A theme which runs throughout Romans is the idea of small groups of Christians being “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” This theme also reflects the function of our Small Churches – this is where we support one another as we work out how Scripture and following Jesus applies to our lives. This week you are invited to look closer at how your Small Church does this task of encouraging one another in their faith.
Light a candle, take some deep breaths, or sing a song, to draw your attention to God’s presence. Say this prayer together or read it to yourself.
Read aloud Romans 1:8-15
Based on this Roman’s text and your own experience, reflect on these questions together:
Share a story about a time when you were mutually encouraged in your faith.
How does it feel to be encouraged by other in spiritual growth?
How do you best encourage others in their spiritual growth?
We are treating this Sunday as our Small Church introduction week. The application for Romans 1 is having our Small Churches develop a shared understanding of how they will gather and help encourage one another in their faith over the coming year.
As a group use this worksheet to:
Today you are invited to practice encouraging one another by taking part in a Blessing of the Home.
The places where we gather for Small Church play an important role in encouraging one another in our faith. While children might be running through the kitchen, or cookie crumbs might be scattered on in the living room floor, or pets might get underfoot at entryways, these ordinary spaces are sacred spaces.
God is present here amongst us. Jesus laughs and cries along with us as we share life together. The Spirit moves among us, nurturing our faith as we encourage one another.
To start the new year and to remind yourselves that the Triune God dwells in these dwellings, you are invited to bless the space where you are gathered using this Liturgy for Blessing the Home.
Close this time of worship by reading this blessing.
This week CapKids content is integrated with the rest of Small Church. It is intended that children would participate in the opening and closing prayers and the blessing of the home. We don’t expect that many children would be up for a discussion on purposes and outcomes. However, the reflection on how we encourage others in their faith can be adapted to include them in the discussion. After reading the scripture from Romans, read one of these books with the children before everyone answers the reflection questions about encouragement.
Illustrates how kindness, sharing, learning, playing, laughing, singing, comforting, listening and respecting hold us all up.
When they were caterpillars, Moth and Butterfly were very similar but as they undergo metamorphosis, everything changes expect their friendship.
It was like a game of tag with one small act of kindness spreading throughout a small community of children and teachers alike.
