Introduction
Before we begin
Table Communities are community gatherings for the purpose of:
- Building meaningful relationships through intentional time together
- Engaging in mutual discipleship through directing one another towards Christ with truth shared in love
- Multiplying grace through love, prayer and gifts of the spirit
The notes will guide you through praying together, reading scripture and engaging in intentional relational time together. There are also notes and practices for this month's habit of grace. We know that most groups will not have time to discuss the habit of grace during their time together, but they are available if time allows and are available for those seeking to intentionally engage with God's grace during the week. If that desire is within you, please read the notes on your own time or go through the habit of grace practices with a spiritual friend or your spouse, so as to build one another up in truth and love. Finally, this gathering is not about getting through all the note content, but rather this gathering is about building meaningful relationships, engaging in mutual discipleship and multiplying grace. Let those values shape the direction and pace of your time together.
Kick off with prayer
You can use the kick off prayer below (if you are not comfortable praying aloud), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example prayer, if needed. Ideally pray freely as you feel called:
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: The Lord's Prayer
We will read the text together seeking for God to give life to the text through his Spirit. "Lord please help us to hear your word and receive what you have for each of us"
Matthew 6:
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
This week's sermon will be on verse 11.
Discussion
- Does God desire you to ask him for things, and why?
- If you lack anything in your life right now, material or not, what is it?
- How do you normally respond when you feel that lack? Do you tend to take action, shut down, distract yourself, indulge yourself or pray?
- What do you believe God thinks or feels about your particular need?
- How would your life change if that need was met or if it was never met?
- Last Sunday we talked about the Kingdom of God and his desires for you is to live with Dominion, Delight and Dwell in his presence. During our James series we discussed what God's will is for our lives. From that preach we talked about how God's will for our life is to live sanctified, outward facing, joyful, prayerful and content lives:
- How might God's will for your life shape how he provides for your specific need?
- How might knowing God's desire for you shape your willingness to bring your needs and desires to him?
- How can we help each other notice, name, or even meet one another’s “daily bread” needs in this group?
[You can find last week's sermon online or the related James preach if desired: Making Better Plans | Gospel Living | James 4:13-17 preached on 9 June 2024]
End your time together praying, inquiring God to speak through gifts of the spirit so that you may build one another up. Be bold in sharing any thoughts, pictures or words that come to mind and test if they are given by God for the building up of the Saints. Is God highlighting anything to you personally? Share (confess) and get others to pray for you.
Habit of Grace
What is Solitude?
Solitude is the intentional practice of stepping away from people, noise, and activity in order to be alone with God. In solitude, we make space to rest, reflect, and re-centre our hearts on Jesus. This is not loneliness or isolation, but loving withdrawal—just as Jesus often did—to enjoy the presence of the Father.
Solitude is where we become attentive to God’s voice, honest about our inner life, and free from the pressures to perform, produce, or please others. Over time, it becomes a place of deep transformation, where we are formed not by the world’s noise but by God’s nearness.
Why?
We live in a loud and hurried world that is constantly shaping us. Solitude helps us resist the pull of distraction and re-learn what it means to be loved by God apart from what we do.
- Jesus Himself practiced solitude: He regularly withdrew to lonely places to pray (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16).
- It slows us down: Solitude interrupts the addiction to busyness and reorients us to God’s pace and presence.
- It forms us: In the quiet, we become aware of what’s really going on in our hearts. God meets us there not with shame, but with grace
- It strengthens our witness: A soul anchored in God speaks with greater compassion and clarity in the world.
Practice: Week 2 – Facing the Noise Within
- Focus: Solitude reveals what’s really going on inside us (Psalm 139:1–12).
- Practice: Return to your solitude time—same place, slightly longer (30–45 minutes). Begin by praying: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”
- Challenge: Write down what emotions or internal noise you encounter. Don’t fix—just name and offer them to God.