First 3 Weeks of February = Disciple Making Emphasis.

At the top of this week's Soul Care notes is a brief explanation of the what we will be doing in Soul Care the next three weeks and why we are doing it.
See the notes section in italics below.  
Over these next three weeks you will be definitely want to come back and check to see what has been posted here.
Even easier than that is to subscribe by email to this blog.  To do this enter your email below the church logo.

Here are three resources that would be helpful to you and your group members:

• a post on the church blog (blog.emmanuelbaptist.com) that will be going up later today (01.30) that has and explanation and these other two resources for the whole church.  Be sure to check this blog out.
• the pdf of this section to read through.  http://s3.amazonaws.com/multiply/material/p1-s1.pdf
• the summary video with David Platt and Francis Chan:  http://vimeo.com/51355116

Here are this week's questions and some helps:

Over the next 3 weeks our Soul Care questions are going to focus on being a disciple and making disciples.  This theme is designed to equip each of us for this year's theme and next month's missions emphasis.

What are the marks of a disciple found in Matthew 16:13—26?  Up to this point in your life, would you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ? Why do you say that?  Think Matthew 16:13 –26 answers.

• Profession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. 

• Setting your mind on the things of God not on the things of man. 

• Denying yourself and taking up your cross and following Jesus.

 Read Ephesians 2:1 - 10 and note important truths found.  (Do you ever struggle with believing these truths? you need to do something to save yourself?

• We were dead in our sin.   

• God showed mercy and love

• This mercy, love and kindness was evidenced in Jesus Christ.

• Through Jesus Christ, God saved us FROM sin and FOR good works.

As you look at your life, how would you say that your love for God is shown? (If you’re having trouble coming up with an answer, take some time to think through some changes you may need to make in your lifestyle.)

• Bring your group back to the idea of trusting in the faithful work of Christ and not our own works

If you obey Jesus’s call to follow, what might or has it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would/has/will cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below.)

• Bring this question back to the idea of denying yourself and following Jesus.

• Challenge those who are followers of Jesus Christ to give testimony of the victories and struggles in this denying process. 

• Challenge those who are not followers of Jesus Christ to truly consider the cost of choosing to follow Jesus.

At the bottom of the notes pages is a link to a video.  This is the video which would be a help to the leader and other group members.

Soul Care Leader Note 1/28

Remember:

Soul Care is not about sharing MORE information.
Soul Care is about APPLYING God's Word to life.

A number of you have entered your attendance online.
Thanks for doing that.
An even bigger number of you have not entered your attendance.
Please do that.

One correction to the direction sheet.  On step 11, you can click on any link to save your attendance.

We have a number of new people coming to Emmanuel each Sunday.  What are you and your Soul Care group doing to to help welcome these guests?
Please be inviting people to your groups and praying about how this ministry can grow (new leaders, group changes).

This Sunday morning, we are going to have a CONNECTION time at 9:00 am.   So if you know of someone who need more info about Soul Care, needs to connect with a group or wants to start a new group let them know about this meeting.

The Soul Care notes for the first three weeks in February are going to focus on growing as a disciple and helping others grow as a disciple.
More information will be posted at http://soulcare-disciplemaking.blogspot.com/ Thursday afternoon.

Just a reminder to check out the soul care resource page  http://soulcare-disciplemaking.blogspot.com/
There are some helps for this week's questions.
Please let me know if these help posts are useful.  If I don't hear they are then I will stop posting them.

Thanks for your ministry through Soul Care.  

Pressing on,
David Rodgers
Acts 20:24

Soul Care notes and help for the week of January 25th

Why would there still be consequences to sin if God forgives?

•  So we won’t take sin lightly
• To reinforce the principle that you reap what you sow
• To train you to live righteously
• To graciously bring you back to His will

Every day you harvest what you planted in the past and every day you plant what you will harvest in the future.

Read Galatians 6:7 together.  Work on memorizing this verse.

What do these sowing /reaping principles mean? 

How have you seen these principles evidenced in your life?

What does it mean to mourn over your sin?  What doesn’t it mean?

From sermon notes: 

David weeps because he knows all of this is not randomly falling from the sky.  He knows he is not an innocent bystander being victimized by cosmic killjoy.  It is all the direct consequence of his sin.  David is mourning in anguish over the consequence of sin.

From Grace to You  (http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-190/The-Only-Way-to-Happiness-Mourn-Over-Sin-2-of-2)

When you no longer mourn over your sin, you'll no longer repent. When you no longer repent, you'll no longer confess. And when you don't confess, you will have barriers between you and God and you will forfeit His blessing 

See Psalm 51:17

Finally consider these questions:

• When do you repent?  When it is convenient or right away?

•  Why do you repent?  Because you were caught or because of who God is?

What  do you need to sow this week?   Think specific.

Here are two general suggestions:  a spiritual discipline, a much needed conversation.

Have your group members give a specific thing they need to sow.  The next time your group meets ask them if they did this things.

Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12 Helps.

Here are the notes and questions from the week's Soul Care sheet.  Additional comments and helps are in red

FROM PSALM 51:

Read Psalm 51 together as a group and then answer the next three  questions.  Please don’t rush through these questions.

What does this Psalm tell us about God?

God hates sin.

God is merciful and loving.

God is the only one who can take care of our sin problem.  You don't need to forgive yourself.

He is worthy of praise.

What great truths we need to remember.  Each and every one of us need to remember.

What does David say he needs?  Consider the different ways he says the same thing.

Forgiveness.

Cleansing/Washing/Purge
To hear joy and gladness.  To be reminded of God's goodness in the midst of "broken bones"
A clean heart, which can only come from God.
God's presence.
Restoration of Joy

What does David say his response is and will be to God?
He will teach transgressors 
He will sing aloud of God's righteousness.
He would sacrifice, if that is what God wanted
He will have a broken spirit & a broken, contrite heart.

FROM THE SERMON AND PASSAGE:

How does David show real repentance?  (Look for specific things)

Look at the things you wrote down from Psalm 51 and consider his response to Nathan's rebuke.

What should true repentance look like in your life?  (Think general principles)

Personal answers.
Ask if group members have a tendency to do the following...
  excuse or downplay sin.
  not seek out forgiveness right away.

Can you think of a SPECIFIC time in YOUR life when sin took you farther than you wanted to go and cost you more than you wanted to pay?  If you repented, what did it look like?  If you didn’t what do you need to do?

Whether you use this question in your group or not, challenge members to think about and maybe even write down an answer.
It is important to identify areas of weakness when it comes to sin and temptation.

Some thoughts to remember:

The lie is simply:  Sin is better than God.

We do what we do because we want what we want.

God is gracious towards sinners.  He sends a Savior, Jesus Christ to bring repentant children home.

Enter the Arena to Take Attendance.

Here are instructions for attendance in Arena.
Click HERE for a pdf version of this note.
You should have received a paper copy of this in your mailbox.

Disciples Taking the Word to the World!

February Plan

Sunday, January 18th & 25th	Soul Care promotion.Informing those who haven't connected with a group, current group leaders, potential leaders and others of the February 1 meeting (see below)  This is going to be done through announcements, the bulletin, Bible teaching hour classes and this week’s welcome classes.
Sunday February 1st @ 9:00 am Possibly Tuesday, February 3rd if needed.	Get together with anyone interested in learning more about Soul Care groups or getting reconnected with a group. Current and Potential Soul Care leaders are encouraged to come to this time also.
During our Soul Care Group times in February we are going to do a two week Bible study on "What is a disciple?" Please don't overlook the importance of each of us growing in our understanding of what this word means and how it is lived out in our church. We are going to use a free online resource called MULTIPLY.   These two weeks will emphasize “Taking the Word to the World” Here are a couple of reasons for this study: Preparation for this year’s theme and missions conference Great starting point for new groups and new people. Challenge existing groups to be intentional about disciple making. Challenges people to find someone to share the Gospel with.    The Soul Care questions would be developed from the chapters of MULTIPLY and geared to help group members think more about their Soul Care groups disciple making mission. The resources below would be made available to the leaders and group members would have these resources. Other material can be found at www.multiplymovement.com/material
Soul Care the Week of Feb 1st	WHAT IS A DISCIPLE? Chapter 1 resources: Free pdf:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/multiply/material/p1-s1.pdf Free audio reading of the chapter:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/multiply/audiobook/p1-s1.mp3 6 minute video:  http://vimeo.com/51355116
Soul Care the week of Feb 8th	THE COMMAND TO MAKE DISCIPLES Chapter 2 resources Free pdf:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/multiply/material/p1-s2.pdf Free audio reading of the chapter:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/multiply/audiobook/p1-s2.mp3 4 minute video:  http://vimeo.com/51355117
There is a possible third week study to do.

Here are some possible questions from the week 1 lesson.

1. Up to this point in your life, would you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ? Why do you say that? Do you see evidence of your faith as described in Luke 6:40
2. Evaluate your approach to following Jesus. Would you say that you view Jesus as your Lord, Master, and Owner?  Why or why not?
3. As you look at your life, how would you say that your love for God is shown in your actions? (If you’re having trouble coming up with an answer, take some time to think through some changes you may need to make in your lifestyle?
4. If you choose/have chosen to obey Jesus’s call to follow, what might/has it/should it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below.)
5. What might hold you back from following Jesus at this point? Are you willing to let go of these things if necessary?

Basic Truths are Some of the Best Truths!!!

LAST NIGHT our Soul Care group had an awesome time singing Glorious Christ from the church blog, studying Psalm 24 and praying for a growing desire to see God glorified in our marriages, relationships and church.

Here is what we did...

1.  We watched this video of the song "Glorious Christ"




2.  We read Psalm 24.  

Consider the first verse of the Psalm with the first verse of Glorious Christ. "You spoke and all creation came to be.  The molecules and planets reveal Your great design and every one was made so we could see."  

All creations sings God's praise.

3.  We answered the three VERY basic BUT VERY important questions.

• QUESTION:  Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?  
• ANSWER:  Those who worship the one true God

• QUESTION:  Who is the King of glory? 
• ANSWER:  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

• QUESTION:  Who is he, this King of glory?
• ANSWER:  The LORD of hosts!

• BIG TRUTH:  God is the one who must be worshiped and trusted.  Think about entering your prayer time with that reminder!

4.   We then spent some time discussing  the question "What does/should living for the LORD and not for man mean in your life?"

• Prayer that is focused on God and His desires not my desires.
• Singing praises to God.

5.  We ended the night by separating into a prayer group of men and another group of women.

It was a great night focused on a great God!

Who is this King of Glory?

Psalm 24 is a great passage to remember how awesome God is.
Use this Psalm to help focus your group on God's glory. 
Use these questions to help prepare your group for prayer.

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?  (verses 4, 5 & 6)

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

This answer reminds us that those who desire God and don't worship idols are true worshipers.  We need to focus on God. 

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Who is he, this King of glory? (verse 8)

 The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!

This same question asked twice with very similar answers reminds us who God is.  We need to remind ourselves over and over again of who God is.

Use this Psalm, these questions and answers to help draw your group into a time of prayer that is focused on Him and not us.  

Make sure you take the time to read through Psalm 24 and answer the questions, as the note sheet suggests.

http://blog.emmanuelbaptist.com/worshiping-the-king-of-glory-according-to-2-samuel-6/  has more about these statements.

· God’s way is not determined by the sincerity of someone’s heart.

· God’s way is not determined by the amount of joy people experience.

· God’s way is revealed in His Word.

There is also a video of Glorious Christ on the website.

You might want to think about using these statements to help with the discussion.

February 1st we are going to have a meeting  for anyone interested in checking out a group or getting reconnected with a group.

Current Soul Care leaders are invited to this time.

Check back here on Friday to read about what is going on in Soul Care during the month of February.