Power

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 is a person of power (or influence, or authority) for whom you have great respect? Why?”

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.

• This is a lengthy passage with a straightforward storyline. Read Exodus 1:8-2:10 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 kind of “power” do you see in each of the following people:
    • The Israelites
    • The Egyptians
    • The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah
    • Pharaoh (the king of Egypt)
    • The Levite woman (mother of the baby)
    • The daughter of Pharaoh
    • The daughter of the Levite woman (the sister of the baby)
  • After looking at the different ways people used power in this story, what stands out to you?
  • What questions about power emerge from this passage?
• Read Matthew 16:13-20 aloud, inviting group members to notice where they see power showing up in this passage.  
  • What does power look like in this interaction between Jesus and the disciples?
  • What kind of power do you think Jesus gives Simon Peter in this encounter?
• How strong is the connection between identity and power?  
  • How do you see this connection in scripture?
  • Where in your life experience have you seen a connection between identity and power?

The Preaching Notes for August 23 say:

“The identifier of those who belong to Christ is that they are willing to be foundational; they are willing to be built upon. Paul speaks of Christ as the cornerstone, but Matthew says Peter (and, I believe, by extension, all of us) is the foundation material. Christ is the builder; we are the materials; we are the ones who give shape, like the foundation gives shape, to the building that is the church. It all rests upon us.”

• Where do you see power in this interpretation?
• Taking today’s discussion into consideration, what kind of power do you see in the church, the people of God?  
• 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 (Psalm 124, Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalm 138, Romans 12:1-8) 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:

God of Power and Might, you are the source of any true power we might have. May we come to understand what it means for us to be your beloved children, chosen and redeemed by you because of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Show us how to use the power that you give us to glorify you and build up the church. 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.