GETTING STARTED

If I could be you, if you could be me
For just one hour, if we could find a way
To get inside each other’s mind
If you could see you through my eyes
instead of your own ego
I believe you’d be,
I believe you’d be surprised to see
That you’ve been blind
Walk a mile in my shoes
Just walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Then walk a mile in my shoes

LEADER - Give your group a chance to admit that they don’t have anyone who understands their challenges right now. Give them a chance to share why that is or what they would like to do to change that.
This hit song was recorded by Joe South, and later by Elvis Presley. It expresses a key LIFE QUESTION at CCC: “Who shares your tough stuff?” So…

Who knows you well?
Who truly understands the challenges you are facing in life?
Share who that is, and why it is important to have someone like that in your life?

IN THE WORD

LEADER - There are a number of passages here to read and discuss - you may choose to narrow your discussion to 3-4 of them OR assign a reader for each passage befoe you begin so that you can move through the material and discussion.
As this week’s teaching from John 1:14-15 explored, God Himself – the very Uncreated Creator and God the Son – became fully human. He “set up his tent and lived among us.” What do the following passages teach about why this was important for God to do?

John 1:14-15 How did Jesus, as a human being, uniquely display his glory? Can you cite some incidents in Jesus’ human life that provided a display of God’s glory?

Philippians 2:5-9 What does Paul teach us in these verses about what we see in the Person who was God in the flesh?

1 Timothy 2:3-6 Interestingly, when Paul speaks of Jesus’ role as a mediator between us and God, the Apostle calls him “the man Christ Jesus.” Why do you think Paul emphasizes Jesus’ humanity when speaking about his role as our mediator before God?

Hebrews 2:9 Jesus here is described as “tasting death” (the phrase suggests a FULL experience) for us. Why was this important? What do the follow up verses – Hebrews 2:14-18 – teach us about the importance for us of Jesus’ human experience?

Hebrews 4:14-16 Again, the importance of Jesus’ human experience is brought into view. What did he face, and why is this encouraging and helpful to us?

MY LIFE – OUR MISSION

LEADER - Close your time together by encouraging each other and praying over each other. A creative and possibly stretching idea, would be to each group member take a turn sharing what they appreciate about one other person in the group. As the leader, make sure everyone is encouraged and you could go last to make sure everyone is covered.
Have you ever been tempted to think that God doesn’t truly understand the pressure you’re experiencing, the temptation you are facing, the heartache that can keep you sleepless? In light of the passages you’ve read and thought about, READ 1 Peter 5:6-7.
Do you sense God is out to humble you in your present experiences?
What is His invitation to you here?

Our purpose is to connect people to life-defining relationships in Christ. As you finish, reaffirm your love for one another in your Connect Group. Someone read Hebrews 10:24-25. Then pray for the help from the Lord Jesus that each of you uniquely need, and the strength you can draw from one another