Develop a Discipleship System
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 answer, “Have you ever been in a completely dark place without any light to orient you? Were you by yourself or with someone else? If you were with someone else, did that help you feel more secure? Why do you feel that being with someone else may be helpful or not?”
Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Acts 4:32-35 and 1 John 1—2:2.
- The reading from 1 John affirms that our relationships with God and one another are related. Can you remember a time in which your feelings of sadness or anger about someone affected your time in church, your interactions with others, even with someone who had nothing to do with your problem?
- Confession is an ancient practice of the church. In some churches, congregants confess to a priest or a spiritual leader. There is a prayer of confession in the Order of Worship for Holy Communion of The United Methodist Church. A modern practice encourages us to examine our day and give thanks or ask God for forgiveness. Have you practiced any of these means of grace? In what way is confession helpful in your growth as a Christian disciple?
- “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2, NRSV). The reading for today invites us to confess but also gives us hope in God’s love. How do you feel knowing that if we confess, God’s love will be available?
- The readings of the Lectionary for today point us to the importance of being in a community. We need one another to support, encourage, and learn. In Acts 4:32-35, the church shared everything, even possessions. In modern times, individualism and privacy are prevalent. In fact, in some places, people do not speak to strangers, even in the church. But the readings today are an invitation to examine our values.
- In what ways do you think you may show the Christian values of hospitality, generosity, companionship, and support in your personal life?
- How can these values be applied in the church? Name specific ways.
- One of the comments we often hear from people who do not attend church is, “Why should I come to church if people act so badly and seem to be fighting with one another all the time?” Although the comment can be an excuse not to take Christian teachings seriously, do you think that the application of the values mentioned can help change the attitudes of some people? What can be your contribution to help others see your church as a welcoming place?
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 mercy, we confess that we do not always live our lives free of anger, sadness, and other feelings. Help us to come to you to overcome our limitations; guide us, as members of this congregation, to lead Christian lives that invite others to learn about Jesus, our Savior, and all his teachings. In his name, we pray. Amen.
The Rev. Carmen M. Gaud is an elder and member of the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served as the editor of Lecciones Cristianas and other publications in Spanish for The United Methodist Publishing House and later as the editor of El Aposento Alto (the Spanish edition of The Upper Room).
