In The In-Between, He Restores My Soul
(Psalm 23)
(Leader: This guide is written so you can read it aloud like a “script” with the intent to serve and resource you. Anywhere you see parentheses and “Leader:” is an attempt to give you helpful guidance or tips.)
Sermon Recap
(Leader: To begin, you may choose to have someone in your group read aloud Psalm 23:1-3, offer some space for silence, then you continue reading through the recap).
Psalm 23:1-3 MSG
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Space for Relational Care
In the series, In the In-between, He Restores My Soul, we are being invited personally and collectively to “catch our breath.” This week, we’ve been invited to focus on creating space for relational care—finding restoration not just “in us” but also “between us.”
Shared Life. It is not uncommon to find ourselves feeling lonely, or like we don’t belong. It takes courage to share our griefs and struggles, and to receive love and support from other people. And yet, the church is called into a shared life, and that means more than sharing stories about the past, it means bearing the weight of one another’s present.
This sort of community requires safety, and for many, healing. Some have experienced betrayal, deep sorrow from church hurt, or scars from past relationships. In an attempt to protect ourselves from pain, we often respond to those experiences by walling off our hearts. This is not to be taken lightly or glossed over in the name of “community.” Hopefully, slowly and over time, we are met by a tender God who shepherds, cares, heals, and helps us remove barriers from experiencing the gift of community.
Shared Mission. Like the early church, the shared life of community should naturally lead to a shared mission. Like Jesus, they stood at the margins, not for transactional mission but for relational mission. With the love of Jesus as the source, a community that loves one another reaches out in love too—practicing resurrection life.
Practices for Tonight
Tonight we are going to continue the discussion around community, shared life, and shared mission. Let’s work through the following questions together:
What sticks out to you from Acts 2:42-47? What would an “Acts 2 church community” look like today?
How have you experienced “shared life” and “shared mission” in the church (or outside of the church)? What elements of that do you find in your own life?
What obstacles do you think are in the way (you personally, or in general), keeping us from experiencing community the way God intended?
Is there someone in your life right now who you could encourage or express gratitude for the ways they have “lifted you up”? Is there any way the Spirit is leading you to respond in light of this conversation?
Before we end, let’s pray for God to open our hearts and hands to move toward creating space for relational care. If someone comes to mind, write down their name. You may decide to reach out to them this week. In prayer, and/or in caring, let yourself be surprised—taking an opportunity to “crowd surf”—lifting another off their feet.
(Leaders: You may choose to close the time of prayer with a reading of Psalm 23, or just the Message version of verse 3: “True to your word, you let me catch my breath.” Amen.)
Practice for the Week
Below is the list of questions that was used in the July retreat prayer gathering. Spend sometime this week with one or more of these questions. Whether you were at the event or not, can you think back to how you felt earlier this summer? How have your answers changed or added new dimension? After spending time in reflection, you may choose to connect with someone in the small group to share with.
Gratitude & Lament: In the past year, what is my: God, why didn’t you…? And God, Thank you for…”
Clarity: Where do I or Refuge need guidance?
Listen: Is there a word/phrase/image God wants to give me, and us?
Confession: Where do I need healing? Or as a community?
Character: In what ways is God inviting me to be more like Jesus? Or us as a community?
Petition: What am I yearning to see God do this year?
Envision: What does Refuge (our community) look like five years from now?
