The Table Wk Three // Celebration

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

Begin with prayer (5 minutes)

Gather together as a community in a comfortable setting (around a table, on the couch, the floor of the living room, etc.) Have somebody lead a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.

If you’re up for it, and your setting is quiet, spend a few minutes in silence. Why silence?  Because we live in a busy, noisy world, under the non-stop assault of digital distraction. In the midst of all the chaos, it’s hard at times to hear one another, let alone the voice of God. As we gather together as a family, we want to hear what the Father is saying to and through each of us, and respond in turn. A great way to do that is to begin with a moment of quiet.

Spend a Little Time in Triads (15 minutes)

If you are a community of seven or more, divided into small groups of 3-4 people each.

Spend a few minutes catching up on life…

Then talk through the following debrief questions

1. Did you listen to the teaching? What did you think?

2. How was last week’s practice of gratitude for you?

3. What was the most challenging/life giving part of the practice for you?

Transition Back to One Large Group (15-20 minutes)

Take time discussion the following questions as a group:

1. Where are you most likely to celebrate God? Alone? With others? In worship? In music? In nature?

2. What does this tell you about how God made you and how you most naturally meet with him?

3. Is there a heaviness about you, an overly serious side or an entrenched critical spirit? How might celebrating God affect these traits and move you into new areas of transformation?

4. Who do you know who really celebrates life and God? What attracts you to them?

Talk About the Coming Week’s Practice as a Community (10-30 minutes)

Here’s the practice for the coming week:

Celebration: for your group

The main practice for this week is to plan and throw a party with your group. It could be as simple as a potluck in a park with music and games, a themed night together, a game night, a ‘favorites’ night (where everyone brings their favorite food or drink to share - who cares if you end up with lots of desserts or not enough veggies - it’s a celebration!). Take some time tonight to brainstorm what you want your celebration to look like.

Some questions that can help you get started:

• What kinds of things is God doing amongst us that we want to celebrate?

• Do we want this party to happen on one of the nights we already meet? Or do we want to plan it on a different day?

• What resources do we have to put towards this? (time, money, energy, access to venue, etc.)

• Where do we want to have the party?

• Is this party something we want to theme? A theme is not at all necessary, but could be fun.

• What kinds of food and drink do we want there?

• Who do we want to invite?

• What games do we want there?

Celebration: for you as an individual/couple

Plan an impromptu celebration this week. What, or who, do you want to celebrate this week? It could be for reasons large or small, the point is simply to practice joyful celebration. How will you celebrate and who do you want to celebrate with? If you don’t have an idea yet of what to celebrate then be on the lookout this week for an excuse to celebrate. Who knows, you might even find yourself celebrating more than once this week (be careful - it might just become a habit!)

Work Through These Discussion Questions (10-15 minutes)

1. What does the idea of God as the happiest being in the universe mean to you for your everyday life? Does it make you see God differently? Does it make you see yourself differently?

2. Do you have any thoughts, creative ideas, or feedback on this coming week’s Practice?

Close in Prayer (10 -15 minutes)

Share prayer requests with one another, and pray for each other as you take steps this week to partner with the Holy Spirit.

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