Connect Groups
The backbone of our life together.
There are about 25 Connect Groups of up to a dozen people meeting in different locations, and at different times, in the parish and beyond for bible study, prayer and mutual care and support. We encourage every church member to be “connected” to a group (even if they are not always able to attend). Janet McLean and Janet Goodenough together co-ordinate our groups, and they are the people to contact if you want to find a suitable group.
Summer 2023
During Summer 2023, we will be looking together, in our morning services at the Resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15, Life in the Spirit and questions arising from 'The Plausibility Problem' book.
Risen, Ascended, Poured Out (5) - 28th May
The Spirit-Empowered Witness (Pentecost): Inadequacy Meets Empowerment
Passage: Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost is a key date in the Christian Calendar, following only Christmas and Easter in its significance.
With the theme of Inadequacy Meets Empowerment, some questions for discussion:
1. In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate? What impacts do these have on day-to-day living?
2. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. In the Bible, what other names are given for the Holy Spirit and what names are used to describe the Holy Spirit? You may need to do some research here.
3. In what ways have you experienced the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your life?
4. If we say the church (All Saints and the world-wide Christian community) is empowered, what inhibits the church from growing and developing? What can we do about this?
Mission Sunday - 21st May
Passage: Genesis 11:1-4 and Acts 2:1-8, Romans 15: 23-33
Matthew Skirton spoke at all our services from various passages for Mission Sunday.
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How does the contrast between Babel and Pentecost remind us of God's vision for the world? How can we be part of that vision?
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What are we passionate about? What was Paul passionate about? How can we kindle our passion for Jesus?
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A missionary is someone 'sent' by God to speak about Jesus. Where is God sending you to speak for him (this week)?
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Looking ahead, where might God be calling you to use your 'time, talents and treasure' for him?
Spend some time praying about how response. How we might serve Jesus and where he's calling us. Pray for the work of OM and take some extra time to pray for some of our church mission partners.
APCM Sunday - 14th May
Sermon: "The church God wants us to be" (10am)
Passage: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
What have you read in your own Bible reading this week that’s encouraged or challenged you? Have you had any answers to prayers? Any opportunities to talk to someone else about the Lord? Spend a few minutes sharing your personal prayer requests and praying for one another before the Bible study.
Read 1 Tim. 3:14-16
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What three descriptions of the Church does Paul give in verse 15? Does any of them strike you particularly?
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What are some of the characteristics a church should have as God’s household? (You may want to read through chapter 5). How can All Saints be more of a family? What can your Connect Group do to contribute to this?
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What are some of the implications of being ‘the church of the Living God’? What does it mean for us at All Saints?
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What does it mean for the Church to be ‘the pillar and foundation of the truth’? (See also 1 Tim. 1:3-7; 4:1-8, etc). What is the truth we are to defend and make known (verse 16)?
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Are we more naturally drawn to one of these roles: defending the truth of Jesus or talking to others about Him? How can we make sure we pursue both?
Spend some time praying in response to this passage.
Risen, Ascended, Poured Out (4) - 7th May
Sermon: "Long Live the King!" (11.15am)
Passage: Psalm 2
What have you read in your own Bible reading this week that’s encouraged or challenged you? Have you had any answers to prayers? Any opportunities to talk to someone else about the Lord? Spend a few minutes sharing your personal prayer requests and praying for one another before the Bible study.
Read Acts 4:23-31
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In Acts 4 the early church is under pressure. Peter and John have been arrested, interrogated and commanded by the religious leaders to stop talking about the Lord Jesus. How did the early church responded to this frightening opposition (verse 24)?
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How did they see the opposition as a fulfilment of Psalm 2? (Acts 4:25-28)
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The early church must have known the whole of Psalm 2. Read it in your group now. Why, according to the Psalm, is opposition to God and to His Anointed One (Messiah/Christ) in vain? Instead, what does it look like to ‘kiss the Son’ (verse 12)?
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Back in Acts 4:29-31 what do you think about the prayer request of the early Christians?
Pray – some suggestions:
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Give thanks that Jesus is King! He reigns over the whole earth.
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Pray for those who know who haven’t yet bowed the knee to Him as their King.
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For our new king, King Charles – that he would look to King Jesus as his Saviour and Master.
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For those in authority over us: the government, local politicians, the police, etc.
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For Christian facing opposition here and abroad – that God would fill them with His Spirit so that they have courage to keep witnessing.
Risen, Ascended, Poured Out (3) - 30th April
Sermon: "The Victory" (11.15am)
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
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How does this passage challenge our thinking (and our culture's thinking) about death? What truths here might you use to encourage a sceptic?
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What are some of the pre-conceptions we might have about Heaven and the New Creation? How does this passage confirm or deny those views?
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What's the difference between Heaven and the New Creation?
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What questions about the resurrection / resurrection bodies are you left with? Do you find answers elsewhere in the Bible?
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In what areas / times of life do you find it hardest to "Stand Firm"? How does the resurrection encourage us to do that?
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How might Paul's second implication ("work for the Lord is not in vain") motivate us for Christian service?
Have a read of Isaiah 25 and Hosea 13 for the background to the resurrection promises that Jesus has fulfilled.
Risen, Ascended, Poured Out (2) - 23rd April
Sermon: "The First Fruits" (11.15am)
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
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"No resurrection, no Christianity" ( Michael Ramsay) Do you agree that you cannot be a Christian without believing in the Resurrection. Explain why you think as you do.
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What does it mean to say that Christ is the first fruits of the Resurrection?
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How does belief in the Resurrection link to our moral choices in life?
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How does the Resurrection help us to face both life and death?
Risen, Ascended, Poured Out (1) - 16th April
Sermon: "The Facts" (11.15am)
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Spend a few minutes praying for one another’s needs at the start of your time together.
What encouragements or challenges have you had from God’s Word recently? What answers to prayer? Any opportunities to talk to someone about Him?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
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What is the significance of Paul (and the Corinthians) receiving the gospel message (verses 1 and 3)?
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List the four facts that Paul mentions in verses 3-5.
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‘... according to the Scriptures’. The Old Testament Scriptures gave the meaning of these events long before they happened. What light do the following Scriptures shed on the events of Easter? (You may not have time to look at them all; pick one or two):
Christ’s Death
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Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12
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Genesis 22:1-14
Christ’s Resurrection on the Third Day
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Psalm 16:9-11
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Gen. 1:11-12 c.f. Jn. 12:24; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38
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Hosea 6:1-2
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Jonah 1:17 c.f. Matthew 12:38-40
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What can you do to keep this Gospel of first importance in your life this week? Can you group members help you do this in some way?
