Connection Group Discussion Guide | Week 2 The mission statement of the United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Connect (5 to 10 minutes) Come together to build relationships through fellowship and sharing about this week’s worship. • Take a few minutes to share your thoughts about worship this week. What aspects of worship did or did not connect with you? What story or illustration made an impact on you? • Icebreaker: If you could choose one person in the Bible to travel a long journey with, who would it be and why?
Context (30 to 40 minutes) Dig deeper into the videos and scripture for this week through questions and discussion. Watch the video for this session on your Connection Group DVD or online. • Take a few minutes to look over the mission statement for the United Methodist Church below the picture on this page. What words stick out to you? Why? • The rationale behind this mission statement is that it allows us to fulfill both the Great Commission and the Greatest Commandment. Read Matthew 22:36-40. How do you see the United Methodist mission statement working within those two concepts? • We have to think of the church as a part of God’s overall mission. God’s mission has a church, not the other way around. How do you respond to this statement? Do you think there is a significant difference between these two ideas? • What does it mean to you to know that God is with us as we take part in the mission God has given us? When have you strongly felt God’s presence as you have participated in some part of God’s mission? • Do you ever struggle with the idea that people should come to church to become a disciple, rather than the idea that we should “go and make disciples”? Why? • Do you ever think it is easy for us to fall into complacency in our mission as a church? When is this most easy for us to do?
Read Luke 10:1-12
One of the first things to notice about this scripture • Jesus sends his disciples out “in pairs” to follow this is who Jesus sends out to share the gospel. instruction that he gives. Why do you think he Normally, we might assume that the twelve chooses to do this? What does this instruction mean disciples would be the ones entrusted with this for us today? responsibility. However, Jesus sends 72 of his • Have you ever had to travel somewhere, physically followers to do this work. or spiritually, to be a servant of God’s kingdom? Describe that experience. • What do you think the phrase “Kingdom of God” means? Have you ever experienced that personally? • How do you think we carry out our mission differently than the disciples do in this passage? Why do you think ministry is different in today’s culture? • Jesus is very realistic in his instructions: more than likely, the disciples will face rejection as well as acceptance. Have you ever faced rejection as you tried to follow God’s call? How does that impact your faith in God?
Read Acts 9:1-2 People of “The Way” as many Bible translations phrase it, is what Christians were called in the earliest days of the church. The Greek word that is used here can also be translated “journey, path, road, or street.”
• How do you respond to the idea that early Christians were referred to as followers of “The Way?” • Do you think this is still an accurate way to describe the Christian faith? How should we respond to this idea of “The Way?” • What aspects of the church would change if we were to live this out more fully?
Call (10 minutes) We believe that God not only shows us who God is but invites us to participate in God’s ministry by answering unique calls in our own lives. Join together in discovering how we can respond to scripture and God’s presence as a church and as individuals. • How do you think God is calling you to begin living out the mission of the United Methodist church? How does this mission statement interact with the Great Commission that we discussed last week? • Who is someone you feel called to reach out to, to “travel” in ministry with as the disciples did together? How can you begin to form relationships like this that are centered in Christ? What are some of the biggest struggles you face when you think about these kinds of relationships? • How can you live out the mission statement of the United Methodist Church this week?
Closing (5 minutes) God calls us into community by sharing our joys and concerns together in prayer and supporting one another in our walks with Christ. As we share testimony and stories of our lives, let us listen to where God is working within our community and how we can build each other up in Christian love. • Share joys and concerns with one another. • Close in prayer, either by inviting a group member to pray or by using the prayer provided below. Closing Prayer Gracious God, we are thankful to know that we never embark on any mission that you have given to us alone. We are grateful that we have the community of the church and the friendship of other Christians to inspire us. We admit that sometimes, we forget that your mission has a church, and instead we convince ourselves that the mission you have given is only part of what we do. Help us to remember that every word and action we give must point to the mission you have entrusted us with. Amen.