This is Us
A course exploring the values of worshipping creatively, loving generously and serving locally
Course Sessions
Session 1
Why is it important to invite everyone to play their part in the life of the church?
1
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Worship for Everyone is a Christian faith-based movement to resource and equip collective singing in churches, schools and families.
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Welcome Churches' vision is for every refugee to be welcomed by a local church. We exist to inspire, equip and empower the UK Church to do this.
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additionalneedsalliance.org.uk
Encouraging conversations about children and young people who have additional needs and disabilities (In the contexts of faith development and church).
Resources
Bible Readings
When you read these Bible readings, you might want to think about the same questions we ask during each session of the course:
1. What stands out to you?
2. What does this tell us about Jesus or his plan?
3. What does this tell us about people?
4. What is our response?
Question
Is there something in particular that makes you question whether God can use you?
Bring it to Him this week and maybe even find a friend to share it with. God loves you and you have a unique and amazing part to play in His plans.
Session 2
Worship Creatively:
Worship is About God
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Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about faith, life and God.
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The Bible Project is a crowdfunded project that produces media to help people everywhere experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.
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watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season series about the life of Christ.
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
Why not try writing your own Psalm of praise and thanksgiving this week?
Session 3
Worship Creatively:
Worship is To God
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I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
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“So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujahAnd I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a king
Except for a heart singing hallelujah” -
Page 90 of The Infographic Bible illustrates some of the praise and worship stances found in the Bible.
’Towdah’ is to raise hands in adoration as well as thankfulness for things not yet received
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
God loves YOU. The passages this week remind us of this fact, as well as the glory and power of God. Sometimes it’s hard to feel God’s love or believe he is in control, but God’s character doesn’t change with our feelings.
Why not speak the truths of these readings in prayer this week to remind you that God loves you and is with you and for you in every moment?
Session 4
Worship Creatively:
Worship is For God
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Father God, please speak to me now as I wait for you to give me wisdom and insight into what you want me to do. Then help me respond quickly to whatever you direct me to. Amen.
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Listen and make a note of any scriptures, pictures or thoughts God gives you .
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Share how God spoke to you with someone and respond to God quickly.
If you’d like to talk with someone from the Church Collective team, you can reach us by emailing hello@churchcollective.uk
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
Can you identify an area in your life in which you could seek justice and righteousness more actively?
Session 5
Love Generously:
Part One
5
Bible Readings
Response
Spend some time with God this week reflecting on what these passages reveal about how much God loves all of us, and also how much he loves YOU. Thank God for the gift of Jesus and the fact that through him we can enjoy a lasting loving relationship with God.
Session 6
Love Generously:
Part Two
6
Bible Readings
Response
The Church is an amazing group of people. These passages help show us what it looks like to share life together and to love one another. Sometimes loving people generously can be really hard. Ask God for help to love that particular person in your life that you sometimes find difficult to love.
Session 7
Love Generously:
Part Three
7
Bible Readings
Response
Generosity can take many different forms. Christians are called to be generous with their time, money, resources – everything basically! In what area of your life could you be more generous?
Remember, God is far more interested in the heart behind your giving than how much you give (see Mark 12:41-44).
Session 8
Serve Locally:
Part One
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The Sanctuary Foundation invites you to make a real difference in the lives of Ukrainian people.
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Welcome Churches' vision is for every refugee to be welcomed by a local church. We exist to inspire, equip and empower the UK Church to do this.
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
Sometimes God puts us in unique situations that we are made to be in! Perhaps there’s someone or something in your life that God is calling YOU to serve him in specifically. Also, consider those little things in your life that you could change to serve others (e.g., how do you use your car? Do you buy fair trade where you can?)
Session 9
Serve Locally:
Part Two
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The Sanctuary Foundation invites you to make a real difference in the lives of Ukrainian people.
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Championing the rights of refugees
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
Whilst most of us are not literally “in exile” - we are called by God to serve whatever area we find ourselves in. What part of your local community/sports club/town etc, is God asking you to serve in. If you’re not sure – ask Him!
Session 10
Serve Locally:
Part Three
10
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tearfund.org/get-involved/pray
Pray for people affected by poverty.
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opendoorsuk.org/resources/prayer
Open Doors helps the church to pray, give and speak out for those who share our faith but not our freedom.
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arocha.org.uk/get-involved/pray
Caring for God’s earth
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Alleviating Global Poverty Through Life-Sustaining Technology
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stopthetraffik.org
Preventing human trafficking. -
Supporting food banks to provide emergency help in their communities.
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Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
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Releasing the church to end homelessness.
Resources
Bible Readings
Question
These passages make it really clear that EVERYONE can enjoy a relationship with Jesus. It is our job as the church to tell as many people about him as we can. They also show us how God’s love is so wide, long, high and deep that it overcomes racial and cultural boundaries.
God’s love is so great that it is even for the people we find hard to love, and even those we might have ruled out!
Ask God for a fresh measure of His love for people, particularly those you find difficult to love!
Running the Course?
This course has been specifically designed to remove all the usual preparation time for small group leaders.
We recommend you gather people in a home, have a shared meal together, then watch the session and chat when prompted.
Let us know if you are running the course. We’d love to support you.
