3-9-25 Liturgy

Main Theme:  Faith Produces Works

Opening
Goal: Focus our attention on Jesus and be open to what He wants to do & say in our gathering.

Suggested Practice:
Read Psalm 40:1-5 aloud and thank God for saving us and declare your trust in Him.

Worship
Goal: Make Jesus central in our gathering. This could be done through songs, prayerful scripture reading, communion, etc.

Suggested Practice:
Choose 2 songs to sing together (or listen to) that focus on God’s love for us and our response to love God and neighbor.

Possible Options:

• So Will I (YouTube)
• Christ Be Magnified (YouTube)
• Build My Life (YouTube)

____[Dismiss the Kids/Youth]____

Sharing
Goal: To know each other's stories.

Suggested Practice A:
Select one person to answer the following question:

• How did your life change when you made the decision to follow Jesus?

Suggested Practice B:
Select one person to answer the following question:

• When was a time where you witnessed a friend or family member obey God despite the consequences? How has this inspired you? How has this changed you?

Suggested Practice C:
Break into groups of 3 people. Answer the following questions:

• What are you thankful for this week?
• What has stressed you out this week?

Give the groups 10 minutes to answer the question. Encourage everyone to share.

Discussion
Goal: Learn how to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between Paul’s notion of “justification by faith alone” and James’ notion that a “workless faith” cannot save someone.
• Explain why faith must produce works.
• Describe how to cultivate a faith that produces works.

Suggested Practice A:
Possible Questions:

1. Paul’s notion of “justification by faith alone” (Romans 3:28) and James’ notion that a “workless faith” cannot save someone (James 2:14) seem to contradict each other. Do they stand in conflict to one another? What is the difference?
2. James is writing to those from a Jewish background that are very familiar with works (dietary laws, sabbath observance, set liturgical prayers etc.). So, what does James mean when he challenges them not to demonstrate a “workless faith” (2:17, 20, 26)?
3. Why does James believe faith and works are inseparable?
4. What do the examples of Abraham and Rahab (James 2:21-25) teach us about faith being demonstrated through works?
5. How do we cultivate a genuine faith that produces works?

Suggested Practice B:
Read James 2:14-26 together. What do you notice? What questions do these words provoke? What does this passage reveal about being a follower of Jesus?

____[Kids/Youth Rejoin Adults]____

Prayer
Goal: Respond appropriately to what Jesus is doing & saying in our gathering.

Suggested Practice A:
Break into groups of 3 people and ask if anyone needs faith to obey God despite the consequences or difficult circumstances. If so, pray for these people and ask God to provide the faith and courage required. If not, ask if anyone has a family member or friend that needs faith to obey God despite the consequences or difficult circumstances. If so, pray for these people and ask God to provide the faith and courage required.

Suggested Practice B:
Lead your Small Church through the following prayer practice:

• Ask God to help you see, hear, understand and respond to His presence.
• Thank God for the good that has come to you this week through His generosity.
• Reflect on the following questions:

• This week, when did you feel you were cooperating most fully with God?
• This week, when were you resisting God?

• Talk to God and let Him know your thoughts and feelings.

• Seek forgiveness
• Ask for direction
• Express gratitude
• Resolve to make a change

• Ask God to be present in your thoughts, actions and relationships this week.

Communion
Goal: Remember Jesus' death and resurrection. Receive strength & joy that He is with us. Renew our hope for Jesus' return and the restoration of creation.

Suggested Practice:

• Distribute bread and juice.
• Read Luke 22:19-20.
• Read the following statement…“the body of Christ has been given, broken for us and the entire world. This bread reminds us that He paid a debt that He did not owe so that we wouldn’t have to pay a debt that we did owe”.
• Eat the bread.
• Read the following statement…“The blood of Christ has been poured out, shed for us and the entire world. This juice reminds us that we have a permanent and unbreakable relationship with Him and that death has no power over us and no power over creation”.
• Drink the juice.

Blessing
Goal: Focus our attention on Jesus and consider what He wants to do & say this coming week.

Suggested Practice:
Read John 15:1-4 aloud and pray that your Small Church would draw close to God and bear fruit that is pleasing to Him.