Shine Like Stars - Connect Groups
Introduction
Introduction
As 2024 rolls around it’s time to take to the skies and shine like stars! This month we ask: what does it mean to reflect the light of God in the lives around about us? We begin by taking time to sit in the transforming quiet with God. What do we see when we find a place to sit in wonder and lift our eyes to the Lord?
In that divine space we consider how we are tuning in to what God is telling as at the start of this new year. We think about what it means to be the eager questioning children that Jesus welcomes to come to him. Then, after looking up to God and down into our hearts we look out and reflect on our role as stars in the glittering constellations of God’s love shining for the world to see.
Overview
Starting on Hogmanay, week one has us doing a deep dive on Psalm 27, an ancient poem of longing, faith and hope. In the second week we turn to Paul’s timeless invitation to shine like stars in Philippians 2: 14-18, and look up to the source of our light. In week three we move from looking to listening, as we reflect on tuning in to what God is telling us at the start of this year. In the fourth week we take some time simply to be, to rediscover a childlike wonder in our relationship with God and in the final week our gaze is turned outwards as we emerge, renewed to shine in our generation.
SEEDS TO SOW: We have a 'Seeds to Sow' phrase at the beginning of each section. These are open-ended and optional and are designed for people wanting to develop their own ideas/resources in response to the material. Perhaps if using this material as a group you could use these prompts to inspire a time of prayer, or drawing, or creative writing? They are intended to be short and sweet, simply a starting off place for you and your imagination, be encouraged to tailor/develop as suits your group.
Download the Discussion Questions as a PDF
These discussion questions adapt our monthly theme for small Connect Groups or personal Bible study. The questions are divided into 5 parts to correspond with the 5weeks of the Daily Worship theme. They are offered as a guideline and there is no need to go through all the given questions in a single session, or in the following sequence. Feel free to pick and choose, or adapt to what interests you or your group.
