Piecing it All Together: Creation


Connect Groups
Week 1: Creation
Genesis 1-2

Give about 30 minutes to each of the 3 sections of the group meeting.

Connect
Spend time getting to know one another during this time.  You might have nametags for week 1 if it would help everyone.

During this first part of the meeting, talk about the 3-part group structure of Connect/Pray/Reflect.  It will also be important to try and set some group norms together to help form a covenant.  Have someone write down (preferably on something everyone can see) your group expectations.  If the group needs prodding, ask about:
-attendance expectations (or what to do if you know you need to miss)
-presence (How you show up at the meeting)
-confidentiality
-prayer
-Authenticity/sharing
As your group adds people to it, make sure that they also understand this covenant.

As you have casual conversation and share together, try to bring everyone around this central introduction question:
The greatest thing that I’ve ever created...
or
The greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of creating…

Pray
During this time each week, our focus is going to be on the “Measures” and their questions.  At Macedonia UMC, we have determined that we want to grow to be disciples who are:
Passionate, Trusting, Accepting, Invitational, and Active. 

We have questions that help us measure to see how we are doing in each of those areas:
Passionate: Where did I see God today?
Accepting: How am I building diverse relationships?
Invitational: Who am I connecting with God’s family?
Trusting: Where does God rank?
Active: How am I engaged with God’s work? 

Each week, we will spend time reflecting on these questions together.  On some weeks, we might just all focus on the same question.  Other times, we might try to focus on the question that is most difficult for us.  Our goal is that in this time, we genuinely hold one another accountable and are real with one another.  We also will spend time praying about one another’s responses and goals during this time.  Sometimes that will be in pairs or threes, and sometimes all together. 

Reflect
Take a few minutes to reflect together on any insights or questions anyone had about creation after Sunday’s sermon. 

Read together: Genesis 1:26-31

Watch together:
https://thebibleproject.com/explore/image-god/

Ask:
-How do you see being made in the image of God differently than you did before?

-Why is it important to start the story of the Bible with the goodness of God’s creation and our creation in God’s image?

-How do you feel called to continue the work of creation?  How can bearing God’s  in the world shift the way you think about day-to-day life?



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wholiness: How Your Family Affects You