Connect Group Study Notes:   3 July 2022

Theme:   “Building your life on Jesus.”

Readings:  Psalm 30:1-5, 10-12 and Matthew 7:21-29

Fellowship (10 min)

Begin with general conversation and sharing about how the past week has gone. Try not to go over time.

Worship and Prayer (15 min)

Click on the link below on your smartphone, Smart TV, or computer, to select songs to sing; and then spend a few minutes in song and prayer.

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL SONG’S PLAYLIST:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1vXdZVPkZ0_tQW5n9RqeZX0

And if you need to check on the Message for the week again, then click on:

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL (MESSAGE): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1X4YYw1KLpda1yGnqKgfw/videos

This time of worship and prayer will encourage you to move your thoughts from daily worries and pressures to our time of Bible study and prayer.

Read: Psalm 30:1-5, 10-12

Use this Psalm as part of your opening prayer.

What verse speaks the most to you?

Read:  Matthew 7:21-29

Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)[i]

  • Verses 21-23 seem very definite. Why do think Jesus was so uncompromising then?
  • Who are the people today who say ‘Lord, Lord’ but actually do not belong to Jesus?
  • Is your house (life) built on Jesus if you believe in Jesus? If not, what more is needed? Pay close attention to what Jesus says here.
  • What do you think needs to change in your life in order to be more true to this teaching?

Faith Building (Approx.30 min):

  • When we are honest we admit that we really do struggle to allow God to be God. By this we mean that we struggle to give God our highest and ultimate loyalty. Do you want to follow Jesus’ teaching? What needs to change in your life for you to truly have God as your highest and truest devotion?

Prayer (10 min). Share prayer requests and then pray together.

Sending Prayer (2 min). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

Heavenly Father, down through the ages, through all of history, you have been a source of compassion, strength, and guidance to all who call on you. Through your Holy Spirit, many have been empowered and strengthened to praise you when all else seemed lost, dark and chaotic. May that same Holy Spirit breathe new life into us, that we might be your witnesses to those we come in contact with this coming week. Amen.

Have a great week.

God bless,

Tim.

Acknowledged and with thanks to: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/

[i] Missing Jesus; John Wessels; 2019; pg 186-187