Author: Dan Conway

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

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

      This is the last discussion guide for the Fall 2019 semester. Since today’s sermon was a panel discussion based on many different questions and scriptures, the discussion guide is a little different this week.

Leader Tips:

1. If you are interested to meet during the advent season you are free to do so, you may wish to check out “Sent” by UM Pastor Jorge Acevedo (seehttps://www.cokesbury.com/9781501801082-Sent-DVD).  The Adventurer’s class could tell you more about this curriculum as they are about to start this study.  Or you may simply prefer to get together for a fellowship meal or two in between now and the beginning of the winter/spring semester (the week of Jan 12).
2. The Interfaith Thanksgiving service is at Christ Church this year, Mon Nov 25 at 7pm, hope you can all join us!
3. There is a family advent prayer station focus on the first Sunday of Advent, Dec 1, from 11:45am-1pm in the Faith Corner and all are welcome to come help decorate the church trees and wreaths later that day from 4-6pm.   
4. The dedication of the completed FLC renovation and annual church conference with the DS and fellowship meal is right after services on Sun Dec 8^th in the FLC.  We will be voting for the leadership nominations and budget for 2020.

I’m praying you all have a great meeting as the semester comes to a close this week.  Please let me know if I can help you all with discipleship resources or other matters in small group leadership.

Peace and Grace, 

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders,

      Good news- Jesus is the Son of God and the kingdom of God is here!  Here is the guide for your groups to use in discussing this further this week. 

In case you missed them- here’s the link to the sermons- https://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/. 

Leader Tips:

1. Our Fall semester of Christ Church small groups will come to a close the week before Thanksgiving week.  The sermon based discussion guides will not be available from the weeks of Sunday Nov 24 to Sunday January 5^th.  Your small group is welcome to have fellowship meal gatherings during those weeks if you would like to however.
2. You may wish to remind your group about the Interfaith Thanksgiving service that is hosted by Christ Church on Monday November 25^th at 7pm.

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Today’s sermon based discussion guide on “Do You Believe This?” from John 11:17-27 is attached. 

Please send an email update to your group and include the guide as well as a link to the sermon messages in case they have missed them (www.christchurchsl.org/sermons).

Leader Tips:

1. Our Fall semester of Christ Church small groups will come to a close the week before Thanksgiving week.  The sermon based discussion guides will not be available from the weeks of Sunday Nov 24 to Sunday January 5^th.  Your small group is welcome to have fellowship meal gatherings during those weeks if you would like to however.
2. You may wish to remind your group about the Interfaith Thanksgiving service that is hosted by Christ Church on Monday November 25^th at 7pm.

Thank you for sharing in the discipleship ministries of Christ Church.  Please let me know if I can be of help to your or group experience.

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church