Participant Guide Session 1

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Gather
■■
Session One
The Mission of God
Purpose of this gathering
Take an in-depth look at our congregation

■■ Underscore our commitment to God’s mission in the world
■■ Introduce our denominational family
■■ Build and deepen friendships
■■ Explore what it means to be a member
■■ Outline the process for joining our church
Format for this gathering
■■ Four topics: the Mission of God; the Mission of the Covenant; the Mission of our
church; the Mission of a member
■■ Four one-hour sessions
Objectives for this Session
■■ Provide an overview of the work of God in the world

■■ Allow for personal expressions of worship to God
■■ Introduce, build, and deepen relationships
■■ Acquaint people with the mission of God for each person and for the church
■■ Begin the process of discovering membership at our church
Why “Mission Friends?”
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One-on-one Introductions
1) How did you start attending our church?
2) What is one question you would like to see answered during our time together?
Interact
The Mission of God: God’s Mission to You
What do these letters spell? Godisnowhere
The ways God is with us “Jesus whom

• God as...Creator: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me I know as my
together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
Redeemer
wonderfully made.”—Psalm 139:13,14
cannot be
• God as...Redeemer: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has
come: The old has gone, the new is here!”—2 Corinthians 5:17 less than God.”
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in St. Athanasius
accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”—Ephesians 1:7
• God as...Sustainer: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the
day of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 1:6
Reflection
1) Consider the three ways that Biblical scholars describe God (Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer)
and the corresponding Scripture. To which of the three dimensions do you most relate?
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2) How have you experienced God as Creator?
3) Is there someone you can think of who has made God’s redeeming love especially real for you?
4) How do you experience God’s sustaining presence in your life today?
The Mission of God: God’s Mission through You

God is a…
• Seeking God: God desires to bring close those who are far away from him. This means that God
continually desires to meet people where they are and draw them into his loving embrace and
care, helping them to accept him and trust in him.
• Reconciling God: God desires to bring close those who are far away from each other. This means
that God constantly desires to create communities where people can express the love they
experience from God to others.
• Healing God: God desires to bring close the values of the Kingdom of God. This means God
continually desires to address and change the hurts in the world and the causes of those hurts.
Reflection
1) What do I see as my role in working out God’s mission in the world?
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Integrate
The X-Factor
Timeline
Use the following timeline to reflect on the significant points on your spiritual journey. Note the
following on your timeline:
• Significant events that have shaped your view of God (good or bad).
• God’s mission to you:
Time when you first remember being aware of God.
Times when you have been keenly aware of God’s presence.
• God’s mission through you:
Times when you have cared for others, reached out to the hurting, acted on injustice,
shared the good news of Jesus with others.
PRESENT
BIRTH
Going Deeper
Life’s Big Questions
God has a mission in this world, and that mission includes you. So how do we discern our part in
God’s big mission? To begin with, God’s desire is to give you a part that fits who you are and what
you desire. So try answering these five questions. They may help you discern God’s leading in
your life right now.
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1) What do you enjoy doing?
2) Where do you see God most at work in your life?
3) What do you want God to do in your life in the next 6-12 months?
4) If you could do anything for God or others what would you like to do?
5) How might the church help you pursue these things for God?
Additional Resources
Additional resources can be found in the appendix for the participant’s guide.

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1

Purpose of this gathering

Take an in-depth look at our congregation

Format for this gathering

Objectives for this Session

■■ Provide an overview of the work of God in the world

Why “Mission Friends?”

The ways God is with us “Jesus whom

4) How do you experience God’s sustaining presence in your life today?

The Mission of God: God’s Mission through You

1) What do I see as my role in working out God’s mission in the world?

2) Where do you see God most at work in your life?

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