WAYMAKER, CG Study Guide for the week of September 27, 2020 PDF Version
STF_CG_covenant-group_pages (1) PDF Version
CG Study Guide for the week of September 27, 2020
WAYMAKER
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WELCOME TO THE FALL QUARTER OF COMMUNITY GROUPS! |
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This week we kick off our Fall Community Group Quarter. Your first meeting is designed to give you time to get acquainted, connect with each other, as well as time to discuss how to make your Community Group meetings great! The study questions have been shortened this week to allow ample time to accomplish all of this. To prepare for your first meeting, take some time to focus on the questions below and be prepared to share your answers with the group. Have a great meeting as you come together to connect, encourage one another to grow and see how God might work! Online Groups – If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. |
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
1. The summer of 2020 will most likely be one we will not forget. The good news is God is still working. Chances are you’ve also found some new ways of doing things or you’ve had new experiences as a result of the COVID craziness. Take a minute and answer the questions below. Be ready to share with your group:
- What is your favorite thing/most creative idea you experience or do now as a result of COVID restrictions? (Curbside pickup, eating in the parking lot, going to bed earlier, going to bed later, new skill or hobby, going on more walks, etc.)
- What are one or two things you enjoyed most this summer?
- Besides going to church on the weekends, what social experience have you missed the most because of some of the quarantine restrictions?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. “God meets us through expression, not escape.” – When in crisis, what are some ways that you have found helpful to express yourself to God?
2. “God meets us to develop maturity, not primarily to give relief.” — In what areas is God growing you up to be more like Christ throughout the most recent season?
3. “God meets us to cultivate intimacy, not always to give answers.” — How has God pursued you personally in this most recent season?
LOOKING AHEAD
Whether your group is meeting online or in person, it will be interesting to see how God works as you connect, care for one another and encourage each other to follow God and live out His Word. What are you looking forward to in your Community Group this quarter?
These are unusual times on so many levels in our culture today. Is there anything specific you need prayer for, or is there a focus you would like to have in order to grow this next quarter?
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THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY GROUPS |
Community Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen:
SHARE
Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned sharing questions, called “Getting To Know You.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable and will be called “My Story”.
STUDY
Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life.
SUPPORT
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs.
SERVE
Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.
ABOUT POLITICS IN COMMUNITY GROUP
Presenting the Good News of Jesus’ saving grace to all, and the unity we have as believers is vitally important to us. In light of this, remember to keep politics completely out of your Community Group discussions. We exist to minister to everyone who wants to know Jesus. Every election cycle we have Christians who become divided over issues and can be deeply offended by comments, jokes, and even prayer requests. We do not want to send the message that people who vote a certain way or have differing political views are not welcome.
If someone in your group starts to take things in a political direction (be it with humor, a rant, or even a “prayer request” for a specific outcome), gently remind them that the body of Christ (and South Tampa Fellowship) is made up of followers of Jesus – some of whom are Republican, Independents, Democrats, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prayer & Praise Night – Friday, October 2, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us as we worship the Lord and seek the Lord for His guidance.