Understand the practice of lectio divina and how to incorporate it into your small group.
by Adele Calhoun
Adele Calhoun is pastor of spiritual formation at Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois. She is also author of The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (IVP, 2005). Building Small Groups talked with her about the need, benefits, and challenges of using lectio divina and contemplative prayer in small groups.
Building Small Groups: What are the differences between contemplative prayer and lectio ...
Follow this step-by-step approach to learn more about contemplation in small groups.
by Tony Jones
Exodus 14:14
A small group of high school seniors meets at our house on Monday evenings. Every week, they gather with Julie and me on our couches in the basement, munching popcorn and drinking Diet Coke. We've spent the year trying to get our arms around the entire Bible, reading a chapter each week from Walt Wangerin's novelized version called The Book of God.
A knowledge of God's love leads to an ability to be obedient to him.
by Life Together
Some years ago, Dave went looking for his first house. After several months, he finally found one that had all the appearances of being "the one." It was cute with a tiny yard, a white picket fence, and was within walking distance to the beach. His family gave him the thumbs up. He couldn't go wrong, they thought.
But when Dave had the house inspected, he learned it had a huge crack in the foundation. ...
Discover the art of contemplative prayer and how to listen for God's replies. Explore the concept of lectio divinia and how it applies to a better understanding of, and closer relationship to, God. These succinct handouts make a perfect training session for your small group. Just make copies ...
Practical ways for small groups to find a better rhythm with God
by Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, Wayne Jacobsen, and others
In our increasingly busy culture, encouraging prayer and spiritual disciplines among church attenders is consistently a challenge for pastors and ministry leaders. This theme includes teaching from wise spiritual directors, including Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Ben Patterson. Articles range from "How to Pray as a Group" to "Where Do You Stand," written to help leaders see ways that spiritual ...
As a part of your worship, take communion together. Taking the Lord's supper as a group is a beautiful and touching experience. Go into this activity with lots of prayer that your group will be ministered to by the Holy Spirit. (In Acts 2 we read of the early church breaking bread together. We follow their example by meeting in homes to worship, pray and take the Lord's Supper together)
Have a time of reflection for your group where you evaluate areas of of growth, and areas that need attention.
Sue Skalicky
At the start of the New Year, I find myself looking back over the past year, as well as looking forward to the coming year. It is in these sacred moments of remembrance and anticipation that I am often moved to make resolutions. I try to make physical, emotional, and spiritual resolutions by reflecting on the events of the past year. The desire to be healthier motivates me to be a better person. As ...
Participate in a group activity that reminds us to be grateful to God.
Tami Rudkin
Things you will need:
One large pitcher full of water. (Two if your group is large)
Small paper cups/Dixie cups would be perfect.
Markers.
A place to meet outside for worship or a large tub or basin to catch the excess water.
Leader:
Give each person in your group a small paper cup and have them write on the outside of the cup any three words that would describe their lives right now.
Have your group begin writing down all the things for which they are thankful. Give them a couple of minutes.
Group members write down what is on their mind and how they are feeling about it.
Tami Rudkin
Right at the beginning of your meeting ask your group members to make a list of everything that is on their minds. Tell them they don't have to write sentences about it just simply a word, i.e. work, children, grocery shopping … After giving them 2 minutes to comprise that list ask them if they would now go back to their list and write a word beside each word of the original list that describes ...
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