LifeGroup Leader Guide

LifeGroup Resources

3 Circles Evangelism

GOD’S DESIGN

We see beauty, purpose and evidence of God’s design all around us (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 19:1).

The Bible tells us that God originally planned a world that worked perfectly – where everything and everyone fit together in harmony. This was a place of peace, love, security and life. There was no war, persecution, famine, hate or death in this place.

God made humans with a purpose – to worship Him and walk with Him in this perfect place.

BROKENNESS

Sin leads to death and brokenness (Romans 3:23; 6:23). When we selfishly insist on our own way and rebel against a Holy God, the Bible calls this sin, and sin radically distorts God’s original design. The consequence of sin is separation from God – in this life and for all eternity. We see the destructive power of sin all around us and in
our own lives as well.

When we realize our life is broken, we begin to look for a way out (arrows leading from brokenness). We tend to go in many directions trying different things to figure it out on our own (Proverbs 14:12). Brokenness leads to a place of realizing a need for something greater because we can’t fix it on our own.

JESUS

Therefore, God provided a way out of our brokenness (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Jesus, God in human flesh, came to us and lived perfectly according to God’s design.

Jesus came to rescue us – to do for us that which we could not do for ourselves. He took our sin and shame to the Cross, paying the penalty of our sin by His death (Colossians 2:14). Jesus was then raised from the dead – to provide the only way for us to be rescued and restored to a relationship with God.

So if we REPENT from our way and BELIEVE in Jesus Christ, we are saved from our sin (Mark 1:15b; Ephesians 2:8-9). When God restores our relationship to Him, we begin to discover meaning and purpose in a broken world. We are set free to pursue God’s design in our lives (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10). Even when we fail, God’s Spirit empowers us to pursue His design and the Spirit’s presence assures us our of relationship with the Father (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:14).

Key Doctrines of the Faith

We believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word, without error, and is the sole authority for faith and life.
We believe there is one God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They subsist in unity, and also as three separate, distinct Persons all equally God. God has always existed, and He is the creator of the universe.
We believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son, He was born of a virgin as both fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died to atone for the sins of human beings, was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven and will literally return to earth. He is the only way to God the Father.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the divine helper, counselor, comforter and instructor. His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and sanctify the soul. He is a “seal” and “deposit” given to all believers at the point of conversion guaranteeing their inheritance.
We believe human beings are special creations of God, made in His image. All human beings are born sinners and are in need of salvation having fallen through the sin of the first man, Adam. We believe that life begins at conception and is sacred to God.
We believe sin is disobedience to God. Sin entered into the world through Adam, and all human beings are born into sin and choose to sin. Sin separates all human beings from God until they receive forgiveness through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. God desires for all Christians to forsake sin and become like Him—holy.
We believe salvation is a gift through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, and every person who truly is saved is eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ and will spend eternity in heaven, while those who die in their sins will spend eternity in hell, separated from God.
We believe the church is a local body of baptized (by immersion) believers with the Lord Jesus Christ as the head. The mission of the Church is to carry out God’s command to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. The universal church is made up of all believers everywhere.
We believe God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.

Read The Baptist Faith and Message for our full statement of faith at Prestonwood.

HOW TO ENLIST AN APPRENTICE

An apprentice leader is someone who is being trained and equipped to step into a new leadership position or start a new LifeGroup.

STEPS TO ENLIST

Identify people in your group who meet the qualifications of LifeGroup leadership (see page 5).
Approach the person(s) with a specific need you believe they’re qualified for and extend an invitation to group leadership using the leadership descriptions contained in this guide.
Work with your divisional minister to train and develop your new apprentice leaders.
Encourage them to attend the next Summit and Winter Huddle for further equipping and encouraging.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES FOR MINISTRY OCCASIONS

Everyone needs care all the time from God and others (2 Corinthians 12:25–26). In a special time for care, you can:

Offer your “presence” and empathize with the person’s feelings (Romans 12:15); much of the time, when we don’t know what to say, we don’t need to say anything
Become a very good listener (James 1:19)
Pray with your friend (Philippians 4:6–7)
Share God’s Word as the following Scriptures may provide additional guidance and comfort

The following Scriptures may provide additional guidance and comfort:

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