Advent Conspiracy: Love All (Nov 27 - Dec 3)
Advent Conspiracy, Week 4: Love All Nov. 27 - Dec. 3
Communities @ Grace
Goal for Week: Discuss how we might show love to all.
45 minutes: Welcome, Pray, Eat + Mingle
Have you had an unexpected gift from someone that made you feel they really saw your need and cared? How did that make you feel?
How do you handle the situation when your gift is not acknowledged or seems unappreciated?
15 Minutes : Review of last week’s practice experience
Review:
Pick one person you’d like to give a gift to that will strengthen your relationship. Think about and decide what you’ll do this year for their gift.
Think of what you could do to help create the experience of “Emmanuel, God with us” this season.
Decide if you could pare down your gift giving list. Consider eliminating the giving that is by habit and has become meaningless.
How did this practice go for you? What is the Holy Spirit doing in your heart as a result of practicing this last week?
If nobody in your group has completed the practice from the previous week talk through these questions:
What is hindering you from practicing during the week?
How can we support each other?
How was your connection with Jesus this week?
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion Questions
Read aloud several versions of Mark 12:28-31
How do you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
How do you show love to yourself?
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
It all comes down to love. How do you love someone well, with extravagant love?
Read Matthew 25:35-40
Who are “the least of these?”
Where do we come in contact with those considered “the least of these?”
How can we love “the least of these?”
God’s heart is for all people and all of their needs.
What characteristics of God do we need to have or develop to love others? (mercy, mourning, compassion, giving time and resources)
God tells us to Love All who are in poverty in three areas, spiritual, relationally and materially.
There is a song lyric that says - When we ask God why doesn’t he address the wrongs and poverty in the world. God responds, ” I made you.” What do you think of that statement?
Spiritual poverty - Those who don’t know Christ or are weak in their faith.
What can we be doing to love a person in that situation?
Relational poverty - lacking support from family or friends, in need of care like widows, orphans, imprisoned, shut-ins to name a few.
What might be a hindrance to you showing this kind of love?
How might you go about getting started in this area?
Material poverty - both local and globally care for the basic needs such as food, clean water, safety, shelter, education and social justice.
Any ideas for how you could address local needs beyond financial support to an organization?
Global poverty is huge, how do you direct your giving to help alleviate it?
Can anyone share a way they have helped address the issue of justice - addressing oppression they see around them?
Group Practice:
Get with one or two others and talk about one of the ways you would like to begin to love all.
10 Minutes : Pray for One Another + Close
Consider praying as a whole group or in triads for personal prayer requests.
End on time in order to honor everyone’s time.
5 Minutes : Practices for Week Ahead
Spend 14 days praying and listening to God as you ask him what resources he wants you to share with those in poverty (spiritual, relational and material). Reflect on what you hear from God and respond in obedience to what He tells you.
This week take the step to reach out to someone who needs support.
As you go about your week’s activities, notice when you see poverty in the three areas we discussed. Ask God to soften your heart and guide you to what you can do to “love your neighbor”. Bring at least one story to share next week.
Find a way to participate in Advent Conspiracy at Grace. Donate money, food, clothes, toys or socks. Serve at one of the events and make an effort to connect relationally with our guests. Pray for people to come into relationship with Jesus.