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Given: Week 5:

Chosen, Blessed, Broken & Given. This was a rhythm of life that Jesus modeled for us. This Lenten season we are going to explore together how we might live into this same rhythm Jesus modeled for us. The last couple of weeks we have looked at being Chosen, Blessed & Broken by God, this week we are going to look at what it means to be Given.

Just a reminder of ways to stay connected during this time:

• Keep meeting in your Community Groups. If you don’t have a group yet, you can find one here: societychurch.com/groups
• Utilize our website! If you’ve made it to the podcast, you are already utilizing our website, well done! On our website you can stay connected through our contact form, find our Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our Newsletter, resources and more!

Listen along with us!

 

Community Group Discussion Guide:

STEP 1- Ice Breaker

Help people to loosen up and share. It will be helpful if someone is new to go around and do names and have each person share about a question and share a bit about themselves. CLICK HERE for ice breaker questions ideas.

(Group Leader Note: Use the Learning/Living Circle to guide your discussion and application of the content. Try your best to keep the “learning” and “living” focus balanced. You use this model moving clockwise around the circle. The goal is working towards practical and personal life application.)

Step 2- Learning- Observe, Reflect, Discuss

(Group Leader Note: Don’t feel the need to go through every scripture, point or question. Pick and choose what you feel will make the most impact for your group. If you are not sure where to start, just ask your group what stuck out to them about the message most and start with that.)

Read this scriptures together:

Mark 6:45-50

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against (tortured by) the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

Matthew 14:25-33

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come to me,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Observation & Reflection Questions to Discuss:

• Anything that jumps out to you as important, helpful or interesting in this scripture?
• Are there any questions or curiosities you have about this portion of scripture that you would like to look into more?
• In Mark 6:45 what is Jesus doing before he goes to rescue the disciples?
• What are the differences and similarities in these 2 accounts of Matthew & Mark?
• What where the disciples responses to Jesus walking towards them in the storm?
• Is there an experience in your own life, in the past or present. that you could relate this story to?

STEP 3- Living- Planning, Accountability, Action

• How is God meeting you in this moment of global chaos during the pandemic?
• What have been the most helpful ways to connect and re-center with God during this unique time?
• Read Isaiah 26:3 together- “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
• How do you go about fixing your trust and thoughts on God? What practices have been most helpful for you?
• What might you do to “up your game” in focusing your trust and thoughts on God during this critical time?
• Recommended Resources:
  • Bible Reading Plans: https:societychurch.com/bible
  • Rhythm Podcast Series: http://societychurch.com/rhythm-week-1/,
  • 40 Days of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: https://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Healthy-Spirituality-Day-Journey/dp/0310341167

STEP 4- Prayer And/Or Meditation

Please don’t skip prayer!! Cut the discussion short if needed to pray for one another 🙂 Try one of these options, don’t be afraid to mix it up.

• Have people split into groups of 2-3 to share prayer needs and pray for each other.
• Share requests as a group and pray for one another. Assign requests to people that are comfortable with praying and go around the circle praying for each others needs.
• Help your group develop a vocabulary of prayer. Pray a wrote prayer together.  Prayerfully read a Psalm or something from the Book of Common Prayer .
• Meditation with silence and stillness- A word or phrase to focus your group. A time of silence and stillness, set a timer for 5 minutes if you want. Close the time with a prayer for your group.
• Develop someone in your group as the Prayer Coordinator. Have them write down prayer needs, ask them to pray for those needs during the week, have them send a list to the group to keep in prayer, go through the list regularly to celebrate answered prayers and check off or add on prayers.