The Importance of Virtues

The Forgotten Virtues message series that Pastor Craig recently concluded was one of the best series of the year thus far. I think we were all greatly impacted in learning about the importance of why the virtues of honor, purity, loyalty, integrity and gratitude should be an integral part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, these virtues seem to be less evident in today’s world and it is important that we as a church stand together and bring these Biblical virtues back to the forefront of society.

As LifeGroup leaders, it is even more important that strive to ensure that we exhibiting these five virtues in our lives. We are leaders at our campus and, more importantly, we have the distinct honor and responsibility of shepherding our own little flock that is our LifeGroup. Therefore, it is important we are examples of these virtues to our LifeGroup so we can show them firsthand what these virtues should look like in their own lives.

In order to be the best leaders we can for our LifeGroups, we should take a little time and do a quick assessment as to what these virtues currently look like in our lives. We may exhibit some virtues better than others; therefore, it is important that we indentify those areas where we may be lacking so that we can work on improving them. Here are some questions to ask yourself and thoughts to consider about each of the five virtues:

Honor: How has your LifeGroup seen you show honor to God, your spouse, your family, your pastors, and to those in authority over you? Think about finding ways to honor and build up those who come to your LifeGroup. LifeGroups are a place to build up and not to tear down.

Purity: What are some of the impurities that remain in your life? How could these impurities compromise you as a leader and impact your effectiveness in ministering to your LifeGroup? What safeguards do you have in place to protect you from impurity? Purity is an important virtue as a LifeGroup leader because your group will be looking to you as an example and for guidance in how to maintain purity in their own lives.

Loyalty: How has your LifeGroup seen you demonstrate loyalty in all of your relationships? How do you demonstrate loyalty to your LifeGroup? Loyalty is an important virtue of a LifeGroup because it can be the glue that holds a group together.

Integrity: What are some of the biggest challenges to your integrity that you currently face? Where are you lacking integrity? Like purity, it is vital that we as LifeGroup leaders maintain integrity in all areas of our lives because our group will be looking to us as an example and for guidance.

Gratitude: Do you exhibit a sense of entitlement? Do you think your LifeGroup sees you as a humble leader? In what ways are you teaching your LifeGroup to develop an attitude of gratitude towards others and towards God? Think of ways you can show gratitude to those in your group because those examples could be instrumental in teaching your LifeGroup how to have an attitude of gratitude.

Marriage Accountability Results In Healing

(This blog post is written by Cheri Blair, who is one of our LifeGroup leaders at the Northwest campus. She also writes a blog for the Metro Family Magazine website called Perspectives from a Christian Mom, which you can read at this link: http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/perspectives-from-a-christian-mom)

by Cheri Blair

Every week I become more amazed at the work God is doing in the lives of our marriage accountability group.  It’s been just two and a half months, but in that time, I have seen couples’ love and enjoyment of each other grow, friendships blossom, healing in hearts and relationships, and total transformations by “the renewing of their minds” by the Truth! Our group has begun resembling the church described in the book of Acts where the needs of the saints were being met by the body of Christ. 

A couple of weeks ago, a couple in our group was in several crises all at once. Life had become overwhelming for them. The Lord prompted our group to do something to just encourage and lighten their load for the present time. Gifts of money and services were given to bless this couple. It was awesome to see the generous, loving hearts of these people…willing to go above and beyond to show this couple that we love them, that God will care for them, and that He’s given us to one another to be a tangible expression of His love. 

Just this week, a couple in our group was used by God to meet a need that no one else could have! More proof that God wants us to operate as His body, meeting the needs of the body, within the body. Romans 12:4-8 describes how there are many members of the body but each member has a different function. We are many members, but one body in Christ. Each of us has something different and unique to offer as a gift to our group and we are all blessed by one another. We are laughing and crying together including the men, learning truths to set us free, and sharing in the blessings He is teaching each of us for the building up of the body. God is showing us how to be His church…His hands and feet to transform lives.

 Here are a few comments from members of our group on why and how this marriage accountability group has benefitted them:

“There are several benefits to joining a marriage enrichment group. I believe the support and knowing that on the outside, we may appear that we have it all together, but truly there is no perfect marriage. So a person feels at ease when they hear that others have experienced road blocks too…it’s okay. It helps to get through it by putting God first, praying, and building a network of friendships that love you for who you are. People who don’t pass judgment, but encourage and pray for each other. The is what is the most meaningful for me.”   

“We have been married for 10 years and our marriage group has been such a blessing. God has brought His people together for a safe place for me to learn to become a better wife. I can’t wait to see what he has for us to learn or for how we will be able to help each other. God is good all the time.”  

“It is just what my husband and I needed to give us the support and encouragement to keep trying and keeping fighting for our marriage. It has been support in many other ways that I never imagined! We desperately needed this in our lives.” 

As the facilitator of this group, I would like to encourage anyone who believes they need to be a part of a group like this to pray and consider letting God use you to connect people to God and each other….to be the body of Christ.  My husband and

I have found it to be one of the most meaningful and fulfilling things we have ever done together. When you partner with God in what He wants to do in others lives, you can’t help but be blessed beyond measure!

About Cheri Blair: A native of Oklahoma City, Cheri Blair has been married to Tim for 22 years and together they have six children—three boys and three girls ranging in age from five to twenty. Three of the kids are now in public school, two are homeschooled and the oldest is in college. Adding to life’s challenges, one of the children is autistic or on the autism spectrum. Cheri’s ultimate passion is to know Christ and share her experiences and love of God with others. She also loves to write and hopes to someday publish books in her spare time.

Marriage Accountability

(This blog post is written by Cheri Blair, who is one of our LifeGroup leaders at the Northwest campus. She also writes a blog for the Metro Family Magazine website called Perspectives from a Christian Mom, which you can read at this link: http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/perspectives-from-a-christian-mom)

by Cheri Blair

It has been so awesome to see God working in the marriages in our LifeGroup! As people are intentionally looking at themselves in their marriage instead of at their spouse, amazing things are happening. With one particular couple, God used circumstances that seemed to be the last straw to do bring about a miraculous change.

The husband, I’ll call “John”, had been doing his best to make his wife feel happy, secure and loved. They had so much going for them and really no major issues like addiction or infidelity to overcome. So why the misery? Why had this beautiful home become a place of contention and strife?

As the circumstance unfolded, the wife, whom I’ll call “Sally”, made a decision that revealed the problem.  This decision made John feel like he was untrustworthy, not enough, and set them against each other like enemies instead of partners. John was finally done. After several years of going to counselor after counselor and having Sally try to “fix” them by even starting their own marriage group so John would have to attend, he was exhausted. Feeling disrespected and out of ideas, he felt it was finally time to end  the marriage.

That was the last thing Sally wanted! She knew she wasn’t perfect and didn’t have it all figured out, but she was trying so desperately to find a way to have something more! Fearful that there was nothing left for her to do, she and I talked and prayed. God made it abundantly clear that every move she was making in her life and marriage was out of fear! Fear was driving her to try and control their family, finances, and to not even trust the love of her life!

That weekend, John had a business trip that took him away for four days.  In that time, Sally desperately prayed for God to reveal Himself and TRUTH to her.  Wish I had time to tell you  the many details of how God opened her eyes! One of the biggest revelations came through Pastor Groeschel’s sermon on marriage. Sally saw that she was that contentious, controlling wife he was describing in the Bible!  She also began seeing that her fear was a root problem in her life.  As a four year old child, Sally lost her mother at the hands of her own father.  She had grown up with that huge loss and the knowledge that her father could not be trusted. Deep wounds that set her up for insecurity, lack of trust, and a deep need to be loved.  No wonder she couldn’t even trust those closest to her!

As God began removing the veil that covered her eyes, she was suddenly able to see that she must first come to trust in God and His Word.  She instantly was able to see her husband with new eyes!  Her life was dramatically changed by TRUTH being revealed to her by the power of the Holy Spirit promised in scripture.  He truly gave “sight to the blind” and removed fear, doubt, and all lies that had bound her marriage to a certain death.

John came home after his trip and Sally told him about the TRUTH she now could see and how wrong she had been.  In all reality, she had been the one who needed a transformation!  Although John was skeptical, he stuck it out to see if the change was for real and if God had changed his wife.  Sally now is walking in a new place of peace and joy because she knows she is trusting in God to be her source for everything!  Now she is free from fear and can love her husband!

It is so exciting to see God do what His Word says He can do in our lives! We get to experience Him and be a living testimony to God’s truth, grace and mercy.   I hope you are encouraged that God can give you wisdom and understanding even into your own self so that you can be set free from fear, anxiety, and anything else that keeps you from the abundant life God makes available to us.

God is good, all the time….all the time, God is good!

About Cheri Blair: A native of Oklahoma City, Cheri Blair has been married to Tim for 22 years and together they have six children—three boys and three girls ranging in age from five to twenty. Three of the kids are now in public school, two are homeschooled and the oldest is in college. Adding to life’s challenges, one of the children is autistic or on the autism spectrum. Cheri’s ultimate passion is to know Christ and share her experiences and love of God with others. She also loves to write and hopes to someday publish books in her spare time.

Eli’s Lesson

I recently saw the movie The Book of Eli and was really moved by one of the movie’s main themes. It is important to note that this movie is rated R and contains quite a bit of violence and strong language, but in the midst of that adult content is a wonderful message about the power of God’s Word and the importance of not just studying and knowing The Bible, but living out what it says.

In the movie, Eli, who is played by Denzel Washington, has in his possession the last copy of The Bible in a post-apocalyptic future. He has heard a voice tell him to protect The Bible and take it as far west as he can go. During his journey, Eli spends countless hours studying and reading The Bible, but there comes a defining moment in the movie when he realizes even though he has spent so much time reading God’s Word, he was not truly living out what The Bible said.

Eli described it this way in the movie:

“In all these years I’ve been carrying it and reading it every day, I got so caught up in keeping it safe that I forgot to live by what I learned from it.”

Wow! That quote really spoke to me in and made me ask myself, “am I really living out what The Bible teaches or am I too busy simply studying it and reading it?”

I think that is a very important question that LifeGroup leaders should ask themselves as well. Too many times as LifeGroup leaders we tend to become so caught up and focused on what our LifeGroup is studying rather than focusing on how our group can live out God’s Word together. There is nothing wrong with studying curriculum and God’s Word in our on LifeGroups, but we should also spend time living out Christ’s command in Luke 10:27 to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This was the command that Eli realized he was not obeying.

If all LifeGroups spent time living out God’s Word by getting out of their living rooms periodically to minister to others, help those in need and become involved in meeting the needs of their local communities, it would have a tremendous impact. This week, take some time to think about and discuss with your group ways you can work together to live out God’s Word by impacting your local communities. You might consider studying curriculum for three or four weeks and then use your time together the following week or two between studies to undertake some sort of ministry project.

No matter what your LifeGroups does, remember to learn the lesson that Eli did to not just know the Word, but to live it each and every day.

• How would you characterize the current focus of your LifeGroup?
• How well does your LifeGroup live out God’s Word? What types of things does your group do to minister and meet the needs of others?
• What are some ways you can begin to have a better balance in your group of studying God’s Word and living out what it says about loving your neighbors?

Discovering and training new LifeGroup leaders in 2010

One of the most important goals for LifeGroups in 2010 is to build up and train new leaders. As a result of raising up new LifeGroup leaders, we will see the number of new groups dramatically expand, while at the same time allowing these new leaders to step up spiritually and become all that God has called them to be.

Those who will be doing a majority of the searching and training of new leaders are LifeGroup leaders such as you. Therefore, as you outline your plans for your LifeGroup in 2010 and set your goals, make sure one of those top priorities is to indentify at least one person in your group that you can mentor and prepare to become a LifeGroup leader.

I know there are some of you saying, “There is not anyone in my group that has exhibited leadership skills,” and that is okay. The first step is simply begin praying for everyone in your LifeGroup and for God to help reveal to you who that person or persons may be that are ready to take the next step in leading a LifeGroup. You might also pray that God will send to your LifeGroup new people who are ready to become leaders.

For those of you who already have a good idea which people in your group would make great LifeGroup leaders, here are a few ideas to help you as you begin the process of training and mentoring these future leaders:

• Express your confidence in them and your desire for them to lead their own LifeGroup.
• Pray for them on a consistent basis.
• Meet with them on a regular basis outside of your own LifeGroup meeting time. Use that time to teach them what you have learned as a leader and as an opportunity to pray, share God’s word together and fellowship.
• Give these future leaders leadership tasks during your LifeGroup meetings such as having them lead prayer, lead your study, lead a MicroMission or host your LifeGrouop in their home.
• Share with them all the great learning tools for LifeGroup leaders that are available on the LifeChurch.tv website.

There are tons of potential leaders that are sitting on the sidelines and who are ready to get into the game and you can be an instrumental part in helping them take their next step forward.

• What ways have you found successful in discovering and training new leaders in your own LifeGroup?
• What types of character traits do you look for when trying to find others to train as leaders?

Seeking God in 2010

As we kick off a brand new year, the staff of the Northwest campus is determined to make 2010 a year where our campus sees significant spiritual development and growth. As LifeGroup and Mission leaders, we play a tremendous role in fostering the discipleship and spiritual development of our campus. Because of that important role, we must strive to be at the top of game when it comes to our relationship with Christ.

In order that the Northwest campus can be a place where God accomplishes great things in 2010, the staff is doing some special things during the month of January designed to help the campus be more open to God’s leading in 2010. I want to encourage LifeGroup  and Mission leaders to follow the staff’s lead and make the most of these opportunities.

Currently, the staff is engaged in a 21-day period of fasting and prayer. In order to expand this time of prayer and fasting beyond the staff, the campus is being opened each Tuesday night during January from 7-8pm for a time of worship and prayer. Additionally, the campus will be open on Thursday morning, January 14 from 7-10am for prayer.

I encourage each and every one of you to take advantage of one of these prayer times as they are unique opportunities to partner with your church and seek God’s guidance for this year new year. Make 2010 a year like none other as we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ at the Northwest campus.

Uncovering and using spiritual gifts in your LifeGroup

If there is any group at LifeChurch.tv that should engage deeper into the discussion about spiritual gifts it should be LifeGroup leaders. By stepping up to lead a LifeGroup, leaders are already demonstrating spiritual gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit; however, I think that leaders should really take to heart Pastor Craig’s message about spiritual gifts from this past weekend and attempt to dig even deeper and learn all they can about their gifts.

Knowing what your gifts are and how to use them properly will ultimately make you better leaders in your LifeGroups. All leaders have different gifts and having this knowledge will allow you to focus on strengthening your gifts.

Not only take time to learn more about your own spiritual gifts this week, but I want to encourage you to work with each member of your LifeGroup in helping them discover their gifts if they have not done so already. Not only will your group members be able to grow in their relationship with Christ by knowing their gifts, but it will also help your group grow together and be more effective ministers for Christ.

Knowing the spiritual gifts of your group will also help you in discovering what roles in the group are best suited for everyone. Those that have the gift of compassion would probably make the best people to help plan your own micromissions and efforts to help others in need, while those that are gifted with teaching would make great co-leaders who could assist you in teaching the group.

To uncover the spiritual gifts of your group, you might consider having them take an online spiritual gifts test this week. There are two great tests which you can find at www.gregwiens.com/gifts and www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/index.html.

Remember what 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” Therefore, strive to uncover your group’s spiritual gifts so that you can better help each other and, more importantly, grow together.

• What are your spiritual gifts?
• How have you used your spiritual gifts to more effective lead and grow your LifeGroup?

Avoiding adultry in your LifeGroup

Last weekend Pastor Craig challenged us all to protect our marriages and avoid the five easy steps to committing adultery. I hope your marriage was as impacted as mine was by the sermon as my wife and I discussed ways we can better shield our marriage from those forces that seek to tear it apart. So many couples have seen their marriages fall apart because of stupid acts of adultery that many times originate from one of those five sources that Craig discussed.

This past weekend’s sermon also made me think about LifeGroups and the unfortunate fact that adultery has occurred within small groups not only at our church but at churches all over the country. LifeGroups are a place where we encourage closeness and a sense of intimacy as we open our lives and hearts to each other. While this type of environment is incredible in building godly relationships and true Biblical community, it can also be way for Satan to open the door and use that openness and intimacy for the other purposes.

As LifeGroup leaders we need to be aware that adultery can happen anywhere, even in our groups. I’m sure that many of us think that it could never happen in our groups and I thought the same thing until recently when I began to see the seeds of adultery be sown in a LifeGroup.

One of my good friends Alan Danielson this past week wrote a blog about adultery in a small group setting and I wanted to share this with you because he articulates the subject much better than I ever could. You can read his post by clicking here.

Take time to read Alan’s post and think about if you see any boundaries that you need to establish in your LifeGroup to avoid any chance of adultery taking place. Remember the three boundaries that Alan suggests we all implement: avoiding emotional attractions, avoiding physical attractions and avoiding marital discord. Furthermore, married couples who lead LifeGroups really should work together as a team with the husband helping to shepherd the men, the wife helping to shepherd to women. Leaders can avoid such incidents in their groups if they simply step up and lead together while also implementing some boundaries.

What other advice do you have based upon your own experience to other leaders on how they can avoid adultery in their LifeGroups?

The Time Has Come to Step Up and Serve

By being a LifeGroup leader, you know the importance of serving at LifeChurch.tv. You spend a considerable amount of time not only leading your group during your weekly meetings, but also mentoring and training your group to be true disciples. You play an integral part in one of the most important ministries of our church.

This weekend, Pastor Craig is going to show us how God has called each of us to be ministers and how we all have been blessed with different talents that are to be used in ministry. Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of people that attend our church that have yet to step up and get plugged into the ministry that they are called to do. Many of these people would love to minister, but have just not been given the opportunity to find the role that best fits their talents and desires.

During the sermon, Craig is going to explain how the church has invited us to volunteer but hasn’t empowered us to lead. As a result, the church is making a concentrated effort to make sure that everyone is plugged into the ministries that they are called to do and are best suited for. Not everyone is called to serve on the Host Team, LifeKids, LifeGroups or Switch. There are tons of needs at LifeChurch.tv beyond these ministries.

On the last page of this week’s print curriculum, I have listed a number of ministry needs at the church. Craig will also share these needs during his message. This week take some time to go over these ministries with your LifeGroup and help those who are seeking the right ministry fit for them. If someone expresses an interest in a particular ministry, make sure you give their contact information to your LifeGroups and Missions pastor so that they can give that information to the appropriate person. You can play an integral role in helping others find the ministry that God has called them to do.

Finally, I want to encourage you by briefly sharing my story. I have been a professional writer for over 14 years specializing in commercial real estate. During that time, I have served in many areas of LifeChurch.tv including LifeKids, Host Team and as a LifeGroup leader; however, I have always known that my calling has been to use my writing talents to help people become fully devoted followers of Christ, but I was not sure how to do it. About a year ago, I expressed interest to one of the LifeGroup pastors at the central office of my desire to assist in writing the print curriculum for LifeGroups. He honored that desire in my heart and took a chance on me.

Over the past year as I have written the small group print curriculum for LifeChurch.tv, I have been blessed far more than any leader that utilizes the curriculum. I feel for the first time in 36 years that I am truly doing what God has called me to do and it is the greatest feeling in the world. Furthermore, I now feel a calling to write small group curriculum and other ministry materials full time and hope in the near future to transition out of the corporate world and into full-time ministry.

I encourage you to help your LifeGroup find the ministries that they are called to do. I want everyone to experience the incredible feeling that I have felt of truly living out my unique calling to ministry. Furthermore, by stepping up to be a part of the ministry of the church your LifeGroup will also play a critical role in carrying out the mission of LifeChurch.tv to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

It is time for us all to step up as a church and get involved!

Making Prayer a Priority

For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. ~Matthew 18:20 NIV

One of the most important things a LifeGroup can do together is to pray. There is something powerful and unifying when a LifeGroup comes together to pray. Over the years, I have seen marriages restored, people healed and addictions destroyed through the prayers of LifeGroups. Additionally, praying together causes your group to grow not just with each other but in your individual relationships with Christ as well.

As LifeGroup leaders, we need to be reminded of the importance of setting aside enough time for prayer in our groups. Unfortunately, there was a period in our LifeGroup where prayer was not a priority. Because we prayed together at the end our group time, we many times had to rush our prayer or not even pray at all because we all had to dash out the door to pick up our children at the campus. We put too much focus on studying our weekly curriculum and did not manage our time well. As a result, our prayer time suffered and it affected our group in a negative way.

After realizing the problem, we moved our prayer time to the beginning of our LifeGroup time and it made a world of difference in our group. Not only did we have plenty of time to pray without being rushed, it calmed all of our hearts and minds and resulted in more engaging conversation during our study time. People seemed to open up more and it has made for an incredible period of growth within our group.

Is prayer a priority for your LifeGroup? If not, consider making some changes like our group did so that you can make the most of your LifeGroup time without sacrificing one of the most import functions of small group ministry.

• What does prayer look like in your LifeGroup currently?
• What types of things have you seen God do through the prayers of your LifeGroup?
• What would you say are the top priorities for your LifeGroup?

Next Page »