No Matter What / Week 3
SO HOW DOES THIS WORK?
You’ve probably noticed the whole world has changed in different ways. And, your group time may be changing, too.
This adaptation is a tool to help you integrate teaching time with small group time so that the message is broken up and discussed along the way.
IF YOU ARE USING A TEACHING VIDEO
The speaker will pause at key moments and questions will appear on screen. Remember, to pause the video and give your group time to discuss. Your church may give you a specific amount of time or leave it up to you.When the conversation is ready to transition, start up the video again.
For this video, you will pause for small group conversation at the following times:
0:29 4:39 9:36 12:16 12:26 12:36
After the video, be sure to wrap up with more
discussion if needed or prayer time. And don’t forget to check out the “Try This” section of your Small Group Leader Guide.
IF SOMEONE IS COMMUNICATING LIVE
The speaker will pause at key moments and give your groups time to discuss. Whether you’re meeting digitally or in a small group in person, the communicator should give you an idea of how long you have to chat and which questions to discuss. This information can be found in the Digital and Social Distanced Option of the Communicator Guide.
After the talk, be sure to wrap up with more discussion if needed or prayer time. And don’t forget to check out the
“Try This” section of your Small Group Leader Guide.
DON’T FORGET
READ AHEAD
No matter where or how you lead your group, it’s important to spend a few minutes preparing. Take time to read the THINK ABOUT THIS section which will set you up to meet your students right where they are. And don’t forget the GOAL OF SMALL GROUP which will point your conversation in the right direction.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Remember, nobody knows your group quite like you. Just because a question appears on a piece of paper or on screen doesn’t mean you have to ask it or use the same words. Ultimately, YOU are guiding the conversation for your group.
So feel free to add, delete, or adapt questions to meet their needs.
LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING
Chances are, your few are curious what group will look like if you’re changing formats. At the beginning of group time, give them an idea how the format may have changed so they will know what to expect.
SMALL GROUP LEADER GUIDE
BEFORE GROUP
BOTTOM LINE
Easter reminds us we’re forgiven no matter what.
SCRIPTURE
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” (John 21:15-17 NLT).
GOAL OF SMALL GROUP
To point students toward the forgiveness they can find in Jesus and to encourage them to accept that forgiveness for themselves.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Small Group Leader pro-tip: Don’t be afraid to sit in the silence! Sometimes we tend to rush past the pause in conversation, but remember that the pause can mean a lot of different things. For some students, it may mean they’ve checked out or stopped engaging. But for other students, it may mean they’re processing the question or thought and thinking about what it means to them.
That’s when a pause in conversation can be helpful!
After all, we want students to really think about what they feel and are experiencing rather than simply taking in what we tell them they’re supposed to feel or experience. Giving them a moment to sit in silence and process allows them to do just that! As they think on forgiveness this week, keep in mind that some of your few may be dealing with major hurts or wrongs that have been done to them. Follow up with any students who open up about something that may need further attention or intervention.
This guide is a suggestion, not a formula. Adjust the questions and activities as needed, and don’t feel like you need to do, or ask, everything you see here.
DURING GROUP
After the first break, complete this icebreaker:
ICE BREAKER
What’s your all-time favorite Easter candy?
After the second break, discuss these questions:
DISCUSS THIS
1. Think about a time that someone forgave you for something. How did their forgiveness make you feel?
2. Think about a time that you forgave someone else for something. How did forgiving them make you feel?
3. Which one is more difficult for you: to give forgiveness or receive forgiveness? Why?
After the third break, discuss these questions:
4. On a scale of 1 to 10, how easy is it to believe that Jesus forgives you?
5. Does knowing you’re forgiven no matter what change anything for you?
6. What’s one thing that keeps you from feeling like God forgives you or that you can connect with Him?
After the fourth break, complete this activity:
DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) #1
As a group, decide on a way you’ll connect with God during this time. This could be listening to a worship song together that relates to failure/forgiveness, praying as a group, going on a walk, praying alone, journaling, or reading the Bible together.
After the fifth break, discuss this question:
7. This week, what’s one step you can take toward connecting with God?
S M A L L G R O U P
No Matter What / Week 3
SMALL GROUP LEADER GUIDE
After the sixth break, complete this activity:
DO THIS (EXPERIENCE) #2
Give out the provided phone lock screen image or sticker and tell students to use it as a reminder of how they’re loved, important, and forgiven no matter what.
