
Session 1 – The Gift of God

THE GIFT OF GOD
~ OUR BODY ~
Preparation
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
LEADER’S TIP
- Starting this session, the topic will revolve around a person’s health. You may not be a health expert and you are not expected to be. Share to your group what you know without portraying yourself as the one knowing everything.
- When it comes to health information, sometimes it’s hard to know which one is scientifically sound and which one is pseudoscientific. The rule of thumb will be to rely on recognised and credible resources such as from World Health Organization or government health bodies. For Adventist related health materials, you may want to cite from official sites as General Conference Health Ministries website (http://healthministries.com/).
- Correlation does not mean causation. Be careful in trying to interpret research findings in the article you or your members may find about health as conclusive. Often, further research is needed to confirm the initial research finding. Take what is practical while remaining aware that information you shared may change as research on the area continues to develop.
- Help to moderate the discussion and help members to see that the group is not about being experts in health but to build a community of disciples for Jesus where all are learning together.
1. Walking for Exercise
2. The Health Reformer
3. Exercise and Air
4. Counsel on Diet
5. Testimonies for the Church: Exercise
6. Ellen White and Modern Medicine
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Session 2 – Dealing with Temptation

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION
Preparation
In preparation for this week’s D-Group:
Memorize and Meditate on:
Read/Watch:
Thought on the Mount of Blessing pg 116-119
Recipe for Isolation, Depression and Anxiety
Accountability (10 Minutes)
In our lesson last week, everyone was asked to list down their strength and weakness in their health lifestyle (Life Transformation task No.4) in their devotional Journal. Share with your group members, if there are changes that you have experienced after you have done the task.
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
1. Read 1 John 2:16. What do we have to be aware of as Christians living in the world of today?
2. Read Matt 4:1-11. What are the temptations Jesus must face? Do you find yourself facing some of these temptations in your own life as well? What wisdom can you gain from Jesus’ example when He was confronted with temptations?
3. In 2 Corinthians 12:6-10, Paul speaks about “strength in weaknesses”. What spiritual encouragement can this verse give to us as we face challenges of temptation each day?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
1. If you were asked the question “Who is in control of your life?”, what will your answer be and why? Are you comfortable with the answer that you share with your group members? Discuss.
2. Share with your group members some of the factors that make it hard for you to resist or overcome the temptation that you are facing in life. Categorise them into two groups: External factor e.g. you are surrounded by the temptation, peer pressure, etc and Internal Factor e.g. it’s the way for you to release emotional pain, you don’t have a healthier alternative, etc. Discuss how God can help you to overcome it.
3. Each one of us struggles with different temptations. Some struggle with addiction to certain things in life, some are tempted to lust, some with jealousy, some with anger or desire for power. How can we, despite our different temptations and struggles, support one another as a community of disciples?
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
1. Claim the promise of God that He can give you strength when you are facing temptations.
2. Pray for each other and for you to be the source of support for your fellow group members as they face temptations in life.
3. Give God the honour and glory for all the victories you have discovered in your life when you face temptations.
LEADER’S TIP
2. Create a comfortable atmosphere for group members to open up to each other. When it comes to personal struggles, we may want to start from ourselves. Sharing your own struggles with temptation may help. Then you can encourage others to join you in sharing theirs.
3. Confidentiality is a must! Please help your group members to know that whatever is shared in the group remains in the group. They should not openly share with other people outside of the D-group.
4. Do not be too disturbed by awkward silences, it is a normal occurrence during group sharing. People take time to reflect and it takes a lot of courage to openly share personal vulnerability. Doing what is suggested at point no.2 (start from yourself) will be of some help.
**Additional Resources
1. Pornography
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Session 3 – Finding Peace in God

FINDING PEACE IN GOD
Preparation
Read/Watch:
As a Christian how should we respond to anxiety?
Accountability (10 Minutes)
In your group, share how you have dealt with any temptation since the last time you have discussed it together in your group.
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
2. Read Matthew 6:25-27. If you notice, Jesus asked us to take note of many simple things around us that is often being neglected. Why do we often overlook such simple blessing in our life?
3. In 1 John 4:16-18, what promise of God can we claim from this passage in relationship with our fear?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
2. In our modern world today, too often like Martha, we tend to get anxious over too many things. There is this tendency to think that no matter what we do, it will never be good enough. Such thoughts often lead us to anxiety and restlessness. As a Christian, what kind of lifestyle and worldview should we embrace to help reduce our personal anxiety and fear? Share.
3. Often, anxiety is associated with overestimating the threat of the future. How should we see the future as a Christian, knowing that God knows what lies ahead of us while at the same time not neglecting to plan well for ourselves?
4. Create a list of gratitude listing all the blessings that God had given you every day. From now on, in every daily prayer that you do, add one of these blessings as part of your thanksgiving prayer to thank God for his blessing for you.
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
2. Ask the Lord for wisdom in handling all situation of life while continuing to trust him during times of uncertainties.
3. Pray for someone that you know who is facing a lot of anxiety and ask if by God’s grace you can be of any sort of help to them.
LEADER’S TIP
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Session 4 – When You Feel Down

WHEN YOU FEEL DOWN
Preparation
Read:
In the reality of the world today, not every event is bright and beautiful. Often, to the contrary, we often face situations that make us feel sad, disappointed, and discouraged. For some others, the world seems to be only about darkness and negativity and it seems that there is nothing good that can come out of the world we are living in.
However, as a Christian, how should we respond to sadness?
Is it biblical for us to express these emotions or are we expected to “rejoice in the LORD always” Philippians 4:4?
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
2. Read John 11:28-37 especially verse 34 and 35. Why did Jesus cry? How does this verse help us to embrace grieving and sadness as part of our Christian journey?
3. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 and notice that the passage does not ignore the fact that there is a time for weeping. How do we know the appropriate time for laughter and sadness?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
2. There are many people in the church who may have been grieving in silence. Sometimes it may be because they are unsure if the church is willing to accept them when they are grieving. What do you think we, as a church, need to do to help people who are grieving in silence while remaining respectful toward each individual’s privacy?
3. What are some of the bible verses that had helped you find peace and comfort in the time of sadness? Share with your group members.
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
- Ask God to show you how to know that He cares for you especially in times of sadness and discouragement.
- Ask God to open your eyes to see those who are looking for comfort in your church and to give you wisdom on helping them.
- Express your gratitude to God for all the blessings that you have received to remind you of His blessings.
LEADER’S TIP
- Grieving is a natural process of coping that everyone will have to go through. However, if a person find that they are not able to get out of the cycle, they may require professional help. If you are not trained in counselling/psychotherapy, you can identify anyone in your group that seems to show a prolonged sense of despair. Continue to comfort them but at the same time advise them to seek medical/psychological assistance as needed. If such help is not directly available in your church, you may want to notify your pastor to help you find help.
- Excessive happiness and optimism is not a sign of being healthy disciples either. It may be a sign of another form of mental disorder known as mania. Therefore, the approach towards grieving is not so much extra happiness but rather acceptance, comfort and prayer.
- Group support is very important in helping people cope with loss and grief. However, some people prefer to grieve privately. We should provide this space for them as well. In the situation where you find your group members expressing the need to grieve in private, allow them to have such time while continuing to give them the assurance that you as a group will always be a phone call away when they need your support. Send them an encouraging text once in a while to let them know that you and your discipleship group care for them.
**Additional Resources
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Session 5 – Understanding Anger

UNDERSTANDING ANGER
Preparation
Read/Watch:
2. Anger – The Misunderstood Emotion
3. Real Family Talk – Don’t Go to Bed Angry
What is Anger?
Accountability (10 Minutes)
2. Did you manage to identify anyone who may have been grieving in silence among the people in your church? If yes, what did you do for them?
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
2. In Matthew 5:21-26, what advice did Jesus give to all who are facing conflicts with themselves and their neighbour?
3. Read John 2:13-16. Apparently, Jesus showed some form of hostility. What is the difference between what Cain did with what Jesus did?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
2. Anger is often described as our hostile response towards the circumstances around us. Share with your group members on some of the anger that you are struggling with and pray together for God to help you resolve the anger.
3. One of the most toxic forms of expressing anger is being passive-aggressive. There are many ways for us to be passive-aggressive. Share a Christian approach on conflict resolution that is opposite of being passive-aggressive or direct hostility/outburst.
4. Discuss with your group, what Christian approach do you need to take if people are angry at you?
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
LEADER’S TIP
2. For others, sharing about anger may lead to a blame game where they blame everything but themselves. There is a famous saying in the counselling field that goes this way, “It takes two hands to clap, it takes one hand to slap” which means that everyone contributes to the problem. We need to take responsibility for the things that we are responsible for and not only blaming everything on others.
3. Forgiveness does not always lead to immediate reconciliation. For some, after they have dealt with their anger, it will take them a period of time to accept the people that have hurt them. We should differentiate the two and not expect everyone to reconcile with the people they have the disagreement with immediately after they have let go of their anger.
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Session 6 – Power of Family of Origin

POWER OF FAMILY OF ORIGIN
Preparation
Read:
What is a family of origin?
Whether you realise it or not, the influence of our family goes on for a lifetime both for good and bad. Most of our learning experiences, especially when it comes to social behaviour, are learned through our family of origin.
We may not fully realise the extent of the influence of our family upon us and often time we may even deny it. Perhaps because we do not want to accept that none of our family is perfect. For others, there is this sense of betrayal when we must admit that our parents are not perfect in showing us all the examples we want to learn in life.
However, accepting the defect of our family of origin may be the gate of redemption for us to grow as a disciple of Jesus. Today, we will explore this important lesson of the family of origin and learn how to grow better without jeopardizing our own spirituality.
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
2. Read Genesis 27: 33-37 and compare it with Genesis 37: 31-33. What pattern do you notice between Jacob and his children? What important lesson can you learn about family influences on us?
3. Read Luke 2:52. What examples from Jesus can we learn on how we to develop our character despite the brokenness around us?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
2. Sometimes our family/trusted friends/people had done certain things that hurt us, and we still carry on with the pain and anger in us. Discuss with your group members what are some steps we should take as a Christian and disciples of Jesus to confront these pain and hurts, and to make some form of closure with these people who had hurt us?
3. Despite our imperfections, what kind of work with God do we need to do in order for us to ensure we can end the cycle of defective family pattern in us, to ensure our future generation do not repeat the same brokenness we have been through?
4. Share with your group, some of the good examples that you have learned from your family of origin that you think had helped you to be a better disciple of Jesus.
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
LEADER’S TIP
2. Nobody will have identical family experience with someone else. Each family dynamic is unique with some general principles that are applicable to most. Make your best attempt to not dwell on too many impractical details that may distract the whole session to trying to find the “best” family examples to be followed by all.
3. At the end of the session, emphasize the fact that in the original plan of God, the family was meant to be the “little heaven on earth”. However, because of sin, all families will go through some brokenness in one way or the other. It is in God’s divine wisdom that He wants to restore this family into what He had planned at the beginning of the Creation.
**Additional Resources
Lessons from the Longest Study on Human Development
What Makes a Good Life?
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Session 7 – Relationship Matters

RELATIONSHIP MATTERS
Preparation
Read/Watch:
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
LEADER’S TIP
**Additional Resources
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Session 8 – Embracing Grace of God Through Hope and Gratitude

EMBRACING GRACE OF GOD THROUGH HOPE AND GRATITUDE
Preparation
Read/Watch:
We have come to the last part of our term in developing a healthier self as part of our discipleship pathway. In this lesson, we will explore transformation in God. One of the most important parts of this transformation is the spirit of gratitude towards God. Our gratitude is our expression of acknowledging what He had done for us. Such an attitude, is not only an expression of faith, but it is also an expression of love towards the One who loves us very much.
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
2. Read Luke 22: 54-62. Despite his initial transformation with Jesus, Peter still needed to continue to grow in Jesus. What kind of spiritual lesson can we learn from this passage about spiritual growth?
3. Read Acts 9:1-19. What important elements did you notice in the conversion process of Saul?
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
Share with your group what are some of your personal life challenges that you want Jesus to change you right now. It can be some form of addiction or resentment you still carry about someone, or perhaps an unteachable attitude that needs to be removed from your life.
2. Despite our best efforts, our humanity will continue to fail us if we only depend on our own strength alone. Create a prayer cycle with your group members and continue to pray for one another for the growth and change that you want your group to find in following Jesus.
3. Challenge yourself to make a commitment to be a helper for someone else to grow from their own emotional and spiritual challenges after this session.
4. Share with your group members, any Bible verse or Ellen White quotations that had helped you in putting hope in God or encouragement to be more grateful of all the blessings you had received in life.
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
2. Pray that God will help all members of the group to encourage one another in our spiritual growth.
3. Pray for strength and hope in God and by His grace, the process of change will continue to happen in everyone’s life.
LEADER’S TIP
2. There is a saying: “trying to see positivity in everything is a form of denial”. As we have learned in the previous lesson about grieving, we need not try to rationalise all circumstances in life to be positive. Be careful of some members (or ourselves) trying to create the impression of finding something positive in some life challenges.
3. At the end of this lesson, take a bit of your time to review the entire lesson together and remind everyone that: “sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome.”76The Acts of the Apostles, 560 Growth is usually a painful and difficult process of transformation that is not always straight forward. However, what matters is that the process continues to happen even though it might look insignificant at times. Encourage all group members to continue to pray for each other in their growth process.
**Additional Resources
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Session 1 – Ministry: Saved to Serve

MINISTRY: SAVED TO SERVE
Preparation
Memorize and Meditate on 2 Tim 1:9
We Serve God Because We are Saved by Him
What is the definition of ministry?
Total Member Involvement
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
- For the advancement of the Gospel in hard-to-reach areas of the world
- For fortitude on behalf of workers who are currently serving.
- That God will show you how you can work in His vineyard.
- For and Support Adventist Mission and indigenous workers in unentered areas.
- Support HOPE SINGAPORE so their work can continue over the airwaves.
- Participate in local and institutional health outreach events, such as Pay It Forward, etc.
- Get involved in a cell/care group, or church outreach event.
- Help with these ministries in your local church: Children, Youth, Young Adults, Pathfinder, Culinary, Sabbath School, Worship, Community Service projects, etc.
- Volunteer with evangelistic events, Revelation Seminars or Prophecy Seminars, bible study groups, etc.
- Befriend new members and nurture them.
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Session 2 – Commitment in Ministry

COMMITMENT IN MINISTRY
~Empowered by the Holy Spirit~
Preparation
What happens when the Holy Spirit convicts a believer?
What then is Christian commitment?
How does this apply to the followers of Jesus?
Accountability (10 Minutes)
Bible Discussion (20 Minutes)
Life Transformation (20 Minutes)
Intercessory Prayer (10 Minutes)
- To allow the Holy Spirit to guide and lead in my ministry
- To partner the Holy Spirit in my ministry
- To let the Holy Spirit guide and change me from the inside out
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