Soul Revolution: RECONNECT

Welcome to our 2009 winter semester. Take the first part of your gathering to introduce yourselves. Share:

• • Who you are,
• • Why you got involved with a Group,
• • What you hope will come out of your time together.

(Facilitators will have some fun opening games or questions to help you get to know each other.)

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?

John 15:1-8
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.