Dear Small Group Leaders,
Attached is the sermon based discussion guide for this week. Since it is a little later than usual, do not feel the need to forward it to your group members if your group is not meeting this week.
Discussion Guide– 9-2-18 Sermon Discussion Guide- when your work is killing you
Leader Tips-
#1 A New Sermon Series – Remember Your Baptism: Questions For A Disciple
This Sunday we begin a new 6 part series on the vows taken in the church ritual of baptism, beginning with “Do you renounce evil?” Over these weeks we will look deeper into what is meant by these vows as they pertain to our ongoing life of discipleship as individuals and as a community. The series will culminate on October 14th with one combined worship service at 10am in the sanctuary in celebration of the church’s 35th anniversary. If there is someone in your group who has not been baptized before, please encourage them to talk to a pastor, that day may be their day!
#2 Signs Ups for New Small Groups
Over the next two Sunday, we will have sign up cards inserted into the bulletins for people who would like to participate or serve in new small groups that will be forming later in September. I invite you to join me in praying for at least two new small groups to form this fall. Please pray that people respond with filling out the interest cards, both participants and potential small group leaders and home hosts. While the small groups will continue to be defined primarily by their location and meeting times, we may also have groups of people that fit a particular life stage. I am praying for a new young adult and/or young families group!
Also, please be prepared to receive new people into your group over the next few weeks. Some of the cards received may not merge well into newly forming groups because of conflicting schedules. In such cases, schedule permitting, I will try to steer these new people to join your groups. However, please do invite new people into your group on your own as well. No need to wait to see what the cards bring us!
#3 Discipleship Leader’s Breakfasts- Tuesday 8-9am, Jacob’s Well
As leaders of a discipleship ministry of Christ Church, you are invited to join me this Tuesday (Sept 11), from 8-9am in Jacob’s Well for spiritual encouragement through a devotional message by me about the example Jesus’ life in ministry, prayer together and fellowship over breakfast tacos. Please rsvp via email by 10pm the night before for planning purposes. This is intended to be primarily a source of spiritual support for you as a leader in your personal walk of faith, but also to be available to you to discuss any questions or issues you would like to address that would help you in your ministry. If you can’t make it this Tuesday, please give the next week a try!
#4 Small Group Leaders Equipping Track- starts Weds Sept 12th at 6:30pm
This is a five session course that Pastor Temple and I developed and have offered before. If you have not done it in the past, please considering joining us as we review the most important base of skills and knowledge for small group leaders for successful meetings. Leader’s of other discipleship groups such as Sunday school classes and Bible studies are also welcome. We will be discussing small group best practices, unique characteristics of the Methodist tradition, the meaning of the gospel and discerning our own faith stories, spiritual gifts and an overview of the Word of God. Potential leaders are welcome too!
Blessings!
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church