Macedonia UMC Connect Groups

Judges Connect As your group meets together to share and reflect as a MEGA-group, invite the group to share reflections of times they experienced a cycle of disobedience in their lives or in someone’s life that they know. Pray Given that your group is larger tonight, it might be best to pray in groups that are smaller (like 3-4 people).   Encourage people to break up in smaller groups that size, and ask them to reflect on the measures together.   Have the groups share around whatever measures they see fit, and make sure that they take time to pray together: 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?   Reflect Share with one another any insights or questions that you had from Sunday’s sermon.   (I’m sorry if those involve the blood and guts of Ehud’s stabbing of ...

Deuteronomy and Joshua Connect It is hard to believe your groups have been meeting for 7 weeks.   We have a little less than a month left!   As you encourage your group tonight and shepherd them on their journey, I invite you to help them consider this question together: What is it that holds you up from serving only the LORD?   Pray The question above truly reflects the measure of Trusting: Where does God rank?   I encourage you to lead your group in sharing how they are doing in trusting God at this point in their lives and spiritual journeys.   Reflect Israel is about to enter the Promised Land.   They have been through a lot up to this point.   The last 40 years have seen a crossing through the Red Sea, the giving of the law, provision of food and water, and many events in between.   Share together any reflections you have from Sunday’s sermon. Read together Deuteronomy 30:15-20 .   Reflect together: How i...

Leviticus/Numbers Connect As your group gathers and comes to a place ready to discuss, invite them to share their response to this question: When have you been part of or been affected by a “back to Egypt committee?”   (For Scripture reference, see Numbers 14:1-4). Pray I find it wonderfully encouraging that each week your groups are sharing with one another about their spiritual journey and helping each other grow.   The more honest you are personally with these measures, the better your group will respond.   Here they are just so that you have them before you: 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?   Reflect Begin by discussing together any thoughts or follow-up from Sunday’s sermon. Once you have done that, you can watch the Leviticus video here:...

Connect We are getting towards the halfway point of this series (and only 2 books into the Old Testament).   As your group meets this week, invite them to reflect on God’s presence in their life through this group.   As you gather, invite the group to consider this: Right now, what is the most difficult commandment for you to follow?   (If your group needs a reference point, the 10 Commandments are found in Exodus 20). Pray This week, it would be great for us to share not just around all of the measures, but specifically around the question of Trusting: Where does God rank?   Give your group time to consider this question silently, and invite them to share in groups of 2 or 3 together, praying for one another to continue to make their relationship with God highest priority in their lives.   Reflect Before you launch into a video or any new material, ask your group if they have any insights or questions to share from Sunday’s sermon.   ...

Piecing it All Together: Slavery and Freedom Connect Hopefully your groups are enjoying getting to know one another and finding a rhythm in meeting together.   As your group settles in, discuss this prompt together: Describe a time when you felt the most free. Pray Remember to encourage your group in the prayer practices that you have set up together.   Whether that means you’re praying aloud in the group together, or praying for specific people through the week.   Also, encourage your group to really answer the measures questions and follow up with them. 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?   Reflect This week we will be focused on the first half of Exodus, specifically Israel’s slavery in Egypt and their freedom through the Red Sea.   Invite your ...