Doug Bender - I Am Second Conversation Guide

I AM SECOND

Some names and details in this book have been changed to protect the identities of those mentioned.

2012 by e3 Partners Ministry

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

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All Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-4016-7580-6

Printed in the United States of America

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Freedom. Love. Success. Happiness.

Everyone is looking for something. Discover the stories of people who tried to find it. They tried to find it through drugs, pleasure, and money. But nothing worked. Nothing filled the hole in their chests. Relationships crumbled; the money just caused more problems; struggles and addictions riddled their lives. Nothing satisfied. That is, until they became Second, and that changed everything. Be inspired by their stories. Be challenged by the lessons they teach. Learn to tell your own story. And discover for yourself the power of a life dedicated to Second.

contents

Feature Stories: Josh Hamilton, Michelle Aguilar

Feature Stories: Brian Head Welch, Daniel Montenegro, Michael W. Smith, and others

Feature Stories: Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs, Vitor Belfort, Shannon Culpepper, and others

Feature Stories: Brian Sumner, Bradie James, Laura Klock, and others

Feature Stories: Tamara Jolee, Bethany Hamilton, Chris Plekenpol, and others

Feature Stories: You and your group

For training films, free downloads, and other bonus content, register at iamsecond.com/bonuscontent.

Here are a few tips and pointers that will help keep this Second group the healthy, interactive, and life-changing community it is designed to be.

Go over these together:

Who can join the group?

I Am Second groups are for anyone wanting to discover more about Jesus. If people are interested in learning more, in discovering the raw, authentic, and often challenging stories of real people becoming Second, then this group is for them. Be sensitive to the needs of the group when setting the time and place of the meetings.

What can I expect?

Be sure each person in your group has a copy of this participants guide and a copy of the book I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives. Participants will use both resources extensively throughout each week.

Two Stories

Each session contains two stories. The first story focuses on a contemporary issue and personality. Some of these people are famous; others are not. All of them are equally authentic. Before each session the group can read these stories in the book. Each session begins with a first-person retelling of the story through an I Am Second film.

The second story comes from the Bible. These stories show Jesus interacting with real people dealing with the same issues as the first story. The goal is to see how these ancient stories can bring new insights about life and about God.

Your group will learn from these stories by way of discussion. There is a series of open-ended questions for each story for your group to discuss.

Live and Tell

At the end of every session are two questions. The Live and Tell questions are designed to help you obey and follow through with the things you learn. These stories are meant to inspire, challenge, and yes, even change everyone in the group. But for this change to happen, each person needs to seriously and specifically discuss what those changes should look like in his or her own life. The Live and Tell questions are designed to help you do just that. So be sure to not skip these vitally important questions.

The Power of Story Session

The first session will be different from the other sessions. Rather than discussing a specific topic, your group will share and discuss your own I am Second stories. This discussion guide will touch on deep and personal topics, addictions, relationships, wealth, death, and more. In order for you to have the meaningful and personal discussions intended for your group, you will first need to know a bit about the background, experiences, struggles, and relationship with God that everyone in your group has had. This first session will set the relational foundation for your group to move forward in the rest of this discussion guide. To give you time to share and discuss your own I am Second stories, there will be no Bible story or Live and Tell for this first session.

How do I keep the discussion going?

Rule 1Speak in Sentences, not Paragraphs

Let every persons voice be heard. There are times set aside throughout the course of this material that let all group members share their life stories, but in the normal course of your group, everyones interactions should be short and to the point.

Rule 2No Topic Surfing

Focus on only one story and one Bible passage each meeting. Do not surf through other stories, other Bible passages, sermons, books, or outside sources that the rest of the group may not be familiar with. If the group discovers an I am Second story or Bible passage that everyone wants to discuss together, feel free and even encouraged to do so, but not right then. Schedule another meeting at another time.

How does the Live and Tell work?

Rule 3Keep Externally Focused

The insights learned in this group are meant to be lived out and shared with the people in your lives. Things are supposed to change. If people leave the same way they entered, then this group has failed. Expect to be challenged. Expect to change. And be ready to share what is learned with friends and family.

Rule 4Challenging but Doable