Ending Season, Part 2 (03.14.22)

In order to make space to rebuild our culture and structure for community as a church, Community Groups will walk through an ending season now through Easter. This guide will lead CGs through helpful biblical perspectives and discussion prompts around the theme of endings—such as sabbath rest, God’s calling into transitions, testifying to God’s work, and reflecting on learned wisdom.

Outline of Weeks to Come:

  1. Learning and Wisdom (3.7.22)
  2. Gratitude and Appreciation (3.14.22)
  3. Testifying to the Work of God (3.21.22)
  4. Sabbath and Resting the Ground (3.28.22)
  5. God’s Call to Move (4.4.22)
  6. Holy Week & Seder Passover Meal – Remembering God’s Faithfulness (4.11.22)

Opening Prayer

After the group welcomes one another, have one person open in prayer and then take 2-3 minutes of silence. As you sit in silence, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart in love toward Jesus and your group mates.

Now & Next

Each week we’ll give some information to help your group know how the church is transitioning our CGs and revamping our approach to community ministry. This week will be in the format of Now (how CGs currently function in our church) and Next (where we are headed in our community ministry).

Now:
Currently, CGs meet on rhythm weekly as a ministry the church formally supports. For example, the church supports by providing leadership meetings, weekly practice guides, and helps people get connected to CGs.

Next: 
In the near-term (Easter to the fall), there will be no formal support for CGs—such as no weekly guides like this one. This means that CG will no longer be a formal church group. If people decide to continue connecting, it will be as an informal group of friends, which people are always free to choose!

We encourage people currently in CGs to come to Socials on Sundays and Community Nights starting in May!

In the longer term (fall and beyond), our church’s group ministry will relaunch with a recommitted emphasis on discipleship to Jesus. More info on this rebooted group ministry in the weeks to come!

Encourage One Another, Build One Another Up

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-18 and then silently reflect on specific ways you appreciate people in your group:

Discuss:

  1. In what ways does 1 Thessalonians 5:9-18 challenge or inspire you to rejoice and give thanks to God and one another?
  2. Like a dog-pile of gratitude and appreciation, express your thanks and encouragement to one another. Which people do you want to honor and build up? Be as heartfelt and specific as you can.

Closing Intercession

Thank God for the gift of knowing one another and ask God to continue developing a heart of gratitude in you, your group, our church, our city, and our world.

Up Next Week

Testifying to the Work of God — An opportunity to give God the credit and testify to the way you’ve seen God at work in and through your life while being part of this group.