Group/Pair Resources – Section 5
SECTION 5 OVERVIEW
Section four focuses on the intellectual pathway as well as on the concepts of covenant and kingdom, the two main themes of the biblical story interwoven throughout scripture. The covenant relationship we make with God invites us to live in a way that reflects the reality of the kingdom work God is inviting us into.
Listening:
- What is God doing?
- What might God be saying to us?
- Where are the spaces God is inviting us into?
Discerning:
- Why might God be saying this to us?
- How might I respond?
Experimenting:
- What are we going to do about it?
- How can we learn more about where God is leading us?
These principles help us listen to what God is saying, pay attention to where God is leading, discerning what to do with this invitation, and how to experiment with different ways to lean into the invitation.
SECTION 5 – WEEK 1
Community Time Opening Question – What is something new you have tried in the last month? How did it go?
Dwelling In The Word – Matthew 10:5-20
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)?
Discussion:
- How does this model of Jesus sending out the disciples reflect this process of discernment and experimenting?
- What is a takeaway from this model that would be helpful to apply to your own process of discernment and experimenting?
- What are your initial thoughts about discernment and experimentation?
Head to https://millcitychurch.com/discipleship/intellectual-pathway/
- The focus pathway for this section is the intellectual pathway. Look together at the resources on the “activism 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 5 – WEEK 2 – Reflection and Discussion
Community Time Opening Questions: What is something you are passionate about?
Dwelling in the Word – Romans 12:1-8
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 the process of discerning and experimenting with the following questions:
- How do you use your giftings within the context of discernment and experimenting?
- How does the importance of the daily renewal of our minds connect to discernment and experimenting?
- 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 intellectual pathway.
SECTION 5 – WEEK 3 – Storytelling Week
Community Time Opening Questions – What is a non-profit whose mission inspires you?
Give each person a chance to tell a portion of their story using the following questions as potential prompts:
- How has your faith journey been influenced by listening and discerning invitation from God?
- How have you experimented in the past in the work of the kingdom?
- Where do you see the connection discernment and experiment in your relationship with God? Within your everyday life?
- What is the most challenging aspect of discernment and experimenting for you?
- Is there a past kairos moment you would like to reflect on around the process of discernment and experimenting?
Before heading out – connect with each other about your exploration plans for the intellectual pathway.
- Have you taken steps to start your experiment?
- Have you chosen a resource to go deeper?
SECTION 5 – WEEK 4 – Spiritual Pathway Discussion & Prayer
Community Time Opening Questions – Who is someone who practices activism well that you admire?
Dwelling in the Word– Isaiah 61; 1 John 3:11-24
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)?
Pathway of the month discussion – choose 2-3 questions to share your process.
- How would you say you experienced God through the activist pathway?
- What stuck out to you about the resources you choose (scripture reading plan, books, podcasts, videos)?
- What was the experiment you chose and what 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?
- Did the activist pathway lead to a kairos moment? If so, how?
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?
Either choose one person to pray, or have each person pray for the person on their left.