Crazy Love Group-Session 1 (March 5/6)

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, age five and Ryan, three. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson so she said; “Now boys, if Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus.” I love that story because it defines us perfectly. We are not patient people! This first group session involves learning about patience from God’s perspective. Look through the general template outline to give you a good idea about the purpose for each section. Each week I will include the outline from the weekend and the questions through the 4 group sections (Look BACK, Look UP, Look IN, Look OUT)

Look BACK (45 minutes)

 Start the group within 10 minutes of your start time on the first night.
 Allow people to get there and get settled in, but after the first week begin the group within 5 minutes of the start time.
 Always start with prayer.
 Share the vision of the group and the series.
 Remind people that this group lasts 7 weeks and each week we will review the weekend message.
 Review the group covenant
 Remind your group of the 2 acts of love every group will be doing on March 19 and April 12,13 or 14.

 Remember: Begin by getting to know each other. There may be people you have never met so remember that it’s a miracle they are in your group, never take that for granted! Many people have never done this before so helping them feel welcomed is the most important thing for this group.

Look BACK Questions:

• Share name, kids, married, profession?
• How long have you been attending the church?
• How did you find the church?
• What was your first impression of the church?

Look UP (30 minutes)

 The passage this weekend was “Love is patient” 1 Corinthians 13:4. Tim mentioned that the word patient in the Greek language meant “Macro Thumos” or which means to take a long time to boil. Patience is crucial because everybody is SO different. There are ALL KINDS of DIFFERENCES when it comes to people…physical features, intelligence, personalities, experiences, etc., etc. AND because of all these difference, misunderstandings result, which makes patience so important. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:11 “No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like, except that person himself.” And “...Be patient with every person.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

• Look UP Question #1 "Out of the 4 common misunderstandings listed below which is most common for you to fall into?"

Common Misunderstandings
• We think words mean the same thing to different people
• We think there’s just one way to see things
• We think my way is the right way and often the only way to see something
• We think that it’s possible to figure out someone’s motives

Tim mentioned that patience begins by remembering how patient God is with us and continues by learning to listen (Seek first to understand, instead of seeking to be understood)The Bible says, “But I was given mercy. I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. And he showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:16 

• Look UP Question #2 "Who is the most patient person you know? Why do you think they are able to exercise that kind of patience?"

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience.” Proverbs 19:11
“A patient man has great understanding.” Proverbs 14:29
“Listen before you answer. If you don’t you are being stupid and insulting.” Proverbs 18:13


Look IN (15 minutes)
Tim mentioned that it’s hard to listen with an open mouth and that patience flourishes by making allowances for each other. The Bible says, “Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults, because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2

• Look IN Question: Do you feel you are a good listen, mediocre listen or a poor listener? Why?

Look OUT (30 minutes)
Tim mentioned that patience really grows and grows by treating others the way you want to be treated. The Bible says, “Always treat others as you’d like them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12

• Look OUT Question #1 "What have been the consequences for you when you have been impatient?"
• Look OUT Question #2 "What is one thing you could do to learn better patience?" 

Close by having everyone finish these statements
o This week I need prayer for…
o This week I will choose to be patient by….
Close in prayer and ask if anyone would like to bring snacks for the group.