4. Loving Newcastle

Generosity

Eat & Connect

CONNECTION ACTIVATION (20 MINS)

In twos or threes, perhaps the people next to you as you eat together, share the story of how you became a Christian. Sharing testimony with our Christian sisters and brothers isn't just interesting and encouraging, it’s also a great way to practise sharing with our not-yet Christian friends.

Worship

TESTIMONIES (10 MINS)

Any stories of God’s power at work this week? These can be your personal experience, or stories you’ve heard from others and want to share.

WORSHIP ACTIVATION (20 MINS)

Optional Discussion: What does lifting up our hands communicate?

Read out these verses:

Psalm 134:2

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:41 

“Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven”

Psalm 63:1-5 

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

Activity: Sing “Holy is the Lord (We stand and lift up our hands)” (YouTube, Spotify, lyrics) or the chorus of “The Stand (I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned)” (YouTube, Spotify, lyrics) together with your hands lifted up in worship to God.

After singing, with your hands still raised, give an opportunity for individuals to pray out and lift up praise (either spoken or sung) to God.

Bible

BIBLE STUDY (30 MINS)

Read Matthew 22:1-13.

How is the Kingdom of God like this parable? What does it tell us about God?

What does the parable tell us about the cross? (Being clothed at the King’s expense!)

In what ways can you get involved in St Thomas’ becoming a generous place of hospitality? Could you volunteer to be on the Open Church team during the week, for example?

Like the servants, you too can invite people to the feast. Which three people are you inviting to come and find out more about Jesus?

How are you going to be generous in giving away what God has given you this year?

Prayer

RESPONSE (10 MINS)

Take some time to think about your neighbours and the people you spend your day with.

Is there anyone this week that you could pray for and show acts of random kindness to?

PRAYER (20 MINS)

Pray the Lord’s Prayer together, pay special attention to the words in bold.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Thank God that we get to give from a place of having received so much from Him.

Spend some time thanking God for His generosity towards you and ask Him to show you anything as a small group that you could do.