Sing Praises

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, "If you were to identify songs to put on a 'Playlist/Soundtrack/Album' for your life, what one or two songs would you include? Why?"

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

• Read Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b. Invite participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. Though this selection skips part of the story that leads to the final verse of praise, how could you explain the connection between the first part (vv. 1-6) and the second part (vv. 16-22)?
  • The story being summarized in verses 16-22 is from Genesis 37-41 and focuses on how God uses Joseph to rescue the Israelites. Whether the story is familiar to you or not, where do you see opportunities to praise God?
  • What questions do you have about this part of the story?
• Read Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28. This is the beginning of Joseph's story. While it's a difficult story of injustice, where do you see God's grace or mercy?
  • Based on this part of the story, for what could we praise God?
• Part of the power of Joseph's story that is highlighted in Psalm 105 is that the faithful actions of one man (Joseph) would have ripple effects much broader than his circumstances. How have you witnessed a positive impact for many from a faithful act of one?
   

• The Preaching Note for August 9 says,

  "God's instruments are at hand. That is what we celebrate or at least acknowledge. The underlying message is that we may be those instruments. We may be the undercover agents for the kingdom of God at work in the world around us. We may be the seed planted, the yeast embedded, the salt applied to give flavor or provide traction in a slippery time. We may be Joseph appointed to lead God's people through a famine of the lack of righteousness."
   

• How do you feel about the notion that you may have a "seed planted," "yeast embedded," or "salt applied" to "provide traction in a slippery time"?
• Just One Thing: Commit to taking five minutes this week (set a timer!) to look back at your life to find one thing that has had a positive "ripple effect" because of faithfulness (yours or someone else's).
• 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 selected text [1 Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 85:8-13, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33] 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 faithfulness, we praise your name and give you thanks for release from mistreatment. God, would you help us recognize the places where your grace is at work, where your people are faithful amid suffering, where your presence is felt even in the darkest of times? May we be people who say yes to righteousness and serve as your hands and feet to accomplish your purpose of restoration. And when we don't see it, may we praise you until we have eyes to see your victory. 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.