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Growth Group Meeting #2

The Mind of Christ
Attitude – Action - Thinking

Announce Goals: Think BIG!

• Developed a repeatable system for the multiplication of groups1 -For Jesus is worthy!
• Incorporate memorization of God’s word to strengthen weakness – For we all have them!
• Incorporate a starting place for every newcomer – We all need mentored!
• Develop the Mind of Christ as to live out the Mind of Christ!

Practical Internal Focus is: The importance of prayer, gratitude, wisdom, overcoming sin, as to
harmonize with our starting point (Phil 2:2)2. We do this as an initial stepping off point to obtain
and live out the Mind of Christ3.

Start with Orderly Prayer: (ask if God has worked in anyone’s life before beginning)

1. Acknowledgement of His Greatness and Goodness!

Example:
Dear Lord Jesus, You are the reason why we are here. You have created everything seen and
unseen. You sacrificed Yourself for the world, dieing for us so that we might live.4 How merciful
and full of grace you are. Your goodness goes far beyond what we deserve. Let us bless You
during this time Lord Jesus with our efforts to fulfill Your “Great Commission”.

2. Thanking God for answered prayer and His faithfulness! (Last week):
Laptop was donated.
Emotions were kept in check while Greg was at work, and as I spoke with my daughter who is
straying with a boy. Thank you Lord!
Invite anyone to sing God thanksgiving!

Example:
Lord we thank you for answered pray; the laptop and self-control you gave us this week. You are
our provider. You are our substance. We thank You for this time together. Thank You Lord for
being so faithful!

3. Asking for Group needs as a whole (corporate):

We prayed for His blessings and for the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts.
We prayed for God to send us people to become part of the group.
We prayed for God would prepare hearts of those we will evangelize; obeying Jesus command!5
We prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance.
We prayed for each other and committed to keep all in prayer daily.
We prayed for God to bring memorized Scripture to mind as Jesus taught the Holy Spirit would
accomplish; enabling us to stand strong.
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Note: We need to incorporate for asking of forgiveness for the sins of the group as to remind us
before we start; we are equally valued and equally capable of being tempted.
Example:
Lord, we also ask You to protect us from inner-group pride and contention. Forgive us Lord if
we fail. Bring Your Word quickly to mind as to correct any ungod-like words or actions. We
pray this Lord and come to You as servants ever in need of increased humility, recognizing no
one is greater than the next. Allow us Lord to use the Gifts You have graced us with to build
Your church as to complete the body of Christ. You have given us each a purpose. Let us use it
appropriately for Your glory! Because You alone are worthy Lord Jesus. Amen.

Our Discussion with Purpose - To Build Unity (part 1)

Philippians 2:2 Fulfill my joy, having the same love (affection), being of one accord (spirit),
[being] of one mind (purpose). How? Through His Word and Spirit!

Action:
We discussed the important reasons of Scripture memorization, correlating this with Jesus’
promise (John 14: 25-266), and the benefits of this promise!

Discussed Two Main Reasons Holy Spirit was sent:

1. To convict the world of sin as a whole, and for our individual regeneration/sanctification.
2. To recall the Word of God to our mind to strengthen our walk with Him (in many
different forms)7 during troublesome times as to live out The Mind of Christ.

• If we don’t memorize the Word of God, how is the Holy Spirit going to recall needed
convicting truths at the time we need strengthened!

Benefits:
We discussed and enacted Scripture memorization during the meeting for these benefits:
• Satan will try to convince someone they don’t have time in their schedules.
• To ensure Satan doesn’t win a battle with us.
• If 2-4 scriptures are memorized each week, in one year will have 104- 208 verses of
God’s Word written on the tablets of our hearts! 8
• It will give a newcomer a chance to discipline themselves, and see God’s promises take
hold; encouraging them to commit more to memory!
• To increase bonding and compassion for each other and others.
• To begin or build upon the action portion of [being] contained in Philippians 2:2.9
• To strengthen our armor. “Tailor Made Armor”10
• To have a repeatable beginning as each growth group splits and to enable new comers, no
matter when they enter the group, to be taken aside (by a leader), during the time of
Scripture memorization, memorizing the initial verses pertaining to the Mind of Christ,
which is being developed in these first initial meetings.
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Why Wisdom?
We discussed God’s promise and importance of wisdom (1Kings 3: 9-1211; James 1:512),
memorizing pertaining verses, committing to implement Proverbs 1:2313 daily.
• God will pour out His Spirit on us!
• A humble heart coming to God for correction is honoring to God!
• It will keep God from having to force His hand!
• This will help change you into the image of Christ!
• Regeneration and sanctification (maturity) will occur more quickly!
• God’s correction will create UNITY!

Wisdom tells us to treat people with value. (Luke 10: 30-37)14

• Because they are!
• God created them!
• Jesus died for them!
• To keep us humble!
• To show Jesus’ mercy!

We discussed always pointing others to God. If someone becomes a part of our group and tells
us that something good happened, we thank God with them and for them.

Scriptures Memorized and Why? (review)

We memorized Ephesians 6:12 - This verse was memorized to remember Satan’s evil plan is
why we struggle with others and our own weaknesses, reinforcing the need to memorize
Scripture, and to gain wisdom and power through the Holy Spirit recalling them to mind.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heaven
places” (Eph 6:12).

We memorized this Scripture because of the wonderful promise of God. When we come to Him
for correction, He blesses us! How wonderful! We should do this daily as to avoid Him having
to lovingly chastise us – It might be painful! We committed to doing this daily!

“Turn to my reproof, behold, I will pour my Spirit out on you” (Pv 1:23).

Closing in Prayer

This prayer includes asking Him to recall Scriptures in time of need, lessons learned,
thankfulness, corporate needs (the worldwide Church as well as the group’s), and the personal
needs of others. And prayers for families and this nation should be included.

People in groups that commit 90 minutes per day to prayer have a 400% higher growth than
those who pray less than 30 minutes each day. Prayer works!
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Important Reminders!
• Pray God will bring someone into His fold!!!
• Pray God will prepare hearts to of people we evangelize – before meeting them!
Example: Lord. I pray that you prepare a heart for me to tell them about you.
• Each invites 2 people to group this week!
• Go before God each day for correction in specific areas of weakness; focusing on how we
interact with others first, then ourselves!
• Envision church growth!
• Pray before situations come to pass, AWAYS pointing correction to ourselves,
ALWAYS asking for WISDOM!
o Work – situational
o Friends – To be a good witness
o Family – Beware, old behaviors seem to magically reappear.
o Group – Review Study Materials – Meditate on verses.

Basic Leadership - The Nevers and the Always

Nevers
• Never discourage anyone.
• Never put someone in their place.
• Never call on anyone to do something without asking them first.
• Never take advantage of someone.
• Never ask anyone a personal question in front of the group.
• Never be late for a meeting.
• Never be unprepared.
Always
• Always pray – set a specific time and place for prayer aside – Prayer saves time. Try
30 minutes- 2 times per day. This is not as hard as it seems.
• Always prepare a minimum of four hours for a lesson, if already pre-designed.
• Always rephrase a question if your group doesn’t understand.
• Always be honest if you don’t know the answer.
• Always listen to what people or group members are telling the group.
• Always place importance on what others are saying.
• Always put yourself in someone else’s place.
• Always encourage people around you.
• Always be willing to help those around you.
• Always have a forgiving spirit.
• Always begin and end on time.
• Always inquire (in private) about someone’s prayer request the following week.
• Always stay in contact with group members weekly.
• Always have contact information cards on hand.
• Always have your contact information on hand.
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• Pour your heart into 1-3 people at first, taking them under your wing.

Meeting Place – Creating a inviting environment

• Always meet others with a smile and warm greeting.
• Always have area cleaned and food prepared.
• Always have music playing.
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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them do observe all thing which I have commanded you; I am with you always, even to the end of this age.
Amen (Matthew 28:19-20)
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Fulfill my joy being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, [being] of one mind (Philippians 2:2). This
verse speaks of UNITY!
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Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).
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For God so loved the son that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever
lasting life (John 3:16)
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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them do observe all thing which I have commanded you; I am with you always, even to the end of this age.
Amen (Matthew 28:19-20)
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These things I have spoken to you while I was with you. But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom My Father will send in My
name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:25-26). Remember – The
Scriptures are God breathed. It makes sense “all Scripture” can be included in Jesus’ words “teaching us all things”
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The Holy Spirit is called "The Spirit of Christ.", "a Spirit of Fire.", "a Spirit of Judgment.", "The Spirit of Holiness.", "The
promised Holy Spirit.", "The Spirit of Truth.", "The Spirit of Life." , "The Spirit of Wisdom.", "The Spirit of
Understanding.", The Spirit of Counsel.", "The Spirit of Power.", "The Spirit of Knowledge.", "The Spirit of the Fear of the
Lord.", "The Oil of Joy.", “The Spirit of Grace.", "The Spirit of Glory.", "The Eternal Spirit.", "the Counselor."

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Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablets of your heart (Proverbs
3:3).
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Fulfill my joy being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, [being] of one mind (Philippians 2:2). This
verse speaks of UNITY!
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A book that I am writing encouraging people to go to God as to custom fit their armor according to their specific areas of
weakness. A list of Scriptures shall be given for many common areas of weakness Satan tries to attack us through.
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We discussed 1 Kings 3:9-12. God, after Solomon asking Him to give him wisdom, did not only think Solomon’s request
was a humble and wise request, God provided him with the riches and honor he didn’t ask for, along with giving Solomon
what he requested, WISDOM!
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But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously without reproach, and it shall be given to
him (James: 1:5). Who wouldn’t want this great promise of God!
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Turn to my reproof, behold, and I will pour my Spirit out on you (Proverbs 1:23). Just think! God will not only keep His
chastising hand away, He will bless us when we come to Him for correction.
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Jesus instructs us to be concerned with others in this parable asking “Who is our neighbor?” People are so important that
we should go out of our way to help by showing mercy. Jesus said “Go and do the same” (v.30).