Connect Group Study Notes: 11 September 2022
Theme: “Food for the Journey.”
Readings: Psalm 134 and Acts 2:42-47 and Ezekiel 3:1-11
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 134
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?
In the readings below bear in mind two key ideas; firstly, in Acts this is about building Community, and secondly, in Ezekiel we read about the prophet being “filled by God” to bring others into Community.
Read: Acts 2:42-47
The believers developed a powerful community built on the teaching of the Apostles, on fellowship, and on the generosity of their sharing of their meals and possessions with one another.
Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)
· Do you feel a deep spiritual connection with other Christ Followers during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (Communion)? If not, why not? If yes, how? Does anything need to change?
· Have you ever been filled with a sense of “awe and wonder” (vs.43) during worship, or during a Connect Group meeting? Does anything need to change?
· What does it mean to “Fellowship” with others? Have you felt loved and supported by others when attending Church or your Connect Group meeting? What happened? Does anything need to change?
· How do you make sure you are “spiritually fed” each day?
Read: Ezekiel 3:1-11
Focus on the imagery in the story. Ezekiel is “fed” the Word of God to go out and spiritually “feed” others, to bring them in to a relationship with the heavenly Father.
· What does it mean to “eat the word of God” (eat this scroll vs.1), and “fill your stomach with this” (vs.3)?
· Ezekiel is “fed” the word by the Lord, and then sent to the people of his community, to speak the word of God to them (vs.4-6). What might this be saying to you, and about your Christ Following role in your community?
· Pay special attention to verse 10. What does this mean for you?
Faith Building (Approx.30 min):
How will you make sure you let God fill you this week? What will that mean for you?
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 fed by you, and 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.