Chosen

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “Who has been an example of a Christian for you? What do you see in their faith or action that compels you?”
 

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in the time you have together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 aloud, inviting participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. Ask group members the following questions:
  • What positive affirmation does Paul, the author of this letter (or “epistle”), give the church of the Thessalonians based on this passage?
  • Verse 4 refers to the people as “chosen.” Consider what it means in scripture when someone is “chosen.”
    • When have you been “chosen” for something? What about not being chosen? How does being chosen—or being excluded—shape one’s identity?
  • What do you think Paul means by the gospel not just being “word,” but also in “power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”?
    • How do you understand the gospel having power and conviction?
  • Paul references them becoming imitators and being “an example to all the believers.” How does the idea of imitating Paul/Christian leaders sit with you? How does the idea of being an example to all believers sit with you? Which do you struggle with more? Why might that be?
• The Preaching Notes for October 18 say:

“There are folks in your town who wonder what it means to follow Christ. They wonder what it means to belong to a church. Sure, they could go to church themselves to find out, but they don’t need to. They just see you. Are you an example of the joys of discipleship? Are you one who loves God and neighbor with equal passion and commitment? What do your neighbors see when they look at you? At your church? Do they wonder if they might be welcomed if they wander in one day? Or is your church like a social club that they don’t have the credentials to join?”

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  • What resonates with you about these questions? What challenges you?
• Read back through the scripture passage. Is there a word or a phrase that stands out? Write it down for consideration in the week ahead.
• Just One Thing: What is one thing you want to do because of the discussion today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
  • Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
  • Read the text of your choice [Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13), Matthew 22:15-22] out loud.
  • What do you notice about the text?
  • What questions arise?
  • What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Loving God, the power of your resurrection raised Jesus from the dead, and it raises us, too. We can sometimes feel less than “qualified” to be an example for others. But you choose us anyway, before we do anything to be worthy of being chosen. May we be encouraged by the witness of the church of the Thessalonians, who served you, the Loving and True God. And may we also be found faithful. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.