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 9.
Discussion
- What reaction do you have emotionally or intellectually when considering addressing the creator of the universe as Father?
- How do you think you would address God if not instructed to use "Father"? Or How do you prefer to address God?
- What is the story of your own earthly Father and your relationship with him?
- Does your relationship with your earthly Father, shape the way you relate to God as Father?
- What feelings or affections does God have for you based on his invitation to call him Father?
- What feelings or affections would you have towards God, if related to him as a good Father?
- What do you think it means for us to ask for his name to be hallowed?
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
Worship
Worship is to honour and adore the Trinity as the supreme treasure of life. All of life is worship, but it is only when we worship God with our lives that our world is ordered rightly. Why do we worship:
- Fulfilling your God-given purpose and longing to adore and praise your Creator
- Drawing near to God and bringing him joy
- As you taste and see that God is good, your heart desires are oriented towards him
- Keeping company with Jesus in all circumstances
View Habit: Worship
Practice
Week 3 – Corporate Worship
- Focus: Worship is deeply communal—we are formed together as we behold God together (Hebrews 10:24–25; Revelation 7:9–10).
- Practice: Arrive early or stay late at Sunday worship to pray, connect, or reflect. Be fully present during the service—stand, sing, listen, give, pray with intentionality.
- Challenge: Encourage someone after the gathering-ask what God spoke to them. Let worship spill into fellowship.