Belong

Week of July 24-30

Welcome Be sure to give a warm welcome to all. Remember: You set the tone for your HG. Be genuine, hospitable & affirming to each & every person. Bend down to greet the children on their level. Honoring the little ones is honoring to God! Opening Prayer Welcome everyone & highlight anything significant to the group before you pray (birthday, anniversary, special prayer need, etc.) Ask someone who is comfortable to pray for us & ask for Gods blessings on your HG tonight.

Become (Spiritual Disciplines, Care) // Pick at least one from each category to use in leading your group
Suggestions for Family Time A) Show a wrapped gift to the group. Who would like to get this gift? (All hands shoot up). Ask some kids & adults Why should I give you the gift? (allow them to answer) After a few moments of them explaining their reasons, arbitrarily pick someone to give it to. Ask others, How does it make you feel that they got the gift & not you? Whats going on inside of you? (Now read James 4:1-3 & talk about the battle going on inside of us.) B) Break into groups (adults & children) & memorize James 4:7, Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Suggestions for Kids Time A) Do your parents love you? If they do, then why dont they let you eat all the candy & all the ice cream & all the junk food that you want to eat? (because they know whats good for you) Does God love you? Then why doesnt He give us everything we ask Him for? (same reason) B) Have the children make a list of 20+ things that God has done for them. See if they can keep going & think of more things. Talk about the feeling you get when you stop & think about all God has done for you & how thankfulness to God takes your focus off of your selfish desires. Suggestions for Adult Time A) Read James 4:1-12 & identify the three enemies that Christian have against them. (the flesh/sinful nature, the world & the devil). What does it mean to be a friend of the world? B) Verse 6 seems to be a connecting verse between the previous 5 verses & the following ones. Why do you think this verse is the KEY to this passage? C) How do you put vs. 7-10 to practice in your real life. Break each command down & discuss what that would might look like. Example: How do you resist the devil in your daily life? Suggestions for Prayer Time A) Gratitude is a great cure for self-centeredness. Read Psalm 100:4. Focus your prayers on expressing thanks to God for who He is & what He has done for us. B) Prepare your HG members to spend a few moments in private prayer, confessing to God any areas of their lives where they have become friends with the world. Begin this prayer time by reading James 4:6-10.

Beyond (Evangelism, Recreation, Volunteerism, Extending Compassion, International Missions)

Check the bulletin or www.pantego.org for the stuff going on in our church. Consider the ideas below, as well! Community Calendar Your HG can serve together at Mission Arlington to help sort school supplies for their Back to School Initiative. Contact Debbie Musgrave at 817-277-6620 to set up a time. Volunteers are needed now through August 20. Church Calendar SAVE THE DATE! Sat., Aug. 13 - Back To School Fair - benefitting the ReGenesis kids & also children in apts. around PBC. Well need LOTS of helpers. Contact Roger Sappington to volunteer your time & resources (rsappington@pantego.org).

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