Month / December 2014

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #3 – Success

DIALOGUE #3 – SUCCESS
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge your group to make the Bible their guide and final authority for all their decisions.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• Were you ever appointed to replace a very talented and successful person? Share how it feels.
• What do you think is the reason why some people are successful in life while others are not?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 34:1-3
• Breathe
• Above all
• Do a popcorn prayer in which each person can give thanks to God for what He is doing in their lives.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Joshua 1:1-8
• What is God promising Joshua and the people of Israel? v1-5,8
• How would you feel if God promises you prosperity and success? v5
• Why do we need to be reminded that God will be at our side at all times? v5
• Why is God telling Joshua to be brave, courageous so many times? v6,7,9
• What does it mean not to turn to the right or left from the law? v7
• What do you think God is trying to tell us in v8?
• How can we meditate on it daily and keep it in our mouths? v8
• Why is success and prosperity tied with obeying and following God’s counsel in the Bible?
• What benefits could we experience if we make the Bible our guide when making daily decisions?
• Share an experience where following God’s advice gave you success.
• How are you integrating the principles of the Bible to your daily life?
• Would you like to study the Bible, get to know Jesus, and discover the divine principles for success?
• What is God telling you tonight?

• To do: Write now on a small card the key text of this week Joshua 1:8. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it in your fridge and memorize it.

Works (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• What can we do as a group to promote the Bible as the key to a successful life?
• Do you know anyone that needs to make the Bible the foundation of his/her life? how can we help them decide to follow God and His word?
• Write their names and invite them to next week group meeting
• Share the vision of reaching others so they can have Jesus as their Savior and experience real success in life.

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Find the way by which you can talk to people during refreshments. Try to talk to those new in the group. Build relationships!

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #4 Need

DIALOGUE # 4 – NEED
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge the group to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and recognize Him as the solution for our greatest need.

Additional resources: Desire of Ages, chapter 61, Zacchaeus 552-556. Bible study on the plan of salvation. 

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What was your greatest need when you were in elementary school?
• What do people say is their greatest need today?
• What is your greatest need that you have been struggling to fill?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalm 95:1-3
• We want to see
• Mighty to save
• Ask your group to pray together giving thanks for those things that God has done in their lives.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 19:1-10
• What kind of man was Zacchaeus according to the text?
• Why do you think Zacchaeus was so desperate to see Jesus that in order to do it he is willing to climb a tree and make a fool of himself? v3,4
• Why do you think Jesus says “I must stay at your house today” v5?
• What is our greatest need according to this story? Consider v9,10
• What is our greatest need according to the following passages? Romans 3.23; 6.23
• What is the solution for our greatest need? John 3.16; Luke 19:6,10
• Review His Story (the gospel presentation): explain it in your words
o GOD is the Creator, is loving, holy, and just
o US we were created perfect, but became sinful by our choice, we deserve death, and we are spiritually helpless
o CHRIST is God, and became also a man, is perfect and without any sin, he died as our substitute, and offers his forgiveness as a gift
o YOU & I must respond, ask Christ to be our forgiver and Master, the result is spiritual transformation, obedience and a new life
• Make a call to accept Jesus as our Savior:
o How many here recognize we have a problem with sin, that you have tried to change many times and it hasn’t worked, that you and I need help from above, salvation from God?
o Do you want to accept Jesus as your personal Savior?
• Pray for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior.
• Invite those who accepted Jesus for the first time to commit to get to know Christ personally through Bible Studies.

• To do: Write now on a small card the key text of this week Luke 19:10. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it in your fridge or car and memorize it during this week.

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Do you know anyone who desperately needs to find a solution to their disoriented and lost lives? share their names and pray as a group for them.
• Call them tomorrow and tell them of God’s plan for their lives.
• Invite them to next week group meeting

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Find the way to get to know people while eating something. Remember, build relationships.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #5- Tempted

DIALOGUE # 5 – TEMPTED
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge your group to make the Bible their guide and final authority for all their decisions.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship

• What are some of the hardest things for people to resist in our days?
• What are some of the hardest things for you to resist?
• What is the most tempting food for you?
• When is it harder to resist these temptations?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 96.1-4
• I’m a friend of God
• My Jesus
• Ask your group to share what God has been doing in their lives for which they are thankful. Pray together giving thanks.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Matthew 4:1-11
• How do you understand the reference saying the Spirit took Jesus to be tempted? Does it mean God wants us to be tempted? Why? v1
• What tools should we use in resisting temptation? What did Jesus use? v4
• Is temptation sin? Explain and discuss your answer. See Hebrews 4:15
• What is sin? Are the fruits of sin the same as sin? Explanation: sin is separation from God, Isa 59:1-2; example: Eve separates herself from God (sin) and then disobeys (fruit).
• Were you ever tempted beyond what you could resist? Would God allow such temptation?
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What promises do you find here that would help you resist temptation?
• What is the end result of temptations and trials? see James 1:3
• In what areas are you being tempted more strongly lately?
• What steps can you take this week to resist the temptations you are facing?
• What is God telling you tonight that will help you in your transformation process?

• To do: Write now on a small card the key text of this week 1 Corinthians 10:13. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it on your fridge and memorize it.

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• How can we help those around us to resist temptations?
• Pray for those who are falling and giving in to temptation. Ask the group to invite them for next weeks meeting.
• What is God’s vision for your group? Ask people what they think.

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Discover the hobbies and passions of the people who come to the group. Begin to win their hearts!

Additional Resources: Desire of Ages, Chapter 12 – The Temptation, 114-123, and chapter 13, The Victory, 124-131

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #6 – Cost

DIALOGUE # 6 – COST
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge people to give it all for being a disciple of Jesus no matter the cost. To have Jesus as our top priority in our lives.

Additional resources: Read and study the material on the following pages about how to consecrate ourselves completely and be willing to pay the price.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What was the cost you have to face when you decided to go to college, or move to the U.S? Or even getting married?
• What made you think it was worth it?
• What helped you be willing to pay the cost?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalm 33:1-3
• Shout to the Lord
• Above all
• Give thanks as a group for the things God is doing in the world and in your life.
• Pray together.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 14:25-33
• What did Jesus mean with “hate” father, mother, children, brother, sister and own life? v26
• In your words and practically, what is the cost of being a disciple of Christ? v26
• What happens when a person doesn’t count the cost of being a disciple?
• What is the meaning of the phrase “carry his cross and follow me” in v27?
• What lesson about the cost of being a disciple, can we draw from the parable of building a tower and the king going to war? v28-30, v31-32
• How do you feel about the cost of being a disciple? v33.
• Why is it really worth it to follow Jesus? Read Luke 9.23-25. Explain
• What costs of following Jesus seem high to people today? And to you right now?
• How can you apply Jesus’ counsel in v33?
• Read Gal 2:20 and see how Paul pay the price and was living his life
• Testimony: Share what price you had to pay to be a disciple of Jesus.
• What is God telling you tonight?

• To do: Write now on a small card the key text of this week Luke 9:23. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it in your fridge or car and memorize it during this week.

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Do you know anyone who is struggling with paying the price of being a disciple of Christ?
• How will you help this week that person to see it’s really worth it?
• Call or visit them and tell them why for you it’s really, really worthy to be a disciple.
• Don’t forget to invite them to next week growth group meeting!

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Remember to talk to visitors! Learn their names, find what they do, what they passionate about, their worries and challenges
Additional Resources:  Steps to Christ – Chapter 5 – Consecration

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #7 Pure

DIALOGUE #7 – PURE
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Invite the group to be completely pure and honor God with their lives.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship

• What kind of things did your parents withhold or restrict from you when you were growing up?
• Why do you think they did it?
• What effects has that had in your life today? Good or bad? Explain

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 103:1-5. Distribute verses!
• Open the eyes of my heart
• Sanctuary
• Pray together givign thanks for the things God has done in your families.
• Pray together in groups of two

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Genesis 39:1-23
• Why do you think Joseph is in Egypt? Gen 37.26,27,36; Gen 45:6-8 God had a purpose!
• Why was God blessing Joseph so much? v2,3,5,21,23
• What can we learn from Joseph’s answer to sleep with his master’s wife? 39:7-9
• Could you explain what are some of the things that our Master has withheld from us and why? v8
• What are some of the consequences of not being pure?
• Read Colossians 3:5-6. What is Paul telling us here regarding purity?
• Why is it that God sets for us such a high standard of purity? Read Ephesians 5:3
• King David had no TV or internet in his days! But still he wrote this in Psalms 101:3, how can we apply his counsel to our lives?
• What kind of things or practices should we leave in order to obey today’s call to purity?
• What did the Lord tell you tonight? What will you do about it?

• To do: Write now on a small card the key text of this week Ephesians 5:3. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it on your fridge or car and memorize it during this week.

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Do you know anyone who needs to grow into being pure according to God’s standards?
• How can you help this person to see the need and be willing to change?
• Please pray and invite them to next week growth group meeting!
• How can this group pray for you?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Don’t just eat! Please talk to visitors between bites!

Additional Resources:

Patriachs and Prophets, Chapter 20 – Joseph in Egypt

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #8 – One Another

DIALOGUE #8 – ONE ANOTHER
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge the group to experience life together as a group and care for each other.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What is the one thing, that you remember, someone helped you with that you couldn’t do by yourself when you were in elementary school? How did you feel about it?
• How easily and willingly do you share your time or talents with others? How do you feel when you do it?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 47:1-2
• Above all
• Draw me close to you
• Take time to pray in groups of two, but before praying ask the other person why is he or she thankful to God this week.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Galatians 6:1-10

• How can Paul’s counsel in v1 be put into practice?
• What is this law of Christ and how does it relate to carry each other’s burden? v2
• What does it mean v5 with own load relating it to carrying other people’s burdens? v2
• What is the antidote for self deception? v3-4
• How does the law of sowing and reaping apply to the spiritual life? v7-8
• What kind of things should we sow and not sow in order to reap eternal life? v8
• How can the promise of v9 relate to our group?
• How can we do good to all people and specially the family of God? v9
• What changes will you make to apply these instructions?
• What is God telling you with this topic?

• To do: Memorize this week as a group Galatians 6:7. Carry it in your wallet or pocket, place it in your fridge or car and memorize it during this week.

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Make a list as a group of people who are in need and plan how you can help them carry their burdens. Be creative and practical. Do it!
• Share the vision of multiplication. Tell the group that we want to multiply this group in _________ months so we can reach others for Christ.
• Pray together as a group for the needs people have.

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Find out what visitors and new comers love doing, their hobbies and entertainment.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #9 – Shout

DIALOGUE #9 – SHOUT
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge your group to be missionaries in their circle of influence and bring others to Christ.

Welcome (15’) – Fellowship

• What is the one thing that people in your family and friends love to talk the most about?
• What do you love to talk about the most when you are with friends and why?

Worship (15’) – Worship
• Read Psalms 47:6-7
• I’m a friend of God
• Shout To The Lord
• Take time to give thanks to God. Ask, what is the most important thing for which you are thankful to God this week? Pray together

Word (30’) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 8:26-39
• What would have been your reaction if you had been there with Jesus and the demon possessed man approached you running and screaming?
• To what extent do you think demons are active today?
• Why do people fear after the miracle and ask Jesus to leave the area? v35,37
• In what ways do people today ask Jesus to leave them alone?
• Why did Jesus says no to the request of wanting to go with Him? v38,39
• What would it mean and how could we apply the command “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”? v39
• What transformation has God done, and is doing in your life that you can share?
• Why is it harder or easier to share with family, friends and acquaintances about what Jesus has done in our lives?
• What consequences could we experience if we share with others what God has done in our lives?
• What is God impressing you to do? What is He telling you through today’s topic?

• To do: Work on memorizing Jesus’ command in Luke 8.39. Prepare this verse in a card, and invite everyone to practice it!

Works – Witness (15’) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Do the circle of influence exercise. Ask everyone to fill the three circles with the names of family, friends, and acquaintances who have not given their lives to Jesus.
• Ask each person to select two names. Write all those names in a “Group’s Blessing List”. Pray as a group for them and work to reach them.
• Our vision is to reach our circles of influences!
• Place the “Blessing List” in the middle of the group and ask each one to place one hand over the page. Pray for those names so each will be blessed and will come to give their lives to Christ.

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Talk about those family, friends and acquaintances who need Christ, learn as much as you can about them, and the relationship members have with them.

Additional Resources:  Desire of Ages, 337-341

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #10 – Priorities

DIALOGUE # 10 – PRIORITIES
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge people to make God their first and foremost priority in their lives.

Welcome (15’) – Fellowship

• What kind of things gets people or you so exited that you forget to do some other things?
• How good are you at doing what needs to be done instead of what others want, or what you feel or want to do?

Worship (15’) – Worship
• Read Psalms 117:1-2
• Shout to the Lord
• Be still and know
• Give thanks in groups of three, sharing with others what God is doing for you lately. Pray in those groups

Word (30’) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 9:57-62

• Why do you think Jesus responds in this way to the first man in this story? v57,58
• What is the common thing between the second and third man’s response? And how does it relate or apply to us? v59,61
• What is Jesus asking them and us to do? And why? v60, 62
• What loyalties conflict with our commitment to Christ?
• Think about your current use of time, resources, your dreams and thoughts, what order of priorities do they reveal? How do you think God feels about this?
• Read Matthew 6:33 How important is God considering your daily schedule?
• Consider the well know phrase “First things first” along with Psalms 46:10. What should you do about it?
• What changes should we make in order to place the kingdom of God first in our lives? How can the group help in making it a reality?
• What is God telling you tonight?

• To do: Repeat together and memorize Matthew 6:33. Remember to live by it from now on!

Works – Witness (15’) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Ask each person to write down their priorities and then assign them a numerical order according to their importance. Challenge people to place God as number 1!
• If the kingdom of God should be placed first, consider as a group who should we visit together as a group this week. When and how? Coordinate the details and make it happen. Go visit, pray and ask for God’s blessing upon them.
• How can this group pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Use this time wisely. Put the Kingdom of God first in all your conversations, talking with love to visitors or new members.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #11 – Forgiving

DIALOGUE # 11 – FORGIVING
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: invite group members to experience forgiveness and let others free as God does with us.

Additional resources: Forgiveness is not saying it is okay. 

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What are some of the most difficult things for people to forgive in our days?
• What are some of the most hard ones for you and why?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 103:1-5
• Holy is the Lord
• Light of the world
• Sanctuary
• Take time to give members the opportunity to give thanks for what God has been doing in their lives. Pray together giving thanks

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Matthew 18:21-35
• Considering the Jews teaching of forgiving someone up to three times, how can we make sense of Peter’s questions? v18,21
• When you analyze the main points of this story, how does it makes you feel about the man owing 10,000 talents, the 100 denarius man and the king?
• Why is God so concerned about us forgiving? Why is not forgiving so deadly?
• If God forgives us so much, why is it so hard for us to forgive others?
• What does it mean to forgive with all your heart? v35
• What would be appropriate to do when we don’t feel like forgiving?
• What should be done when the other person doesn’t ask for forgiveness? Consider Jesus example. Luke 23:34
• Read Luke 17:3-4. Why is God’s standard so high?
• What is it harder to forgive others or yourself? why?
• If you have a testimony of how you were forgiven (not how you forgave!) share it with the group.
• Who are you going to forgive and completely release this week?
• To do: Memorize Luke 23:34. Look for opportunities to forgive others!

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Write down the names of people you need to forgive. Following Jesus’ example forgive them.
• Select a day when the whole group will pray and fast for our group.
• Talk and plan multiplication of your group. Consider the why, when, where, who. What is God’s vision for us? how do I fit into it?
• How can this group pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Talk to people and find out the names of their friends who don’t know Christ yet. Challenge people you dialogue with to invite them to the meeting and new group.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson #12 Rejoice Lesson #13 Share

Dialogue  # 12 –  Rejoice  (Please Scroll Down for Lesson 13)

by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge the group to live life to the fullest remembering that God will ask us to give account of everything we have done

Welcome (15) – Fellowship

  • What was the most exciting and fun thing for you to do when you were an early teen or teen and why?
  • Is there anything you did in those days that you regret now or that if you could go back you would do different? Could you share what and why?

Worship (15) – Worship

  • Read Psalms 34.1-3
  • Shout to the Lord
  • Above all
  • In groups of three, share what God has done in your life that fills you with peace, joy, happiness.
  • Pray together in those groups giving thanks for what has been shared.

Word (30) – Discipleship

  • Read Ecclesiastes 11:9-12.1,13,14
  • Why is God, trough Solomon, telling us to be happy, rejoice, follow our ways and the desires of our hearts and eyes? 11:9
  • How can we have fun, rejoice in light of the judgment, as found in the second part of verse 9?
  • Why is Solomon saying we should cast away all anxiety and troubles of the body? v10
  • How do we usually forget our Creator in our youth? 12:1 How should we remember Him?
  • Why do we need to remember and honor God before we get old? What’s the difference? 12:1-7
  • How do you feel about been judged for all you do?
  • How does the reality of judgment and eternity affect our daily decisions? 11:9; 12:13,14
  • What changes should we make to our lives in order to remember/honor Him now?
  • What did you hear God telling you tonight?
  • To do: Challenge the group to memorize Ecclesiastes 11:9, and live it!

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism

  • What changes do we feel we need to make in order to have real group life?
  • If you haven’t been able to multiply, what would it take to make it happen?
  • How can this group pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship

  • Ask informally for people who might be invited to the new groups.

Dialogue  # 013 –  Share

by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: invite the group to give themselves completely out of love and to live as a family of God in their group.

Worship (15) – Worship

Welcome (10) – Fellowship

  • What kind of sacrifices did your parents have to do for you?
  • What kind of things were you willing to do, even sacrifice, for your loved ones?

Word (25) – Discipleship

  • Read 1 Thessalonians 2.1-12 
  • Why Paul says that his visit to Thessalonica was not a failure? v1,2
  • What was the double motivation behind their visit and what should be ours in our group? v3-6
  • What is and how can we accomplish the two-fold mission of our group? v8
  • How do we get to have this love for people as our motivation so we are delighted to do it? v8
  • How can we have the kind of commitment Paul had, especially for the members of our group? v9
  • Why do you think Paul mentions the kind of live they lived among them? v10 Any teaching for us here?
  • How can we accomplish the job described in v11-12 in our group?
  • What changes do we need to make in order to apply today’s message?
  • What did you hear God telling you tonight?
  • To do: Challenge the group to memorize and live our GG key text: 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Works – Witness (20) – Ministry & Evangelism

  • Leader, this is the time to shared the vision with passion! invite everyone to join the vision not simply a group meeting. Invite them to become the family of God that reaches for the lost.
  • Being this the first meeting of this new group, reflect with the group on how are we going to make this group not only work but multiply?
  • Talk about details: when will we meet, where, who will be invited, how are we going to work, who are the leaders, what are our responsibilities?
  • How can this group pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship – (all groups together)

  • When you talk, concentrate on praising God for what He has done with our group!
  • Get to know people.