Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,
Having Bible and geography scholar Dr. Jack Beck with us in worship teaching on the story of Gideon in Judges 6-7 was a blessing! In case you missed it, please view it at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons. The discussion guide for group use or personal reflection this week is attached.
Because of the longer scripture readings this week, they are listed separately on pages 3-4. Please send it to your group members prior to any upcoming meetings so that they can read it in advance. FYI- additional places to look for resources by Dr. Beck (published name is John A. Beck) are listed in the discussion guide.
Leader Tips & Discipleship News:
- A shared experience in reading through the whole New Testament this summer is coming to Christ Church called The New Testament in 90 Days, or NT90 for short. The reading plan will average 3 chapters a day for 6 days of the week. Sunday is a catch up day for those that need it. We will be journeying through Acts- Revelation in order and supplementing with gospel readings as well each day. Monday June 15th, the journey begins with Acts chapter 1 and Luke chapter 1. Please share the news with your group members as you are able. There will be advance registrations for those who wish to be a part of weekly virtual small group meetings via zoom with others doing the readings and wish to discuss them or desire this additional source of encouragement and accountability in completing the reading plan. Participants can choose whichever translation or format they like (in print, digital or audio). This is not a “church-wide study” in that existing discipleship groups are not being asked to do this instead of other studies they have planned and it will not intentionally be in synch with the sermon scriptures from Sunday mornings. This is an additional discipleship opportunity that individuals from the church may choose to do in addition to the groups they are already apart of, or in the case of those not involved in a group, a structured approach to reading the new testament with accountability and the opportunity to be in a virtual small group built in. Sometimes trying a new translation and being in a discussion (online) with new people helps us to see insights into God’s word that we have not noticed before. I’m finding that zoom meetings have the benefit of connecting from home with no travel involved and are less intimidating to commit to. My hope is that those who are in no discipleship groups currently, will give this a try! More information on this is soon to come, but you are welcome to start getting the word out about this now.
- The offer still stands- if you group has not yet done a virtual meeting during these Covid 19 times, I can set up your first zoom meeting for you! Just let me know by replying to this email and we’ll work it out.
- The church leadership is working on plan to begin live in person worship onsite sometime in June. There is an online survey we are receiving from members about re-opening onsite worship at www.christchurchsl.org.
- The best place for church-wide info is the mid-week church emails- you can subscribe here if you haven’t already- https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/mDb2s0o. Note: Virtual hymn sing via livestream is Thursday night at 7pm.
- Pastor Temple’s daily devotions of encouragement during this time of limited people gatherings are continuing throughout the month of June. See the church facebook page orwww.chappelltemple.com.
- An encouraging weekly video devotional by a pastor will also be available at a link in the mid-week church email or on the church Facebook page.
Keep the prayers going and the people connections with your group members going friends. As Dr. Beck reminded us on Sunday morning- We are going to get through this…. with the Lord!
Peace and Grace,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church