The Way Ahead - Small Group Leader Notes 16/1/22

Looking Back

1. How did last week’s discussion on Freedom impact you? Has it made a difference to you, have you done anything different as a result?

Looking up

1. In what ways has the pandemic made you personally feel weaker or made us together (small group, whole church, etc.) feel weaker?

2. Read 2 Cor 4:1-18

3. Share which word/phrase/verse catches your attention and what thoughts/questions does it stimulate?

4. What does Paul mean by the phrase, ‘we have treasure in jars of clay’. Why did he feel the need to say this?

5. In Paul’s eyes, what are the benefits of weakness? (you could read 2 Cor 12:9-10 as well)

6. In verse 14, what does Paul indicate is the source of our hope when we feel weak? Why?

7. One thing that happens in weakness is we become more dependent on God and in the stripping away we can experience a call back to the simple essence of what it means to be a Jesus follower. How would you describe the essence of what it means to follow Jesus. How would you describe it in terms of how it applies individually and corporately?

Looking ahead

1. What is God teaching you/me/us through our experience of weakness? Where/how is he leading you/me/us?

2. Sunday’s talk encouraged us to pray and to consider who we might invite to Alpha – we are encouraged to pray for five and invite one. Which five people could you commit to pray for regularly, which person could you invite to attend Alpha?

3. Sunday’s talk also encouraged us to pray with others – could you commit to joining the Tuesday 7am prayer by zoom or the Wed 9am prayer in the church?