Faith 5 for Faith Groups

1. Share your Highs and Lows from the past week.

Highs: - Good things from the week. What brought you joy? - Where did you see God at work during the week? Lows: - Tough, difficult or hard things from your week. - When were you misguided or did you lose hope during the day? - What caused you stress or discomfort?

2. Read a Bible verse, devotional or story

You may choose to: • Read the verses assigned for the day (from Taking Faith Home). The daily readings are available in your worship bulletin each Sunday, in your Monday morning e-news from Immanuel, or Online. • Share a favorite Bible verse or story. • Decide on a theme of study for the year from the following list: The Basics Sin – Romans 1:18-31 Redemption – Romans 3:21-31 Law – Romans 4 Grace – Romans 6:1-14 Atonement – Ephesians 2:11-22 Lordship – Colossians 1:15-23 Facing the Issues Money Matters – Mark 13:1-11; 2 Cor 9:6-15 Success vs Service – John 13:1-17; Gal 5:13-26 Social Concern – Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:1-10 Corruption/Abuse – Mark 11:12-19; James 2:1-13 Tough Decisions – Matt 27:11-26; Romans 13:1-7 Spiritual Renewal - Mark 1:1-8; Romans 8:1-17 Catching a World Vision Worldwide Purpose - Luke 4:14-30 World of Possibilities – John 1:1-18 World of People – John 4:1-26 World of People – John 3:2-12 World-Sized 1 – Luke 5:1-11 World Sized 2 – John 21:15-25

3. Talk about how God's Word connects with your highs and lows.

Reflect on how you hear God speaking in the Bible reading and how this applies to your joys and pain of the week. You may choose to respond to the following prompts: • One thing I have been learning this week… • One things I already knew, but it’s worth repeating… • One thing I would like to know more about… • You may choose to read a related devotion from a resource you have at home, or from one of the resources available outside of the Coordinator of Inreach and Outreach’s office, or from resources in the church library.

4. Pray

Pray about what you have shared together during your Faith Group. Highs & Lows to Thanks & Asks - Praise and thank God for your highs. - Ask God to be with you in your lows. You may choose to use a PTA prayer: - Praising prayer - Thanking prayer - Asking prayer You may choose to use a JOY prayer: - Thanking Jesus - Praying for Others - Praying for Yourself

5. Bless one another

Conclude you devotional time with a time of blessing. You could: Gather in a circle holding hands and recite one of the following: Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen The God of all grace bless you now and forever. Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.