We all need help and are helpers!! Side by Side, pages 11-42

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting some quotes, questions and thoughts from the book Side by Side.  While much of the content will be focused on Soul Care groups and leaders.  It will also be helpful for other ministry leaders like deacons and Bible teaching hour teachers.

Today's post is related to the content on pages 11 through 42.

Welch has included two or three Discussion/Response questions at the end of each section.  These are very helpful.  Think about how you can use these to help you become even more sincere in God's love.

Two of the big ideas of the book are we all need help and we are all helpers.

We all need help

Anything that reminds us that we are dependent on God and other people is a good thing. Otherwise, we trick ourselves into thinking that we are self-sufficient, and arrogance is sure to follow. We need help, and God has given us his Spirit and each other to provide it. (p. 12)

We are all helpers

In our era we consult experts, professionals, and specialists, but when you look at your own history of having been helped, it’s likely that you’ll notice very few experts among those who have helped you. Who were your helpers? Were they professional counselors or specialists? Probably not. Most often, they were friends— the regular, everyday people in your life. Friends are the best helpers. They come prepackaged with compassion and love. All they need is wisdom, and that is available to everyone. 

It’s the perfect system. If God used only experts and people of renown, some could boast in their own wisdom, but God’s way of doing things is not the same as our way. We ordinary people have been given power and wisdom through the Holy Spirit and are called to love others (John 13: 34). From this beginning, we are compelled to move toward others rather than stay away.  (14)

Here is a helpful group leader tip:
Be honest and transparent.

As a Soul Care leader, it can become very easy to appear the expert in the group and speak AT people rather than growing with the group and conversing with them about life and godliness.

We spend too much time concealing our neediness. We need to stop hiding. Being needy is our basic condition. There is no shame in it— it’s just the way it is.  Understanding this, accepting it, and practicing it will make you a better helper. (p. 15)

Here is a helpful training tip:  
Use resources we already have in place to help you and your group grow!

Plan to come to the 9:00 am Bible Teaching Hour classes in March & Invite others in your group to come.  I know most of you do but these class times.
Our topic on March 6 is praying scripture and hopefully the lesson will help you and your group.  

Here is a helpful discipleship/counseling tip:
The HEART is the target of real change.

What we do, think and feel is connected to the heart.  Welch describes a couple of basic emotions in a way that connects them with the heart.

When happy, we possess something we love; when anxious, something we love is at risk; when despondent, something we love has been lost; when angry, something we love is being stolen or kept from us.  (p. 25)

This section closes with some great thought developed from Psalm 22.  Take time to read not only this section in the book but also Psalm 22 several times.


Psalm 22

War Within Part 3 helps

You can use the discipleship booklet to help with praying Biblical prayer and challenging your group to read the Bible.
www.emmanuelbaptist.com/nextstep

As a group, read Romans 6:1—14 out loud.

As a group, rewrite the question in verse 1.

If you notice both of these have "As a group" at the beginning of the question.  

What this means is "as a group do these things.  I know that sounds obvious but 

• I think we often underestimate the power of the public reading of scripture
• I know some people answer all of the questions before their Soul Care group meets.  If you have someone in your group that does that, do not take their answer and move on to the next questions.  Take time to discuss and develop this question together.

How do verses 2 -14 answer that question?  HINT:  Think more than a yes or no answer.  Think why and how.

I don't want to give to many helps here but let me remind you that sometime the Sunday School answer of Jesus is absolutely correct. 

It just needs to be developed as to why and how Jesus is the answer.

What are some things you can and should be praying from this passage?  Soul Care   leaders will have some ideas from the Soul Care leader website.  There is also post  scheduled for Friday morning at www.boonedy.com/blog to help you pray this passage.

Praise that we have died to sin.
Praise that we have new life.

Prayer that I would understand what God has done for me and live in that truth.

Example:

Lord, I know that in you I have victory over sin!  Right now I am struggling with [specific sin].
I know at the heart of this struggle is my desire for [a specific idolatrous desire].

Help me to know victory of this sin.
Help me to [some specific actions and thoughts you need to do and have to help you live in Christ Jesus]

Prayer that I would remember that to count myself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Prayer that I would not offer any part of myself to sin as an an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer myself to God as those who have been brought from death to life.  (You can think about ways to make this more personal).

Praise that I am not under the law but under grace.  (This means my salvation is not based on my performance but rather my salvation is based on what Christ has done for me.)

Question for you to consider and maybe even discuss with your group:  

Have you ever thought about why it says "under the law" and not "under the flesh?"  

After 3 weeks in this passage what are some truths that resonate in your heart and your mind?

This question provides a great opportunity for you to get others in your group to share.   

DON'T USE THIS QUESTION TO GO ON A SUMMARY OF ALL YOU HAVE LEARNED.   

Side by Side by Ed Welch

Many of you received a copy of the book Side by Side by Ed Welch.

You should have also received the following schedule

by 2/24 read page 11 through 42
by 3/6 read page 43 through 64
by 3/16 read page 65 through 84
by 3/27 read page 87 through 110
by 4/6 read page 113 through 139
by 4/17 read 141 through 163.

I believe this resource could be a good resource for your ministry to others in the church, not only in Soul Care.

Through April 17th, I am going to be posting various quotes, ideas and resources related to this book.

For now, here are a couple of things to remember.
Some of you may find this information very basic.  If that is the case, look at the book as an assessment tool and  as a way for you to help other people live out the Biblical truths in the book.

Some of you may find this book has a lot of ideas you need to implement in your life.   DO NOT try to do them all. 

Thank you for all you do!  

soul care notes

Several different reasons for no Soul Care notes. 

Here they are in pdf form.