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.