The church’s pastor is out of town, and the laity leads the entire service. One thing they do is “prayers for the people.”
Consider these four discussion questions about Church #48:
1. Someone asks us to sign their guestbook but then scrambles to find a pen. Though once common, guestbooks now seem archaic and carry privacy concerns.
What practices do you need to change because they no longer fit today’s culture?
2. A friend invites us to sit with her and her husband. The leader gives some announcements and then asks for more. After others share, our friend stands and introduces us to the crowd. It’s a nice gesture.
How can you introduce new people to others and thereby reduce their discomfort?
3. After a song they offer “prayers for the people.” The leader opens and then pauses. After a bit of silence, someone else prays, and a few more follow. I like their approach, effectively sharing with each other as they talk to God.
How can you make group prayer more meaningful and less awkward?
4. Afterward we stay for coffee and cookies. We linger for forty-five minutes before heading home, happy for our time at church today.
What should you change so that people want to tarry and enjoy Christian community?
[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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