We Share Christ

How Shall We Love

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B

We need the opportunity to submit ourselves as individuals and as a community to the work of living in peace with one another, working together toward the flourishing of all people.

Week 7: We Are Yours

John 17:6-19

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

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants talk about an act of love someone else has shown them.

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes)

Read: John 17:6-19

  • What might Jesus mean by stating that his disciples “do not belong to the world” (v. 16)? [Our values come from being part of the kingdom of God, not from this world.]
  • What might it mean when Jesus observes that we have been “sent into the world” (v. 18)? [We, individually and as the church, are the embodiment of God’s love in the world.]
  • How does it make you feel when Jesus asks the father to protect the disciples from the evil one (v. 15)?
  • How is the church “one” (v. 11)?
  • How is the mission of the church connected to glorifying God? [The mission of the church is accomplished through the acts that we do as a community and as individuals that glorify God.]
  • How does our church glorify God? How does our church intentionally display God’s love for the world?

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

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

Loving God, give us a renewed assurance of your steadfast love—your love that will never leave us, never forsake us, and never let us go. Your love that seeks us and draws us closer into your holiness. Grant us a holiness of heart and life that we might glorify you in all we do and say. Amen.

Additional Resources

Books:

Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life by Eugene Peterson

Websites:

Discipleship Ministries, www.umcdiscipleship.org

Basics of Faith Formation, https://discipleship-ministries.teachable.com/p/basics-of-faith-formation-ceu

Engaging Your Community: A Guide to Seeing All the People, https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product/engaging-your-community-a-guide-to-seeing-all-the-people-2/

Forming Disciples Through Worship, https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product/forming-disciples-through-worship/

How to Have a Courageous Conversation, https://discipleship-ministries.teachable.com/p/courageous-conversation

“How to Start Small Groups,” https://discipleship-ministries.teachable.com/courses/

“Making the Most of Online Small Groups,” https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/making-the-most-of-online-small-groups

Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness https://upperroombooks.com/soulreset/

In This Series...


Easter Sunday, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Second Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes

Colors


  • White

In This Series...


Easter Sunday, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Second Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes