Introduction
Before we kick off this weeks Bible reading and discussion. Please take a moment to ensure everyone in the group has seen the communications on KC moving venues as of the 8th June. If there are any questions or concerns of the group, please discuss, and the TC coordinator can relay the questions back to the team. We are currently working to put together a comprehensive FAQ. If you have a question, it is likely that other do as well so please share.
Now let's jump into the good stuff:
You can use the kick off prayer below (or do your own), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example kick off prayer: Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
Passage: 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Discussion
- Paul opens with deep gratitude for his fellow believers. Who has been a ‘partner in the gospel’ to you—and how has God used them to grow your faith?
- Verse 6 reminds us that God finishes what He starts. What unfinished work is God doing in you right now—and how are you responding to it?
- If God answered your prayers for the people closest to you, how would thier life change? What would they become?
- Reread versus 9-11. What are your thoughts on Paul's prayer for these people?
- Would you like this prayer prayed over you? If God answered it, how would your life change?
- Share with one another and pray for one another. Pray for God to speak into your direct questions and circumstance. Ask the Holy Spirit for a gift, such as a word or image, that can be used to build up someone in your group. Ask the Holy Spirit to make clear the will of God in your life now.
If any questions arose, which you would like to follow up on, please reach out to one of the elders. In person, via phone or Ask a Pastor.
Habit of Grace
Habit of Grace: Generosity
Now that we have dabbled in practically engaging in simple daily generosity, we seek to engage God for direction over stewardship through prayer.
Practice
Take a few deep breaths, and invite the Holy Spirit to fill your mind and heart. Just quietly wait after each prompt for the Spirit to bring to your imagination any thoughts or feelings or desires he has for you.
God, is there anything about my current stewardship (giving, living, or building) that you want me to change?
Do you want me to give differently?
Do you want me to live differently?
Do you want me to build differently?
If you've genuinely asked the Spirit to speak over your life, and you sense peace over the way things are and you are living in scriptural obedience, simply seek to enjoy all that God has given you and live with contentment. But if you sense the Spirit moving you to change your budget or to give in a new way, move quickly to obey, and want what happens in your heart and life.
- Reach Exercise: Enjoy something good in your life and share it with another.
- Take someone out to a nice dinner
- Watch a sunset with your family and give thanks to for your life and beauty
- Take a kid in need out for a fun day
- Cook a nice meal and share with friends
- Throw a party to celebrate something
[parts extracted from Practicing the Way Resources]