Here we go with some thoughts about week three of Cannonball!  Hope your group is having a great experience as you wrestle with what it means to be “all in and making waves!”

Here are some keys to a great experience:

First, be sure and help your group start on time and end on time.  If you’ve been struggling to end on time, it may be that you’re starting late.  It also may be that you need to cut a question or two from the Climbing the Ladder or Toes Over the Edge sections.

Second, if you have more than 7 or 8 members, consider sub-grouping for the Diving in Deep section.  Whether you divide into men in the dining room and women in living room or some other method…it will make it possible for more people to participate.

Third, if you have members that miss a meeting, be sure and let them know that the small group videos are available online on the Parkview website.

Here are a few tips for session three:

1. Remember, the Climbing the Ladder and Toes Over the Edge questions are optional.  If you’ve been running out of time, start with the video and use the question at the end of the video to jump start the discussion.
2. Be sure and read the introduction paragraph and then read Matthew 28:16-20 aloud.  You might even explain to your group that Jesus had already been crucified, rose on the 3rd day, and then was with His followers for 40 days.  This happens at the end of those 40 days.
3. The words mission and vision are often confused or used interchangeably…but they mean different things.  Mission is what we exist to do.  As Christ followers, we find our mission in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”  Vision has to do with where God is taking us?
4. Read the paragraph at the top of page 34 and then Matthew 16:13-28 aloud.  The three questions in this section can lead to a great discussion if you are honest about your own struggles.  Honestly answering them first will help your members engage.  Remember, the depth and length of your answers will set the stage.
5. Ripple Effect: Be sure and give time to the discussion here.  Take a few minutes to have your members turn to pages 7 to 15 of their booklet and talk about the parts of the Parkview vision printed there.

How was your study last week?  Good?  Hope so.  While this is a challenging topic, these scripture passages will produce some life-changing discussions.

Here are some keys to the experience:

• Remember, the life group study materials can be found in the packet that everyone received in the mail last week.  Session Two’s study can be found on pages 29-30..
• Don’t forget to tell your members about the daily personal devotionals.  Week two devotionals begin on page 27.
• Did you have members who missed the first session?  Let them know that the small group videos are available online at www.parkviewchurch.com/cb_life_groups

Here are a few tips for session two:

1. Climbing the Ladder: Remember…this section is intended to be a warm-up opportunity.  If you model for your group the kind of answer you’re looking for, your members will very often follow your model in length and depth.
2. Toes Over the Edge: Lead your group to discuss the 3 questions in your study guide and then watch the video for this session.  Note that there’s a 4th question at the end of the DVD segment.
3. Diving in Deep: Read Mark 9:33-35 out loud to set up this discussion.  You might ask, “Would anyone like to read Mark 9:33-35 out loud?”  Remember, many people are very shy about reading out loud.  Let your members volunteer!
4. Q3 Diving in Deep: This question refers to being a servant.  Another important instance of this teaching is found in John 13:1-17 and happened just before Jesus served his disciples the last supper.  If you have time, you might look up and read this passage as well.
5. A second passage referred to in this section is 2 Timothy 2:1-2.  Q1 on page 30 offers a great opportunity for your members to share where they are in their journey.  A good follow-up question that isn’t in your study guide is, “Can you see yourself in more than one role in the passage (i.e., learning and teaching)?”  ”Who are you learning from?”  ”Who are you teaching?”
6. Ripple Effect: This section offers an opportunity to look over the initiatives on pages 7-15 of the booklet and then ask members to share which ideas are most important to them.  As the host, be sure you’ve already looked them over and be ready to talk about your interests.
7. Closing in prayer: Regardless of your normal pattern for group meetings, it’s a good idea to give your members an opportunity to pray about their potential impact on their families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Welcome to Cannonball!  As a Life Group host you’ll actually be an important source of encouragement and information for your members.

You don’t have to know a lot.  It’s mostly knowing how to get your members started.

Here are some keys to the experience:

• The life group study materials can be found in the packet that everyone received in the mail this week.  There is a session overview on pages 21-22.
• There are daily devotionals that begin on Monday, October 24th.  You’ll find the first 5 days on pages 23-24.
• There are 4 life group sessions.  If you start the week of October 23rd you’ll finish the Cannonball study the week before Thanksgiving.
• There is a DVD that goes along with the study.  You can pick up your DVD at the Community Life Booth (Orland) or Guest Information (Lockport) this weekend.  The videos will also be online at www.parkviewcannonball.com beginning Saturday evening, October 22nd.

Here are a few tips for Session One:

1. Toes Over the Edge: Most groups can jump right to the Toes Over the Edge section of the first session.  Remember, the two questions here are just to get your members warmed up!
2. Watch the session 1 on the DVD after you’ve talked about the first 2 questions.  The 3rd question is on the DVD.
3. Diving in Deep: Read Matthew 6:19-21 and 6:24 aloud.  Remember, unless you’ve asked someone else to read the verse (or are very confident they’re okay with reading aloud), it’s a good idea to read the verses yourself.
4. Matthew 6:25-34 is another very good passage for a look at Jesus’ teaching about money and trust.
5. Luke 9:57-62 is the second major passage of this session.  Ask: Have you ever offered a deal to God?
6. Ask: How is following Jesus more like a cannonball than wading into the water?
7. Ask: How is the following that Jesus requires different than joining a club or playing on a team?
8. Ripple Effect: Important Note: This is a great section to do in smaller groups.  If you have more than 7 members, consider sub-grouping for this section.  Remember, men with men and women with women.  Read the first two paragraphs aloud.  Then, have your members write in their answers before sharing them out loud.  Share your answer, then  Ask: Would anyone be willing to share what you wrote with the rest of the group?
9. Share prayer requests and close with prayer. Although group members will often tell you that they want to have prayer time together, “so we can hear everyone’s prayer requests,” it is almost always better to remain in smaller groups for prayer.  Help your members stay focused by saying something like, “Is there something you’d like the group to pray about for you personally?”

As you finish your meeting this week, be sure and point out that the next set of daily devotionals begin on page 27.  If anyone got a late start, they can use the weekend to get caught up!