Introduction
Kick of the discussion with prayer followed by this week’s reading and discussion questions
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: 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Discussion
- The basis for Paul calling you to "put on" anything is because you are God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. You are chosen. You have been made holy. You are loved. Does chosen, holy and loved describe you?
- Do you feel chosen and loved?
- How does it feel to be chosen and loved?
- Do you feel holy?
- How does it feel to be made holy?
- At what point in a relationship is forgiveness required?
- What does is mean to forgive someone?
- Why did Jesus forgive you?
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 if there is anyone you need to forgive.
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
Has anyone every been generous to you?
Tell the story and how it impacted you physically, emotionally, reltaionally, or even spiritually.
Practice
Did you follow through on the practice last week, where we sought an opportunity to be generous to someone God brought to mind? If you are willing, please share that experience with the group. How did you decide who to be generous to and how did you decide how you would be generous to them? What was the experience like for you?
This week's exercise:
- Set aside a specific amount of money (any amount you feel led to).
- Carry cash or earmark funds, asking God for an opportunity to bless someone.
- Look for ways to give spontaneously: buy someone coffee, pay for a meal, drop off groceries, send digital cash to a friend in need, buy a gift, or give away a possession.
- Reach Exercise: Increase your frequency (2-3 times or daily) or intensity (give more sacrificially, such as something you’ve been saving for)
Discuss, pray and encourage one another.