A Christian Challenge
(Hold a Christ-Centered Encouragement Group)
1) Gather 3 or more people.
2) Sit in a circle.
3) Explain the guidelines.
(Let’s all listen to Jesus. If you feel an inner prompting that aligns with the Bible, obey it. For example, Christ may prompt you to share a Bible verse, a testimony, an insight, an encouraging word for someone, a prayer, or a confession, or even to start a worship song — according to the pattern of 1 Corinthians 14:26. Please keep in mind that Jesus wants to be free to speak through various ones of us, so when you share keep it short so that others can have time to share. Don’t share just because you want to but because you feel Christ prompting you to.)
4) Have someone pray and ask Jesus to lead the group by speaking to each person present and telling them what He wants them to say.
5) Listen to and obey Jesus and watch how He begins to lead the group through the various people present.
6) Oversee the meeting like an official in football or basketball. Let it freely flow. If someone begins to take over the meeting by talking too long, say, “Thanks for sharing. Who else has something to share?” If something is said or done out of order (or that causes conflict or divisiveness), thank the person for sharing, gently and humbly correct whatever disagreed with the Bible, and turn the meeting back over to Jesus by saying “Who else feels led to share?”
7) When people stop sharing, a good way to end the gathering is to say: Let’s close by whoever feels led praying.
If you are close to Nashville, you can see this in action at Chile Burrito, 330 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN every Saturday morning at 8:30. (Or google: Beyond Church Ekklesia.)
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 