Connect Group Study Notes: 24 July 2022
Theme: “Celebrating our Stories.”
Readings: Psalm 121 and Colossians 3:12-17
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 121
This is a song that was sung by the pilgrims on their way to the Temple. Let the words guide you in your opening prayer. How does this hymn make you feel?
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)
The focus of our worship at STMC this week is on “Celebrating our Stories”. We each have stories of joy, celebration, struggle, and pain. We remember that God is always with us, whether we are focussed on his presence or not. The Holy Spirit is always at work in our lives, whether we are aware of the Spirit’s presence at work in us, or not! God is always reaching out to us.
To “Celebrate your Story”, do you have a personal story that comes to mind, as you think about your life, and where you find yourself at this moment in time? Can you share your story with your group? Do you need prayer? Will you let the group pray for you?
- Reread verse 12. How does reading that you are “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved/dearly loved” make you feel?
- Paul uses the image in verse 12 of “getting dressed in new clothes” when we live for Jesus. He describes this clothing according to virtues we must have in life. So, with this is mind…, define “compassion”. Give an example of compassion from Jesus’ life. Define kindness. Give an example of kindness from Jesus’ life. How are compassion and kindness… similar? different? Follow this same pattern of thinking with the virtues of “humility”, “gentleness”, “patience”, “forgiveness”. What does it mean for you to think of you dressing your life in this way?
- What does it mean “to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (verse 15)? Letting Jesus “rule” in your heart is a choice that you must make. Have you made this choice? If not, can your group help you to make that choice today?
- How will you let the word of Christ “live in you richly” (verse 16)?
Faith Building (Approx.30 min):
- Let verse 17 guide you this week: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
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.