Overcoming Fear: The Rising & Falling of Our Faith & Fears (06.21.21)
Together Processing Our Sermons and Checking In on Rule of Life
Opening Prayer
After the group welcomes one another, have one person open in prayer and then take 5 minutes of silence. As you sit in silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be lovingly open to God and your groupmates.
Sermon Response
Sunday’s sermon examined Matthew 14:22-36, the narrative of Jesus walking on water and Peter walking toward him. Use these questions as a jumping off point for an open, vulnerable, and intimate group discussion:
- Learning: Read the sermon text Matthew 14:22-36. What stands out or surprises you in this passage of Scripture? What parts from the sermon particularly inspired or challenged you?
- Confession: As Dave explained, fear feeds on hopeful possibility. What are some of the things you’re hoping for, and how does fear show up in those places for you?
- Invitation: How do you believe God has invited you to respond to this message and scripture?
- Practice: Just as Peter told Jesus “tell me to come to you on the water” (v. 28), what do you hope Jesus would ask you to come into with him? Take 5-10 minutes to individually journal a prayer in a notebook or on your phone with the question: What do you hope Jesus would call you into as our city is reopening? After taking time to journal, share with one another and pray for one another.
Repeatable Sharing on Rule of Life
If time permits, open up some space for sharing about Rule of Life.
Three foundational practices in our Rule of Life right now:
- Scripture: Reading the Bible daily.
- Fasting: Abstaining from food for a brief period of time weekly.
- Sabbath: Pausing work and tech for a time to rest in God weekly.
Share about your experience of the Rule of Life honestly, prompted by the questions below, and follow these steps for each person sharing:
- Share – A person responds to any of the prompts below.
- Discern – The group pauses for 30-60 seconds to take in what was shared. After pausing the sharer can add anything they want, and the group can ask clarifying questions.
- Offer – The group gets to make offers of support for the person, such as offering prayers, one-on-one connections, financial care, acts of service, verses from scripture, or words of encouragement.
- Bless – One person in the group prays blessing over whoever shared.
If helpful, set a timer to make room for everyone to share or allow your group to focus on just a few people each week.
Take turns responding to any of these questions:
- What is something you believe God’s teaching you or revealing to you through practicing our Rule of Life? (For example, a reaction to a scripture, an insight from fasting, or a challenge from sabbath.)
- How do you believe God is at work in your life circumstances (work, family, social life, etc.)?
- What are some requests to your group for help or prayer?
- If you have anything you really want your group to know about you right now, what is it and why is it important to you?
Closing Intercession
Pray for your group, our church, our city, and our world.