Live Long, Finish Strong

Online Leaders Guide

The Divine Secret to Living Healthy, Happy, and Healed

GLORIA COPELAND

Scripture quotations marked AMP are from The Amplified Bible, Old Testament 1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Scripture quotations marked NIV are from The Holy Bible, New International Version 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Live Long, Finish Strong Online Leaders Guide The Divine Secret to Living Healthy, Happy, and Healed 2010 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. dba Kenneth Copeland Publications FINISH STRONG is a registered trademark owned by Finish Strong, LLC Kenneth Copeland Publications Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001 For more information about Kenneth Copeland Ministries, call 800-600-7395 or visit www.kcm.org. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Contents

What You Will Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Goal Is Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Preparation Is Important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 About Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Leading Your Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Journaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Get the Word Out! 10 Ways to Promote Your Small Groups . . . . 6

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Welcome!
We are excited that you have decided to step out in faith and lead this great Bible study experience! God will reward you for sowing into the lives of others, anointing and helping you as you seek Him! He will equip you to play an important part in revealing His plan for long, fruitful life to all who participate in these group studies! You will nd rich, faith-building material in the DVDs, CDs and Guidebook & Journal to help your group develop a vital connection with the Lord. To be a successful study leader, the only requirements are a heart for the Lord and His people, along with some preparation. Remember to prepare for each session in advance. These easy instructions tell you exactly how to prepare and complete your small-group studies.

What You Will Need

Whether youre meeting in a home, classroom or auditorium, have the room set up with plenty of seating, TV, sound and video equipment, and be familiar with their operation well ahead of time. Home TV and DVD players are usually adequate for home meetings, but use the best place and equipment available to you. The larger the room or group, the larger the video monitor and greater sound capacity youll need. Low volume or distorted sound may be a distraction to group members. You may need a person familiar with audio/video equipment to assist you. Be sure to also have some extra Live Long, Finish Strong books, Curriculum Kits, pens, Bibles and paper handy.

The Goal Is Simple

Meet together Watch the DVD session Go over the lessons Relax, talk about Gods Word and let Him move!

Preparation Is Important
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV Steps for Preparation Make sure you are working closely with the leadership in your church. Start by reading the book Live Long, Finish Strong by Gloria Copeland. Use your Bible and make notes as you read. There are eight sessions on three DVDs, each with teaching and inspiring stories. Sessions cover material from the book plus additional, faith-building teaching from Gloria Copeland.
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There are eight sessions on four CDs, which are audio versions of the material on the DVDs, so you can enjoy this material in your home or on the go! Guidebook & Journal chapters correspond to the audio and video sessions on the DVDs and CDs. For example, the material covered in Session 1 of the DVD and CD complement the material in Chapter 1 of the Guidebook & Journal. Watch the video session you will be covering and complete the chapter in your Guidebook & Journal before meeting with your group. Be familiar with the questions and answers you will be covering. We have included specic questions and topics for discussion in each chapter of the Guidebook & Journal, but feel free to discuss any part of the chapter with your group.

About Time
Some Guidebook & Journal chapters contain more material than others, so youll probably not be able to complete them all each time. Select which questions to emphasize, and determine your focus ahead of time. Plan well and try to stick to your timetable in all sessions. A typical session can be completed in 60-90 minutes if you move along and are well prepared. However, be exible and aware of attendee schedules. If you perceive God is owing in a specic direction, be led by the Holy Spirit rather than trying to force session completion. Trust God, pray and get His wisdom.

Leading Your Group

The key to a successful group experience is to be prepared and organized, but above all, to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How to Start a Session Open the session by warmly greeting your group. Pray briey before the session. Thank them for participating, and tell them they are in for a great blessing. This study is going to change their lives as God shows them new and powerful truths about living long and nishing strong! How to Go Through a Session Start each session as outlined above. Watch the DVD. Go through the previously selected questions in the Guidebook & Journal using your own leader notes and answers. Relax and enjoy leading. Give the participants opportunities to respond and interact, but provide the correct answers to your group as part of the teaching. An Answer Key is provided at the back of your Live Long, Finish Strong Guidebook & Journal. Dont spend too much time on one topic or question, unless you perceive the leading of the Holy Spirit in that direction. Keep things simple and to the point.

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Pray as you prepare for each session, asking the Lord what HE wants you to focus on for your specic group. Be open to His leading during the session. Finish each session with prayer. Important, Helpful Hints You dont have to know everything. Let the Word in Gloria Copelands teaching speak for itself. If anything comes up that you dont have answers for, simply admit you dont know and encourage participants to research the Bible themselves, go back over the teaching or ask their pastor. You can also respond at another time. Remember to always point people to the Word of God, and encourage them to ask Him for the answers. Provide them with any resources that will assist them. Keep things moving. Never let an individual dominate a discussion, leaving the rest of the group as an audience. God has anointed and appointed you as leader. When necessary, gently but rmly interrupt and thank the person for their contribution. Just say, Excuse me, but time is running short, and we need to hear from others, too, or We have more to cover tonight. Dont let the session disintegrate into a doctrinal debate. Interrupt by saying you respect individual positions, but this is not the time for a doctrinal dispute. Then get back to the session. Get to know your group. Learn participants names and personalities, and prayerfully watch for cues indicating possible personal turmoil or trouble. Be prepared, through the Word and prayer, to comfort, exhort and meet needs as they arise. You may need to minister further to an individual, if necessary, after the session. Always keep your pastor (or whomever you report to) informed as you progress through the curriculum. Ministry and Prayer During the sessions, be sensitive for opportunities where the Lord may want to minister to individuals. Prayer is essential! Make sure you and your church are regularly praying over these sessions and believing God that lives will be deeply impacted. Pray that strongholds and barriers to Gods presence in peoples lives will be pulled down permanently. These sessions present the perfect opportunity to invite people from the community. If your church offers qualied counseling, you may want to mention its availability for those who desire it. Continually point people to the local church. Have materials displayed that provide information on how they can receive assistance and be involved. You may want to use some music in your sessions. Perhaps begin by playing a song from a worship CD, or have someone play a couple of songs on guitar. Use whatever opportunities you have to create an attitude of worship. Communicate your enthusiasm for the sessions and be ready to minister!

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Journaling
A feature of this curriculum is journalingwriting down thoughts and prayers in each chapter. This may be new to you or your group. The Live Long, Finish Strong Guidebook & Journal contains details about journaling to help you enjoy the maximum benets of this feature. Journaling portions in the workbook often provide leaders with excellent platforms for group ministry. As you prepare for each session, look for the journaling portions that create opportunities for open discussion, teaching and prayer.

Get the Word Out! 10 Ways to Promote Your Small Groups

1. GATHER A PRAYER TEAM. Prayer is so important! It is the best way to see success in your groups. Begin to pray daily or weekly over your meetings with your prayer team. 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS. Create some announcements for your church services, Bible studies and small groups, or to hand out around the neighborhood, etc. Make sure you allow at least several weeks notice so that people have a chance to schedule attendance. Provide date, time, place and all other necessary information. 3. CHURCH BULLETIN. Place an announcement in your church bulletin (or print special bulletin inserts) each week, leading up to the start of your group meetings. 4. EMAIL MESSAGES. Send emails to invite peopleyour ministry partners and congregation database, friends, relatives, etc. 5. THE INTERNET. Advertise on your website, making sure to include all the details about your group(s). Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other Internet options are plentiful and can also be a great way to invite people. 6. CREATE A CALLING PLAN OR CALLING GROUP. Use the personal touch by making phone calls to lists of people known by you and your group. This could include family members, neighbors or friends from church, work or school. Or send them a creative text message. 7. CREATE POSTERS. Place them in prominent, high-trafc areas. 8. CREATE SIGN-UP SHEETS. Place them in prominent, high-trafc areas. Mention the sign-up sheets on the posters and in your announcements. 9. MAKE A BANNER. Hang it in the church lobby during the weeks leading up to the group studies. 10. VIDEO. If your church uses video in their services, consider making a video announcement.
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Tips for personally inviting others to your group meetings Most of us have invited someone to our home, a movie, concert or a game. Inviting others to your small group is just as easy! Simply be yourself, and trust the Holy Spirit to lead and help you! Pray for Gods favor. Here are some scriptures to help: Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selshness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. So shall you nd favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man. Lean on, trust in, and be condent in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:3-6, AMP God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). Psalm 5:12, AMP What will you say to people? Youve been inspired by this messagejust share that enthusiasm with others! Telling your own story is always a powerful way to communicate. Tell the story of how you heard about Live Long, Finish Strong or a story about health or healingor however the Lord leads you!