Small Group
the week of September 26, 2021
Last week’s Small Group can be found at this link.
welcome! please watch this small group intro video, even if you’ve seen it before. (We will take a break from starting with this video, starting next week.)
I. Worship
Pick a super-short-term leader so you can speak the following dialogue together.
Leader: Through the law
Group: I died to the law
L so that I might live
G for God.
L I have been crucified with Christ
G and I no longer live,
L but Christ lives in me.
G The life I now live in the body,
L I live by faith in the Son of God,
G who loved me
L and gave himself for me.
G I do not set aside the grace of God,
L for if righteousness could be gained through the law,
G Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:17-21)
Listen to this reading of Matthew 12:38-41, a moment in Jesus’ ministry when He referred to the book of the prophet Jonah.
Notice how in the final 2 verses of that reading (shown below) Jesus makes two distinct points about the Jonah chronicle. One point is about Jonah’s experience with the fish. The other point is about the prophet’s ministry in the city of Nineveh.
As a group, come up with as many examples from the Book of Jonah that you can find of God’s grace (for Jonah? for others?). Feel free to glance at the Book of Jonah for this activity.
worship along with the song “I heard the Voice of Jesus Say” performed by Emu, a Christian music ministry.
II. learn
As you look at the entirety of the Book of Jonah as a snapshot image, notice how much of this account is God speaking. God’s words of speech are highlighted.
Discuss:
How does this strike you?
As the Book of Jonah comes to its significant climax in chapter 4, there is no resolution. That’s because the speaking that God does in Jonah chapter 4 is all questions. (Even God’s speaking of a statement in verse 10 is in fact a lead-in for His big question in verse 11.) Your pastor thinks this questioning is very important.
Have someone read out loud Matthew 11:20-30 from the New International Version. This is a moment very similar to Jesus’ reference above to the Book of Jonah. See if any of it sounds familiar.
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Now have someone else read the last few verses of that passage, but this time from The Message. Notice how God’s kingdom advances through God’s invitational and very non-militaristic way with words.
28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
30 Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Silly Bible Activity Time: Pick your one favorite word from that passage. Share it with the group.
Pick a time in your life when you'd say you were at least somewhat lost. If you could communicate one message to that previous version of you, what would that message be? Come up with this on your own, and try to be concise.
Now take a moment on your own to turn that message into the format of a question.
Discuss:
For what reasons might these important moments of needing an incoming message be better-suited to a question than a statement?
Listen to some thoughts from Pastor Garrett about Jesus being the Word of God.
III. Serve
Sometimes our church’s Youth Group goes on field trips. But most of the time, our gatherings are 2-hour events on church property (Sundays 5-7pm). We’re always looking for more grown-ups to simply spend time with the group, just basically to be there. The weekly gatherings include
Bible study, led by Pastor Garrett
Informal fun time together
Food
How might you or your small group help?
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Notice how that’s neither a command nor a statement, but a question!
Speak out loud to one another what things in your life or in your community you are moved to pray about.
Then pray together. (3 minutes maximum for this prayer session)
Prepare your hearts for lives of service with the song “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”, performed by Crossroads Music.
Reminders before you go…
Sundays
Service time 10:30am
Trinity Kids (kids church) during the service
Trinity Teens (youth group) 5:00p - 7:00p
Foundations Class (Bible 101) with Pastor Garrett is great for inviting guests and friends to, so they can learn more about Jesus.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
(2 Corinthians 13:14)