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Group/Pair Resources – Section 3

SECTION 3 OVERVIEW

Section three focuses on the leadership of Jesus. One that both challenged his disciples but also supported/invited his disciples. When challenge and invitation are both high, that is when we experience being empowered.

This sermon focuses on the discipleship concept of this section: Invitation and Challenge – Empowerment Culture. If you missed it live, then watching this sermons would be a good foundation for this section:

SECTION 3 – WEEK 1 Introduction to Section 3

  • Community Time Opening Question – If you had a chance to choose, which would you choose: A play, a visit to a museum or a visit to an art gallery.
  • Dwelling In The Word – Matthew 16:13-28

 Dwelling in the Word is an ancient way of reading the Scripture. Dwelling in the Word is a way of spiritually submitting to the text as one way God speaks to us, with a willingness to be shaped by what God might want to say through the Scripture. In this way, we are being interpreted by the text together as we listen to it. 

Have two different people read the text out loud. Three questions guide our listening. Discuss them together:

  • What grabs your attention in this passage?
  • What question would you want to ask?
  • What are we hearing in this text that may apply to our lives (where might the Spirit be nudging us)?
    • Watch the short video
    • Discussion: 
    • When it comes to how Jesus encountered Peter in the scripture we just read, what did you notice about how Jesus calibrated invitation and challenge with Peter?
    • When it comes to your life of discipleship as a Jesus follower, which of the 4 quadrants do you find yourself in and why (cozy/bored/stressed/empowered)?

       

        • Head to MillCityChurch.com/discipleship 
          • The focus pathway for this section is the creative pathway. Look together at the resources on the “creative pathway page”.  Have someone read the short description. There are multiple options for resources to discover more about the pathway as well as “experiments” you can choose from. Each person can share what they are going to read or listen to, as well as what experiment they are going to try. Depending on each person’s time capacity, they can choose what is best for them.
          • After sharing your exploration plans, be sure to check that everyone can make it to the next gathering before you head out.

        SECTION 3 – WEEK 2 – Reflection and Discussion

        • Community Time Opening Questions: What is one of your favorite movies and why?
        • Dwelling in the word – Exodus 35:30-35 (consider the creative pathway as you read)

        Dwelling in the Word is an ancient way of reading the Scripture. Dwelling in the Word is a way of spiritually submitting to the text as one way God speaks to us, with a willingness to be shaped by what God might want to say through the Scripture. In this way, we are being interpreted by the text together as we listen to it. 

        Have two different people read the text out loud. Three questions guide our listening. Discuss them together:

        • What grabs your attention in this passage?
        • What question would you want to ask?
        • What are we hearing in this text that may apply to our lives (where might the Spirit be nudging us)?

        Give each participant the opportunity to talk about “invitation and challenge” with the following questions:

        • What quadrant would you say your faith has been in lately?
        • What might God be saying to you? What are you going to do about it? (following the kairos circle process)
        • After sharing, have each person share one or two take-aways, experiments or actions you want to take as you go into the rest of your week.
        • Before you head out – check in on your experiments and plans for the creative pathway.

        SECTION 3 – WEEK 3 – Storytelling Week

        • Community Time Opening Questions –  Are you an introvert, extrovert or ambivert?
        • Share about a time you have been in a wildrness experience in you life. This is usually a season of “high challenge”.
        • How did you experience God in that time?
        • Looking back can you see what God may have been doing in your life that wasn’t apparent as you were in the wilderness?
        • How did the wilderness change you or your life trajectory?
        • What lessons did you learn from that experience that you would want to share with others?

        Before heading out – connect with each other about your exploration plans for the creative pathway. Have you taken steps to start your experiment? Have you chosen a resource to go deeper?

        SECTION 3 – WEEK 4 – Spiritual Pathway Discussion & Prayer

        • Community Time Opening Questions: Would you consider yourself a creative person? How do you express yourself creativly 
        • Dwelling in the word – Instead of reading the scripture directly, watch this video from The Bible Project that explores the creation narrative. Consider the creation pathway and God as creator as you reflect.

        Dwelling in the Word is an ancient way of reading the Scripture. Dwelling in the Word is a way of spiritually submitting to the text as one way God speaks to us, with a willingness to be shaped by what God might want to say through the Scripture. In this way, we are being interpreted by the text together as we listen to it. 

         Three questions guide our listening. Discuss them together:

        • What grabs your attention in this passage?
        • What question would you want to ask?
        • What are we hearing in this text that may apply to our lives (where might the Spirit be nudging us)?
        • Pathway of the month discussion – choose 2-3 questions to share your process.
          • How would you say you experienced God through the creative pathway?
          • What stuck out to you about the resources you choose (scripture reading plan, books, podcasts, videos)? 
          • What was the experiment you choose and what did you did you learn about yourself and how you connect with God?
          • Would you say your preference for this pathway grew because of this exploration or not?
          • Take time to share how you can pray for each other. What or who has been on your heart? What do you need prayer for in your own life?
          • Did the creative pathway lead to a kairos moment? If so, how?Either choose one person to pray, or have each person pray for the person on their left.