Marked

Easter 2019, Part 2 Worship Planning Series

Fifth Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C

This passage begins a collection of passages known as the Farewell Discourse. Jesus is preparing the disciples for a life without his physical presence. More than offering comfort, Jesus is trying to reorient them toward their mission. 

Loving Worship Series: MARKED
May 19, 2019

Small Groups: From Worship to Discipleship

This resource is meant to be used in connection with the worship resources for the Season of Easter. The underlying question for this series is: “How is the love we show others the natural response to and the embodiment of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?” Each session uses the same Scriptures and themes as the previous Sunday’s worship service. The preferred pattern is for participants to experience the worship service first, followed by group study during the week that follows.

The subtitle, “From Worship to Discipleship,” is intentional. By deliberately connecting the themes and Scripture from corporate worship to the small-group experience, participants will be more fully formed into disciples of Jesus Christ. People learn best when they are in conversations with others.

The role of the group leader is not to be the “answer” person or the person with the most biblical knowledge. Instead of providing the “right answer,” a good facilitator helps the group members ask the right questions. Facilitators should familiarize themselves with the format, questions, and possible answers ahead of time.

Other group dynamics to consider:

  • Group size should consist of six to eight people. If there are more than eight participants, consider adding more time for the group to meet and/or more groups. Each person added to the group will create more relationship dynamics to be managed; each person might not have enough time to share.
  • If the group is larger than eight participants, it is advised to split into even smaller groups within the group as needed so that all participants get a chance to talk. This will also keep one or two voices from dominating the discussion.
  • It is highly advisable to use a group covenant to provide expectations of participants’ roles and manner of speech. Specific items to include should be confidentiality and speaking only for oneself. Another idea to foster dialogue is the “three-before-me” rule. That rule states that participants must wait until at least three other participants have spoken before they can speak again. For examples, see Sample Guidelines.
  • A proper learning environment can often be judged by whether all participants are willing to risk sharing their perspectives, no matter how popular or unpopular.
  • If your group meets in a church building, be sure the chairs are soft and the group is set up in a circle. Use tables for food only. If participants meet in a home, make sure there are plenty of seating areas and be sure to limit distractions, such as pets. If your group is meeting in a coffee shop or restaurant, be sure the space will be comfortable and quiet enough for conversation.

Introduction to the Format

There is a pattern for each week. The times are suggestions and are loosely based on an hour timeframe. The times should be modified, as needed. Each session will consist of the following elements:

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

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). Each session will begin with an opening question to foster dialogue and help the participants settle in to the theme for the week. These questions are meant to be done in micro groups of two or three people.

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). This guide does not include a lot of questions. The intent is for group dialogue and not merely giving the correct answer. During the dialogue sections, you will see guidance and possible answers to the given questions with brackets [ ]. These are only possible answers and are not meant to be exhaustive of other answers. It is a helpful practice to allow participants plenty of time to process these questions internally. Don’t be afraid of silence.

Prayer (10 minutes). Allow each participant who would like to do so to lift up a person or situation he or she would like the group to be in prayer over. Following each request, the leader will pray, “Lord, in your mercy . . .,” and the participants will respond, “Hear our prayers.” If the situation is warranted and if the participant is willing, surround the participant and lay hands on him/her and allow those who are willing to do so to pray for this person and/or situation.

Sending Forth (1 minute). Ask for a volunteer to send the group out with the printed blessing; or read the prayer in unison.

Week 1 – Marked

John 13:31-35

Fellowship – Snacks (10 minutes)

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs, discuss: “What gives you hope this Easter season?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes)

Read John 13:31-35

  • Tell of a time when you felt abandoned (or perhaps abandoned someone else).
  • Work as a group to write a one sentence definition of love. [You might include words such as sacrifice, commitment, faithfulness, compassion, etc.]
  • How has Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection embodied and given us an example for what love looks like?
  • Why is it so hard to fulfill Jesus’ new commandment (John 13:34)?
  • Whom do you find it hard to extend compassion toward? [Poor, rich, certain ethnic group, males, females, teenagers, conservatives, liberals, etc.]
  • Have participants name a person among their relationship circles whom they find difficult to love.
  • How have you seen others in your church “marked” by God?
  • How do you feel you have been “marked” by God?
  • Take a few moments to allow each participant to name how he/she sees God in another participant (aim for each participant to be named by another participant). [If the group is a new group, you might consider skipping this question.]
  • Optional ending: Have each person turn to the participant on the right. Say, “Give the person a blessing, such as, ‘You have been marked for love or you embody God’s love wherever you go.’” The person can then make the sign of the cross on the head or hand of the other person. Alternatively, each participant can make the sign of the cross on his/her own head or hand if that is preferred.

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

Sending Forth (1 minute). Ask for a volunteer to lead the group or read the following prayer in unison:

God of Love, you have marked us with the seal of your Holy Spirit. You have displayed the ultimate example of love in Jesus Christ. Empower us to embody love for God and neighbor in all that we do and say. Amen.

In This Series...


Fifth Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Sixth Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Seventh Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Pentecost 2019, Year C — Planning Notes

Colors


  • Gold
  • White

In This Series...


Fifth Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Sixth Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Seventh Sunday in Easter 2019, Year C — Planning Notes Pentecost 2019, Year C — Planning Notes