#learning group update

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LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2018

10/20/2018

BY SJECWARRENTON

LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2018

THE WAY OF LOVE

SESSION 6: BLESSREFLECT ON “WORSHIP”

What’s been working well with your Worship practice? What hasn’t been working well?

What has surprised you about your Worship practice?

Name a gift that your practice has given you this past week.

BACKGROUND FOR DISCUSSION

Jesus called his disciples to give, forgive, teach, and heal in his name. We are empowered by the Spirit to bless everyone we meet, practicing generosity and compassion and proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ with hopeful words and selfless actions. We can share our stories of blessing and invite others to the Way of Love.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

What is the best gift you have ever been given? Why was it so special?

Who was the first person who told you about Jesus?

Name a time you were blessed. What happened? How did you feel?

What have you been freely given? What can you freely give? (Matt 10:8; NIV)

Where is God already working in your neighborhood? How could you partner with God to bring about blessings and love for those around you?

Who in your life could you invite to join you in the Way of Love?

God gives us gifts so that we can share them. What are your spiritual gifts? What are the ways you share them with your community of faith and your community at large? (1 Cor 12) What else have you been gifted?

What are the things that get in the way of sharing your faith or sharing God’s blessings? Are they the same things, or different?

What is one practice of generosity or compassion you could commit to trying this week?

What are the ways the Spirit is calling you to bless others in your community?

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVESOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BLESS

Begin regular volunteer shifts at a local non-profit

check on a shut-in neighbor

invite a different neighbor or colleague to coffee each week to ask about their life and concerns

practice sharing how God’s been working in your own life, any specific and concrete way your life can bring life and joy to others

take on a practice of stewardship for creation such as composting.

(You might list a practice you are already engaged in that gives life to you and others.)

Practicing the Way of Love Worksheet

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LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: OCTOBER 14, 2018

10/14/2018

BY SJECWARRENTON

LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: OCTOBER 14, 2018

THE WAY OF LOVE

SESSION 5: WORSHIPREFLECT ON “PRAY”

last week’s update

What’s been working well with your Pray practice? What hasn’t been working well?

What has surprised you about your Pray practice?

Name a gift that your practice has given you this week.

BACKGROUND FOR DISCUSSION

When we worship, we gather with others before God. We hear the Good News of Jesus, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the Way of Love.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

What is your favorite Sunday or other service of the Church year? Why?

What is your favorite hymn? Why? (What is your least favorite hymn? Why?)

What is the most meaningful part of a worship service for you? Why?

Read the second verse of the hymn “I come with joy to meet my Lord”:

I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed

The new community of love in Christ’s communion bread

What does a “new community of love” mean to you? How has this community changed your life?

Talk about a time you experienced God’s presence in a worship service.

What is your favorite way to worship God outside of Church?

Have you ever participated in worship leadership (like ushering, acolyting, reading, etc.)?

How has that changed your perception of what it means to worship?

What prevents you from coming to worship with your community on a weekly basis?

How can you remove some of those obstacles?

What communal worship practices move you to encounter God and knit you into the body of Christ?

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVESOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WORSHIP

Attend a different Saint James’ liturgy than your usual one. (e.g. attend the 10:15am Eucharist instead of the 8:00am)

Sit in a different location than your usual one

Share your worship experience with someone

You might list a practice you are already engaged in that gives life to you.

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVE WORKSHEET

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LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: OCTOBER 7, 2018

10/06/2018

BY SJECWARRENTON

LEARNING GROUP UPDATE: OCTOBER 7, 2018

THE WAY OF LOVE

SESSION 4: PRAYGATHERING

Presiding Bishop Curry’s Invitation to the Way of Love

Bishop Marianne’s Podcast

REFLECT ON “LEARN”

What’s been working well with your Learn practice? What hasn’t been working well?

What has surprised you about your Learn practice?

Name a gift that your practice has given you this week.

BACKGROUND FOR DISCUSSION

Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word or deed, individually or corporately, when we pray, we dwell in God’s loving presence.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

What is your favorite way to pray?

Share a story of how prayer has impacted your life.

Which person of the Trinity do you most often address in your prayers?

In the story of the boy Samuel, he confuses the voice of God with the voice of Eli. Have you ever mistaken God’s voice for someone else’s? Or, have you heard God through the words of others?

What does “God’s loving presence” look like in your life? Or what could it look like?

How can you foster silence and receptivity to God in your life?

What intentional prayer practices center you in God’s presence, so you can hear, speak, or simply dwell with God? How do you invite God to dwell in you? If you don’t know about intentional prayer practices, where could you get more information?

What stands in the way of a more active and consistent prayer life? What are simple (or not so simple) changes you can make to be more present to God throughout your day?

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVESOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR “PRAY”

Set aside five to ten minutes of uninterrupted time each day for prayer.

Spend five to ten minutes each day in silence to enjoy God’s presence.

Pray the same prayer for ten minutes each day to focus your thoughts on God.

Write an original prayer, as if it were a letter to God.

You might list a practice you are already engaged in that gives life to you.

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVE

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ADULT FORMATION JOURNAL: SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

09/25/2018

BY SJECWARRENTON

ADULT FORMATION JOURNAL: SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

THE WAY OF LOVE

SESSION 2: TURNBACKGROUND FOR DISCUSSION

Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love.

With God’s help, we can turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice, and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice, and freedom.

In turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love with Jesus again and again.

“As Jesus was walking alone, He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed Him.” – Mark 2:14

“Do you turn to Jesus Christ…?” – BCP, Page 302

STARTING THE DISCUSSION

Tell a story about a time you got physically lost. How did you find your way again?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Tell a story about a time you realized you were spiritually lost and had to find your way back to God. What made you turn back toward God?

Why do you think the Church sets aside the season of Lent for repentance?

From Moses to Matthew, Scripture is full of people turning from their old life to a new life in deeper relationship with God. What biblical stories speak to you?

How has God called you out of an old life and into the new?

PRACTICING THE WAY OF LOVE

​What is one step you can take this week towards the Way of Love?

Here are some ideas. You might list a practice you are already engaged in that gives life to you.

Pray the Confession each day (BCP, page 79)

Work on forgiving a wrong

Read through Form I or Form II of Reconciliation of a Penitent (BCP, page 447 and page 449)

Read Psalm 51 each morning or night (BCP, page 656)

Practice the Daily Examen

LEARNING GROUP CREED

“I am beloved of God. I am on a faith journey with Jesus Christ that touches my heart, and I am grateful to be walking in faith with companions along the way. I don’t need to be right; I do want to be faithful.”

ABOUT LEARNING GROUPS

​Adult formation at Saint James’ focuses on small learning groups that encourage honesty, acceptance, respect, support, focus, trust, and confidentiality. Learning groups meet in the reception room on Sundays at 9:15am and 11:45am, and on Tuesdays at 10:00am. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you’ve attended before. If you’d like more information, contact Fr. Randolph.