Connect Group Study Notes:    17 July 2022

Theme:   “People not Prestige.”

Readings:  Psalm 77:11-15a and Luke 14:7-14

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 77:11-15a

Use this Psalm as part of your opening prayer.

When you read verse 11, what comes to mind for you?

Read:  Luke 14:7-14

Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)[i]

This is a wedding banquet story. Jesus is telling us something about God and his kingdom when his parable speaks about the host of the banquet.

  • What do we learn about God and His Kingdom?
  • Why are prestige and status so important for us?
  • What are symbols of status and prestige today?
  • Is all status and prestige wrong?
  • What is wrong with claiming a place of honour for myself?
  • What does Jesus view as true honour? How did he personally live this?
  • What would be included in a godly pursuit of honour?

Faith Building (Approx.30 min):

  • How can you personally value people as people?
  • What can you do to be true to Jesus’ call to value people and not prestige? What can you do to treat all people with equal dignity, regardless of their status in society? What specific new activity is Jesus calling you to here?

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 encounter this coming week. May we see all people as loved by you and created in your image. Amen.

Have a great week.

God bless,

Tim.

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

[i] Missing Jesus; John Wessels; 2019