Community Examen, Part 2: Compassionate Curiosity (08.10.20)
A Series of Guides for Groups Reassessing & Realigning on Community as Followers of Jesus
Leader’s Note
We encourage groups to abide by local ordinances for public health and safety. Continue to meet via video calls, or if meeting in person outside, abide by SF safety guidelines for outdoor, in-person gatherings.
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 help you be aware of the questions you’re considering right now.
Checking In
Set a timer for 1-2 minutes for each person to respond to this question:
What are the big or little questions you’re thinking about right now? How do you hope God will meet you in your curiosity?
Community Examen
During this series, we are taking a simple inventory of our communities in order to set them up for connection, health, and discipleship to Jesus. Last week’s focus was on appreciation, which is important for any community to practice together regularly. This week is about compassionate curiosity.
A healthy and functional community will be compassionate and curious together. This means both welcoming the curious questions of our community (as we just did in sharing our questions before) and intentionally inquiring with one another about one another’s lives in a spirit of compassion.
Practicing Compassionate Curiosity
Praying with Scripture: Take 5 minutes to journal and pray after reading Colossians 3:12-15.
- Ask God what He might want you to know about having a compassionate heart.
- What compassionate questions do you have for your group?
Asking Curiously: One way we show care is by inquiring about people’s lives. Allow a couple people to ask a compassionate question and let that turn into an opportunity to share more vulnerably with one another. Whenever a person shares, make it a point to ask at least one compassionate question as follow up.
If the conversation reaches a lull, move on to a new question.
Closing Intercession
Pray for your group, our church, our city, and our world.