This week in worship. Our church is in a worship series called As For Me and My House. Sunday’s sermon: “Washed and Welcomed,” 2 Kings 5:1-15a. This week’s belief: The church is Christ’s body, sent into the world. 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, 22 of 25, Witness: The Invitation. Most people who join a church were invited by somebody they trust. In Naaman’s house, a captive girl simply said where help could be found. Just ask. Ways to try it. Pray for one name, then ask: “Come with me Sunday”. Make it easy: drive together, sit with them, follow up after.
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 a job you had that taught you something?
What is your favorite thing about where you live?
We Begin (:05)
A few moments of silence first. Notice what you brought in with you.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
Gracious God, you ask how it is with our souls and you actually want the answer. Give us the courage to give it. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our Covenant (:08)
We gather to watch over one another in love.
We read these four out loud and say yes to them together.
Show up. Come ready or not. God does the real work here.
Be honest. Be candid. Pretending shuts out grace.
Keep it private. Keep confidences. Love protects the people it hears.
Give everyone space. Invite quiet voices in. Welcome is a spiritual practice.
The Three Questions
We go in order and everyone gets a turn. You can always pass, and the smaller questions are just to help.
Begin with the truth about your own week with God.
Soul Tending: How is your faith journey going? (:10)
Where do you feel you belong in this church, or not yet?
This week’s practice (Witness): Share who you invited to worship or a group this season and what happened, including the invitations that didn’t lead to a yes. Those are worth talking about too.
Next, where God showed up through somebody else.
God Sightings: Where do you see God at work in your life? (:25)
Who has shown you God’s love lately?
Who asked you, or kept you from walking away, on your way to faith?
Now we’ll give something over instead of managing it.
Growing in Grace: What challenge are you giving to God? (:40)
What do you need to hand to God and this group?
Who is one person you could invite before we meet again?
Connect Back (:50)
Before we close, name a moment from this hour worth remembering. A sentence each is plenty.
We Close (:55)
A few moments of silence now. Pray for the person who shared before you.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
Faithful God, thank you for this hour of truth. Keep us honest after we leave, and hold what we shared. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
McPherson First United Methodist Church · mcphersonfirst.org/gracegroups