This week in worship. Our church is in a worship series called As For Me and My House. Sunday’s sermon: “Ask for Wisdom,” 1 Kings 3:4-15. Worship is also online at mcphersonfirst.org.
A Grace Group is up to 12 people who meet about an hour each week to grow in faith and care for one another. There is no homework and nothing to prepare. We talk honestly, ask a few questions, and pray. You only need to show up and be honest, and everyone is welcome.
A Methodist Way of Making Disciples
Grace Groups recover one of the oldest Methodist practices. Almost three hundred years ago, John Wesley gathered Methodists into small weekly groups that asked one another, “How is it with your soul?” and watched over one another in love. A Grace Group is that same way of making disciples, brought back for today.
This Week’s Practice, 14 of 25, Gifts: Everyday Generosity. Everyday generosity is small, direct giving outside the offering plate. It’s picking up the tab, a gift card to a struggling neighbor, or a meal dropped off without a sign-up sheet. Ways to try it. Pick up the tab at lunch when you can. Carry a few small bills or gift cards set aside for giving.
Your Hour Together
The times are a guide, not a rule.
Getting to Know One Another (:00)
Share your name, then pick one of these to answer.
What is something you have changed your mind about?
What is a game you love to play?
We Begin (:05)
Take a breath and set the week down for a moment. Then we’ll pray.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
God of grace, nothing we say here will surprise you. Free us from managing our answers, and make this hour real. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our Covenant (:08)
We read these four out loud and say yes to them together.
Show up. Be there for each other the way God is there for us.
Be honest. Say the honest thing, with love. That’s how we grow.
Keep it private. Protect this space. Grace grows where trust is kept.
Give everyone space. Give space generously, the way God gives it to us.
The Three Questions
We go in order and everyone gets a turn. You can always pass, and the smaller questions are just to help.
We’ll open close to home, with your own faith.
Soul Tending: How is your faith journey going? (:10)
Where has God made you more free than you used to be?
This week’s practice (Gifts): Share somebody you helped this month, not for credit but to keep your own heart honest before God. Notice whether you almost talked yourself out of it.
Now we’ll look for God in an ordinary week.
God Sightings: Where do you see God at work in your life? (:25)
Where has God been generous with you lately?
What did you see this week that pointed you to God?
Last, what you are ready to release.
Growing in Grace: What challenge are you giving to God? (:40)
What are you white-knuckling that God could hold?
What honest prayer do you need to pray?
Connect Back (:50)
Say one thing another person shared that you are taking seriously. This is connection, not counsel.
We Close (:55)
We’ll end in quiet, holding what we heard before we carry it out the door.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
Loving God, thank you for honesty and for the safety that made it possible. Guard both, and go with us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
McPherson First United Methodist Church · mcphersonfirst.org/gracegroups