GROUP STUDY 1 THIS IS MISSION... FAITH For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
REFLECTION For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. The whole process of being involved in mission can be both a challenge to our faith and an encouragement to dive ever deeper into faith in God. In this first of three group resources we explore further the place of faith in mission, and spend time with one of the parables of Jesus as recorded in Luke 13. How might this parable encourage us in faith? BIBLE Then [Jesus] told this parable: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil? He replied, Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down. Luke 13:6 9 DISCUSSION Share your experiences of faith at this time. What is tough? What is a blessing? How does this parable make you feel? What, if anything, might the parable have to say about faith and mission? What is puzzling? What needs tending? What may need cutting down? What else might the gardener be saying to you? GROUP ACTION Plant something together, a symbol of your missional venture. Work out how you will tend it together. Notice what this tending will require from you in action and in faith. PRAY Lord Jesus Christ, help us to deepen and to grow in faith. Bless our endeavours in this place and with people, we pray. May fruit appear! Give us wisdom to know when to let alone, and when to cut down. Amen
GROUP STUDY 2 THIS IS MISSION... HOPE For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
REFLECTION For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. Being involved in mission in a world that can be demanding involves a close examination of our hope for the future and provides an encouragement to ground ourselves ever more deeply in the hope of God. In this second of three group resources we explore further the place of hope in mission, and spend time with one of the parables of Jesus as recorded in Luke 13. How might this parable encourage us in hope? BIBLE [Jesus] said therefore, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. Luke 13:18 19 DISCUSSION Share your experiences of hope at this time. What are you hoping for? What seems impossible? How does this parable make you feel? What, if anything, might the parable have to say about hope and mission? What is puzzling? What might be the mustard seed you are called to sow? Where is the garden in which you are sowing? What is it like? What might the seed produce here? Who may find shelter in the tree? GROUP ACTION Find a way to ask people in your context questions about hope. What are they hoping for? What seems impossible? What gives them reason to hope? Then reflect, pray and imagine what these hopes might require from you in action and in hope. PRAY Lord Jesus Christ, help us to deepen and to grow in hope. Bless our endeavours in this place and with people, we pray. From seeds may trees grow! And in your grace may many find shelter here. Amen
GROUP STUDY 3 THIS IS MISSION... LOVE For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
REFLECTION For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. The process of being involved in mission can require a renewal of our love for God. In this third group resource of three we explore further the place of love in mission, and spend time with one of the parables of Jesus as recorded in Luke 13. How might this parable encourage us in love? BIBLE And again he said, To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. Luke 13:20 21 DISCUSSION Share something of your experience of love at this time. How are you feeling loved? Where is your love under pressure? How does this parable make you feel? What, if anything, might the parable have to say about love and mission? What is puzzling in this parable? What might be the yeast in your possession? What might be the flour? What might leavening look like? GROUP ACTION Find someone who can teach you to bake bread and make some bread together. Reflect on the place of faith, hope and love in the process of breadmaking. Share the bread, and celebrate the presence of Jesus as you do so. PRAY Lord Jesus Christ, help us to deepen and to grow in faith, in hope, and in love (the greatest of these!). Bless our endeavours in this place and with people, we pray. May your yeast do its unseen work. May the bread of life be shared here. And so may your kingdom come. Amen