Family Meeting Study

Hello Small Group,

As we prepare to meet tonight to kickoff the Family Meeting series, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.

First, bring something to write on.  Whatever  “your thing” is bring it.  iPad or iPhone, journal or weekly planner, legal pad, whatever.

Secondly, bring a bible.  This is not a must really because we have several laid out already to borrow but if you have a favorite, already filled with notes, then bring yours.

Lastly, some people are processors and appreciate a little time to think, so here is the lay out for tonight.

• We are going to catch up a bit and do weeks 1 and 2 tonight.  I like it when we hear Pastor David and Johnny preach on the topic then break it down and discuss that same weekend.  This will get us on track with the sermons.
• The tag line and vision for the whole Family Meeting series is this…Families get together to make big decisions, to affirm what they value, and to help clarify the direction they are heading together.

Substitute the word Family with “small groups of people who have decided to follow Christ together” and you have this series figured out.  The book of Acts (mostly Chapter 2 so far) will serve as our guide.  That book is the beginning of what it means to be a Christian without a human Christ on earth.  If we are wildly successful over the next 6 weeks we will have shared and prayed together enough to take a one more step forward together in values and direction toward Jesus Christ.

To that end, as prep for tonight, take out your stylist, keyboard, pen or pencil today sometime and record your thoughts to these lead in questions for this series. (note: I say “record your thoughts” as opposed to “answer these questions” because I am a big believer in free writing.  Read my questions, take a deep breath, and just start writing.  You may never share a word of it in group tonight but try it.)  I encourage you to do this as individuals, not couples.  One basic truth about God is that he may have brought the animals to the ark 2 by 2, but he saves humans individually!  Your relationship with Jesus is your own and the best thing you can do for your spouse and your kids is to make it a deep. close, one.

QUESTIONS for Week 1 and 2

1. Have you ever been in a real deal family meeting?
2. Please write down 3 seperate words that come in to your mind when you think of the word Family.
3. Write down 1 or 2 of the most meaningful moments in your life.  (You won’t have to share these if they are difficult but write them.)
4. Again, maybe just for yourself (you may never share this but it is huge to write it down), describe your relationship with Jesus Christ today.  Friend?  Best friend?  Scary stranger? Parent? Lord and savior?  Hippie dude from a long time ago?

Sally & I cannot wait to get fellow believers in our home to share these discussions with.  We will cover Small Group ground rules quickly together tonight but know this before you come into our home (for the hundredth or the first time); nothing you can say will shock us, nothing you have down is worse that things we or others wonderful believers before us have done, and our home is a safe place to grow, share, and learn!