Posts with the category “coregroup-discussion-guides”
Why? Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Parker Patton and Sherrill Wall on November 10th, 2024
WelcomeIn the first part of this sermon series, we looked at the story of Job and the question, “Will we receive good from God but not also receive bad?” In part 2 we looked at the first conversation between Job and Eliphaz focusing on the question, “What is the purpose of suffering?” This week we are moving on in the conversation between Job and his friends to ask the question, “Is God fair or ju... Read More
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Why? Discussion Guide - Week 2
by Sherrill Wall and Parker Patton on November 2nd, 2024
WelcomeLast week we began our study of Job with an overview of his story. Job was a very successful man – loved and respected by his family, well thought of in his community and among his employees and servants, and a man of great material means. When suddenly, for no apparent reason, he lost everything, including his health. After what may have been years of suffering and loss, all was restored.... Read More
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Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
by Parker Patton and Sherrill Wall on October 27th, 2024
WelcomeWelcome to a new sermon series, this time on the book of Job! This series focuses on deep existential questions, such as the infamous question of “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This week, we’ll examine our motives in loving God and try to get to the heart of why we truly love and worship God.Opening PrayerHey God, thank you for the opportunity to get together with this group and... Read More
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Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Christopher Burford and Denee Bowers on October 20th, 2024
WelcomeWelcome, friends. This is the third and final week of the series called “We Hold These Truths: Centering Jesus in a Divisive Political Season.” In the first week, we discussed the two myths which incorrectly suggested that Jesus was not political, and that Jesus was partisan. Last week, we focused our attention on an important commandment that Jesus gave which was to love God with our w... Read More
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Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2
by Denee Bowers and Christopher Burford on October 12th, 2024
WelcomeAs the election draws closer the appearance of political signs in yards and windows is becoming more and more common. Raise your hand if you’ve ever judged your neighbor based on their political signs….just kidding! You don’t have to raise your hand. Lets just trust that most of us have done this once or twice. This week we will shift our views from political issues and look at how Jesus wa... Read More
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Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1
by Christopher Burford and Denee Bowers on October 6th, 2024
WelcomeThis week, we begin a new series called “Hold These Truths: Centering Jesus in a Divisive Political Season.” The series is timely as we head into the November election season. It is safe to say at this point that we are being totally inundated with mailings, emails, social media posts, commercials, and water cooler talks with friends, family, and coworkers. It may be hard to find gentle thi... Read More
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Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
by Denee Bowers and Parker Patton on September 30th, 2024
Welcome“We talkin about practice. Not a game. We talkin about practice.”In 2002, Allen Iverson, a professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers, sat down at a press conference and said the word practice 22 times (if you’ve never seen the clip, you can watch it here). Iverson did not want to talk about practice, but that’s exactly what we are going to do this week. While it may not be g... Read More
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Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Written by Parker Patton and Denee Bowers on September 22nd, 2024
WelcomeWe’ve been talking about sharing our faith in this sermon series. This week, let’s focus on exactly who we are trying to share our faith with, and how we know when to share. We will examine a few of the ways Jesus shared with others to help inform the ways we share.Opening PrayerDear God, thank you for this time together as a group. We pray you will bless this conversation and help us to un... Read More
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Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2
by Denee Bowers and Parker Patton on September 13th, 2024
WelcomeLast week we talked about the reasons why it is important to share our faith with others. This week we move on to thinking about the content of our message. Despite countless examples of pushy Christians, there is a way to share your faith that is compassionate, honest, and authentic. Our hope is that this conversation can help each of us discover what this could look like for ourselves.Ope... Read More
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Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1
by Parker Patton and Denee Bowers on September 7th, 2024
WelcomeWelcome back to another season of CoreGroups at The Gathering! We’re so excited you’re here and becoming a deeper part of this community. Our first sermon series this semester is focused on a faith Worth Sharing. This week we will focus on why we should share, followed by what we should share and how we should share it.We are looking forward to another wonderful year of discussions and woul... Read More
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Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 5
by Christopher Burford and Sherrill Wall on June 2nd, 2024
WelcomeIn the time between 626-612 BC, there was great instability and uncertainty among nations due to powerful armies laying waste and destruction on places that included parts of Israel. It is said that these armies were ruthless to an extent never seen before and terror itself was weaponized. Instead of turning to God for help and guidance, the Bible tells us that the Israelites relied more on... Read More
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Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
by Sherrill Wall and Christopher Burford on May 26th, 2024
WelcomeWelcome! Ready for another Uncomfortable Truth? Our study of the Minor Prophets, a group of individuals who delivered specific messages from God to the people of Israel, has given us an opportunity to confront the same kinds of behaviors and communal practices that still exist today. These include practices related to the way in which we extend equitable mercy and justice to others, how w... Read More
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Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Christopher Burford and Sherrill Wall on May 19th, 2024
WelcomeHave you ever experienced an event when you witnessed a friend struggle with a life issue and a thought of “glad that's not me” enters your mind? You may have noticed it from a distance or learned about it from another person. That experience is usually followed by a feeling of relief and maybe even a prayer of thankfulness to not be in that situation. The uncomfortable truth though is that... Read More
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Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2
by Sherrill Wall and Christopher Burford on May 11th, 2024
WelcomeLast week we began a study of some of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. Amos was one of the individuals who spoke some uncomfortable truths to Israel regarding harmful and hurtful practices that had become common within the community. Pastor Charity asked us to consider who it is in our individual lives who might speak uncomfortable truths to us and how we do at receiving such news. ... Read More
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Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1
by Christopher Burford and Sherrill Wall on May 5th, 2024
WelcomeOk, we need to talk. It’s time to get honest. You may not want to hear it, but something needs to be said. Ugh. We have all had times like these when someone is about to tell us some difficult news. Those times are usually not fun, but the information is often something we need to hear. This week, we are starting a new series called Uncomfortable Truths. It is a series intended to challenge... Read More
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Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
by Parker Patton and Denee Bowers on April 28th, 2024
WelcomeIt’s our final week of the Screen Time series! We’ve discussed lots of topics, including binge-streaming and tuning out the world, social media and unhealthy comparisons, dualistic thinking (believing that things can only be black or white), and the impact of each of these things on our mental health, relationships, and faith. This week, we’ll talk about how we can decipher between the “tru... Read More
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Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Denee Bowers and Parker Patton on April 21st, 2024
WelcomeTechnology has made our world more connected today than it has ever been in the history of civilization. The pandemic helped us improve and embrace the ways we can communicate virtually. If your job suddenly became completely remote or you were supervising a kid in Zoom school, you also experienced the shortcomings of virtual interactions. There are both tangible and intangible parts of in-... Read More
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Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2
by Written by Parker Patton and Denee Bowers on April 14th, 2024
WelcomeYou can’t do a sermon series on Screen Time without talking about social media. “Doom scrolling” – spending too much time endlessly scrolling and focusing on the negative things you see on social media – has become an epidemic in our culture today. It’s so easy to get lost in a feed of entertaining videos, products you HAVE to buy, photos of peoples’ “perfect” lives, distressing news from a... Read More
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Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1
by Denee Bowers and Parker Patton on April 7th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Screen Time - Part 1Written by Denee Bowers and Parker PattonWelcomeDualistic thinking, or black and white thinking, is a common type of reasoning where we see only two distinct options. For example, we may think something is entirely good or entirely bad, and there is nothing in between. This can easily be the way we view technology. In the Bible, though, Jesus regularly invites... Read More
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Easter Discussion Guide
by Jenny Huffman on April 5th, 2024
WelcomeHappy Easter! This week we are reflecting on the Resurrection, the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus and the central belief of our Christian faith. But first, a quick wrap-up from last month.Ice BreakerIn our previous sermon series, we learned about the disciples of Jesus, his entourage, his crew. Each of these people taught us something different about what it means to follow Jesus. I... Read More
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Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5
by Jenny Huffman, Dan Hutti, Parker Patton on March 24th, 2024
WelcomeThis is the fifth and final week of the Entourage series. How has God spoken to you through this series so far? Which of these well known (and not so well known!) members of Jesus’ crew have been the most compelling to you in your own journey of following Jesus? In this final week of the series we focus our attention on Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ most beloved disciples.This is also Holy ... Read More
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Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4
by Parker Patton and Dan Hutti on March 17th, 2024
WelcomeWelcome to week 4 of our Entourage series, where we take a deeper look at the people surrounding Jesus during the last weeks leading up to his crucifixion. This week, we are focusing on Peter and the unexpected ways God works in our lives.Opening PrayerHey God, thank you for the opportunity to come together and focus on your presence in our lives today. As we discuss your friend Peter, stir... Read More
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Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3
by Sarah Turner on March 10th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Entourage - Week ThreeWritten by Dan Hutti and Parker PattonWelcomeThis week’s discussion guide continues to focus on Jesus’ entourage. We first discussed the sisters, Mary and Martha, then Judas, and now Simon of Cyrene and Joseph of Arimathea. The biblical descriptions of these two people are limited, but we can still learn from them and their sacrifices for Jesus. Let’s get st... Read More
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Entourage Discussion Guide - Week Two
by Parker Patton and Dan Hutti on March 1st, 2024
Written by Parker Patton and Dan Hutti WelcomeThis week during our sermon series Entourage, we will continue to explore the stories of the people who surrounded Jesus during his final days before the crucifixion. We now focus on one of the most infamous characters in the Bible, and certainly the most infamous of the disciples: Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. Opening PrayerHey God, than... Read More
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Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
by Dan Hutti and Parker Patton on February 25th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Entourage - Week OneWritten by Dan Hutti and Parker PattonWelcomeThis sermon series focuses on key people in Jesus' entourage. None of the people discussed in this sermon series are perfect, but they can all teach us something and help us in our pursuit of Jesus. This week we will focus on Mary and Martha, how they served Jesus, and what we can learn from their relationship with ... Read More
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Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion Guide
by Denee Bowers and Chris Burford on February 16th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Money Talks - Week ThreeWritten by Denee Bowers and Chris BurfordWelcomeWhew! We made it to the last week of our Money Talks series! We hope these three weeks have been a time of opening our hearts to new possibilities when it comes to money. We are ending by talking about generosity and impact. Scripture regularly reminds us that we can’t take our money and possessions with us w... Read More
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Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion Guide
by Chris Burford and Denee Bowers on February 10th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Money Talks - Week TwoWritten by Chris Burford and Denee BowersWelcomeIn 1979, a new book series began under an interesting theme. The series was called “Choose Your Own Adventure” and the reader would be thrown into the protagonist role in mysteries and in epic fantasy worlds. In every story, there would be multiple crossroads where decisions would need to be made at key point... Read More
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Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion Guide
by Denee Bowers and Chris Burford on February 4th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Money Talks - Week OneWritten by Denee Bowers and Chris BurfordWelcomeMoney is a part of all of our lives, but many of us were taught to never talk about it. It is a huge part of our day to day, but it can often feel like we are on our own when it comes to decision making around our finances. While many churches only talk about it when they are asking you to give, money and mater... Read More
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Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion Guide
by Sherrill Wall and Jenny Huffman on January 26th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Clean Slate - Week FourWritten by Sherrill Wall and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeThis is the final week of our series, Clean Slate. We began the series with the precept that less is often better. During that first week we were challenged to consider what things are essential – what we truly value and what activities simply keep us busy. Next, our thoughts focused on beginning any changes ... Read More
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Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion Guide
by Jenny Huffman and Sherrill Wall on January 19th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Clean Slate - Week ThreeWritten by Jenny Huffman and Sherrill WallWelcomeWe all have a rhythm to our life, a routine, parts of our day that always seem to happen whether we plan for them or not. Sometimes these routines are beneficial, but sometimes they are not! Sometimes we need a change, and change does not just happen. Meaningful change happens when we create new habits and w... Read More
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Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion Guide
by Sherrill Wall and Jenny Huffman on January 12th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Clean Slate - Week TwoWritten by Sherrill Wall and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeThis is the second week in our series Clean Slate, which offers an opportunity for change. Last week in the series opener, Pastor Matt suggested that less is better – that change in our lives requires subtraction first. We need to pare down to what is essential and focus on what is most important. Hopefully y... Read More
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Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion Guide
by Sherrill Wall and Jenny Huffman on January 5th, 2024
CoreGroup Guide | Clean Slate - Week OneWelcomeWelcome to a new year of CoreGroup discussions! Our first sermon series of the year is called Clean Slate: New Habits for a New Year. This series offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year – goals met, mistakes made, lessons learned, and places of gratitude. This is also an opportunity to look ahead at the year to come. What hopes and dr... Read More
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Simply Christmas - Week 4 Discussion Guide
by Sarah Turner on December 17th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | Simply Christmas - Week 4Guide written by Denee Bowers and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeWe are almost there, Christmas is nearly here (peep that Christmas Eve worship schedule if you haven’t already). It can be both an exciting and overwhelming time. So, it is fitting that this week we are focusing on grace. The grace God extends to us and the grace we can share with others. Opening Praye... Read More
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Simply Christmas - Week 3 Discussion Guide
by Denee Bowers and Jenny Huffman on December 8th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | Simply Christmas - Week 3Guide written by Denee Bowers and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeA simple truth about Christmas…it almost never goes exactly as planned. Things go off the rails and we are forced to deal with things we didn’t see coming. We can respond to these interruptions with stress and frustration, or we can take them as an opportunity to open ourselves up to God and those arou... Read More
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Simply Christmas - Week 2 Discussion Guide
by Denee Bowers and Jenny Huffman on December 4th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | Simply Christmas - Week 2Guide written by Denee Bowers and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeIn this series we are trying to shift our focus from all of the material parts of Christmas to the spiritual and relational opportunities God presents us with. If we are able to simplify things like gift giving and party planning we can create space for things like connecting with God and caring for th... Read More
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Simply Christmas - Week 1 Discussion Guide
by Denee Bowers on November 25th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | Simply Christmas - Week 1Guide written by Denee Bowers and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeIn the first week of this series we are thinking about being present. It can be easy to get caught up in gift giving, travel details, and party planning, but God is calling us to something much less complicated. This Christmas could look completely different if we are able to focus our minds and hearts... Read More
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One: Finding Unity in a Divided World - Week 3 Discussion Guide
by Sarah Turner on November 18th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | ONE: Finding Unity in a Divided World - Week 3Guide written by Dan HuttiWelcomeThis sermon series has focused on the concept of unity, which Pastor Matt defined as “maintaining a posture of love across difference.” This week we are discussing how to deal with division. What do we do in the face of division? Are our divisions more important than our relationships? In some cases, t... Read More
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ONE: Finding Unity in a Divided World - Week 2 Discussion Guide
by Chris Burford and Dan Hutti on November 10th, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | ONE: Finding Unity in a Divided World - Week 2Guide written by Chris Burford and Dan HuttiWelcomeNow this is a true story. In 1936, there was a man named Edward who fell in love with a woman who had been divorced twice. There was a policy in place at Edward's job that forbade them from marrying. So, Edward weighed the pros and cons of that job and decided to part ways in order... Read More
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ONE: Finding Unity in a Divided World - Week 1 Discussion Guide
by Dan Hutti and Chris Burford on November 3rd, 2023
CoreGroup Guide | ONE: Finding Unity in a World of Division - Week 1Guide written by Dan Hutti and Chris BurfordWelcomeIn a world that is so divided along cultural issues, politics, money, and faith, how do we find unity with people that are different than us? Does unity even matter? The Bible urges us to live in unity with one another but that seems impossible in a world of division. In this seri... Read More
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No Regrets - Week 4 Discussion Guide
by Sarah Turner on October 27th, 2023
Core Group Guide No Regrets - Week FourWritten by: Sherrill Wall & Jenny HuffmannWelcomeThis is the final week of our series, No Regrets. In this series we have looked at the way we handle mistakes, and we have considered three essential steps in moving forward in relationships with God and with others. The first step is recognizing and owning our mistakes. Pastor Charity defined obstacles we... Read More
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Recent
Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 4Explore - Week 3God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideSENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23Lent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7