Big Idea

Apprentices of Jesus are committed to the practices of Jesus, the “radical minimums” of apprenticeship.

Scripture

Matthew 16:15-18 and Matthew 22:37-40

Ice Breaker & Opening Thought

1. What kinds of occupations require an apprenticeship? Think historically to old occupations too.
2. This last year has taxed all of us to new limits. We’ve endured a global pandemic that’s exposed our ongoing racial and political tension heaped on top of financial and emotional instability. With a vaccine rolling out, some things are going back to ‘normal’, but we know that the old ‘normal’ no longer exists, and we must make room for new practices. What are some practices for connecting to God and other people you’ve started in this time that you want to continue?

Bible Discussion

3. Read Matthew 16:15-18, what kind of ‘rock’ is the Church meant to be?
4. Read Matthew 22:37-40. What stands out to you about this love we’re meant to have?
5. When we consider our call to love God and our neighbors, how do those intersect and overlap?

Life Application

6. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘refresh’? Some of us might think of computers, others of facials, and still others as something impossible. What are places in your life in need of a ‘refresh’?
7. The Church is meant to be a place of refreshment, where we can start over or start again, anew. Yet we too often think of Church as a place rather than a gathering of people. We are the Church, and we are called to be a gathering of refreshment. How has the Church been that for you? Are there times when we have failed?
8. In Matthew 22:37-40, we encounter the radical minimums of apprenticeship with Jesus: Love God, Love People in the Church, and Love People in the World. At Community, we call these things celebrating, connecting, and contributing. In what ways are you already celebrating? In what ways are you connecting? In what ways are you contributing? Where do you want to take additional steps?

Challenge

This year has been tough and challenging. All of us have lived through a global pandemic, highlighting existing racial inequalities and discrimination that have caused both grief and deep questioning. We need God to refresh our entire life and our Church. In what ways can you turn to God this week when you find yourself in need of a refresh? Make a plan for deliberate acts of repentance and refreshment this week.