Breaking Ground
What are you most looking forward to this fall? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we finished our series Boundless Church, where we’ve been exploring what it means for Element3 to become a centered-set community. As a final reminder:
- Bounded-set churches define who’s included by whether or not they share a set, clearly defined, & strict list of similarities (the same doctrinal beliefs, race, cultural background, socioeconomic status, political views, etc); while excluding those who deviate from these shared characteristics.
- Centered-set churches define who’s included solely by their relationship to Jesus Christ as our shared center. Moreover, they direct members to focus less on assimilating to shared characteristics & more on whether they’re moving towards their shared center.
How do you understand these two visions of church now that we’ve reached the end of this series? Where have you been most challenged by this centered-set vision? Where have you been most encouraged?
As we head into the fall, we’re shifting our focus from calling out boundaries to keeping Jesus as the center of our community; especially through the continuous study of his example, the strengthening of our interpersonal relationships, & the continued willingness to have deep conversations.
Why does remaining a centered-set church require ongoing commitment & work? Which boundaries do you think E3 will have to continuously watch for as we strive to live out this vision moving forward?
Next, read Philippians 2:1-11. Here, Paul (in reverse order) lays out both the center of the Church & how that center shapes its life together. In particular, Paul looks to Christ’s example of servanthood as both the model & engine that empowers the Church to be a community defined by the attributes he describes in verses 1-4: tender, compassionate, like-minded, united, loving, selfless, humble, open-handed, other-focused, & generous.
How does looking to Christ’s example as its center (as described in verses 5-11) empower the Church to develop these different attributes in its life together?
Which attributes do you presently find easy to embody at E3? Which are you presently struggling to embody at E3? Why do you think that is?
How can you increasingly adopt Christ’s model & help foster this vision of a centered-set church in your relationships & actions during this next season? How can your growth group help you grow in the ways that you’ve identified?
Coming Out of the Hole
This week, set aside time to reflect on how you can help E3 further live into this centered-set vision of church over our next season of life together.
- Where are you doing life with others at E3 in an intimate & authentic way? Are those relationships helping you become more healthy & grow?
- Where are you currently engaging in hard, open, honest conversations within the church? How is this helping you tear down the boundaries in your own life?
- If you aren’t doing these things regularly, then what’s holding you back? How can you lean into the E3 community & build up these intimate relationships within the community? How would this help both you & others as we strive to become a centered-set community together?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Centered-Set Church: Discipleship & Community Without Judgmentalism by Mark D. Baker
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, August 25th: Join us next Sunday for BAPTISM SUNDAY!
* Please see mye3.org for details.