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.