Opening:
Welcome new comers. Play an “ice breaker.” Review the Connection Group Commitment if necessary.
Reflection: Have you ever had an experience where you got more than you expected? Or, maybe you’ve had that more common experience, you didn’t get what you wanted, but you got what needed. Share a few stories.
Now get into the text- read Mark 2:1-12.
Digging Deeper:
Have you ever hoped for a miraculous healing, for yourself or for someone else? What specifically did you want God to do? Did it happen? If so, how.
If not, what did that do to you r faith? What happened to you or the person for whom you wanted healing?
In the story the friends have great faith in Jesus, and were willing to go to an extreme to bring their friend to him. To what lengths have we gone to bring a friend to Jesus?
When Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven,” we know how the teachers felt, but what about the man, his friends, the crowd? What do you think they were thinking?
Let’s get into this issue of sin. What is sin? Is the forgiveness of our sins really the harder thing? Is it really our greatest need? Really work this one over in the group.
Now let’s get into the issue of our sin. Do we feel we need forgiven? Have you accepted the forgiveness Jesus offers?
Now let’s directly compare our lives. How has Jesus meet a felt need in your life that confirms his power to meet your deepest need of forgiveness?
If you had to compare yourself to one of these people/groups, who would it be and why- the paralytic, his friends, the crowd, or the teachers of the law? Have you always been in this group, or has your view changed recently?
Closing:
What are your felt needs right now? Share as much as you are comfortable, so that this group may take your need to Jesus in prayer with you.
Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- Volunteer Round-up, Volunteer Opportunities, the 100th Service Celebration.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
UNVEILED, September 13, 2009
Opening:
Since this is your first meeting take the time for introductions. If there are a lot of familiar faces in your group make sure you truly welcome the new comers.
Play an “ice breaker.”
If this next part takes the whole meeting, fine.
Read over the “Connection Group Commitment.”
Make sure the group is clear on the purpose of the Group and the expectations of participants.
If you feel the need to add to the commitment, go ahead- just make sure folks are in agreement.
Address childcare needs if relevant.
Send around a sign-up for snacks!
This is really the purpose of tonight’s meeting!
Digging Deeper:
If you have time to get into the study, start by sharing some of your own “Unveiled” moments- a time, an experience, an event that opened your eyes and you saw yourself, life, or Jesus in a whole new way. If anyone has a great story we might ask you to share it during a worship service!
Get into the text- read all of Matthew 3.
Tell us about your baptism? Share 2-3 different stories- perhaps some was baptized as a baby, another as a youth, and someone as an adult.
What do you believe regarding baptism?
Why does the church see this as such an important event? Do you see this as an important moment in the life of a Christian?
For more background on baptism you can read Connections Statement regarding this practice at Connection Articles. You can also read Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:37-47, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 6:1-9, Ephesians 4:4-6 (and this is just a small sampling!)
Now focus on Jesus’ baptism: Why is Jesus baptized?
What does this teach us about the meaning and purpose of baptism?
What does this baptism “unveil” about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and reality, as we know it?
How is our baptism different than Jesus’?
Closing:
Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Pray for one another.
Since this is your first meeting take the time for introductions. If there are a lot of familiar faces in your group make sure you truly welcome the new comers.
Play an “ice breaker.”
If this next part takes the whole meeting, fine.
Read over the “Connection Group Commitment.”
Make sure the group is clear on the purpose of the Group and the expectations of participants.
If you feel the need to add to the commitment, go ahead- just make sure folks are in agreement.
Address childcare needs if relevant.
Send around a sign-up for snacks!
This is really the purpose of tonight’s meeting!
Digging Deeper:
If you have time to get into the study, start by sharing some of your own “Unveiled” moments- a time, an experience, an event that opened your eyes and you saw yourself, life, or Jesus in a whole new way. If anyone has a great story we might ask you to share it during a worship service!
Get into the text- read all of Matthew 3.
Tell us about your baptism? Share 2-3 different stories- perhaps some was baptized as a baby, another as a youth, and someone as an adult.
What do you believe regarding baptism?
Why does the church see this as such an important event? Do you see this as an important moment in the life of a Christian?
For more background on baptism you can read Connections Statement regarding this practice at Connection Articles. You can also read Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:37-47, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 6:1-9, Ephesians 4:4-6 (and this is just a small sampling!)
Now focus on Jesus’ baptism: Why is Jesus baptized?
What does this teach us about the meaning and purpose of baptism?
What does this baptism “unveil” about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and reality, as we know it?
How is our baptism different than Jesus’?
Closing:
Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Pray for one another.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Connection Group Commitment
“Connecting with God.
Connecting with people.
Connecting with the world.”
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 principles:
Common Purpose: To become more Christ-like in all areas of life. CG’s do this by creating an environment to...
BELONG- 1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
GROW- Colossians 1: 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
SERVE- 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Common Place: To become more a part of our neighborhood, intentionally knowing and being available one another and our neighbors.
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 meeting, or let our facilitator know we will be absent.
• We will discuss the topic/text of worship services or our focus group.
• We will make worshiping at Connections a priority and actively participate in these discussions.
• We will support our facilitators and hosts and respect their roles.
• We will be respecters of all persons in our group.
• We will practice confidentiality.
• We will seek to deepen relationships within the group.
• We will care for and include the families/children of our group.
• We will make a plan to serve together.
• We will make a plan to play together.
When: _________________________________________________
Where: _________________________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________________
UNVEILED, September 13, 2009
Opening:
Since this is your first meeting take the time for introductions. If there are a lot of familiar faces in your group make sure you truly welcome the new comers.
Play an “ice breaker.”
If this next part takes the whole meeting, fine.
Read over the “Connection Group Commitment.”
Make sure the group is clear on the purpose of the Group and the expectations of participants.
If you feel the need to add to the commitment, go ahead- just make sure folks are in agreement.
Address childcare needs if relevant.
Send around a sign-up for snacks!
This is really the purpose of tonight’s meeting!
Digging Deeper:
If you have time to get into the study, start by sharing some of your own “Unveiled” moments- a time, an experience, an event that opened your eyes and you saw yourself, life, or Jesus in a whole new way. If anyone has a great story we might ask you to share it during a worship service!
Get into the text- read all of Matthew 3.
Tell us about your baptism? Share 2-3 different stories- perhaps some was baptized as a baby, another as a youth, and someone as an adult.
What do you believe regarding baptism?
Why does the church see this as such an important event? Do you see this as an important moment in the life of a Christian?
For more background on baptism you can read Connections Statement regarding this practice at Connection Articles. You can also read Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:37-47, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 6:1-9, Ephesians 4:4-6 (and this is just a small sampling!)
Now focus on Jesus’ baptism: Why is Jesus baptized?
What does this teach us about the meaning and purpose of baptism?
What does this baptism “unveil” about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and reality, as we know it?
How is our baptism different than Jesus’?
Closing:
Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Pray for one another.
Since this is your first meeting take the time for introductions. If there are a lot of familiar faces in your group make sure you truly welcome the new comers.
Play an “ice breaker.”
If this next part takes the whole meeting, fine.
Read over the “Connection Group Commitment.”
Make sure the group is clear on the purpose of the Group and the expectations of participants.
If you feel the need to add to the commitment, go ahead- just make sure folks are in agreement.
Address childcare needs if relevant.
Send around a sign-up for snacks!
This is really the purpose of tonight’s meeting!
Digging Deeper:
If you have time to get into the study, start by sharing some of your own “Unveiled” moments- a time, an experience, an event that opened your eyes and you saw yourself, life, or Jesus in a whole new way. If anyone has a great story we might ask you to share it during a worship service!
Get into the text- read all of Matthew 3.
Tell us about your baptism? Share 2-3 different stories- perhaps some was baptized as a baby, another as a youth, and someone as an adult.
What do you believe regarding baptism?
Why does the church see this as such an important event? Do you see this as an important moment in the life of a Christian?
For more background on baptism you can read Connections Statement regarding this practice at Connection Articles. You can also read Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:37-47, Acts 8:35-39, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 6:1-9, Ephesians 4:4-6 (and this is just a small sampling!)
Now focus on Jesus’ baptism: Why is Jesus baptized?
What does this teach us about the meaning and purpose of baptism?
What does this baptism “unveil” about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and reality, as we know it?
How is our baptism different than Jesus’?
Closing:
Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Pray for one another.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Catalog: Fall 2009
We're gearing up to launch our Fall 2009 Semester of Connection Groups.
- Check out the list.
- Send your top two picks to gsaylor@connectionschurch.ca
- A leader will be in touch. It's that simple.
- Central Lunch: Wednesdays 12-1pm, 531 Talbot St
- West: Sundays 6-7:30pm, 992 Blythwood Rd
- Hyde Park: Mondays 7-8:30pm, 19 Ardsley Rd
- North Central: Wednesdays 7-8:30pm, 15 Wakefield Cres
- Southeast: Sundays 8-9:30pm, 111 Kipling Ave
- Southwest (Byron): Sundays 6-7:30pm, 736 Griffith St
- West (Strathroy): Sundays, time TBA, 2 Dixon Lane
- P.O.L.O. (Parents Of Little Ones): Thursdays 10-11am, McDonald’s on Fanshawe
- Men’s Group/Women’s Group: Wednesdays 6:15-7:45pm, North London
- Groups run on the semester format: Fall, Winter, Summer
- Groups have a clear starting and stopping date
- Groups are organized geographically
- Groups are intergenerational
- Groups are made up of about 12-16 adults
- Groups of less than 12 will remain open for registration
- Groups will have a Facilitator, a Facilitator-in-Training and a Host who will help with hospitality
- Groups will typically meet for 1.5 hours each week
- Group members will agree to a group “commitment” at the beginning of each semester
- The standard Connections Group curriculum will be a discussion based off of the Sunday worship service
- A “typical” meeting will follow the A.C.T.S. model:
- Adoration- a time to worship God through eating, singing, sharing, laughing, praying, etc
- Conversation: a time to talk with each other
- Teaching: groups will learn through discussing the bible text/topic together
- Supplication: a big word for prayer- taking time to really pray for each other in community
- Groups are built around three principles: a common purpose, common place and common possessions
- Groups are encouraged to discover ways to serve in the community
- Groups are encouraged to share some fun time together
- Some groups may focus on special needs or topics, such as our POLO group and ALPHA
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