Small Group Resources

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

      Thank you for your continued service to the discipleship ministries of Christ Church.  This morning Pastor Temple shared a timely message on Psalm 33:12-22,   “The Psalmist’s Post-Election Reflection.”  In case you missed it, you can catch the video at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.  Attached is a discussion guide for use in your small groups or for your personal reflection. 

     Reminder-  This Sunday, November 15, brings a change in the Sunday morning worship and Sunday school class schedules.  Christ Church will be offering two worship services at 10:30am- a traditional service in the sanctuary and a contemporary service in Covenant Hall in the Family Life Center.  Children, youth and some adult Sunday school classes will also be meeting 9:30-10:15am.

      Some of the adult classes may be meeting in different rooms than those they last met in last Spring because of reduced actual in person attenders and changing room capacities with social distancing. I have already received emails from some of you indicating your desire for a room and how many class members are planning to come this Sunday. Thank you!  This information is very helpful in accommodating all the groups that would like to meet in the best and safest ways.  The confirmed room assignments in light of all this will be made Monday (or Tuesday) of this week.  It is still not too late to request a room, but please email me right away with your in person attender numbers if you would like one. 

Your Co-worker in Christ,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church

Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Attached is the discussion guide for this morning’s message “Victory!” for use in your small groups or for your personal reflection. 

We were doubly blessed this weekend with a very meaningful All Saint’s Day service this morning, and a safe and fun Trunk or Treat event for our church and community yesterday.  Thank you all who helped served yesterday, the trunks were fantastic and the kids were so excited to be there.  Thank you all!

  On November 15^th, we will begin offering two worship services at 10:30am on Sunday mornings, a traditional service in the sanctuary and a contemporary service in Covenant Hall in the Family Life Center.  Because of concern for the accidental spread of the virus in the air, we are intentionally limiting the time of both services to around 45 minutes.  Likewise, the children’s and youth In-Person Sunday school classes that will also start on November 15^th for 45 minutes, 9:30am to 10:15am.  

   Any adult classes who would like to resume meeting in person or in hybrid in-person and online meetings are welcome to do so.  To best accommodate all groups into the appropriately sized rooms per social distancing requirements, we are asking you to poll your class in advance to determine which members will be coming in person, and which ones will be choosing to connect online.  There may be some shifting around of rooms because of going from 2 Sunday school hours to one, and the in-person group sizes being different than before the pandemic as well.  Also, good news- 

1. Loaner external computer cameras on a tripods to help view all in the room on the zoom call are available
2. A limited number of loaner laptops are available if you need them
3. We have a deal on additional zoom account subscriptions if you need one for your class!

That’s all for now friends.  Remember, if you want to meet in person starting Nov 15^th, please email me how many are planning on coming so we can line up the rooms and any equipment you would like to borrow!  We can also do the same for Bible studies or other groups meeting at other times of the week as well.

Your Co-Worker in Christ,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Leaders of Christ Church,

   Attached is the sermon discussion guide for use in your group or for your personal reflections. 

The message “I Can’t Be Quiet” can be found at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons. 

    This Saturday is the Trunk or Treat event!   See Sarah Stewart at sarahs@christchurchsl.org if you or your group would like to sponsor a trunk or help out in other ways. 

    We are planning to move to two worship services, both at the 10:30am hour on Sunday mornings starting November 15^th, a traditional style service in the sanctuary and a contemporary style service in Covenant Hall in the Family Life Center.  This means that there will be hybrid in person and online Sunday school classes for children and youth in the hour before worship as well. Would any of you adult Sunday school class leaders like to meet on site in a hybrid in person and online arrangement as well?  Please let me know so that we can reserve space that is suitable for your group size, and assist you with equipment and set up as needed.

Have a blessed week!
Your Co-worker In Christ,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Leaders of Christ Church,

   We were blessed to have Dr. Cyndi Parker of Jerusalem University College with us via video on Sunday!  If you missed her message “Spiced Wine & Stolen Water: Eating with Wisdom & Folly” based on Proverbs 9, you can view the video at www.Christchurchsl.org/sermons.  The discussion guide for groups or for personal reflections is also attached here.

   Do you have questions on how best to do online meetings or hybrid online and in person meetings for your groups?  Please let me know so that I can connect you with people who have found ways to navigate the technological hurdles!   While streaming online videos seem to work a lot easier over zoom (or other video meeting platforms), there are some tips and tricks for using DVD based curriculum over zoom that may be of help to you.    Also, the director of operations at Christ Church, Roland Huysman, has acquired equipment (onsite laptops, camera, mics etc.) that you can borrow for onsite hybrid meetings at church.  Please let me know if you would like to schedule onsite meetings.

    Would your group members like an opportunity to serve outdoors in the Trunk or Treat event at Christ Church on Oct 31?  More info is available athttps://www.christchurchsl.org/event/trunk-or-treat-2/.   Please share the information with your groups and list Sarah Stewart (sarahs@christchurchsl.org) as the staff contact in case any would like to help with sponsoring a decorated trunk!  Cute, clever or not-too-scary costumes are welcome!  Going as a Biblical character just might help you score some free candy!  They currently have 22 trunks so far but would welcome another trunk for your group!

Peace and Grace,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church

Discipleship Leaders of Christ Church,

  Attached is the discussion guide for today’s message, God is Holy & Just, 1 Peter 1:13-16 which can be viewed atwww.christchurchsl.org/sermons. 

You are welcome to use this guide in your small groups, personal reflections or for informal faith conversations with friends.

   Also, the number of registrations for the Change The World missions service projects for next weekend are still somewhat low.  If you have an email list for your group, please do forward information about this great service opportunity for people of all ages, levels of physical abilities and degrees of caution regarding Covid 19.  Information and registration is found at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/change-the-world-2020/.  Choosing the projects online early is really helpful in preparing for this event.  Thanks for spreading the word!

Peace and Grace,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Leaders of Christ Church,

   Attached is the discussion guide for small groups or points of reflection for individuals based on today’s message “God Knows Everything.” 

In case you missed it, the sermon video is available at www.christchurchsl.org.  The guide is also available at www.christchurchsl.org/smallgroups or www.smallgroupleaders.net.  

   Also, there is a free online Wesleyan conference on prayer this Friday 6-9pm in which Jim Cymbala, the pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle and author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, will be a featured speaker.  More information is available at www.newroomconference.com where you can also register and view from home.  However, if you would like to join others in the Gathering Hall at Christ Church to watch it together, you can register on the church Realm link below and join us onsite then!   Here’s the link- https://onrealm.org/christchurchsl/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OWMwNzU3ZGUtYjQ3OS00NDM1LWJmMmEtYWMzNzAwZGYyMjRk

Please let me know how I can help you or your group or a new small group you would like to form in this challenging fall season.

Your Co-Worker in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    Well, it is not a normal fall season for discipleship at Christ Church but here we are!   Because of the ongoing changes that the Covid 19 pandemic has brought us, some of the start dates of groups and classes are happening a little later in the fall than normal. 

    Starting today however, the discussion guides for the Sunday morning sermons will begin being posted to the link on the church website on Sunday evenings, see https://www.christchurchsl.org/adult-ministries/small-groups/ or go directly to www.smallgroupleaders.net. The previous small group meeting times and leaders’ contact information are also available at that link as well.  Because the sermon videos are posted to the website on Sunday afternoons at https://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/, sermon based small groups (online or in person), are very easy groups to start with anyone who is online.   If meeting at church is more manageable than meeting in homes right now, that is an option for you as well. Today’s sermon based discussion guide is viewable here-

    Information that is known at this time about other discipleship groups of Christ Church are summarized in the bulleted lists below.  Also, the new capacities for rooms at Christ Church with social distancing protocols in place are provided below as well in case any of you would like to meet in person at Church (or meet with some in person and some online in a hybrid meeting model).   Thank you for all the careful thought and personal outreach you all have been doing to stay in touch with people in your groups.  I am available at this email or at 281-690-4776 if there is anything I can do to help your group move forward this fall online or in person at Christ Church.

Your Co-worker in Christ,
Dan Conway
Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach
Christ Church

Discipleship Groups Information

Women’s Bible Studies

• The Tuesday morning women’s Precepts group led by Debbie Grenier will be a hybrid in person and online and studying 2 Thessalonians, 9:30-noon.  Contact Debbie G at debgrenier@comcast.net to register and have course materials ordered.  Begins this Tuesday, Sept 15.
• The Thursday morning women’s bible study group is finishing up an online only summer study over the next two weeks, and then will decide on the new study for the fall, likely an on-line only experience.
• Monday morning women’s bible study group- leaders are meeting this week to plan for their next study
• The Sunday night women’s Bible study is taking a break this fall

Men’s Bible studies-

• Sunday night (in person), Tuesday night (online possibly hybrid soon), Friday morning (online only)- see https://www.christchurchsl.org/adult-ministries/men-of-christ/.  Interested persons can email the leader at the link for more information or a zoom link.  Stay tuned on the Saturday morning group.

Adult Sunday School Classes

• Many of the adult Sunday school classes are meeting online from 9:15am-10:15am and one class is meeting online 8:15-9:15am.  Interested persons are asked to email the class leaders listed on the website to request a link to their online meetings or for more information-   https://www.christchurchsl.org/adult-ministries/sunday-school/.  Meeting time and online location Info to be updated soon. 
• The Jubilee class is not meeting in person or on zoom, but Jan Randolph is posting her Bible study lessons on youtube that is viewable at https://www.christchurchsl.org/adult-ministries/life-daytime-activities/ 

Small Groups

• Sermon based discussion groups to continue this fall on or after Sept 13^th.  Contact Dan@christchurchsl.org if you would like to join an existing group or help start a new one this fall!  No homework is needed, just to have watched the sermon in person or on the website.  Can be online only or offered at church where more space for social distancing can be provided.

Prayer Groups

• Weds noon (in sanctuary and online) and Thursday nights 6:30pm (in sanctuary and online) see – https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/prayer-time-2/?event_date=2020-09-10

New Studies

• Building a Better Marriage Course (online only), based on the Alpha Marriage Course, start date and time to be determined for this fall
• Financial Peace University (online only)- to begin this fall, date and time to be determined
• Pastor’s study (online only) – to begin this fall, date and time to be determined, likely linked with a Jack Beck Israel study

Social Distancing Room Capacities for In Person Gatherings: 

Sanctuary Building 

• Sanctuary – 250 people but for worship only, too hard to sanitize whole space in between meetings
• Gathering Hall- 40 people
• Jacob’s Well seating area- 10 people
• Library- 10 people
• Bride’s Room- 12 people
• Faith Corner- 10 people
• Rm 11/12- 15 people

Education Building/Wing- 

• Rm 210/211- 30 people
• Chapel- don’t use for meetings during the week, designated place where people can go and pray anytime since the sanctuary is not available for this purpose for disinfecting reasons.  I believe could be available on Sunday mornings if disinfected prior to 5pm worship service in chapel.
• Education wing 2^nd floor classrooms (208, 209)- 5 people

Family Life Center Building-

• Covenant Hall- 150 people
• Youth Lounge- 15 people
• Rm 302/303- 15 people
• Rm 312- 10 people
• Other smaller classrooms in FLC (310, 309, 308, 307, 301) – 5 people

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Attached is the sermon discussion guide for this weeks message Heroes In Hard Times- A Hair’s Breadth from Judges 16:4-22. 

The message is online at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons in case you missed it.  It is provided for your groups use if you are meeting this week or for your personal reflection.  Please take note of the discipleship announcements below as the Spring semester of the sermon based discussions comes to a close (thanks Jorge for reminding me to remind everyone!).

Discipleship Announcements:

1. Today’s is the last sermon based discussion guide of the Spring semester, the next ones are planned to resume in the Fall.   Normally the summer (after memorial day weekend) brings with it a different season for those who use the sermon discussion guides.  Because of travel and many groups simply just gather monthly for fellowship over a meal in someone’s home or a restaurant to stay connected.  Well, friends this is no ordinary spring/summer with limitations of social distancing.  In last week’s email, I described an upcoming discipleship offering of Christ Church called “The New Testament in 90 Days” which may be a good option for those seeking to be in a Bible focused learning experience this summer with the option of being in weekly online virtual small group meetings.  It is only about 3 chapters a day of reading for 6 days a week.  Day 1 starts June 15^th and registration opens later this week! See details in #2 below.
2. NT90- The webpage, reading plan, online registration and NT90 Facebook Group will be available later this week to Christ Church and others outside the church who wish to join us!  I encourage you all to register by June 10 and encourage others to do the same if your schedule permits this summer.  Whether you plan to just do the readings on your own or do the readings AND be in the optional online virtual small group, all are asked to register online.  FYI- if you click on the option to be in a virtual small group, you will also have the opportunity to include the names of others who you know are registering and wish to be in the same group with.  We will be aiming for groups of 7-9 people, but a larger group can be accommodated with some smaller group conversations for more sharing in the same meetings through the zoom “break out group” feature.  As this new offering is coming together, I am excited about the prospects of growing in Christ together through our common Bible reading plan and meeting online from wherever we may find ourselves this summer!  Learning resources such as Christ Church Pastors’ videos and Question and Answer commentaries as well as online interactions in the NT90 Facebook group will help provide support and encouragement to help keep us all on track and finish the whole New Testament together by the week after Labor Day.  If you are not on Facebook, and don’t want to be, don’t worry.  All the information and most of the resources will also soon be available on the webpage – www.christchurchsl.org/NT90.
3. Helping to spread the word- If you are planning to join in the fun, in addition to registering online when it comes available, please let your friends know what you are doing and invite them to join you!  Emails, texts, phone calls or word of mouth is a great way to extend this blessing to others in the church or outside the church in a time when many are feeling isolated and discouraged.  If you are on Facebook, please like the Christ Church Sugar Land page if you have not already and look for an upcoming post entitled “Top 10 Reasons to Register for The New Testament in 90 days by June 10.”  Please click “share” and include your personal remarks about your participation and an invitation to your friends to join in too at the top.  I am copying and pasting the rough draft so that you know what to look for and to help answer questions you may have about the program.  I hope you choose to do it, it is going to be fun!

Your Co-Worker in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Upcoming Facebook Post to Share with Friends when the webpage and registrations are open-

Top 10 Reasons to Register for The New Testament in 90 Days at Christ Church by June 10:

1- To better know Jesus Christ from the eye witnesses of scripture by reading about 3 chapters/day for 6 days/week starting June 15 (1 John 1:1-2)

2- To learn in community with others doing NT90 in an optional weekly online virtual small group of 7-9 people

3- For NT90 readers’ support and interactions on the Christ Church NT90 Facebook Group

4- For learning resources such as the Christ Church pastors’ videos and Question & Answer commentaries

5- You don’t have to be a member of Christ Church or even live nearby to participate

6- You can request to be in the same online virtual small group with other friends who are registering

7- For safe and meaningful faith conversations with others during the virus epidemic

8- If you fall behind, you can catch up on Sundays when no readings are assigned

9- You can use whichever Bible you like, digital, in-print or audio, and there is no program cost!

10- To become more like Christ in our thinking and attitudes (Romans 15:5)

Register at Christchurchsl.org/NT90

Questions??? Email NT90@christchurchsl.org

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:

1. 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 15^th, 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    Attached is the discussion guide for this week’s message, Fiercely Feminine, on one of the great woman leaders in the Bible, Deborah, from Judges 4:1-15. 

You are welcome to use this guide for virtual group meetings you may be having this week or informally for discussions with friends or personal spiritual reflection.  The message is available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons and the entire service from Sunday at www.christchurchsl.org/livestream in case you missed it.

Leader Tips:

1. Want to do virtual meeting with your discipleship group but don’t know how?  Let me know and I will host your first meeting, it is easier than you think!  Don’t worry about the 40 minute time limitation per call, I can set it up to go longer. 
2. 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.
3. 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. 

      Thank you for your ongoing Christian witness and encouragement that you offer the groups you serve in these unusual times we are in.  As Re-open Texas unfolds and churches are discerning how best to re-open as well, I trust the Lord is with us as He was with Deborah and Joshua and Caleb.  Let us continue to prayerfully call on His name and be strong and courageous as they were for our day and time now.  Please let me know if you would like to talk through or pray through issues that are pressing for your life or for your group members.  

Your Co-worker in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church