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