Steering your discussion the right way.
| posted 3/17/2004
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| Scripture Reference | Jesus' Icebreaker | Jesus' Follow-up Truth Questions |
| Matt. 20:21 (Jesus talking to James, John and their mother) | "What is it that you want to have most?" Modern paraphrase: What goals do you have for your life? |
"Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" Modern paraphrase: Do you really want what God wants? And, have you counted the cost? |
| Matt. 16:28 (Jesus talking to the twelve) | "Who do other people say the Son of Man is?" Modern paraphrase: What spiritually-related news headline has gotten your attention recently? |
"Who do you say I am?" Modern paraphrase: Is the "word on the street" and the world influencing you more than God is influencing you? Who is Jesus becoming to you? |
| Mark 6:38 (Jesus talking to the 12 before feeding the 5000) | "How many loaves of bread do you have?" Modern paraphrase: Do you ever feel like there are things you should do but lack the resources to accomplish them? |
"Do you believe I can feed my people?" Modern paraphrase: Is your faith grounded in the quantity of physical resources you have or in God's provision? |
| Luke 24:17 (Jesus talking with 2 followers along the road to Emmaus) | "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" Modern paraphrase: What difficult conversation have you had recently? |
"Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" Modern paraphrase: Can you see how the life trials and problems you have described are opportunities for God to work out His glorious plan in your life? |
| Luke 10:26 (Jesus talking to a group of seekers) | "What is written in the Law?" Modern paraphrase: What absolute truth have you been convicted of recently? |
"How do you read it?" Modern paraphrase: What is God telling you to do because of knowing this truth? |
I have been in many groups where icebreakers were used to draw the intersection between truth and life. As a small group ministry director, I can tell you that in most groups where icebreaker questions are used in this way, Christ-centered life-change was happening far more consistently. Use them the way Jesus did and you will find the same.
This article is reprinted from the website www.SmallGroups.com. Copyright 2002 by Dan Lentz. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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