Questions for January 16: "Read"

Opening
Feel free to spend the bulk of your first gathering welcoming new comers and catching up.  To begin, you could put people into pairs, give them a moment to talk, then take turns introducing the other person to the group.  After introductions go over the “Connection Group Commitment.”  Address any questions and go over childcare needs if applicable.  Send around a snack sign up and contact information sheet too.

Digging In

• Review the notes from the message and discuss any questions with your leader and one another.  Do you agree that it is impossible to grow as a Christian with out personally reading/studying the bible?  Why or why not?
• If you have never been a bible reader feel free to ask the group questions about bible reading and study.
• If you are a bible reader, share some of your thoughts and best practices in bible reading.

If you are consistently in worship and in a small group you’re literally 2/3 of the way to becoming a student of the bible!  All you need to do now is commit to a personal plan and routine to study the bible. 

Answer the following:

• Do you have a bible?
• Do you have a bible reading plan?
• For families, do you have a family devotional plan?
• Do you have a time and place set aside for bible reading?
• Do you have a plan to create accountability for yourself- with your small group, writing in a journal, posting progress on a social network or blog?

Close in prayer



Connection 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 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.