"See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." - Hebrews 3:12
It's been 3 ½ months since our last in-person Sunday morning service and over a month since our Community Group trimester ended.
While we have a tentative date set for meeting again on Sunday mornings, I don't think it is a stretch to say that this season of disconnection is dangerous and has already been destructive to the faith of many.
Without the weekly accountability of in-person services or Community Groups, it can be easy to let bad habits go unchecked, good habits fall by the wayside, and our relationship with God fade.
So, how do we prevent that from happening?
Here are 6 ideas for connection and discipleship with your group members this summer!
Pick up the phone
Sending a text is a quick way to say "I see you and I care", but a phone call is even better.
The next time you are washing dishes, driving the car, folding laundry, or out for a walk, call one of your group members.
Attend a Summer Equip class together
Invite group members to join you in one of these in-person or online courses:
Women's Book Discussion: In His Image by Jen Wilken (4 weeks, Starting July 16 - Online or In-Person)
Book Discussion: Note to Self - The Discipline of Preaching To Yourself by Joe Thorn (4 weeks, Starting July 16 - Online)
Theology 1 - Dive deeper into understanding who God is or knowing the story of Scripture. (6 Weeks, Starting July 21 - In Person)
MLK 50 - This class is intended for those who don't know where to start, to play a positive role in bringing healing and are open to an honest dialogue about race and faith. (4 Weeks, Starting July 15 - In Person)
Watch The Service Together Online
Join the chat at Live.NorthridgeRochester.com and talk with your group members, staff and others from Northridge.
Do a Zoom call and chat together while you watch the service on another device. Or you could even watch the service in Zoom together with the Zoom share screen feature.
Invite your group to a Facebook Watch Party and chat as you watch the Northridge service on Facebook Live. HERE is a tutorial.
Watch The Service Together In-Person
Meet up with your group members outside and watch the service on a TV or projector screen.
If meeting in person be sure to follow CDC recommendations:
Wash your hands often
Avoid close contact
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect
Monitor Your Health
While in-person gatherings are possible as we follow the CDC recommendations, we encourage groups to be considerate of others in their group. Many people are not ready or able to attend in-person.
Start an Accountability and Discipleship Group
Invite 2 or 3 people from inside or outside of your group, of the same gender, to connect together weekly or monthly for confession, reflection, study, accountability, and prayer.
These meetings could happen online or in-person following CDC recommendations.
If you'd like tips on how to set something like this up, just email me. I'd love to help!
Lead a Book Discussion
Select a book of your choice, or ask your Group Coach, or one of our staff for book recommendations.
Decide on a reading and meeting schedule.
These meetings could happen online or in-person following CDC recommendations.
Which one of these could you try this summer?
Have other ideas? Let us know. We'd love to pass them along and help however we can.
As Group Leaders we have the privilege and responsibility of caring for and helping disciple our group members. Let's be diligent in our calling as Christ followers to help each other grow nearer to Christ instead of further away!
