OCCUPY the World!

Connection Group Questions

November 13, 2011

Opening:

Remind folks of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  

OCCUPY Opportunities:

• Bring winter wear for “Coats for kids” all November
• Bring milk bags for “Milk Bag Mats” for Haiti
• Help our youth pack Operation Christmas Child boxes by donating items, money, or your time on the 23rd
• Serve at the ARK, November 18: 10-12 volunteers, 6:30-9pm
• Mission to Haiti Canada trips:  March 9-19.  Information and applications available online at mthcanada.org

Prayer

Of course not everyone has to speak, but invite everyone to participate.  The bible teaches us that it’s good to pray in worship, as individuals, and as groups.  Pray big, and work your way down: world, others, our church, your lives.

For our church, please pray that God will bring about the means for us to have a home.  So much is NOT happening with a faciity, and that’s a problem: our band practices in borrowed space, our youth have no place to call their own, our paper-product distribution ministry has been on hold for 6 months, people are asking about adding programs and events to bless our church and our community, but we are limited by not have facilities to cultivate our mission!  It seems like the answer to this problem is going to have to come straight from God!  Please share your ideas, and pray that God will open a door.

Digging In

Discuss the OCCUPY Prayer and talk about living it out...

• Occupy my life.
• Occupy my home.
• Occupy my street.
• Occupy my city.
• Occupy your world.

Read Matthew 5:13-16.

Discuss what it means to be salt and light.  Talk about examples of people who are living salty and shining lives.  

• How can you be a bit more salty?  What areas of our world need the purity and flavor you can bring?  
• How can your shine in dark places in our community and our world?

We looked at 3 ways that Christians and the church can change the world.  Discuss each of these:

Prayer.  Read 1 Timothy 2:1-2

What is prayer?  Why do we pray?  How do we pray?  What do we pray for?

Share any stories of how prayer has changed you, or how your prayers have been answered.  Encourage one another to get serious about prayer.  Prayer is essential to both discover faith, and grow in faith with Jesus.

Truth.  Read John 14:1-7

This is an awesome passage where Jesus declares he is the truth.  What does it mean if Jesus really is the truth, the way, the life?  If he is truth, what does that imply about our world,our lives, and basically everything?  What if Jesus isn’t the truth, or only part truth?  How world that change our faith, or destroy our faith?

Together.  Read Ephesians 4:1-6

Simply discuss the power of solidarity.  How have you seen the power of living by example?  How have you seen the power of people together?

OCCUPY: Should the church OCCUPY?

Connection Group Questions

November 6, 2011

Opening:

Remind folks of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  

OCCUPY Opportunities:

• Bring winter wear for “Coats for kids” all November
• Bring milk bags for “Milk Bag Mats” for Haiti
• Help our youth pack Operation Christmas Child boxes by donating items, money, or your time on the 23rd
• Serve at the ARK, November 18: 10-12 volunteers, 6:30-9pm
• Lead in worship Sunday, Nov. 13 at 3pm in Komoka Terrace
• Mission to Haiti Canada trips: January, February and March

Information and applications available online at mthcanada.org

Digging In

First, discuss the OCCUPY movement: what is is about, what are your questions, why do you think it’s gaining momentum for now?  Just have a conversation about the movement so we’re all better informed.

The church has has many different responses and stances towards culture and cultural movements.

• What is a helpful definition/understanding of culture?
• What are some different ways the church has created, responded and influenced culture?
• What do you make of the position mentioned, Christ Transforming Culture?
• Read Romans 12:1-2 and discuss.

Read Isaiah 58: 6-12

• What does it mean, “This is the fast that I choose...”
• Do you think wickedness exists in the world?  How do we know what is wicked and wrong?
• Who are the oppressed, and who or what is oppressing them?
• Have you shared your bread with the hungry?
• Have you helped to house the homeless?
• Have you seen the exposed and covered them?
• What does it mean when it says, “do not hide yourself from your own flesh?” v. 7
• Is there a correlation between obeying what it taught in this passage and hearing God answer when you call?  Read v. 9
• Skipping to verse 12, what does it mean to be the repairer of the breach, and the restorer of streets to dwell in?  
• Could that be said of ourselves?  Our church?
• How does God live out an “Occupation” in Jesus Christ?
• How does God Occupy our lives now?

What does it look like to invite God to...

• Occupy my life.
• Occupy my home.
• Occupy my street.
• Occupy my city.
• Occupy your world.

Prayer

Of course not everyone has to speak, but invite everyone to participate.  The bible teaches us that it’s good to pray in worship, as individuals, and as groups.  Here are some things to pray about in your group...

For our Church:

• to attract over 300 people with the AWESOME truth of Jesus!
• to find a new facility that we can call home!

For our neighbours:

• to invite and bring new people to worship or Group.
• to see lives changed through this series.

For ourselves:

• Share prayers for one another

Week 4: Off with the Old. On with the New

Connection Group Questions

October 23, 2011

Opening

Remind folks of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  

Option for opening discussion: Connections Ministry Centre.

In the past five months we’ve seen a lot happen on this front- after the building was destroyed we entered into a long negotiation with our insurance company.  We were able to recover the costs of our materials.  However, we could never put a value on all the volunteer time and energy that so many gave.

Since settling, our Leadership Team has been actively praying and seeking God’s will for the next season of Connections.  Our mission continues, but our plan to live it out has been in discussion.  In the midst of these prayers we have pursued several avenues to see what would turn up.  We talked with several churches about renting office space and using their facilities for programming.  We’ve looked at several office leases.  We’ve looked at several warehouses for doing another renovation project.  In summary: no great partnership has emerged, and nothing has been within our budget or “felt right.”

We invite our groups to pray for our church and discuss possible plans for moving forward with our mission.  Those of us in leadership do feel it’s time to find facilities to have a presence in our community, and space for our church to grow through more programming.  

What kind of facilities would you like to see our church find?  In what ways could this advance our mission in our city?

Digging Deeper: Read Colossians 3:1-14

Last week we learned some simple bible reading study tools.  It’s really about reading the text intentionally and asking the basic “When, who, what, why?” questions.  

Only after we have established what the bible actually says can we ask the more personal, “What now/what about me?” questions.

Use these questions to go over the text and make sure we’re all learning to become bible-readers for ourselves.  Here’s some help:

1-4: How can we be of good to God and our neighbours if we set our minds on “things above?”  

Would you say that Jesus Christ “is your life?”  Or is he more just a part of your life?  

Discuss what this kind of faith looks like.

5-11: How have you struggled with these “earthly” things: sexual immorality, anger issues, lust for power, ungodly talk?

How much of your old self do you still wrestle with?

What does it mean to call these things of earth “idolatries?”

Are you feeling growth in becoming your new-self in Christ?

What does v. 11 mean?  Is this about identity, salvation, a future hope?

12-14 How can we put on each of these virtues: compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience?  Does one stand out as something you need to pray for and apply?

What is the significance of forgiveness in the text and in the life of the Christian?  

How has forgiveness changed you and your relationships with other people?

How can we “put on love?”  Give some practical examples for daily life, and for different areas of life- works, family, friendship...

Close with a time of prayer for one another, our church and our world!

Masquerade Wk 3: The Mask of Perfection

Connection Group Questions

October 16, 2011

Opening

We have several upcoming events for Connections- youth events, breakfasts, etc- make sure everyone is aware.

We also have many ministry areas where we’d like Connections to grow.  Take some time to go over some of the key volunteer roles as outlined on the Connection Card.  Some areas where we are always looking to grow is in our Family Ministry, especially those who can teach.  Other key areas right now are running the media program and the camera during worship.  Talk to use if you have some skill in these areas, or are willing to learn.

Now, open your time of study/discussion with a fun question: If you could have one super power, what would it be, and why? 

Digging Deeper

Read Matthew 9:1-13

Take as long as you need as a group to pour over the text.  Let these stories really soak in and speak for themselves.  Perhaps your group leader will set up the bible reading by sharing some background and context to the text.  

Some helpful questions to ask and talk about as a group:

• Where does this happen in the life/ministry of Jesus?
• What people or groups are present?
• What’s the problem being addressed in the passage?
• What’s the solution being presented? 
• What do we learn about who Jesus is?
• What do we learn about what Jesus does?
• What do we learn about who we (people) are?
• What we we learn about what people do?
• How do the different people in the stories respond/react to Jesus?
• How do you respond/react to Jesus in light of this passage?

Here are some other questions you can ask of this passage:

What impresses me more: the forgiveness of sins, or the physical healing of the paralytic?

What do you make of this simple invitation of Jesus, “Follow me.”  What would it look like for you to follow Jesus?  

Is anything holding you back from moving forward with Him?

Discuss the radical acceptance/affirmation behind this “follow me” invitation.

Jesus declares that he has come for the sick, not the righteous.  Does that totally shatter your perceptions of the church and being a Christian?

How can our church or your group become more like a “hospital for the sick” rather than a “museum for the righteous?”  What can we “sick” people learn about living a mask-free life from groups such as AA?

Closing Thought: As soon as we say we are sick, Jesus works to make us well!

Close with a time of prayer for one another, our church and our world!  Encourage one another to follow Jesus this week!

Masquerade, wk 2: Naked, and Not Ashamed!

Connection Group Questions

October 2, 2011

“Naked, and Not Ashamed!”

Opening 

Everyone get naked!  Just kidding... really.

It’s Thanksgiving.  You can’t have too much thankfulness in your hearts and in your group.  Start by sharing 3 things you are thankful for.  But no repeats!  If someone says they are thankful for their family, then you can’t repeat that.  It might get harder as you go along, so don’t hesitate to be the first to share!

Digging Deeper

Read the creation story, Genesis 1:26-2:2, 2:15-25, 3:8-13

Any reading of the bible, and perhaps especially the creation story, can raise a lot of questions.  Thus any bible study of this section can easily get side-tracked, and can go on just about forever!  

So let’s focus on some the things we know are answered:

• The first “mask” in the bible is this mask of shame.  How would you define shame?  How have you experienced shame ?  (Yes these are very personal questions, so not everyone has to answer.)
• Have you struggled with shame, or have you experienced some victory over shame in your life?  Perhaps your story can be an encouragement to others in the group.
• In your own words, discuss what it means to be made in the image of God:  How are we like the rest of creation?  How are we unlike the rest of creation?  How can this both humble, and inspire us?
• How can we better become icons to reflect and direct the reality of God in the world?  Who do you know that lives as a icons for God, rather than making an idol of themselves?
• What is unique about our role in creation as stewards?  How can understanding this role help with our understanding of our lives and our purpose in the world?
• What is unique about our relationship with God?
• What is the relationship like between Adam and Eve?
• What would it be like to be naked and have no shame, no fear?
• What are the wonderful things we can affirm about our image?  What are the fallen things?

Group Exercise:

Read these passages where God shares how He sees us without any mask out loud as a group:

 Psalm 139:16-19, Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 31:3, Zephaniah 3:17, John 15:12-17, 1 Peter 2:9.  

Reflect on these passages and what they say of us.

Close with a time of prayer.

No everyone has to pray, but everyone should participate in the prayer time.  Give folks a chance to share, have a time for open prayer, then your group leader can wrap it up!

Masquerade, wk 1

October 2, 2011

Opening
Introduce anyone new to the group and share how you came to check out the Connection Group.

After introductions go over the “Connection Group Commitment.” You’ll want members to commit to the semester at this meeting. ANd now that you know who will be with the group, you can make a snack schedule, or even begin making plans for a service or social event.

Digging DeeperThe theme of this series is all about taking off our masks and showing our real identity. But let’s start with something a little less threatening. What was you favorite costume as a kid, or who/what did you always want to be? How does this reflect who you are today: your hopes or aspirations?

It’s probably a little pre-mature to share our deepest, darkest secrets. But perhaps a few folks could share about a mask they used to wear. Maybe it was a season in your youth, or in a relationship. You were trying to be something, or someone, you really were not. How’d that work out for you?

All of us have some masks. In fact, it’s wise not to show everything about ourselves to everyone all the time. But all of us could benefit from getting real with God, and finding people with whom we can show our real self, flaws and faults included.

So let’s look at confession, and it’s role in the bible.
Read Psalm 51, perhaps the most famous “confession” in all the bible. Share the background to this Psalm- the story of David and Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11 and 12.

• If God’s love is unfailing, why does David still ask for mercy? 
• Why do you think he uses the imagery of washing away sin? 
• Why does he say he’s sinned against God alone? What about Uriah? Bathsheba? All the people of his kingdom? What does this tell us about the nature of sin? 
• Where does David understand his sinful actions to originate? (Look at verses 5-6) 

Feel free to go through this whole Psalm, discussing each statement, to see if it rings true in your own life and experience.

Confession comes from the greek, “homologeo,” or, “To say the same.” Let’s talk about what God says about you:

First, what amazing things does God say about you? Have the group share as many encouraging verses or truths from the bible about who we are as humans. Can you start to say these same things about yourself?

Second, what are some of the more revealing things God could say about you? Are you willing to hear some truth about your life, even if it’s uncomfortable? What would stop us from wanting to say of the things about our lives that God already sees and knows?

Close with a time of prayer.No everyone has to pray, but everyone should participate in the prayer time. Give folks a chance to share, have a time for open prayer, then your group leader can wrap it up!

Connection Group Questions, September 25

Connection Group Questions
September 25, 2011
Opening
Feel free to spend the bulk of your first gathering meeting one another. 

 To begin, play a “get to know you” game. Nothing too hard to start. Maybe share your most awesome adventure of the summer. Or get creative: you could put people into pairs, give them a moment to talk, then take turns introducing the other person to the group. It’s funny to hear how other people can describe us.

After introductions go over the “Connection Group Commitment.” Address any questions and go over childcare needs if applicable. This is a very vital part of the group experience. Give folks a week to think about their commitment. Then next week, have participants sign the Commitment if they plan to stick with the group.

Other things to consider:

• Co-Leaders. Maybe there is a person/couple in the group who want to become group leaders themselves. Let them be “co-leaders” and take a few turns during the semester to lead the meeting. 
• Maybe your group is already pretty big (over 12 adults). If so, perhaps you need to consider dividing into two smaller groups. That could open the doors for even more people to join a group, and more leaders to grow! 
• Perhaps your group is a little slim (less than 10). Prayerfully think about who you could invite to join your gathering. 
• Maybe one person can be the group secretary. They could send out a weekly reminder, and a list of prayer requests and updates. 
• It’s also a good pan to send around a snack sign-up. Maybe turn it into a friendly competition: Who has the best banana bread recipe? Who can bring the most exotic dish? Go ahead, get creative! 

Discussion
If you have time get into a bible study and discussion.
Read Matthew 3:13-17 and Romans 6:1-4.

If someone has a great baptism story, and they are willing to share it, that would be awesome!

Maybe you have not been baptized. If so, and if you have any questions about it, maybe you could ask the group, and hear what they think/believe.

Maybe you know it’s time for you to be baptized. Share what God has done in your life that has brought you to this step of faith. Maybe you were baptized as an infant. Would it be meaningful for you as an adult to now affirm the baptismal vows for yourself? 

 (At Connections we believe that it’s biblically faithful to baptize babies and pray for their adult affirmation of faith; AND we think it’s awesome when adults want to publicly affirm their faith through the re-affirmation of the baptismal covenant. Basically, we take a broad position on this matter, so that it might not be divisive in the church. No baptism, infant or adult, is what saves us. We are saved only by grace through faith in Jesus!)

Close with a time of prayerPraying together is as important as studying the bible together. Both are ways that we affirm our faith is not just personal, but profoundly communal. Your leader will lead the prayer, but you will be invited to participate: maybe by sharing a request, maybe by praying out loud. Feel free to ask any questions about how and why we pray as a group. 

 Maybe read Acts 2:42-47.

Fall 2011 Semester

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”  ~ Acts 2:42, 47

Connection Groups target the second part of our mission, “to connect people.”  In the Sunday worship service we gather to build into our relationship with God.  In our home groups we gather to build into our relationships with one another.  We hope that everyone who worships at Connections will be a part of a Connection Group.

It is through Connection Groups that each person can give and receive the best spiritual care.  We find a place to belong and find acceptance.  We can find opportunities to grow spiritually by digging deeper into the bible and prayer. We find a place to serve people and our community. 

We know that when people are a part of a Connection Group, they truly feel a part of Connections Church!

Connection Groups, Fall 2011

Groups start the week of September 25,

and run through November 27 (10 weeks)

 

Here’s how they work, generally:

• Groups run on the semester format: Fall, Winter and Spring, 8-10 weeks each

• Groups have a clear starting and stopping date so you know when to step in, and when to take a break
• Groups are made up of about 12-16 adults + children
• Groups typically meet for 1.5 hours each gathering
• The standard curriculum is a bible study and discussion based around the Sunday worship service
• Groups are built around three guiding values:
• BELONG- Every meeting starts with a time of just “belonging” together- having a snack, and getting to know one another.  The bible calls these kinds of relationships “fellowship”
• GROW- This happens through a bible study based on the worship service and time to pray for one another and the church
• SERVE- Groups are to take seriously the needs of one another and their neighbors
• Groups are also encouraged to schedule some fun time together out side of the meeting, or to even plan a group project or event

Registration:

• We have several established groups that have a few openings.  Therefore, we may suggest that you try one of these groups if they meet in your area.
• For most of our new registrants we will place you in a new group.
• And if you get invited to join a group, and say yes, well that’s just fine!  Your leader will let us know.

Write info@connectionschurch.ca and let us know if your interested in join, or helping start up, a group.  It will help if you give us your name and contact information, and what evening(s) you are available.

Connection Group Leader/Host Recruitment

August 2011

We are currently recruiting new and experienced leaders for our Connection Groups Fall 2011 Semester.
Training will be held Wednesday, September 7, 7-9pm, location TBA.

Our goal is to establish 10 groups throughout the city.
Prayerfully ask God if He is prompting you to take in this role of ministry and responsibility.
Then let us know!

We'll take you through all the training necessary to lead a group.
It's going to be AWESOME!

Spring Catalog

Due to the destruction of our church facilities we are not currently running a formal Spring Connection Groups program.  But we do have a few things going on...

Power to Parent: Thursdays, starting May 5 10-11:30am @ 23 Blanchard Cres.

Volunteer Round-Up: Thursday, May 19 7pm at 1889 Wonderland Road N. (Forest City Bible Church)

Path to the Cross

Join us on a five week "Path to the Cross" starting Wednesday, March 23.
This DVD curriculum will lead you on a life-changing journey this Easter season.  You will be challenged by the sacrifice of Jesus, and encouraged by His resurrection.

Meetings take place Tuesday nights at 3 Braesyde Ave, 7:30-9pm
and Wednesday nights at 1326 Hastings Drive, 7-8:30pm

Schedule:
March 22, 23: The Way of the Essenes
March 28, 29: The Way of John the Baptist
April 5, 6: Into the Desert to be Tested
April 12, 13: The Last Passover
April 19, 20: The Fifth Cup-Our Way of Hope

Please RSVP if you plan to take advantage of this opportunity as we will provide handouts and refreshments.

Questions for the week of March 6

Series: Threesome: Me, You and God
Message: The Myths of Marriage

Opening
Review announcements and open with prayer and singing, if someone wants to lead and the group is on board.

We are taking a March Break.  Most groups will resume after break and continue through the last week in April.  Please be clear on what your group decides for this Spring.  We will be offering several courses at the Ministry Centre starting the last week in March.

Learn It: Busting Marriage Myths!  (From “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts,” Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)

Myth # 1: We have the same expectations from marriage.
Think about your box of experiences and expectations that you bring into marriage.  Name some of the most significant ones...

• Name the unnamed rules you expect your spouse to follow  (Never show up late, sort the recyclables, hang up your coat...)
• Maybe even come up with your own “Top Ten List” of rules that you would like to be followed in the home.

• Name the unnamed roles you expect you and your spouse to fulfill (the Driver, the Bill-Payer, the Gift-Buyer...)
• Try to define the Top Three roles for each spouse.

Myth #2: Everything Good Gets Better; Everything Bad Disappears
Marriage is filled with wonderful blessings, but perhaps even more responsibilities.  What are some of the hard realities of life together?  How do you deal with disappointments and let-downs?

In marriage we change: from newlyweds, to first time parents, to empty nesters, and numerous stages in between.  How will you navigate the changes in marriage, in your spouse, and in yourself?

Marriage does not make life “happily ever after.”  We still experience pain, suffering, brokenness and sin.  What do you do with the hard reality that marriage doesn’t fix everything?  What do you do with a spouse that wants you to fix everything wrong in his/her life?

Sometimes couples need therapy.  But many find that marriage is itself a kind of therapy, helping us to examine, understand and improve ourselves.  Share examples of how marriage has been therapy for you...

Myth # 3: My Spouse Completes Me

• Enmeshed Relationships are characterized by an over reliance on your spouse, low self-esteem, and one overly dominant partner.
• Disengaged Relationships are characterized by two highly independent spouses living in isolation.  These persons also suffer from low self-esteem.
• Interdependent Relationships find a health balance of self-respect, respect for your spouse, and a commitment nurture one another in life and faith.

How would you characterize yourself, and if married, your spouse and your marriage?  Are you truly a “Threesome” marriage?

Final Thought: If you only do one thing as a couple to improve  do this: pray.

Close with a time of prayer for one another.

Questions for February 27

Opening
Review announcements and open with prayer and singing, if someone wants to lead and the group is on board. 

Learn It
Read Ephesians 5:21-33 to start your discussion...

Busting Marriage Myths!  (From “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts,” Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)

Myth # 1: We have the same expectations from marriage.

• Think about your box of experiences and expectations that your bring into marriage.  Name some of the most significant ones...
• Name the unnamed rules you expect your spouse to follow  (Never show up late, sort the recyclables, hang up your coat...)
• Maybe even come up with your own “Top Ten List” of rules that you would like to be followed in the home.

• Name the unnamed roles you expect you and your spouse to fulfill (the Driver, the Bill-Payer, the Gift-Buyer...)
• Try to define the Top Three roles for each spouse.

Myth #2: Everything Good Gets Better in Marriage

• Marriage is filled with wonderful blessings, but perhaps even more responsibilities.  What are some of the hard realities of life together?  How do you deal with disappointments and let-downs?
• In marriage we change: from newlyweds, to first time parents, to empty nesters, and numerous stages in between.  How will you navigate the changes in marriage, in your spouse, and in yourself?

Myth # 3: Everything Bad Disappears After Marriage

• Marriage does not make life “happily ever after.”  We still experience pain, suffering, brokenness and sin.  What do you do with the hard reality that marriage doesn’t fix everything?
• What do you do with a spouse that wants you to fix everything wrong in his/her life?
• Sometimes couples need therapy.  But many find that marriage is itself a kind of therapy, helping us to examine, understand and improve ourselves.  Share examples of how marriage has been therapy for you...

Myth # 4: My Spouse Completes Me

1. Enmeshed Relationships are characterized by an over reliance on your spouse, low self-esteem, and one overly dominant partner.
2. Disengaged Relationships are characterized by two highly independent spouses living in isolation.  These persons also suffer from low self-esteem.
3. Interdependent Relationships find a health balance of self-respect, respect for your spouse, and a commitment nurture one another in life and faith.

• How would you characterize yourself, and if married, your spouse and your marriage?

Close with a time of prayer for one another.