February 1, 2009
Opening:
Take time to welcome any new comers. Perhaps you’ll need to look over the Connection Group Commitment again- review the hopes and expectations for these groups. You may want to formally commit to being an active participant in the group for the semester.
Digging Deeper:
Last week you probably had to breeze over the bible story, so go back and review John 15:1-8. Share what God has been doing in your life- some clear-cutting and burning away, some pruning, or
bearing some amazing fruit! It may only be the second week, but take a chance and be real.
Pick up the story in verses 9-17. Let’s focus on our REPONSE and the fruit that God wants to nurture through our lives. This passage teaches us that God chose us. What do you make of this promise? Is it a comfort, or troubling? Do you feel chosen? Do you believe God has “appointed you to bear fruit?” If so, what is that fruit? What do you think God chose you for- what does he want you to do? What fruit might come through your life?
If you have time, discuss the experience of Communion in the worship service. Was this anyone’s first time participating in this? Did anyone in the group feel they could not participate? Discuss what this “sacrament” means. How does this provide us a real way to respond to Jesus’ invitation?
Closing:
We value relationships and praying for one another in these groups. Our passage teaches us “The Father (God) will give you whatever you ask in my name (Jesus).” (15:16) In a way that feels comfortable for the group, share your questions about prayer, and your prayer requests. Pray for the group members, or even invite group members to pray for one another.
_____
John 15:9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Soul Revolution: RECONNECT
Welcome to our 2009 winter semester. Take the first part of your gathering to introduce yourselves. Share:
Digging Deeper
Look over the “Group Commitment” so everyone is clear on the purpose and design of these groups.
Group Commitment
Connection Groups target the second part of our mission- to connect with people. We believe that being in relationships, in the body of Christ, is an essential part of every Christ-followers life.
In the days of the early Church the first Christ followers gathered the first day of the week (Sunday) for worship. In addition, they meet throughout the week in homes (Acts 2:46; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15). We believe that being a part of a Connection Group is not something we do in addition to “going to church,” it is essential to “be the church.” Why? Because relationships matter- with God and with other people in “the body of Christ.”
We gather around the following values:
Common Purpose: To become more Christ-like in everything.
Common Place: To become more a part of our neighborhood.
Common Possessions: To become more generous in supporting one another spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically.
Therefore,
Closing
Read John 15:1-8 and APPLY this to your life:
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
- • Who you are,
- • Why you got involved with a Group,
- • What you hope will come out of your time together.
Digging Deeper
Look over the “Group Commitment” so everyone is clear on the purpose and design of these groups.
Group Commitment
Connection Groups target the second part of our mission- to connect with people. We believe that being in relationships, in the body of Christ, is an essential part of every Christ-followers life.
In the days of the early Church the first Christ followers gathered the first day of the week (Sunday) for worship. In addition, they meet throughout the week in homes (Acts 2:46; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15). We believe that being a part of a Connection Group is not something we do in addition to “going to church,” it is essential to “be the church.” Why? Because relationships matter- with God and with other people in “the body of Christ.”
We gather around the following values:
Common Purpose: To become more Christ-like in everything.
Common Place: To become more a part of our neighborhood.
Common Possessions: To become more generous in supporting one another spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically.
Therefore,
- • We agree to meet for the duration of this semester.
- • We will try to make every Group meeting.
- • We will discuss the topic/text of worship services or our focus group.
- • We will make worshiping at Connections a priority for our own growth, and to actively participate in these discussions.
- • We will support our facilitators and hosts and respect their roles.
- • We will be respecters of persons.
- • We will practice confidentiality.
- • We will seek to deepen relationships within the group.
- • We will play together.
- • We will serve together.
Closing
Read John 15:1-8 and APPLY this to your life:
- • Have you been in a season of “clear-cutting” in your soul? Where is God trying to bring new life?
- • How has God been pruning you this season? What needs cultivated, or what needs to go?
- • What is the fruit that God is nurturing in/through you? What would it look like to simply “abide” and let Jesus produce this fruit in/through you?
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2009 Winter Catalog
Registration has begun!
To register online go to www.connectionschurch.ca
Just hit the "Contact Us" form,
leave you name, email, and which group you want to join.
A leader will be in touch.
Groups start the week of January 25, 2009 and last 12 weeks.
Central Lunch
Wednesdays 12-1pm, 531 Talbot St.
East Central
Wednesdays 7-8:30pm, 48 Apeldoorn Cres.
Northwest London (Hyde Park)
Sundays 6:30-8pm, 106 Barrydale Cres.
Southeast
Sundays 8-9:30pm, 111 Kipling Ave.
Southwest (Byron)
Sundays 6:30-8pm, 736 Griffith St.
West (Strathroy)
Every other Friday 7:30pm, 304 Helen Dr.
________________________________________________________________
ALPHA
Mondays 6:30-8:30pm, The Palasad on Oxford
PURPOSE: Finding & Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life
Mondays 7:30-9pm, 1058 Sherbourne Rd.
A $10 fee to cover the cost of books is required
P.O.P.S. (Parents Of Pre-Schoolers)
Thursdays 10:30-11:30am, Upper Room Bookstore,
Fanshawe Park Road West
Marriage Preparation Course
Beginning January 25, meeting 5X bi-weekly
4-6pm, 531 Talbot St.
To register online go to www.connectionschurch.ca
Just hit the "Contact Us" form,
leave you name, email, and which group you want to join.
A leader will be in touch.
Groups start the week of January 25, 2009 and last 12 weeks.
Central Lunch
Wednesdays 12-1pm, 531 Talbot St.
East Central
Wednesdays 7-8:30pm, 48 Apeldoorn Cres.
Northwest London (Hyde Park)
Sundays 6:30-8pm, 106 Barrydale Cres.
Southeast
Sundays 8-9:30pm, 111 Kipling Ave.
Southwest (Byron)
Sundays 6:30-8pm, 736 Griffith St.
West (Strathroy)
Every other Friday 7:30pm, 304 Helen Dr.
________________________________________________________________
ALPHA
Mondays 6:30-8:30pm, The Palasad on Oxford
PURPOSE: Finding & Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life
Mondays 7:30-9pm, 1058 Sherbourne Rd.
A $10 fee to cover the cost of books is required
P.O.P.S. (Parents Of Pre-Schoolers)
Thursdays 10:30-11:30am, Upper Room Bookstore,
Fanshawe Park Road West
Marriage Preparation Course
Beginning January 25, meeting 5X bi-weekly
4-6pm, 531 Talbot St.
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