[scroll down to see this month's Explore Together material, or read on to find out what Explore Together is like.]
Introduction
Explore Together is an event that usually happens on the third Sunday of every month, at 9am, repeated at 10.30am. We don't livestream this service - but we do give those at home a flavour of what happens so that they can join in, too. The layout of this service is different to other Sundays - to make it easier for people to move around: we have mats and beanbags in the middle for families to sit on and some chairs around for those who need them.
Explore Together starts with some worship led by the band; then we introduce the Bible passage for the day and some key questions for us all to be asking God as we seek to listen to him through that passage.
For the middle section of the service, people can wonder round the different zones, listening to God in a quiet zone, a busy zone, a colour zone, a word zone or a chat zone. The different zones recognise that we each have different 'learning styles' - some learn best through quiet contemplation, some through discussion, some through being busy with their hands whilst chatting, some through studying etc. God can speak to us in each of those ways.
We'll then draw back together to share what we feel God has been saying to us, before praying and worshipping God in song some more.
For a longer explanation about why we hold Explore Together services - see this blog post. Why not come along and try it out? We'd love to have you join us - it genuinely is for all ages, not just for children. And it's really informal and accessible to everyone, whether or not you're used to church.
Introduction
Explore Together is an event that usually happens on the third Sunday of every month, at 9am, repeated at 10.30am. We don't livestream this service - but we do give those at home a flavour of what happens so that they can join in, too. The layout of this service is different to other Sundays - to make it easier for people to move around: we have mats and beanbags in the middle for families to sit on and some chairs around for those who need them.
Explore Together starts with some worship led by the band; then we introduce the Bible passage for the day and some key questions for us all to be asking God as we seek to listen to him through that passage.
For the middle section of the service, people can wonder round the different zones, listening to God in a quiet zone, a busy zone, a colour zone, a word zone or a chat zone. The different zones recognise that we each have different 'learning styles' - some learn best through quiet contemplation, some through discussion, some through being busy with their hands whilst chatting, some through studying etc. God can speak to us in each of those ways.
We'll then draw back together to share what we feel God has been saying to us, before praying and worshipping God in song some more.
For a longer explanation about why we hold Explore Together services - see this blog post. Why not come along and try it out? We'd love to have you join us - it genuinely is for all ages, not just for children. And it's really informal and accessible to everyone, whether or not you're used to church.
Sunday 15th May - Colossians 3.12-17
Worship God by joining in with Forever God is faithful and Everbody's welcome [NB we adapt the lyrics to make it clear that God is present with those at home as well as those in a church building!]
Then read through Colossians 3.12-17 - maybe in a variety of versions
There's so much in this Bible passage - maybe just choose one phrase or verse to focus on.
Do something to reflect on that phrase or verse - you could draw, write, sit quietly, make, discuss with others. As you do so, ponder on these questions:
Here's some specific ideas of things you could do as you ponder on these questions:
Worship God again - For all that you have done for us
Worship God by joining in with Forever God is faithful and Everbody's welcome [NB we adapt the lyrics to make it clear that God is present with those at home as well as those in a church building!]
Then read through Colossians 3.12-17 - maybe in a variety of versions
There's so much in this Bible passage - maybe just choose one phrase or verse to focus on.
Do something to reflect on that phrase or verse - you could draw, write, sit quietly, make, discuss with others. As you do so, ponder on these questions:
- Which word or phrase jumps out to you?
- What is God saying to you through that?
- How are you going to respond to that this week?
Here's some specific ideas of things you could do as you ponder on these questions:
- Pray for our church fellowship that we'd demonstrate the qualities mentioned in this passage
- Paul (who wrote this) was a tent-maker. Build a den of some sort and sit in it. What is your "whatever you do" in v17 - an office, a shop, a home, a school ...? How can you do "whatever you do in the name of the Lord Jesus?"
- Draw a body. Think about people you know in church. Which part of the body do you think they are? Why? Which part do you think you are? Why?
- Watch a Bible study on the passage.
Worship God again - For all that you have done for us