Sanctuary- Week of March 24

Don't forget to continue to build the rhythms of your group in prayer, and outward journey...
If you need suggestions let me know.

And keep focused on the reason we gather in Sanctuaries- spiritual growth, through inward and outward practices. And remember each group is can be tailored to your unique make-up, ultimately what you as a group make it!

Discussion
Text:
John 20:1-10

1. Why Mary? Why was she the first to see the empty tomb?
2. What role did women play in Jesus ministry?
3. And what about the resurrection?... Why does it matter?

Text:
John 20:19-23
4. How did Jesus challenge the disciples to live the resurrection?

Sanctuary- Week of March 17 (Happy St `Paddy's!)

Start with this icebreaker...

How has your spiritual journey been during Lent?
(This can be- People sharing a practice they left behind/took on, or sharing from the Art/Spirituality experience last week, etc.)

Sunday we heard the story of Judas... and talked about religious fantasies, ways that all of us put our own expectations on God, expectations that are sometimes different than who he wants to be to us. Below is an experience and discussion to help us relate this to Good Friday and Easter.

Experience:
1. Watch these images below of 'Pop-Art' Jesuses (no sound... so play a song you dig with it)
2. As you do, meditate on how we have created 'Pop-Art' Jesuses (religious fantasy), in our culture, the church, on a personal level, etc.
3. Then take a few moments with pen and paper and jot these down (or draw, etc.)
4. Discuss

Text:
Philip. 2:8-11
2 Cor. 13:3-4

1. Have someone read the text...
2. Discuss:
- How is the Christ we hear about in Scripture similar to our 'pop' Jeuses?
- How does the cross/resurrection show us a different Christ, than the religious fantasies we've discussed?
- How do we (as individuals and community) move farther away from religious fantasies, and closer to the crucified and resurrected Christ?

Close in prayer
(Don't forget to pray for the several gatherings happening this weekend)

As You Go:
Encourage your group to continue to see God through the eyes of the cross and resurrection this week...

Leaders Meeting- Sunday, March 16... Lunch

Lunch after the gathering...
Hope to see most of ya there!

If you haven't already, check out Ch. 1 of 'Shaped by God's Heart,' titled- 'From Maintenance to Missional.'

Here are a few questions to think about... we'll start our lunch with these:

1. What is the difference between a "maintenance mentality" towards church/ministry and being missional?

2. What is the difference between just being “missions-minded” and missional?

3. And how does all this relate to what we do in our Sanctuaries?