HOME CHURCH GUIDE
In this season where our Church is unable to gather as a whole family for worship, we’re seeking to equip our Restoration family for God’s work among them – right where they are. That’s what Home Church is all about: giving you tools to gather with community groups or other believers (*safely* in person or online) for a shared experience of worship with the whole Restoration family. Below, you’ll find three movements of worship together: Worship (praise and prayer), Word (opening the Scriptures), and Witness (talking it out and living it out. So whether with a community group or a friend or two, let’s worship together! (Kids Resources Here!)
WORSHIP: PRAISE AND PRAYER
Worship is the continual process of orienting our hearts around that which we value most. Each Sunday, we worship in song and prayer to offer our hearts and allegience to Jesus, who alone is worthy of our praise. In your Home Churches, we encourage worship through the use of the video below or by worship in person. If you cannot participate through song in your group, spend time answering this question:
What do I have to praise God for this week?
Prayer for the week:
God of creation, today we enter your story. With Jesus as our guide, we step into the awe and mystery before us. Spirit, lead us into abundance and beauty.
As we remain in step with you, we walk through the terrain of scripture. You are breathing life, speaking truth, and unveiling wisdom. Keep us under your wing.
Illuminate the words of scripture to shine as a beacon pointing us to the Word made flesh—Jesus, our source of life. We love and trust you. In your name, amen.
WITNESS: TALK AND LIVE IT OUT
This Week’s Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13
Whether among your community group or a few friends over Zoom, we want to challenge you to move beyond just knowledge and information and into practicing the way of Jesus in your everyday life! But we do this together. Below you’ll find some questions to discuss, as well as next steps for living it out!
- As we see in Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is alive and active… because the Spirit of God is alive and active through it. How would you descirbe the difference between reading the Bible about God and reading the Bible with God?
- In Hebrews 4:13, we’re reminded that nothing in all of creation is hidden from God. How might this verse be interpreted differently based upon how we understand God’s character? How might it be seen through the lens of love?
- The Bible isn’t just given to simply inform us, but to form us (Romans 12:2). In what ways has the Story of Scripture reshaped the way you see the world we find ourselves in today?
Practice: Let the Bible Read You.  Every time we open our Bibles, the first thing we should do is invite it’s Author – the Spirit of God – to teach, challenge, encourage, and form the way we see our world. As you engage the Scriptures this week, don’t just read them. Let them read you. What are the things that the Spirit is revealing to you about yourself? Slow down, pay attention, and be expectant for God to speak!Â
Resources:Â
The Bible Project: How To Read The Bible Series
Eat This Book By Eugene Peterson
Reminder: If you’re in a Home Church, talk through your plan. (HomeGroupPlanningGuide)