Year: 2020

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders and Teachers of Christ Church,

     I am sending out this week’s sermon discussion guide email to more than just the small group leaders this week, just to touch base with all our group leaders during this season of Lent.  Even if your group does not normally use the sermon discussion guides for your group curriculum, you may find it helpful or useful for personal use or informal conversations with other friends from church.  See attached. 

Remember, the sermon videos, in case you missed them are available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.

Leader Tips & Announcements This Week:

1. Tuesday Nights Together (TNT) fellowship meal, pastor’s study and table discussions starts this Tuesday, 5:30-7pm.  We will be studying the historic writing of John Wesley called “The Character of a Methodist.”  Printed copies of this work, along with space to write in your notes from the talks will be provided each week.  Come discover more about our Wesleyan Christian heritage, 
2. Don’t forget your passport for your Lenten journey!  The Christ Church passport books for our spiritual journey in the season of Lent in tracing the steps of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem are available on the tables just outside the worship areas.  Each week has its own reflections and prayer points to enhance your understanding of the weekly sermon texts and messages. 
3. Looking for a service opportunity for your group?  The Habitat For Humanity mission is looking for sponsors for meals and snacks for volunteers.  See attached fliers for open dates.
4. The chapel is open for Lenten prayer time during normal building hours at Christ Church- Mon- Thurs 7:30am-7:30pm, Fri 7:30am-2pm & Sun 7:30am-4pm.  Prayer resources are available in the chapel.
5. Prayer Retreat w/ Pastor Michelle 10am March 12 to noon March 13 at Villa De Matel in Houston.  Email michelleh@christchurchsl.org for details.
6. Did you miss Pastor Temple’s last Pastor’s study- Bible For Beginners and Everyone Else: Becoming a More Confident Bible Reader?  No worries, this Bible training resource of 5 sessions and power point presentations for each one is available for viewing/download at https://www.christchurchsl.org/messages/bible-for-beginners-part-1/.
7. Need help with resources for future studies?  Please call or email me so I can help, dan@christchurchsl.org or 281-690-4776.

Happy Lent everyone!

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Today we begin a new sermon series that will carry forward through the season of Lent: The Jerusalem Road, Christ’s journey to the cross in the Gospel of Luke.  The discussion guide for the message “What Happened on the Mountain” from Luke 9:28-36 is attached. 

Please forward to your group with your meeting announcements this week and include the link to the sermon videos in case they were missed- www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.

Leader Tips and Announcements:

Lent at Christ Church in 2020:

• Tuesday Nights Together (T.N.T.)- a mid-week Lenten meal and study in Covenant Hall (in the renovated area of the Family Life Center).  A simple meal will be offered for donations from 5:30-6:15pm, followed by a time of pastor led teachings from 6:15-7pm. Starts Feb 25.  Teachings on The Character of a Methodist, fruits of the Christian faith, will be provided each week by Christ Church clergy.
• There will be no church-wide Lenten study that would connect with a recommended study resource for adult Sunday School classes or HomeGroups this year.
• Ash Wednesday services this Wednesday (2/26/20), 7am and 7pm in the sanctuary.

Resources for Christian Leaders and Groups:

• Bible Reading For Beginners with Pastor Temple, Sundays 5-6pm in Rm 11/12- Videos of the first 3 sessions and the power point teaching files are available at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/pastor-study-the-bible-for-beginners/.  Just click “watch” for the date you wish to see, and just under the video panel click on “Presentation Slides” in the green font if you wish to see or save the power point file for each session that you select.

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders,

   The series on team ministry continued this weekend with the message “Free Indeed!” on this Restorative Justice Ministries Sunday.    What a great Sunday of “overflow” with our Brothers in White today!  Attached is the discussion guide for your meetings this week.

Please send on with your meeting reminder announcement emails this week with a link to the message videos- www.christchurchsl.org/sermons. 

Leader Tips and Announcements:

Lent at Christ Church in 2020:

• Lenten Sermon Series– The Jerusalem Road (A Lenten Journey In Luke)
• Tuesday Nights Together (T.N.T.)- a mid-week Lenten meal and study in Covenant Hall (in the renovated area of the Family Life Center).  A simple meal will be offered for donations from 5:30-6:15pm, followed by a time of pastor led teachings from 6:15-7pm. Starts Feb 25.
• There will be no church-wide Lenten study that would connect with a recommended study resource for adult Sunday School classes or HomeGroups this year.

Resources for Christian Leaders and Groups:

• Bible Reading For Beginners with Pastor Temple, Sundays 5-6pm in Rm 11/12- Videos of the first 3 sessions and the power point teaching files are available at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/pastor-study-the-bible-for-beginners/.  Just click “watch” for the date you wish to see, and just under the video panel click on “Presentation Slides” in the green font if you wish to see or save the power point file for each session that you select.
• Guest Missions presenter, Rev McAvoy of Methodist Children’s Home (in Waco) will be speaking on February 23^rd at 10:30am.  The Grace Abounds Sunday School Class Rm is having the class meet in Rm 210/211 to accommodate any other individuals or groups who wish join them in learning more about this ministry that has networks in the Houston area as well.

May God Bless you all as you meet in Christ’s name this week and “hold firmly to the word of life.” (Phill 2:16)

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders,

   The series on team ministry continued this weekend with the message “For Such A Time As This” from Esther, verses from chapters 3 and 4.  Attached is the discussion guide for your meetings this week. 

Please send it on with your meeting reminder announcement emails this week with a link to the message videos- www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.  

Leader Tips and Announcements:

Lent at Christ Church in 2020:

• Lenten Sermon Series– The Jerusalem Road (A Lenten Journey In Luke)
• Tuesday Nights Together (T.N.T.)- a mid-week Lenten meal and study in Covenant Hall (in the renovated area of the Family Life Center).  A simple meal will be offered for donations from 5:30-6:15pm, followed by a time of pastor led teachings from 6:15-7pm. Starts Feb 25.
• There will be no church-wide Lenten study that would connect with a recommended study resource for adult Sunday School classes or HomeGroups this year.

Resources for Christian Leaders and Groups:

• Bible Reading For Beginners with Pastor Temple, Sundays 5-6pm in Rm 11/12- Videos of the first 3 sessions and the power point teaching files are available at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/pastor-study-the-bible-for-beginners/.  Just click “watch” for the date you wish to see, and just under the video panel click on “Presentation Slides” in the green font if you wish to see or save the power point file for each session that you select.
• Guest Missions presenter, Rev McAvoy of Methodist Children’s Home (in Waco) will be speaking on February 23^rd at 10:30am. The Grace Abounds Sunday School Class Rm is having the class meet in Rm 210/211 to accommodate any other individuals or groups who wish join them in learning more about this ministry that has networks in the Houston area as well.

I am praying for you all and for spirit led conversations that build up one another in the faith this week.

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Attached is the discussion guide for our small group meetings this week based on Team Ministry: Wearing Yourself Out from Exodus 18:13-24. 

The sermons from Pastor Temple and Pastor Johnson are available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons. 

Leader Tips:

1. The messages today were about team work and being a participant in the body of Christ.  You are welcome to share my contact information with group members interested in getting more involved at Christ Church.  Also, Director of Involvement, Kim Ripley would love to talk with people who would like to know more about the options at Christ Church, her email is kimr@christchurchsl.org.
2. Interested in a Christian view of financial stewardship?  The Financial Peace University course begins on Sunday evenings next week.  More information about this and other upcoming events are available at https://www.christchurchsl.org/events/

Thanks for your service to Christ’s kingdom and Christ Church!

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

     Attached is the sermon discussion guide for this week on “Just Do It!” from Matthew 21:28-32. 

Please send it on to your group members with your meeting announcements for this week along with the link for the sermon videos-www.christchurchsl.org.   

   Sorry for the delay this week.  I am praying for you and your small groups this semester.  Thanks for being a worker of God’s vineyard in this important work of disciple making!

Peace and Grace,

Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

      Attached is the discussion guide for this week’s small group meetings based on Malachi 3:8-12, “This Is Only A Test.”   

Please forward the guide to your group members in your meeting announcement this week and include the sermon video link in case they missed it- www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.   

Leader Tips:

1-       The topic of giving that we are talking about this week can be a sensitive one for some.  Remember, you have more questions than you probably have time for.  If people are slow to answer in parts, it is ok to just move on to the next question.  After all, their giving is between them and God.  But hopefully, people will be open to talking about tithing/giving in general.

2-       Videos of Pastor Temple’s Sunday night teaching series on How to Become A More Confident Bible Reader is on the website at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/pastor-study-the-bible-for-beginners/.  Last week’s session on “So What Exactly Is the Bible?” is already posted there and tonight’s session on “How is the Bible Organized?” should be posted early this week.  The powerpoint slides will be posted there as well eventually.

3-       There are other excellent events and programs such as the women’s day of wellness event, the Financial Peace University listed on the main church website page for more information- www.christchurchsl.org

Thank you all for being a part of the Discipleship Ministries of Christ Church.  Let me know how I can be of help to your group or to you as a leader.

Now, back to the confirmation class lock-in tonight!  Pray for us folks!

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

     A new Winter Semester of Small Groups at Christ Church has begun and we are standing on the promises of God!  Attached is the guide for this week’s message Promises To Keep: Come On Down. 

The sermon messages are available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons in case you missed it.  Please forward the link and discussion guide so that your new and returning group members can be thinking about the discussion in advance. 

    I’m praying for great things for you group experience this semester and for the church in this new year as well.  There are many different activities and groups that are starting back up this week.

     Tonight at 5pm,  Dr. Temple began a new 5 week teaching series about becoming a more confident Bible reader, for beginners and everyone else.  As a group leader, you may find this to be continuing education that will help you respond to questions your group members might ask.  I saw that is was recorded tonight, but don’t believe it has been posted to the website yet if you would like to learn from this one hour teaching.

     The Grand Opening of the new Family Life Service began in the newly named and refurbished Covenant Hall this morning.  Please pray for this service that it would reach new people in the community and help young families engage in worship together in the new year. 

Thank you for your continued participation in the discipleship ministries of Christ this year.  It is a joy to serve and grow in faith with you all.

May God richly bless you in your small groups this semester!

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church