Ending Season, Part 1 (03.07.22)
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:
- Learning and Wisdom
- Gratitude and Appreciation
- Testifying to the Work of God
- Sabbath and Resting the Ground
- God’s Call to Move
- Holy Week Passover Meal – Remembering God’s Faithfulness
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: A culture in our church where Community = Community Group.
Next: A culture where Community = A Suite of Options for people to choose from, such as:
- Organic Connection – made simply, for example, by swapping emails and meeting up
- Socials – simple drop-in spaces for casual connection with other congregants
- Groups – a collection of people committed to regularly meeting up as disciples of Jesus
- Leadership Cohort – dedicated space for training and developing church leaders
A Season for All Things
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 and then silently reflect on the seasons of your CG for a few minutes with these questions:
- What do you believe you have to learn from Ecclesiastes’ perspective on there being “a time for everything”?
- What are the seasons this group has walked through?
- What have you learned along the way that’s important wisdom to hold onto?
Discuss:
- How can this group learn from Ecclesiastes’ perspective in these verses?
- What are some of the valuable lessons you have learned while meeting with this group? Which of these lessons feel particularly important to you today or to take into the future? Why?
Closing Intercession
Thank God for the wisdom He has provided, and then pray for further wisdom for your group, our church, our city, and our world.