North Cincy Friends & Family,

I hope this guide will serve as a helpful resource as we seek to continue to meet together (Heb. 10:23-25) by gathering as families or groups of friends. The following are some suggested guidelines for how to utilize this worship guide:

• Someone in your group (your choice) will function as the liturgist to keep things going. The liturgy is really as simple as reading along (though do look it over ahead of time if possible and lead with energy and passion).

• Similar to our experience of gathering on Sunday mornings, you will find suggested songs for us to sing each week. The Lyrics for these songs are included in the flow of the worship guide, as well a link for you to play a recording of the son. For those who have the ability to lead singing using a keyboard, piano, or guitar, we have also included a link to a lead sheet with chords and lyrics.

• When you get to “the message” portion, please play the sermon on a TV / large screen.

• After the sermon we’ll have a short time for conversational prayers of Thanksgiving (things you want to give praise for that God has done) and Supplication (things you are asking God to supply or provide). When the leader determines it is time to conclude this time that person can close the time by simply saying “Amen.” Here are a few guidelines for this time.

• feel the freedom to pray with brevity in a sentence or two rather than in longer paragraphs

• feel the freedom to pray simply, as God is not impressed with big words, and understand even the internal cries of our hearts.

• feel the freedom to pray multiple times (in the same way you aren’t limited to speaking once in a conversation

• feel the freedom to pray in response to what you’ve heard from the Scriptures or what others are praying around you.

• Included below you will also find a Discussion Guide included for personal reflection or group discussion. Please feel to use this as you see fit, whether that is as part of your house worship time or not.

 (Children’s / Family Resources)

Prelude:  

Call to Worship (Psalm 34:1–3)

Leader: I will bless the LORD at all times.

All: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Leader: My soul makes its boast in the LORD.

All: Let the humble hear and be glad.

Leader: Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

All: And let us exalt his name together!

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism Q. 1

LEADER: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

ALL: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sin with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. (BOLD)

Confession – (read together with those gathered with you)

Heavenly Father, As we come to you today to confess our weakness and rebellion against you, we thank you that you have chosen to love desperate sinners like ourselves. Your love and determination to rescue us from our sin gives us the courage to admit the profound depravity of our desires, thoughts, and actions. We are people who want our kingdoms to come and our will to be done. Holy Spirit, teach us to delight in our salvation. Humble us and teach us to submit to your will in all things at all times. Amen. 

From “Knowing God’s Will” in Prone to Wander by Dugid & Houk

Assurance of Pardon (2 Corinthians 5:21) – (have the leader read)

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

 Zephaniah 3:17

Doxology  

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen.  

DISCUSSION GUIDE:

1. In every sphere of life (at home, at work, and in our country) it is critical to understand “who is in charge” and “how did those leaders get put in charge”. This is equally true in the church. Why is it so important to understand God’s authority structure in the church? What do we lose when we fail to embrace or understand Jesus’ teaching on the authority of the church?

2. Church’s leaders ultimately derive their authority from Jesus and are responsible to only exercise that authority within the realm and according to the limits of Jesus’ direction. Why is this so important? What happens when church leaders move beyond the realm of spiritual authority, to other spheres such as to political or civil matters.

3. Like parents, church leaders have real authority given to them by Christ, but they are also fallible and fallen as well. Why are the implications of this truth for church leaders? What are the implications of this truth for church members?

4. Some of us have been deeply hurt and/or disappointed by church leaders who failed to lead and live like Jesus. How does the truth that Jesus is the builder and ultimate authority of the church help you to navigate pain of these past experiences?

5. In a culture of self-determination, what are the personal benefits of having leaders in a local church who help to determine your “spiritual diagnosis” and assisting us in growing in our spiritual health? What are some personal benefits you or others have experienced?

6. The purpose of the church’s authority is ultimately to further the advance of God’s kingdom. Describe the differences between operating out of a mindset and lifestyle of “self-preservation” as Christians versus a mind-set and life-style that seeks to advance God’s kingdom.