Week Three Guide for Groups

Gather together as a community. Open with some time for connecting and socializing, then leave about 45 minutes to an hour for the time of practice and discussion.

Open with a Scripture Reading

Invite someone to read Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Discuss This Week's Practices

If you are in a community of ten or more, consider dividing into smaller groups. Spend a few minutes catching up on life, then talk through the following questions:

1) Have you tried of the practices from this week? (Reflection on Power, Doing a Good Deed) What was it like for you?

2) Did anything surprise you as you reflected on your power? Feel free to take a few moments now to consider where you have power & discuss…

3) What if we, as a group, joined together to do something good? Is there something in particular we could do together?

Practice Prayer Together

After your discussion, spend some time practicing prayer together. Consider praying for one another specifically. Here are some prompts…

1) Pray for empowerment from the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, true strength and power often look like weakness.

2) Pray for fresh imagination. Invite the Holy Spirit to awaken new passion and ideas for how to love others.

3) Pray for holy indifference. As we seek to love our neighbors well, we must let go of our own desired outcomes and allow God’s mysterious will to unfold.

Closing Discussion

After the time of prayer, consider using these prompts for a brief discussion.

- How do you see yourself engaging with the practices the rest of this week?

- How can we be praying for you this week?

- Have you tried any of the previous week's practices again? (Silence, Scripture Meditation, etc.) If so, what was your experience like?