Sanctuaries will start up again the week of January 14.
Don't forget our all church meeting, January 10...
And have a safe, happy New Year!
-Matt
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sanctuary Week of December 10
Blogger is freaking out on me!
That's why you can't see the site heading right now.
Anywhoo....
Inward Journey
Less discussion this week,
instead more time in a few prayer practices...
Read Luke 1:46-55
- What stands out to you about 'Mary's Song?'
- How is joy ("a deep spiritual quality of life, in spite of circumstances) different than "instant happiness?"
Practice:
- Take a few quiet moments.
- Ask yourself: 'If I had to write my 'song' to God this week,
what would it be?'
It could include, joy, worship, struggles, honesty about life, or all of this.
- Then write just a verse or so of 'your song.'
Ask people to share their song as they feel comfortable.
The Advent Conspiracy/Prayer Practice:
Last Sunday we talked about the joy of 'giving more (relational giving).'
Let's take a few moments tonight to 'give' as a group.
Practice: Pack backpack for 'Border Angels.'
- In groups of two or three,
Carefully pack a backpack.
- Paying prayerful attention to each item.
I will give you a short set of instructions for this when I give you packs and supplies.
If you need more info on Border Angels go to:
http://www.borderangels.org/
When everyone is done,
Close in prayer:
- take requests,
- and don't forget to pray for those displaced this season,
including the migrant workers and those ministered to by 'Border Angels.'
Let me know how it goes...
And let everyone know next week is Sanctuary Christmas!
Hang out with your group and have a party.
Thanks for your leadership!
Matt
That's why you can't see the site heading right now.
Anywhoo....
Inward Journey
Less discussion this week,
instead more time in a few prayer practices...
Read Luke 1:46-55
- What stands out to you about 'Mary's Song?'
- How is joy ("a deep spiritual quality of life, in spite of circumstances) different than "instant happiness?"
Practice:
- Take a few quiet moments.
- Ask yourself: 'If I had to write my 'song' to God this week,
what would it be?'
It could include, joy, worship, struggles, honesty about life, or all of this.
- Then write just a verse or so of 'your song.'
Ask people to share their song as they feel comfortable.
The Advent Conspiracy/Prayer Practice:
Last Sunday we talked about the joy of 'giving more (relational giving).'
Let's take a few moments tonight to 'give' as a group.
Practice: Pack backpack for 'Border Angels.'
- In groups of two or three,
Carefully pack a backpack.
- Paying prayerful attention to each item.
I will give you a short set of instructions for this when I give you packs and supplies.
If you need more info on Border Angels go to:
http://www.borderangels.org/
When everyone is done,
Close in prayer:
- take requests,
- and don't forget to pray for those displaced this season,
including the migrant workers and those ministered to by 'Border Angels.'
Let me know how it goes...
And let everyone know next week is Sanctuary Christmas!
Hang out with your group and have a party.
Thanks for your leadership!
Matt
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sanctuary- Week of November 26
~Inward Journey~
Gathering Flow:
Icebreaker:
(Intro/Names if needed)
How was your Thanksgiving (what did you do, etc.)?
- If we are the "jars of clay," What is the "treasure?"
- Can we identify any "treasure" in our lives? In those around us?
2. Read v. 13-15 - Why is Paul (the author) so thankful here, even though he just talked about suffering?
- In response to this passage, what can we really be thankful for?
Remember, you will probably not get through all the discussion questions... that's OK!
Focus on those that resonate most with your group.
Closing Prayer:
1. Take requests.
2. Invite anyone who wants to pray for each of these.
3. Don't forget to begin to pray for your 'outward journey' as a group... 'God show us where you are making a difference in our city, and how we can join!'
3. Ask someone else to open.
4. You close.
Keep hanging out as much as everyone wants!
Gathering Flow:
Icebreaker:
(Intro/Names if needed)
How was your Thanksgiving (what did you do, etc.)?
Ground Rules:
Remind everyone...
1. We are here for God/spiritual growth, and community.
2. This is a 'safe space.' We are here to discover God together, so be real, don't worry about saying the 'right' thing. And anything shared here about our spiritual journeys stays here.
Prayer: 1. Give people a few moments of silence. Invite them to decompress from the day.
2. You pray- Welcoming God's presence into your time together.
Discussion:
Text:
2 Cor. 4:7-9, 13-18
- If we are the "jars of clay," What is the "treasure?"
- Can we identify any "treasure" in our lives? In those around us?
2. Read v. 13-15 - Why is Paul (the author) so thankful here, even though he just talked about suffering?
- How do we allow thanksgiving to "overflow" from us, in good times and bad?
- This is also a good time to begin to discuss the 'outward journey': How do we begin to "overflow" grace and thanksgiving to our city? Are there simple things God is doing out there (that add value to our neighborhood/city) that we as a group can get involved in? Take a minute to brainstorm...
3. Read v. 16-18 -What is the "eternal glory" in v. 17? (don't let your group get away with just the 'Sunday School' answer here!)
- How do we begin, in our everyday life, to live into v. 18?
4. And, if you have time...- In response to this passage, what can we really be thankful for?
Remember, you will probably not get through all the discussion questions... that's OK!
Focus on those that resonate most with your group.
Closing Prayer:
1. Take requests.
2. Invite anyone who wants to pray for each of these.
3. Don't forget to begin to pray for your 'outward journey' as a group... 'God show us where you are making a difference in our city, and how we can join!'
3. Ask someone else to open.
4. You close.
Keep hanging out as much as everyone wants!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sanctuary- Week of November 12
Thanks for your commitment and leadership!...
We are on our way towards building groups that are growing in love for God and others.
The next step is coming soon...
To love God and others OUTSIDE our gatherings.
Stay tuned for more info... but begin to plant the seeds that soon we will be venturing out!
Inward Journey
Text: Luke 19:1-10
‘The Risk of Hope’
This Week...
Open in Prayer:
Spend a few quiet seconds 'decompressing' from our day,
and then invite God to work in your Sanctuary.
Read Luke 19:1-7
1. Who was Zacchaeus? What did it mean to be a “chief tax collector” back in his day?
2. How does Jesus respond to a “sinner?” (v. 7)
How does that give us hope?
3. Who in our culture would be the "chief tax collectors?"
How should we respond?
Next Read Luke 19:8-10
4. Pay attention to Zack's response to Jesus...
What is the relationship between change of heart and change of action?
Do the two necessarily always go together?
5. Zack took the risk to follow Christ, trusting that there was hope for a different life for him in God.
Where do we see ‘seeds of hope’ already planted in our lives?
Prayer Practice:
1. Spend a few moments in silence…
In the quietness, invite people to prayerfully ask God:
What is one way I need to take the ‘risk of hope?’
2. Then invite them to take a minute or two to respond to God…
This could be simply writing that thing down,
Or a short letter to God,
Or a drawing in response to God, etc.
(however each person responds best)
If you're brave enough (and have time),
Have people share their 'hope risks,'
and then make those part of your closing prayer.
Close in Prayer:
1. Take requests from the group,
maybe even ways they need to risk living into our hope in Christ.
2. Invite others to pray for specific requests.
3. You close.
We are on our way towards building groups that are growing in love for God and others.
The next step is coming soon...
To love God and others OUTSIDE our gatherings.
Stay tuned for more info... but begin to plant the seeds that soon we will be venturing out!
Inward Journey
Text: Luke 19:1-10
‘The Risk of Hope’
This Week...
Open in Prayer:
Spend a few quiet seconds 'decompressing' from our day,
and then invite God to work in your Sanctuary.
Read Luke 19:1-7
1. Who was Zacchaeus? What did it mean to be a “chief tax collector” back in his day?
2. How does Jesus respond to a “sinner?” (v. 7)
How does that give us hope?
3. Who in our culture would be the "chief tax collectors?"
How should we respond?
Next Read Luke 19:8-10
4. Pay attention to Zack's response to Jesus...
What is the relationship between change of heart and change of action?
Do the two necessarily always go together?
5. Zack took the risk to follow Christ, trusting that there was hope for a different life for him in God.
Where do we see ‘seeds of hope’ already planted in our lives?
Prayer Practice:
1. Spend a few moments in silence…
In the quietness, invite people to prayerfully ask God:
What is one way I need to take the ‘risk of hope?’
2. Then invite them to take a minute or two to respond to God…
This could be simply writing that thing down,
Or a short letter to God,
Or a drawing in response to God, etc.
(however each person responds best)
If you're brave enough (and have time),
Have people share their 'hope risks,'
and then make those part of your closing prayer.
Close in Prayer:
1. Take requests from the group,
maybe even ways they need to risk living into our hope in Christ.
2. Invite others to pray for specific requests.
3. You close.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sanctuary, Week of 10/22
Leaders...
Let's keep focused on building community in our groups.
So this week we'll once again concentrate on the 'Inward Journey.'
And please be thinking of any in your group affected by the fires...
Take the lead in helping your Sanct surround them in whatever way is needed!
Inward Journey
- Time: Keep it tight again... The 'official' gathering shouldn't be more than 1hr.
- Intro/Icebreaker: Go around and have everyone intro themselves (name, and if you want a fun question).
- Set Up Ground Rules: Once again, make sure it is clear:
1. We are here for God/growth. We are committing to growth and to community.
2. This is a 'safe place,' what we say here stays here, and no question or thought is a 'dumb' one.
3. You are a facilitator... your job is to ask questions/keep things 'flowing', not do all the talking. We want everyone to be able to participate in some way.
- Pray: (You do this the first few meetings, then eventually ask others in the group)
1. Ask everyone to spend a few moments in silence.
2. Ask them to give God the stress and concerns of their day.
3. Ask them to begin to focus on God and what God may want to do in their lives tonight.
4. Then you pray- Inviting God into your gathering.
- Discuss:
Text: Romans 5:2 (starting at "and we boast..")- 5
Questions:
1. What is hope? (remember " a dream is the 'what if,' hope is the expectation it will actually come to pass.")
2. How does perseverance affect our hope in God?
What are things we need to have perseverance in?
Read Romans 7:18-20, 8:1-2
3. Are there other things (besides even what was mentioned on Sunday- pornography) our culture does but doesn't want to, that rob us of hope?
4. Why is it so easy to make these things (issues, people, etc.) 'the common enemy,' instead of looking within?
5. Where do we find hope in these situations? (see 8:1-2)
How do we live as people of hope?
- Closing Prayer:
Ask for requests.
Invite others to pick one to pray for.
Don't forget those affected by the fires.
- Continue to 'hang out' a little, and build community.
Let's keep focused on building community in our groups.
So this week we'll once again concentrate on the 'Inward Journey.'
And please be thinking of any in your group affected by the fires...
Take the lead in helping your Sanct surround them in whatever way is needed!
Inward Journey
- Time: Keep it tight again... The 'official' gathering shouldn't be more than 1hr.
- Intro/Icebreaker: Go around and have everyone intro themselves (name, and if you want a fun question).
- Set Up Ground Rules: Once again, make sure it is clear:
1. We are here for God/growth. We are committing to growth and to community.
2. This is a 'safe place,' what we say here stays here, and no question or thought is a 'dumb' one.
3. You are a facilitator... your job is to ask questions/keep things 'flowing', not do all the talking. We want everyone to be able to participate in some way.
- Pray: (You do this the first few meetings, then eventually ask others in the group)
1. Ask everyone to spend a few moments in silence.
2. Ask them to give God the stress and concerns of their day.
3. Ask them to begin to focus on God and what God may want to do in their lives tonight.
4. Then you pray- Inviting God into your gathering.
- Discuss:
Text: Romans 5:2 (starting at "and we boast..")- 5
Questions:
1. What is hope? (remember " a dream is the 'what if,' hope is the expectation it will actually come to pass.")
2. How does perseverance affect our hope in God?
What are things we need to have perseverance in?
Read Romans 7:18-20, 8:1-2
3. Are there other things (besides even what was mentioned on Sunday- pornography) our culture does but doesn't want to, that rob us of hope?
4. Why is it so easy to make these things (issues, people, etc.) 'the common enemy,' instead of looking within?
5. Where do we find hope in these situations? (see 8:1-2)
How do we live as people of hope?
- Closing Prayer:
Ask for requests.
Invite others to pick one to pray for.
Don't forget those affected by the fires.
- Continue to 'hang out' a little, and build community.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Sanctuaries- Week of 10/08/07
Hey Sanctuary Leaders...
Thanks for last Wednesday.
It was truly an important night for spiritual growth at MG!
And you were (and will continue to be) a HUGE part of it.
This Week...
Total time for the 'official' part of the meeting:
No more than 1hr.
This doesn't necessarily include those who want to hang out before and after.
As you get to know your group, you will get a feel for what's best,
but let's try to keep things tight and flowing right now.
Here is the format for your first 'real' meeting...
Journey Inward:
- Intro/Icebreaker: Go around again and have everyone intro themselves (name, and if you want a fun question).
- Set Up Ground Rules: Once again, make sure it is clear:
1. We are here for God/growth. We are committing to growth and to community.
2. This is a 'safe place,' what we say here stays here, and no question or thought is a 'dumb' one.
3. You are a facilitator... your job is to ask questions/keep things 'flowing', not do all the talking. We want everyone to be able to participate in some way.
- Pray: (You do this the first few meetings, then eventually ask others in the group)
1. Ask everyone to spend a few moments in silence.
2. Ask them to give God the business and concerns of their day.
3. Ask them to begin to focus on God and what God may want to do in their lives tonight.
4. Then you pray.
- Discussion:
Text: Luke 10:25-27, Philippians 1:9-11
(Have one, or a few, read these out loud)
Here are a few questions...
1. We hear the word 'love' a lot... but what does Scripture, in these verses, mean by love?
How is that different than how we/our culture view 'love?'
2. On Sunday we talked about 'two disconnects' that often keep us from living out a life of Christlike love....
a. What were the two disconnects? (hint for you leaders, we have disconnected: 1. Love from Action, 2. Discipleship from Community)
b. How do we, in our everyday lives, reconnect these?
3. How do we, in our Sanctuaries and faith community, continue to create an environment where our "love abound(s) more and more in knowledge and depth of insight?" Philip. 1:9
4. Would anyone like to share the commitments they wrote down during communion?
Follow up with people if possible, ask them, "how do you think you will do this?" and "is there any way we can support you in that?"
It's OK to follow up questions, etc. from the group during discussion.
Sometimes the 'rabbit trails' can be the Holy Spirit... sometimes they are just that, rabbit trails that need to be gently redirected. Use your discernment, and begin to understand your group.
It's OK if you don't get through all the questions...
I'd rather have you over prepared than under!
If it's starting to get too late, wrap it up and get to prayer.
- Closing Prayer: Take prayer requests, if you feel like your group is ready, get others involved praying for a specific request.
- Continue to 'hang out' for a few moments afterward.
Be intentional about building community in your group.
For example: notice those who you don't know as well/or who have yet to participate much, focus on getting to know them a bit.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there is any way I can support your leadership!
I am praying for each of you, that the Holy Spirit would empower you, and begin to challenge/encourage your group!
Peace Out,
Matt
Thanks for last Wednesday.
It was truly an important night for spiritual growth at MG!
And you were (and will continue to be) a HUGE part of it.
This Week...
Total time for the 'official' part of the meeting:
No more than 1hr.
This doesn't necessarily include those who want to hang out before and after.
As you get to know your group, you will get a feel for what's best,
but let's try to keep things tight and flowing right now.
Here is the format for your first 'real' meeting...
Journey Inward:
- Intro/Icebreaker: Go around again and have everyone intro themselves (name, and if you want a fun question).
- Set Up Ground Rules: Once again, make sure it is clear:
1. We are here for God/growth. We are committing to growth and to community.
2. This is a 'safe place,' what we say here stays here, and no question or thought is a 'dumb' one.
3. You are a facilitator... your job is to ask questions/keep things 'flowing', not do all the talking. We want everyone to be able to participate in some way.
- Pray: (You do this the first few meetings, then eventually ask others in the group)
1. Ask everyone to spend a few moments in silence.
2. Ask them to give God the business and concerns of their day.
3. Ask them to begin to focus on God and what God may want to do in their lives tonight.
4. Then you pray.
- Discussion:
Text: Luke 10:25-27, Philippians 1:9-11
(Have one, or a few, read these out loud)
Here are a few questions...
1. We hear the word 'love' a lot... but what does Scripture, in these verses, mean by love?
How is that different than how we/our culture view 'love?'
2. On Sunday we talked about 'two disconnects' that often keep us from living out a life of Christlike love....
a. What were the two disconnects? (hint for you leaders, we have disconnected: 1. Love from Action, 2. Discipleship from Community)
b. How do we, in our everyday lives, reconnect these?
3. How do we, in our Sanctuaries and faith community, continue to create an environment where our "love abound(s) more and more in knowledge and depth of insight?" Philip. 1:9
4. Would anyone like to share the commitments they wrote down during communion?
Follow up with people if possible, ask them, "how do you think you will do this?" and "is there any way we can support you in that?"
It's OK to follow up questions, etc. from the group during discussion.
Sometimes the 'rabbit trails' can be the Holy Spirit... sometimes they are just that, rabbit trails that need to be gently redirected. Use your discernment, and begin to understand your group.
It's OK if you don't get through all the questions...
I'd rather have you over prepared than under!
If it's starting to get too late, wrap it up and get to prayer.
- Closing Prayer: Take prayer requests, if you feel like your group is ready, get others involved praying for a specific request.
- Continue to 'hang out' for a few moments afterward.
Be intentional about building community in your group.
For example: notice those who you don't know as well/or who have yet to participate much, focus on getting to know them a bit.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there is any way I can support your leadership!
I am praying for each of you, that the Holy Spirit would empower you, and begin to challenge/encourage your group!
Peace Out,
Matt
Monday, August 20, 2007
Sanctuaries & Spiritual Formation
Part I of our discussion from Wednesday night.
Based on my notes/outline, with comments in parentheses...
Sanctuaries- Spiritual Formation Groups Focused on:
Intentional, Missional, Discipleship
(Our Sanctuaries, these spiritual formation groups...
Are intentional- We are asking people not to just join a program or event, but to commit to a small group of people, to actively participate in a community. Missional- in the sense that we want to also focus on the 'outward' aspects of our spiritual journeys, being an expression of God's grace in the world. Sometimes we also talk about this process in terms of the word discipleship. However, this can easily turn into Christian 'buzzwords' without a lot of meaning... So let's break it down a little more.)
Discipleship…
“’Come follow me,’ Jesus said…”
(Matt. 4:19)
Disciple- Learner, follower.
(Def)- a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.
b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.
Spiritual Formation/Discipleship in the Way of Jesus...
Has two interconnected movements:
-The Journey Inward
(what we more commonly think of as 'spiritual formation,' with activities like prayer, bible study, silence, and worship)
-The Journey Outward
(what we more often think of as 'service' or 'mission' activity, but is just as spiritual and just as growth shaping as the 'inward' activities)
Happens in three basic interconnected spaces:
-Individual
(At the deepest, most personal, core level... Opening our lives to God's love, and the Holy Spirit re-creating who we are back into God's original intent of Imago Dei (Gen. 1:27)- The truly, fully, complete human created in the image of God)
-Community
(Faith community, relationships, family, etc. God's Kingdom is a relational kingdom...
"Holy ground is never private turf, but always communal space." -Kenda Creasy & Ron Foster)
-Life
(All discipleship happens in the context of everyday life, just read about Jesus interacting with people in the Gospels! But this also includes larger life and relational structures, like- social structures, systems, and caring for all of creation)
And...
Spiritual Growth @ MG has always had five interwoven elements
(This is DNA level stuff!):
-Christ Centered
-Journey Shaped
-Grace-Full Community
-Dialogue Process
-Learning for Action/Growth
Now that we've hit the 'basics,' in my next post, I'd like to spend a little more time on each of these five elements of spiritual growth within MG... How we do it Missiongathering style!
Based on my notes/outline, with comments in parentheses...
Sanctuaries- Spiritual Formation Groups Focused on:
Intentional, Missional, Discipleship
(Our Sanctuaries, these spiritual formation groups...
Are intentional- We are asking people not to just join a program or event, but to commit to a small group of people, to actively participate in a community. Missional- in the sense that we want to also focus on the 'outward' aspects of our spiritual journeys, being an expression of God's grace in the world. Sometimes we also talk about this process in terms of the word discipleship. However, this can easily turn into Christian 'buzzwords' without a lot of meaning... So let's break it down a little more.)
Discipleship…
“’Come follow me,’ Jesus said…”
(Matt. 4:19)
Disciple- Learner, follower.
(Def)- a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.
b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.
Spiritual Formation/Discipleship in the Way of Jesus...
Has two interconnected movements:
-The Journey Inward
(what we more commonly think of as 'spiritual formation,' with activities like prayer, bible study, silence, and worship)
-The Journey Outward
(what we more often think of as 'service' or 'mission' activity, but is just as spiritual and just as growth shaping as the 'inward' activities)
Happens in three basic interconnected spaces:
-Individual
(At the deepest, most personal, core level... Opening our lives to God's love, and the Holy Spirit re-creating who we are back into God's original intent of Imago Dei (Gen. 1:27)- The truly, fully, complete human created in the image of God)
-Community
(Faith community, relationships, family, etc. God's Kingdom is a relational kingdom...
"Holy ground is never private turf, but always communal space." -Kenda Creasy & Ron Foster)
-Life
(All discipleship happens in the context of everyday life, just read about Jesus interacting with people in the Gospels! But this also includes larger life and relational structures, like- social structures, systems, and caring for all of creation)
And...
Spiritual Growth @ MG has always had five interwoven elements
(This is DNA level stuff!):
-Christ Centered
-Journey Shaped
-Grace-Full Community
-Dialogue Process
-Learning for Action/Growth
Now that we've hit the 'basics,' in my next post, I'd like to spend a little more time on each of these five elements of spiritual growth within MG... How we do it Missiongathering style!
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