Fruit series part five MEEKNESS Small group devotion Each week we’ll be digesting a different aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. This week: MEEKNESS. We’ll explore times when we feel out of control, and what we do about it. Opening question: Share a time you’ve felt out on control. How did you feel? How did you get through it?… Read more →
One of my favourite theological discoveries this year has been John Zizioulas. He is best read with a glass of French red, a furrowed brow, and an air of pretension. Among many other gems, he talks about remembering the future. No, it’s not a new sci-fi time-travelling thriller. No, he’s not a new-age soothsayer. No, it’s not heresy. I think.… Read more →
Fruit Series part four PATIENCE and SELF-CONTROL Small group devotion Each week we’ll be digesting a different aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. This week: PATIENCE and SELF-CONTROL. This is a chance for your group to share about the some of the trip-ups in their life. It could be a vulnerable time so it may be worth reminding the… Read more →
Fruit series part three PEACE Small group devotion Each week we’ll be digesting a different aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. This week: PEACE. How can we build peace in our personal lives and as a faith community? Opening activity: Jordan finished by talking about the origami crane as a symbol for peace. If you want, begin by constructing… Read more →
Does anyone remember this ad promoting driving safety a few years back? Bobby McFerrin’s tender tones sharply juxtapose the footage of traffic accidents that progressively worsen as the ad goes on. The message “don’t worry, be happy” sounds good, but pushing a little deeper it is fairly problematic and quite frankly unhelpful advice at the best of times! The crumpled… Read more →
Fruit series part two JOY Small group devotion Each week we’ll be digesting one of the fruits of the Spirit. This week: JOY. What is joy? Is it different from happiness and if so, how? Opening activity: Get each member of the group to share a dream of something that would make them happy. OR ask them to share times… Read more →
We hear the parable of the Good Samaritan so much that it’s hard to be impacted by it. And if we are impacted by it, it’s often to become more like the Samaritan — an admirable goal and one I’d in no way want to discourage! But is this all Jesus was wanting to say? The story ends with the… Read more →
Fruit series part one LOVE Small group devotion Each week we’ll be digesting one of the fruits of the Spirit. This week: LOVE. What is love? How should we love? Opening activity: Begin by making a bit of a collage of things that represent love (maybe draw them, or do a google search to see what comes up — just… Read more →
The Trinity mini-series (part two) “Why the Trinity Matters” Small group devotion The purpose of this discussion is to talk more deeply about what Mission is, and what our role is in Mission. Mission is a pretty broad idea. Brainstorm the many different ways that the term “Mission” is used both in the church and in secular society. Which images/ideas… Read more →
The Trinity mini-series (part one) “Why the Trinity Matters” Small group devotion The purpose of this discussion is to discuss why it matters for our daily lives that we worship a Trinitarian God. Here are some frequently used analogies of the Trinity: Water, ice, steam Light-bulb, the light, and the heat A three-leafed clover An egg with shell, white, and… Read more →