Small Group Resources

Dear Small Group Leaders,

    Welcome back!  I hope you all had a great summer!  As promised, the weekly sermon-discussion guide returns today, August 18^th, see the attached guide for “The Anchor of the Soul.” 

Today was our celebration Sunday with the starting of the new worship times of 8am, 9:30am and 10:30am and the first Selah service in the Family Life Center at 10:30am.  All went terrific except for losing electricity half-way through the 3^rd worship hour!  That is why our sermon videos on the website may be limited to just the first two worship services today. 

    Whether your group is resuming this week or not, I will be emailing the entire leader distribution list and posting them to www.smallgroupleaders.net as usual.  I realize several of you may be waiting until after Labor Day to resume, and that is perfectly fine, whatever works best for the group.  If your group is meeting this week, please forward the attached pdf file and the link www.christchurchsl.org/sermons in a friendly email announcing your re-start date, time and location. 

Leader Tips:

1. The Discipleship Leaders’ Breakfast will be resuming in September, stay tuned for the starting date and time (likely early Tuesday mornings again).
2. For those curious about what small groups are like, we will have a one-time small group experience at church with no commitment to continue on Wednesday Sept 4^th at 7pm in the Gathering Hall.  If you are willing to help facilitate these one time groups that evening, please reply by email, free coffee from Jacob’s Well if you do!
3. The Small Group Interest cards were in the bulletin this Sunday and will be in the bulletins next Sunday as well.  I hope to be starting some new groups but may also at times be referring new members to your groups where the time windows of availability and preferred locations line up well.
4. Today also marked the beginning of a new sermon series, “Abounding in Hope” that centers around the hope we have as Christians living by faith in the world today.  Next Sunday is Romans 15:7-13, “Hope Overflowing.”

Thank you all for being in the Discipleship Ministries of Christ Church!  If you have any questions I can help you with, please email or call 281-690-4776.

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

Dear Small Group Leaders,

                Today is the last sermon-based discussion guide of the season- see attached guide Show Me. 

The sermon videos are also online for viewing at https://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/.

Thank you for another semester of faithfully offering your group members the opportunity to gather in fellowship and grow through Bible study together!  I hope you all have a wonderful summer and rest up for the another great new fall semester starting the week of August 18^th.  If you have ambitions for more than occasional fellowship meals this summer, there are some video-based study recommendations I could offer you if you wish.  Just email me or call 281-690-4776.

FYI- The Tuesday Morning Discipleship Leader’s Breakfasts are continuing in Jacob’s Well for the coming weeks Tuesdays at 8am.  We have just begun a new book series on 40 Days of Doubt, by Eric Huffman and you all are welcome to join us!   Seehttps://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Doubt-Devotions-Skeptic/dp/1501869132/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1KW9K7F1MFCH4&keywords=40+days+of+doubt+eric+huffman&qid=1558315094&s=gateway&sprefix=40+days+of+doubt%2Caps%2C389&sr=8-1-fkmrnull.

Have a Blessed Summer Everyone!

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

Attached is the sermon discussion guide for this week- Love That Won’t Let Go, Ruth 1:1-22. 

This morning’s messages from Pastor Johnson and Pastor Hall are available at https://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/. 

            Well friends, our Spring semester of our Neighborhood Small Groups are soon coming to a close as we approach summer break.  Next Sunday is the last discussion guide for the Spring.  Please be in conversation with your small groups this week about any fellowship events you would like to schedule this summer and about when you would like to start your weekly meetings back up in the fall. 

            This Tuesday I will be starting a new series in the Discipleship Leader’s Breakfasts based on the new book 40 Days of Doubt, by Rev. Eric Huffman, the pastor of The Story community at St. Luke’s UMC Houston.  Just come to Jacob’s Well in the Gathering Hall at 8am on Tuesday for a time of coffee and conversation about how to approach thoughtful responses to skeptical questions about our faith.  If you would like a copy for yourself, here’s the link on amazon-  https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Doubt-Devotions-Skeptic-ebook/dp/B079Q27YVM/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=3NRTVY33YUWP5&keywords=40+days+of+doubt+eric+huffman&qid=1557713734&s=gateway&sprefix=40+days+of+doubt%2Caps%2C346&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

                Thank you all for sharing in this ministry of discipleship that is shaping lives for Christ every week!  You all are a blessing to your group and to Christ Church!

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 second message in the Love that Lasts series, A Most Excellent Way, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. 

The message is online at https://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/ in case you missed it. 

    Reminder- the church council meeting begins at 5pm tonight with a Taco-Bar Potluck!  All are welcome to come share in food, fellowship and hear updates on Christ Church news and the UMC.  Also, two more Sundays left of sermon based discussion guides.  I’ll be in prayer for you and your groups as you meet this week and prepare for the summer season.

Blessings!

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   Sorry the discussion guide this week is coming a little later than usual.  It was a full day and evening of meetings and programs yesterday!  Attached is the guide for “Do You Love Me?” John 21:15-19. 

The last guide for the semester will be sent on May 19.  See www.christchurchsl.org/sermons for videos of the morning messages.  

I pray the risen Christ meet with you as you gather in his name and open your hearts and discussions to God’s Word.

Blessings!

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

Happy Eastertide everyone!  Christ is risen!   The sermon videos are available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.  Attached is the discussion guide from Sunday’s Easter messages “Can I Get a Witness?!” 

  Some of you may be wondering, when do the sermon discussion guides stop for the summer time?  Good question!  The last discussion guide until the fall season will be sent on Sunday May 19th.  You may wish to begin discussing summer schedules with your group this week and try to identify a couple of dates in which you would like to gather for fellowship gatherings this summer, possibly with a meal.  To make things easier it can follow a potluck format, or if you have a hard time getting someone to host, you could also plan to meet at a restaurant with flexible seating for your group size.

   Of course if your group would like to continue with weekly meetings in the summer months you are welcome to do so with video based studies.  However, because of summer travel schedules, most groups find it better to just meet for monthly fellowship events.  

May God Bless you all in the Easter Season as you meet together in His name and in His Word!

Peace and Grace,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    What a great Palm Sunday we had with our guest preacher Dr. John (Jack) Beck!  Attached is the discussion guide for this week’s message Wilderness Without Wanting. 

The sermon video is available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.  Note- the video for Route Makes The Arrivalis an additional one hour teaching that Dr. Beck offered on Sunday evening about the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, but is not relevant to the sermon based small group discussion.

  Upcoming Discipleship Events:

• Tuesday Discipleship Leader’s Breakfast at 8am in Jacob’s Well
• Maundy Thursday interactive worship service at 7pm in the sanctuary
• Good Friday service on The Seven Last Words of Christ at 7pm in the sanctuary
• Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fest- Saturday April 20, 10am-noon (please seewww.christchurchsl.org/egg for how you can help!)
• Easter sunrise service at Jupiter’s in Town Square 7am (volunteers for chair transportation may contact deandre@christchurchsl.org) 
• Easter sanctuary services at 8am, 9:30 and 11am

We are almost through the wilderness friends, Sundays a comin!

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Small Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    Attached is the sermon based discussion guide for this week’s messages “Reckless Love.” 

The video messages of both versions are available at the links below. 

Pastor Temple’s message- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooC7c4oRfec

Pastor Hall’s message- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55HaSk2Sals

    Please share with your group members some special upcoming discipleship events which include:

• Teaching on the Passover by Rabbi Josh Lobel this Thursday, April 11 6:30-8pm in the Gathering Hall
• Palm Sunday (April 14) with guest preacher Dr. John (Jack) Beck in the morning services and in a 6pm teaching time
• Israel study trip (Oct 20-Nov 2) information meeting Palm Sunday (April 14) 4:30pm in the Gathering Hall
• Maundy Thursday interactive worship service at 7pm in the sanctuary
• Good Friday service on The Seven Last Words of Christ at 7pm in the sanctuary
• Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fest- Saturday April 20, 10am-noon (please seewww.christchurchsl.org/egg for how you can help!)
• Easter sunrise service at Jupiter’s in Town Square 7am (volunteers for chair transportation may contact deandre@christchurchsl.org) 
• Easter sanctuary services at 8am, 9:30 and 11am

  All are encouraged to share invitations with friends and neighbors to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with us, invitation cards are available on the welcome table or on the round table on the landing.  The Discipleship Leader’s Breakfast meeting is back on the schedule this week, Tuesday 8am-9am in Jacob’s Well, we’ll be learning about Methodist missionary and global evangelist E. Stanley Jones.

   May God bless you all in your groups this week as we continue our journey through the wilderness this Lenten season.

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Christ Church Small Group Leaders,

   Attached is the discussion guide for today’s messages on “Coming to Our Senses” on Luke 15:11-3. 

Videos of the morning sermon messages are available at the links below.

Pastor Temple- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOAmjsT6BLs

Pastor Conway- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEsx9KBlr5E

Leader Tips:

1. Reminder- no Discipleship Leader’s Breakfast this Tuesday as the pastors will be away at an annual Pastor’s retreat with the Bishop.  Next meeting is Tuesday April 9, 8-9am at Jacob’s Well
2. Reminder- Bible App workshop Tuesday 12:15pm in the Gathering Hall. Bring your own brown bag lunch and a smart phone – presentation by www.blueletterbible.com
3. The last pastor led Bible study on Land Without Borders is Thursday 7-8pm in Jacob’s Well.  All welcome!

Peace and Grace,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Christ Church Small Group Leaders,

Attached is the discussion guide for today’s messages “Living in a Dry Land” as part of our Lenten series “The Wilderness Way.” 

Pastor Hall’s and Pastor Temple’s messages can be viewed at  www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.

Leader Tips:

1. Resources for the Lenten Season and Lenten series- the daily devotional Listen to Him is available at Jacob’s Well for $10 or online at www.seedbed.com/dailytext and the book Land Without Borders is available at Jacob’s Well for $10 also.
2. This week’s session in the Land Without Borders study is video session 3 “Wilderness and Faith Witness” and chapter 5 in the book.  Next week, we are skipping session 4 in the video study and going straight to session 5, “Wilderness and Forgiveness” which is chapter 7 in the book for those who are following along.
3. Discipleship Leader’s Breakfast Topic for this Tuesday at 8am in Jacob’s Well- Renowned Methodist missionary, diplomat and author E. Stanley Jones.

Your Co-laborer In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church