Learning Circle
Jesus wants to breakthrough.
This Learning Circle is designed to teach people how to hear the voice of the Lord and respond to it. Of all the tools, we encourage you to become proficient in this one, to become a master craftsman if you will. Jesus is wanting to breakthrough in the lives of your group members. This tool can help them to clearly identify where and how He is trying to do just that.
Use this video to teach your group about the Learning Circle.
Use this video for leader tips about the Learning Circle
Purpose: This tool is designed to teach people how to hear the voice of the Lord and respond to it. Of all the tools, we encourage you to become proficient in this one, to become a master craftsman if you will. Heaven is waiting to break into the lives of your group members.
Scriptures:
James 1:22-25 - Be doers of the Word
Deuteronomy 13:4 - Obey His Voice
John 10:27 - His sheep hear His voice
John 16:13 - The Holy Spirit speaks
2 Timothy 3:16 - Value of the Word of God
Hebrews 4:12 - The Living Word
CREATING A STARWARS PLAN:
S - Spirit Driven
T - Tangible
A - Aggressive
R - Realistic
W - Written in our Own Hand
A - Achievable
R - Readily Available
S - Strategic
Teach:
Say: “It is important for us as followers of Jesus to be able to hear what the Lord is saying and then follow through by doing putting it into action.
We will answer two questions with this tool:
What is the Lord saying to you?
What are you going to do about it?
Answering these two questions is important for us as we begin this transformation journey in the weeks ahead.”
Answering these two questions is the beginning of leading people in our group to transformation. The Lord directs each of us through His Holy Spirit and through His Word. We can often hear what He is asking us to do. However, we can easily get stuck by simply hearing and not taking any steps toward doing anything about it.
As we make our way around the Learning Circle we will be discussing and asking questions that can direct the people in our group to actions steps that can bring transformation to their lives.
This may include creating a plan that they will bring back to the group for further accountability and action.
Group Action Steps:
When someone in your group has tears in their eyes, shares a big decision ahead of them, or believes the Lord is showing them something to change, it might be time to walk them through the Learning Circle to help reveal what God wants them to do.
This can be done in the following 6 steps:
Observe: Let them tell the story.
Questions to ask: “What just happened?", “What is happening?” “What do you see?” “What are you reading in Scripture?” “What is Scripture showing you?”
Reflect:
Questions to ask: "Why did this happen?"
The 5 Whys: The core idea of the 5 Whys system is exactly what it sounds like, ask the question “Why?” five times to understand the root cause of an issue. This is usually the heart of the matter.
Discuss: Give them Scripture to read. Have your group give them scripture on the matter.
***Stay away from advice and personal opinion.
Statements to make: "Here’s what I heard you say; here’s what I’m reminded of."
Plan: The individual or group has 48 hours to create an action plan using STARWARS
Questions to ask: What do you need to do about what God seems to be saying to you?
Accountability: Report their plan within 48 hours to their group.
Act: Carry-out the plan. The group helps to keep accountability to ensure it is happening.
Questions to ask:
How does our life look different if we are obedient to what God is asking us to do?
Why do you think so many people get stuck at hearing and not doing?
When building the plan: What did the Lord show you in your study? How has your plan affected your life?
Explanation of each step in the Learning Circle:
Observation
The observation is the place where a Kairos begins. Observations can me made on any plane of existence as all things have been made through Him, for Him and by Him (Colossians 1). Remember as well, that Jesus taught His disciples by having them make observations in nature (Matthew 6). Observations can be made from the Word (what stuck out to you), and from doing “High’s and Low’s” around the table. Where ever the observation comes from, we are training disciples to see that Jesus is all around them all the time. (John 15)
Reflection
Getting to the "why" or "reflection" piece is key to the Learning Circle because it allows us to actually speak the truth about the situation and to speak it out loud. Don't be afraid to press into the "why". A wise man once said, "people already have the answer inside them, they just need help saying it out loud." Once this is spoken out loud, the application of the scripture becomes life-giving.
Discussion
Stick with this language during the discussion phase, “Here’s what I heard you say, and here’s what I am reminded of …” It is imperative to use this language as it keeps us from telling others what to do. In addition, first share Scripture over personal opinion and experiences.
Making a Plan
Making a plan is also critical in the process of discipleship for without a plan we cannot believe the good news. This is where we put our faith to the test trusting Jesus with both our obedience and the outcome and it is where He tells us, “did I not tell you that if you would believe that you would see my glory?” (John 11) We use a format of eight “test points” to make sure our plan can be completed. STARWARS lays out for the individuals in our group a healthy way to realistically accomplish their plan. You can find those eight points at the link above.
Accountability
A little accountability is all you need here. The accountability falls completely on the one in the learning circle. It is their duty to let the group know how they are progressing with their plan. Every piece of obedience yields transformation and these acts of obedience will yield a crop of righteousness. (Hebrews 12)
Action
This is the natural end result of working a plan and producing fruit and transformation.