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Remember our small group rules...
1. No Cross-Talk
Let each person finish sharing without interruption.
Avoid jumping in with your own experience while someone else is speaking. After someone shares, others may respond to what was said, not redirect the conversation to themselves. This creates space for every voice to be heard.

2. Share — Don’t Fix
Our small groups are not counseling or teaching sessions.
We will do our best to refrain from solving one another’s problems or “fixing” each other. The goal is presence, listening, and encouragement — not advice unless it is specifically invited.

3. Stay on Topic
To respect everyone’s time, we will stay focused on the planned content for each week.
If important questions or side conversations come up, we will “park” them (write them down) and revisit them later during a large-group gathering or another appropriate setting. We will save in-depth theological debates or complex doctrinal discussions for large-group environments where church leadership can help guide and steward those conversations.

4. Slow Down and Make Space
Take time to think, ask questions, and wait for responses. Silence is okay. Small groups are not about getting through material quickly but about creating space for connection, reflection, and trust. You are encouraged to share but never forced. Listening is participation. 

5. Trust and Accountability
We will guard these groups and hold to confidentiality. Our small group leaders will only be communicating with the pastor about the prayer needs that are communicated in our small groups. We will address anyone who is not being trustworthy and confidential when it comes to the information shared in our small groups.

Remember the Purpose of Small Groups
Small groups exist to build relationship, communication, and spiritual community.
By remembering that this is not a teaching or counseling environment, we help create a safe space where people can share honestly and grow together.

********SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE*********
Tutorial Part 2 Church.
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question: What's the most unusual or memorable church experience you've ever had? What made it stand out to you?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon

1. The Church is Bigger Than a Building - The global body of believers spans cultures, ages, and circumstances
2. Biblical Leadership Structure - Leaders train others who then go do ministry
3. Everyone is Needed and Valuable - God has specifically called and equipped each person for the church
4. The Pattern from Acts - Supernatural power, large group gatherings, small group fellowship, and consistent prayer
5. Unity Creates Power - We accomplish more together than we ever could alone

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Church

1. The sermon mentioned that "fellowship" means "people coming together on purpose, spending time together." How does this definition change or clarify your understanding of Christian fellowship?
2. Read Ephesians 4:11-12. How does the biblical leadership model (leaders train people, people do ministry) differ from what you've experienced or observed in churches?
3. The pastor said, "God knows you and he knows how to use you best and you are important and valuable in the church." Do you truly believe this about yourself? What holds you back from believing it?

What to Expect in a Healthy Church

4. The sermon listed several things to expect in a healthy church:
   • Conviction from the Holy Spirit
   • New salvations and life
   • Passionate worship
   • Sincere people with a hunger to grow
5. Which of these do you think is most lacking in churches today? Why?
6. The pastor mentioned that "if you go to a church for months or years and you have not been confronted about your life, convicted, shown that you were wrong about something through scripture...you might not be in a good place to grow in Jesus."
   How do you respond to correction? What makes it easier or harder to receive?
7. Why do you think a variety of ages in a church is important? What does each generation bring to the body?

The Importance of Church

7. Read Hebrews 10:25. Why do you think some believers forsake gathering together? What are common reasons people disconnect from church?
8. The sermon stated: "Sometimes services aren't about you...Sometimes we need to give God glory, and that worship is about Jesus."
   How does this perspective challenge our consumer approach to church? How can we shift our focus?
9. The pastor shared about believers worldwide facing persecution, with over 60,000 killed in Nigeria in recent months. How should awareness of the persecuted church affect our own commitment and gratitude?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge (Choose 1-2)
Personal Growth:

• Identify one area where God has been convicting you. Share it with one trusted person and ask them to hold you accountable.
• Spend time praying for the persecuted church around the world. Research one country where Christians face persecution and pray specifically for believers there.

Church Involvement:

• If you're not currently serving, identify one ministry or area where you could use your gifts and take one step toward getting involved.
• Reach out to someone from a different generation in your church. Have coffee or a meal together and learn their story.

Unity Building:

• Connect with believers outside your immediate church community. Attend a community worship event or prayer gathering.
• If you've been hurt by church in the past, pray about having an honest conversation with a pastor or mature believer about moving toward healing.

Reflection Questions for Journaling

1. What is my current relationship with the church? Am I fully engaged, on the fringes, or disconnected?
2. How has God specifically designed me to contribute to the body of Christ? What gifts, passions, or experiences has He given me?
3. What barriers (internal or external) keep me from deeper involvement in church community?
4. How can I shift my perspective from "what can the church do for me?" to "how can I serve God's people?"

Closing Activity
Group Prayer Focus:

• Pray for your local church leadership
• Pray for the persecuted church worldwide
• Pray that each group member would discover and walk in their calling within the body of Christ
• Pray for unity among believers in your community

Next Steps: Encourage group members to attend not just Sunday services but also midweek gatherings to experience the full life of the church community.

Additional Resources
Scripture for Further Study:

• Acts 2:42-47 (The early church pattern)
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (The body of Christ)
• Ephesians 2:19-22 (The household of God)
• Romans 12:3-8 (Using our gifts)

Discussion for Next Week: How can our group better reflect the unity and mission of the global church?