The Gospel Overview
The gospel means ‘good news’- the good news of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. It is the message that Jesus is Lord and the Kingdom of God is now accessible on earth as it is in heaven through him unto a whole new creation. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation and transformation of all who put their trust in Jesus.
REMEMBER (30 min)
Remember God: Worship, Prayer or Communion
Psalm 136 reading
Breath Prayer
Breath In: Your love has come for me
Breath Out: Your love endures forever
Child friendly: Lifetree Kids:
Remember each other: Care
Optional- break up into smaller groups for 10 min Hi/Lo check in
Remember the Liturgy:
Remember what we learned and put into practice last week: Accountability
What did we learn from the Sunday Gathering teaching on Jan 8th, 2023 (3-5 min)
REFLECT (30 min)
Prepare (See the Leaders Guide for a brief commentary and context for the scripture and core truth from the topic)
Introduce today’s Topic and any commentary or context for the scripture
The Gospel: “God always loved us and gave us His Son Jesus”
Share the Summary Scripture for the topic if you want: 1 John 4:8b-10 “…God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Share “Core Truths from the topic” in the leaders guide where needed
Discover
Read and Retell the Story: Acts 7:1-53- Stephen Shares the God Story and is Martyred
Discussion Questions for Acts 7:1-53
What is the biblical and historical context?
Good answer: see commentary in the Leaders Guide
What does this reveal about God and People (optional)
How do we see that God has always loved us through the story Stephen tells of Israel’s history?
How do we see Jesus revealed in this story?
RESPOND (30 min)
Experience and Encounter
Listening Prayer- How has God always loved you even when you weren’t aware?
Share what you’ve heard and pray for one another: to encounter God’s love more deeply now and throughout the week.
Eph. 3:17-19- I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Receive Communion as the ultimate expression of “God always loved us and gave us his son Jesus.”
Practice and Obey
Take time this week to write down some moments in your story where you’ve experienced God’s love and give thanks for what the Holy Spirit shows you.
Reflect on the Core Truths from the topic
Pray
The Lord’s Prayer
Commenti