1. Name some of the parts of the Bible people do not want to read and do not want to accept.

2. Why should we obey the whole Bible and accept it as authoritative? (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)

3. What does the Bible teach us about hell?

• Revelations 20: 15
• Revelations 21: 8
• Luke 16: 22-24
• Matthew 7: 13-14

4. What should the effect of the reality of hell be on a Christian?

5. What is part of being a Christian according to John 15: 18-21?

6. Further Reading:

Philippians 1: 27-30. A life that makes sense

Luke 13: 22-30. The day of reckoning shock

Romans 9: 1-5. Paul's passion for the lost

Matthew 25: 31-46. What is important in this life

Mark 9: 41-48. God hates sin

7. Recommended Reading:

Day 1: Discipleship

1. What is the definition and explanation of discipleship in Mark 3: 13-15?

2. Name a few places and occasions where the disciples were with Jesus.

3. What are the conditions for being a disciple of Jesus according to Luke 9: 23-26?

4. Name instances of personal challenges and temptations Jesus shared with His disciples.

5. How did Jesus train His disciples? Luke 10: 1-3 and 17-20

6. Discuss the following: “To reach the world for Christ everyone has to invest in individuals.

7. What do we learn from the fact that Jesus spent most of His time with His disciples?

8. Further Reading:

• Isaiah 8: 16-20. What is a disciple?

• Acts 19: 1-17. Disciples without a teacher

• Mark 1: 16-20. How does one become a disciple?

• Matthew 5: 3-10. Traits of a disciple

• John 10: 22-30 Characteristics of a disciple

9. Recommended Reading:

1. What shows the first Christians love the best? Acts 2: 44-46

2. What can we do for each other to show that we love God with our whole heart?

3. What war the atmosphere amongst these first Christians?

4. What is keeping care group members from sharing their problems with each other?

5. What will happen if we open up to each other more?

6. What is the danger if we do not handle the information shared in the care group with sensitivity and confidentiality?

7. What do the following tell us about how we should communicate in the care group? Ephesians 4: 15 & 25, Philippians 1: 9.

8. What should the role of the Holy Spirit be in the care group? Galatians 5: 16 & 22-26, Ephesians 5: 18 and 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31

9. Read the following:

“Too many Christians give up. They want the change too soon. What they really want is change without the daily struggle. Sometimes they give up when they are on the very threshold of success. They stop be­fore receiving. It usually takes at least three weeks of proper daily effort for one to feel comfortable in performing a new practice. And it takes about three more weeks to make the practice part of oneself. But many Christians don't continue even for three days. If they do not receive instant success, they get discouraged. They want what they want now, and if they don't get it now, they quit.

Think about this problem for a moment. Remember when you learned how to ice skate? What happened the first time you went out on the ice? You know what happened. Zip bang! You got a wet bot­tom. That's what happened every time that you got up and tried again. Nobody ever learns to skate without falling at first. You had a decision to make as you sat there freezing: "Am I going to continue this, or should I give up the whole idea of learning to ice skate?" Perhaps you did quit after the first or second failure and have never learned since. A lot of people make that decision right then and there. They do not con­sider learning to skate worth the embarrassment, awkwardness, trouble and fear that it usually entails. But others go on in spite of it all. They get up, brush off and start out again; zip bang! zip bang! zip bang! zip bang! then, ...zzzzzzip bang. Something has begun to happen. Before you know it, you are going zzzzzzzzip bang, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzip bang, and then zzzzzzz ... If you practice long enough, you will no longer have a problem with skating; instead, you will be concerned about how to get the puck into the net. There comes a point at which activity begins to, and then does, become a part of you, but only when you stay with it long enough.”

From Godliness Through Discipline by JE Adams

10. What strikes you about this quotation?

11. What can the care group do to help us to live out our Christianship in a practical way?

12. Read Acts 2: 46-47. Of often did these Christians have contact with each other? What will the benefits be if we have regular contact with each other?

13. Read Acts 2: 42. What does the word “committed” means here?

14. How will it be possible to see if someone is following God with his whole heart?

Further Reading:

Godliness Through Discipline by JE Adams

1. Read Acts 2: 40-47 and 4: 24-37. To what did these Christians give all their attention? What is today's equivalent?
2. What does it mean to praise God? Read Hebrews 13: 15 and Ephesians 5: 19-20
3. What did the Christians in the early church do that can be called “talking” to God? Compare 1 Peter 4: 7
4. What did the Christians do for each other? Compare 1 Peter 4: 10-11 and Hebrews 13: 16
5. Read Acts 2: 42 and describe the community of these Christians
6. Where did these Christians meet? What was the most outstanding sign of these meetings?
7. Name a few reasons why it is essential to be part of a care group? Compare Acts 2: 40
8. What was the reason why people were added (verse 47) on a daily basis and resulted in such fast growth?
9. What can you do to draw more people to your care group and where should you start?
10. What is the value of service to the community for the care group?
11. What are the main points of a care group meeting as you can get them from all the verses we have read?
12. What should we do if a care group member does not attend the meetings?
13. Recommended Reading:

How can a care group or small group share the blessings?

1. Discuss the following: “God does not only bless you for yourself, but also so that you can in turn be a blessing to someone else.”

2. What light does Genesis 12: 1-3 shed on the previous answer?

3. What are the practical benefits of new members joining the care group?

4. What prevents care groups from getting new members to join the care group?

5. Which attitudes can cause the above?

6. Can any of the reasons be justified? (Galatians 5: 13)

7. What does Philippians 2: 1-4 say about it?

8. How can the care group join in expanding the Kingdom Of God especially in making disciples of Christians? (Luke 14: 25-33)

9. What is the result if care groups refuse to be a blessing to others and to withhold the blessing of caring from them?

10. What is the benefit if the care group leader delegate some of the tasks to the other members?

11. Why is it important that care group members attend every care group meeting?

The Safest Place On Earth:

“I cannot describe the thrill of writing about spiritual community as something I've tasted. With conviction, I speak of spiritual community as a gathering of people who experience a kind of togetherness that only the Holy Spirit makes possible, who move in good directions-and want to - because the Spirit is at work.....

In a spiritual community, people reach deep places in each other's hearts that are not often or easily reached. They discover places beneath the awkwardness of wanting to embrace and cry and share opinions. They openly express love and reveal fear, even though they feel so unac­customed to that level of intimacy.

When members of a spiritual community reach a sacred place of vulnerability and authenticity, something is released. Something good begins to happen. An appetite for holy things is stirred. For just a moment, the longing to know God becomes intense, stronger than all other passions, worth whatever price must be paid for it. Spiritual togeth­erness, what I call connecting, creates movement: Togetherness in Christ encourages movement toward Christ.”

Day 8: The Vision Of Our Care Group

1. How can you see if someone has grown spiritually?

2. How can a care group help someone grow?

3. How does one grow spiritually according to 1 Peter 2: 1-5 & 9?

4. Explain in which phase of growth you find yourself: seeking, growing in Christ, close to Christ or Christ centered.

5. Explain what you see as the next step in personal growth.

6. What can our care group do to grow more?

7. What can be done to ensure faithful attendance to the care group?

8. Further Reading:

• Ephesians 4: 11-16. Our calling and instruction to grow.

• 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21. Grow to be adult ambassadors.

• James 2: 14-22. Faith grows in deeds

• Hebrews 10: 32-39. Growth through perseverance

• Philippians 2: 1-4. The secret of growth in a care group

9. Recommended Reading:

• Who Am I and Why Am I Here: Eight Reasons God Created the Human Race

• Destined for Growth: Towards a deeper spiritual life

Day 7: Looking At Our Small Group

After having looked at God and Jesus, what does our care group's vision and mission look like and where are we at this moment. To do this we need to look at our care group and how care groups should function.

1. Name a few goals of the first Christians:

• Acts 2: 41-47

• 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-10

• Galatians 6: 2

2. What are your personal goals for the rest of the year?

3. 
   

4. What is your care group's goal for the rest of the year?

5. 
   

6. Why is it important to attend your care group regularly?

7. Further Reading:

• 1 John 3: 16-18. The characteristics of a care group member

• 1 Peter 4: 7-11. Real love can be seen

• Acts 4: 29-35. Characteristics of the first Christians

• John 15: 9-17. God's instructions

• 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5. We will be judged

8. Recommended Reading:

• The Heart of a Leader: Insights on the Art of Influence
• Up to You: It's Your Life, Choose Wisely
• Capturing The Mind Of God: A LIFECHANGING VISION OF YOUR FUTURE

Day 6: The Righteous Deeds Of Believers

1. Read Revelations 19: 7-8

• How is the Heavenly Groom's bride described?

• What is the “bridal gown of bright and shining linen?”

• Give everyone to tell about someone they know that is wearing “bridal gown of bright and shining linen” in whom they can see some of Jesus' “bright and shining linen.”

2. Read Matthew 22: 11-4. What does Jesus teach us about the things that are important on earth, with this parable?

3. What is it that soils our clothes? Revelations 3: 4-5

4. Discuss the symbolism and meaning of the following: “The blood of Jesus is the soap and the Word is the water with which our clothes are kept clean.

5. Why does it feel as if we have to handle the same pain and problems of our past over and over again?

6. Which battle returns to your life over and over again?

7. How should one handle this situation?

8. Further Reading:

• Romans 8: 5-11. How do we live in victory over sin?

• Revelations 7: 9-17. Heavenly clothes

• Matthew 7: 21-23. Fake heavenly clothes

• Ephesians 6: 10-20. Battle clothes

• Colossians 3: 5-10. What is it that soils clothes?

9. Recommended Reading:

Day 5: Jesus 2

1. Read John 6: 35-40. Name the characteristics of Jesus mentioned here.

2. Name a few things that people are hungry and thirsty for.

3. Let each name an area thy need prayer for and pray about it in the large group or in small groups.

4. Name people that can be approached to join your small group. Pray for new members.

5. Further Reading:

• John 7: 37-44. Jesus the fountain of life.

• Matthew 11: 28-30. Jesus brings rest

• Matthew 8: 1-4. Jesus heals

• Isaiah 53: 3-6. Jesus brings healing and peace.

• John 6: 22-33. Jesus the bread from heaven

6. Recommended Reading: