The Future of Our Church: Processing & Discernment (05.03.21)
Together Practicing Our Rule of Life And Unpacking Our Future Church Sermon Series
Leader’s Note
- Different from the usual format, this guide includes a short video from Pastor Dave for your group to watch together. After watching, you can use this practice guide like normal and talk & pray through the prompts.
Opening Prayer
After the group welcomes one another, have one person open in prayer and then take 3 minutes of silence. As you sit in silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be lovingly open to God and your groupmates.
Video
As a group watch this 9-minute video by Pastor Dave, which provides some background and sets up the importance of processing our personal history in order to discern the will of God together in CGs.
Processing
As Dave explained in the video, people might have history to process related to this possible building purchase. Perhaps it’s concerning money, prior church experiences, issues around trust, or anything like this. CG is a good and safe place to be open about what we might need to process, and what we have to process might be part of the work God wants to do in our church’s growth and discipleship.
Reflect on these questions quietly for a few minutes.
- What is this possible building purchase bringing up for you? How does it heighten feelings or beliefs with roots in your history—perhaps about money, church leadership, and so on? What would you like to vulnerably share with the group and seek their support in?
Take turns sharing, listen to one another compassionately, and pray for each person after they share.
Discernment
What is discernment? It is seeking out the will of God so that we can align our actions with His will. For this possible building purchase, we have much to discern! Is this the right opportunity for us to step into?
As Dave said in the video, people discern in different ways. Some talk it over with many people. Others research the facts in depth. Some fast and pray to listen for God. Walk through these couple steps and engage in your discernment style.
- Pause for 5 minutes of silence. Sit with God and listen for His guidance on this matter. Take note of anything that strikes strongly as an impression from the Holy Spirit.
- Have an open dialog. Share with one another what came up in prayer. What do you think about this possible direction for our church?
Closing Intercession
Pray for your group, our church, our city, and our world.
Next Steps
If you want to learn more about the building discernment process, you can see more at https://realitysf.com/building/. You can also let us know what you’re discerning via this Discernment Response Form.
Lastly, stay connected to church communication as we continue to seek out God’s will and make God-honoring decisions about this opportunity to buy a church building.