Read Matthew 6: 25-34 and offer prayers of thanksgiving.
Tami Rudkin
Living a life of God-worship is what it is all about for the Christ-follower. It is imperative that our small group understands what living in worship is and what it is not. This passage from The Message is a beautiful, practical view of the life of a worshiper.
To begin:
Ask your group to share what they worry about most.
Ask them what a life of worship looks like in day to day living?
Chose 3 other people to join you in reading: He is my rest. Make copies of this reading for each person in the group.
Reader One: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take what I offer you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my way is easy and my burden is light."
Reader Two: I will come in my weariness.
Reader ...
Help your group determine the difference between the two.
Tami Rudkin
Give each person an index card or scrap of paper. Have them write "important" on one side of the card and "urgent" on the other side. Give them about three minutes to list as many things as possible for each category. This may lead to some discussion about the difference between the two words. That is good. Use this simple definition if you would like (or have them define the words for themselves): ...
Read Scriptures and a responsive reading about fear.
Tami Rudkin
Leader: Begin your worship time by having several people read some of the wonderful passages of Scripture that comfort and assure. Several passages that you could use:
Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Romans 8:31-39, I John 4:16-18
After reading these passages have your whole group read responsively We Will Not Fear.
Leader: Oh Lord God you have called us from all over this country, to this city, to this year, ...
Take turns sharing what makes you fulfilled, frightened, frustrated, and fatigued.
Tami Rudkin
Put each of these words on a separate index card.
Fulfilled
Frightened
Frustrated
Fatigued
Pass this set of cards around the group and have the person with the deck choose the top card. Using the word on the card, complete the sentence, "I feel most frightened (or fulfilled or frustrated or fatigued) when … " When they are done have them put the card they chose on the bottom and pass the deck to ...
Take turns sharing what you worry about and hope for.
Tami Rudkin
Have a bead necklace and a cross. (Any set of beads will do, even costume jewelry. You can make a cross out of two small tree branches tied or nailed together.) Explain that the cross symbolizes hope and that the beads represent our worries. Pass the cross in one direction and the beads in another. As they are passed from person to person have those holding the cross explain that for which they hope. ...
Participate in a responsive reading based on Psalm 91.
Tami Rudkin
Reader: Lord God, you are love.
Group: Love began with you and ends with you.
Reader: Thank you for showing your love for us. You sent Your only Son so that we might live. We could have never made it on own but through your sacrifice you showed us the way… the way to true life and love.
Group: Thanks for the sacrifice of your Son.
Reader: Thanks for the shedding of His blood to clear our names. ...
If you were a remote control which button would be most worn?
fast forward
rewind
pause
play
Bring a remote control to pass around as your group answers this question. (If possible, it's helpful to have an object to go along with your barrier breaker. We are more likely to internalize and recall other peoples' answers if we associate it with an object, plus it's fun.)
Make a baby's pacifier avaialble. Pass the pacifier around the circle and, as each person takes their turn holding it, have him or her answer these two questions: What was this called in your home (i.e. binky, nuk, plug)? As an adult, what is your binky (that which gives you security or a sense of comfort)?
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