LIFE SHAPE SERIES
The Heptagon (Signs of Life)
SPEAKER: Glen Robinson
Study Guide by: Jason Kolar
CONNECT (5-10 min)
Leaders Note: The purpose of this time is to help the members of the group grow in relationships with
one another so all people in the group know they matter. Spend some time discovering what is
happening in the lives of your group members.
GROW – Review the Message Summary (30-45 min)
Leaders Note: The goal of this section is to apply the truth of the message (not teach) so each
participant is familiar with John’s message from Sunday morning. Good facilitators “share the
leadership”. If your group has been meeting at least 8-12 weeks you should have an “apprentice”. This
would be a good section for your apprentice to facilitate.
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Here is the outline from the teaching on Sunday…
The church of Jesus Christ is a living organism subject to the same principles of growth that
apply to all living things.
Every church is one generation away from extinction, and today’s generation wants to see
living stones.
1. Movement: shows you are not dead – Movement is a response to stimuli. (Galatians 5:1626)
2. Respiration: breathing God’s breath – Breathing is not necessarily respiration. Inhale His
Spirit and exhale His will. (Romans 8:9-11)
3. Sensitivity: the pentagon at work – the body is a unit working together (Ephesians 4:1-14)
4. Growth: the result of a healthy life – Growth is an expression of life; all living things grow.
(Ephesians 4:15-16)
5. Reproduction: creating the future – This is different from growth in that it is a multiplication
of an organism. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
6. Excretion: a cleansed life – Every heart builds up a collection of junks that needs to be
emptied through the process of repentance and discipline. (James 5:13-16)
7. Nutrition: the obedience diet – living things must take in nutrients or they will die.
(Deuteronomy 8:3)
Discussion Questions
1. What stood out most to you from the sermon this week?
2. Movement – How do you move deeper into the heart of the Lord?
3. Respiration – Why is it so important to inhale His Spirit to exhale His will?
4. Sensitivity – How has God gifted you for His kingdom? How can you use these gifts in this
group? And how can we use these gifts together in the Lynchburg community?
5. Growth – How has God grown you recently? In what ways has our group grown? How
we have not grown?
6. Reproduction – Has our community reproduced? How can we build a culture of
reproduction?
7. Excretion – Is there something we need to excrete from our group in order to grow and
reproduce? What in your life deters from your affection for Christ and how can you
excrete that from your life?
8. Nutrition – What in your life stirs your affection for Christ and how can you better
incorporate those into your daily life? How can we help and encourage each other
towards these things?
9. What has God revealed to you? What are you going to do about it? Do you need any
accountability from the group?
SERVE: intentionally caring for others in a tangible way (15-20 min)
Close the small group discussion with a time of praying. Who do the members of the group
have influence with that you could pray for specifically? Perhaps spend some time praying
Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21.
If anyone shared a need during your meeting, be sure you have made plans to intentionally
care for that person! Did you hear about or observe anything at Crosspoint this week that
offers you an opportunity to serve others?
Throughout The Week: (Optional)
(Leaders Note: Share these optional exercises for further study and growth with your group. Encourage
parents with children to use the parent guides as a family. )
MONDAY: Review the text
Read: Luke 4:38-44
What truth did God reveal to you from this text and from the sermon this past week?
TUESDAY: Movement and Respiration
Read: Galatians 5:16-26
What is contrast between walking by the Spirit and walking by the Flesh? Which direction are
you moving towards? Why? How can you inhale the fruit of the Spirit into your life?
WEDNESDAY: Sensitivity
Read: Ephesians 4:1-14
What did God give to the church? What was the purpose for those gifts? Which one has God
gifted you with? How are you using that to equip and build up the body? How can you better
use your gifts?
THURSDAY: Growth and Reproduction
Read: Ephesians 4:15-16
How does this passage tell us how to grow? What ways are you growing into Christ for the
betterment of the Body? Are you growing? Have you seen any reproduction in your life? Who
is following you and what are you reproducing in their life?
FRIDAY: Excretion and Nutrition
Read: James 5:13-16
What things in your life are deterring your affection for Christ? What needs to happen for you
to excrete these things from your life? What things in your life are stirring your affections for
Christ (these things do not need to be “spiritual” things like reading and praying, they can be
daily rhythms like working out, hanging out with people, etc.)? How can you bring those more
into your life? Who do you need to talk to keep yourself accountable?
SATURDAY: Spend time today praying for the prayer requests of your small group members.
Pray for the leaders who will be leading us in musical worship and delivering God’s word. Are
there certain people that the Lord has laid on your heart to pray for their salvation? Are there
people you can have a conversation about God with this weekend?