Introduction
Kick of the discussion with prayer followed by this week’s reading and discussion questions
You can use the kick off prayer below (or do your own), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example kick off prayer:
Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
Passage:
13 Now when Jesus came into the district ofCaesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son ofMan is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016),Mt 16:13–18.
Discussion
This week are celebrating not only what Jesus has done to build a church, which is Kingscross, but what he has done through us all in building up of His global church. God has been so good to us individually and corporately. So many testimonies of his goodness and faithfulness exist within this community, and we are expectant that these will multiply a hundred fold in the seasons ahead.
- Please share with the Group how you were first brought into Jesus' global church and then how he led you to our local church, Kingscross.
- Please pray for Kingscross and at least 2 other churches within our community or that come to mind. Please take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire a vision for his church being built up in Perth and around the world
Habit of Grace
Habit of Grace: Service
Service is a mechanism by which Jesus builds himself within us and builds up the church around us.
Take a moment to watch this short testimony and discuss your reflections on the video as a group.
Discuss, pray and encourage one another.