was unified? 2. Read Ephesians 1:15-16. This is a picture of unity in the church. Paul had heard of their unity. Ask: What does it take for a community to know that the people in our church love one another and are unified in purpose? What do you think our church is known for in our community? Do you hear about or see signs of how people in your neighborhood view West Cobb Church? 3. Read Ephesians 4:1-3 and Colossians 3:14. Ask: What can you do to pursue unity in this church? What happens if we don t pursue unity in the church? Gossip and negativity tear down unity in the church. 1. Read Romans 1: 29-31. The context of these verses focuses on what happens when people refuse to worship God as Creator and worship themselves instead. Ask: Is gossip really that big of a deal? What is a good definition of gossip? Why is the sin of gossip so damaging in the church? 2. Consider these two passages: James 3:6 and 1 Peter 3: 10-11. Ask: What happens when gossip is not dealt with in the church? What is the best path to take if someone brings gossip to you in your church?

Forgiveness restores and builds unity in the church. 1. Everyone has experienced hurt, some of us as the hands of fellow-believers. What does forgiveness mean: What does forgiveness have to do with unity in the church? How is forgiveness related to unity in the local church? Read Colossians 3: 12-13. 2. What does the Bible say about forgiving one another? Read Matt. 6: 14-15 and Matthew 18:22. 3. Have everyone ask themselves if they are holding on to an offence against them by a fellow believer? If they are having trouble forgiving them, possibly seek prayer and help or accountability from a Christian friend (or your leader) to be able to forgive them.

SESSION 3: I Will Not Let My Church Be About My Preferences and Desires. KEY TAKEAWAY: The Bible calls church members to serve others, which means church members are willing to put aside their own preferences and desires. Main Points: 1. Jesus calls all Christians to a life of serving others. 2. Serving others means we are outwardly-focused, not inwardly-focused. 3. Church members seek to cultivate the mind of Christ (He came to serve). Describe what would happen if a sports team, professional organization, family vacation (or situation that would relate to the people in your group) were more focused on their own desires or preferences than on what was in the best interest of the group? You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. Jesus calls all Christians to a life of serving others. Read John 13: 1-17. Ask: Why do you think it is so difficult to serve? How does Jesus example in this passage help us think about the call to serve others? The willingness to serve was not natural in Jesus day or in our day. Why does the world view the idea of serving in a negative light? How can combat the prevalent ideas of being first and being served in the church? Serving others means we are outwardly-focused, not inwardly-focused. One Christian leader said the church was never meant to be a hotel suite for saints, but a hospital for sinners! Consider Jesus Great Commission in Matt. 28: 19-20. To do this we must be willing to serve others besides ourselves. Read an discussed the 10 dominant behavior patterns of churches on page 36-38. Ask: Do you think our church struggles with any of these behavior patterns? Do you see warning signs or some areas that this church does not struggle? What are some ways that we can focus our attention outside the walls of the church? Church members seek to cultivate the mind of Christ (He came to serve). Read Philippians 2:1-11 Ask: What did Jesus do, according this passage? (Ranier, page 39) Ask: Without naming names, describe someone in our church (or you have known) that best fits the description of having the mind of Christ and a servant attitude. (The person I m thinking of thinks and acts this way, etc.)

SESSION 4: I Will Pray for My Pastor and Church Leaders. KEY TAKEAWAY: The Bible calls church members to consistently pray for their pastor and other church leaders on a consistent basis. Main Points: 1. Church members are called to pray for the pastor and church leaders. 2. Pray for the church member and his family. 3. Pray for the pastor s protection from Satan. 4. Pray for the pastor s mental and physical health. You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. Give people in your group a few minutes to read or review the introduction to this chapter in the book. Ask: Does this story surprise you? In light of this story, why do you think pastors and church leaders need prayer on a consistent basis? Church members are called to pray for the pastor and church leaders. Have members look up the verses and read all or some: Romans 15: 30-31, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5: 25; 2 Thess. 3:1; Hebrews 13:18. Ask: As you consider these verses, what are the main reasons Paul asks for prayer. Pray for the church member and his family. Consider the family responsibility of pastors in 1 Tim. 3: 5. Ask: What are your expectations of the pastor and his family? Staff families? Are these realistic or Biblical expectations? Pray for the pastor s protection from Satan. Consider 1 Timothy 3:2-7. Ask: What does it mean for the pastor to be above reproach? What is the relationship of prayer and helping a pastor fulfill this description. Is this standard even possible? Ask: why do you think the devil is setting traps for pastors? Knowing this, how would you persuade someone to pray for your pastor? Pray for the pastor s mental and physical health. Ask: Why do you think it is easy for a pastor to overlook their own mental and physical health? What are some practical ways we can encourage our pastor in these areas?

SESSION 5: I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church Members. KEY TAKEAWAY: The Bible emphasizes the strength that comes when we lead our families to love and serve in the church together. Main Points 1. Cultivate a love for the church and its members within your family by praying for them regularly. 2. Worship together as a family. 3. Love the church and lead and encourage your family members to do the same. You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. The author noted an unhealthy pattern for many church members today. Many people get excited about church. Get involved. Discover imperfections. Get discouraged about the church. Leave the church. Ask: Have you seen this unhealthy pattern in people s lives? In what way? Is it possible to turn it around? Have you seen this pattern in your life? Ask: Have you ever heard someone say, I love Jesus, but I don t love the church? Discuss this attitude. Is this possible? Is this person missing something? What is this person missing? Ask: What are some hindrances that prevent families from being more involved in and committed to the church? What are some concrete ways to help families feel they belong? Cultivate a love for the church and its members within your family by praying for them regularly. Read Ephesians 5: 22-6:4. How does Scripture compare families and the church? How does this text describe the relationship of our immediate families and the church family? Ask: Do you pray regularly with your family specifically for the church/leaders? If not, what are some ideas and ways we can share to help us all to do this? Worship together as a family. Read: Hebrews 10: 23-25. Ask What hinders your family from worshipping together? What steps can you take to emphasize, to your family, the importance of attendance and participation in weekly worship services? Ask: What can we do when we (or someone we know) is the only believer in the family? What is the role of a believing spouse to an unbelieving spouse? How can we help people balance home and church?

Love the church and lead and encourage your family members to do the same. Read the quote from the author on page 62: As a church member disagreeable people. Ask: Do you love your church? Why is unconditional love such a challenge, especially as it applies to church membership? Ask: How is Christ s death on the cross an example for us as church members relating to one another?

SESSION 6: I Will Treasure Church Membership As A Gift. KEY TAKEAWAY: When we treasure church membership as a precious gift, it will affect the way we love, serve, give and pray for our local church. Main Points: 1. When we receive the gift of salvation, we also receive the gift of belonging to the Body of Christ. 2. The Universal Church vs. the Local Church 3. Understanding and Cherishing the Gift of Church Membership You may want to open the time for discussion by asking if anyone would like to share a takeaway or the most significant thing they learned from the Sunday sermon. Ask: What is the best or most memorable gift you received as a child? Why do you consider it such a great gift? When we receive the gift of salvation, we also receive the gift of belonging to the Body of Christ. Read any or all of these verses about salvation being a free gift. (Romans 3: 21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 3: 18-21; Ephesians 2:1-9) Ask: How does the gift of salvation related to the gift of church membership? Why is it important to recognize this connection? The Universal Church vs. the Local Church Consider these passages that help describe the universal church. (Ephesians 2: 17-22; Ephesians 5:22-33 note each time Paul refers to the church the universal church. Consider passages about local churches: Galatians 1: 1-2; Ephesians 1:1 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-3. Ask: Can you explain how Christians are in both the universal church and in the local church? Ask: Why do people make it a big deal to be a member of a local church? Why do some see this as important and others do not? Understanding and Cherishing the Gift of Church Membership Ask: Read Matthew 20: 20-28. How could that story relate to church membership? To conclude: look at each part of the membership session up to this point look at the entire covenant statements found on page 77-79. Ask: What do you think are your areas of greatest challenge? Evaluate what areas you can let your light shine and encourage other believers in your church with your areas of strength. In what areas do you need to make immediate changes?

Bylaws Church Covenant This covenant represents a goal which this church body should strive to attain. We endeavor, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to work toward the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of this church, the care of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also strive to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in our faith; to seek the salvation of our family and friends; to walk carefully in the world; to be ethical in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all infighting, criticizing, gossiping, and inappropriate anger; to be zealous in our effort to advance the Kingdom of our Savior. We further commit to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to encourage Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.