Liturgy for Life - WK 5 : GROUP GUIDE

The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

LITURGIES: Gratitude, Hospitality, Secrecy, Reflection

OPENING QUESTION(S)
Take a moment to think about 5 things in your life that you are thankful for right now and why. Then share them with the group.

HEAD & HEART

1. Read Colossians 3:15-17 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
2. GRATITUDE - Why do you think gratitude is an important liturgy/practice in our world and in our walk with God? What benefits come with living with an attitude of gratitude? What are ways to practice gratitude each day?
3. Read Luke 22:17-19 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
4. HOSPITALITY - What opportunities do you and I have to practice hospitality to others each day? Is hospitality just hosting people for a meal, or could it be done even in a short interaction with someone else? The root of hospitality is hospital, so how does caring for the needs of others, daily, help draw us near to God?
5. Read Matthew 6:1, 3-4 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
6. SECRECY - In a world of social media and trying to prove to the world how good of a person you are, or at least to get people to notice you, what do you think practicing the art of secrecy can do for your relationship to others and to God? Are there areas in your life right now that maybe don’t need to go public, but could just be between you and God? If you can think of one, share with the group.
7. Read John 8:31-32 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
8. REFLECTION - Reflecting on our journey, our choices, is supercritical when hoping to grow. Can you think of a way to practice reflecting on your spiritual journey on a regular basis? How might this help your walk with Jesus?
9. Read Matthew 11:27-30 (MSG) together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
10. These liturgies and practices are all about trying to establish a rhythm of a life with Jesus, day in, day out, moment to moment. We don’t want to put God in a box that we take out one day a week. Liturgies are about living life with God, always. So as we close out this series, what are 1-2 practices that you’ve learned more about, that you’d like to start doing more often? Share with the group for accountability.

HANDS
Each week in this series, we will challenge you to spend time actually practicing the liturgies discussed in the week. So for this week, for fun, do something for a coworker, or even a complete stranger, without them knowing about it. Pay for a coffee, clean up a work space, just make sure it’s anonymous. If you want, leave a card that simply says, showing God’s love for you in a tangible way. Then reflect on the experience in your prayer time with God.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with
him...
Mark 3:13-14a, ESV