Session 1
Church 2.0
Big Idea
The church goes from “doing” to “being” when it becomes about loving God, loving each other, and loving the world.
Ice Breaker
What have you purchased recently that had the words new, improved or 2.0 on it? Did that “new, improved, 2.0” product meet your needs?
Introduction
In many cases, church is usually something we “do”; we go to church, attend church, become church members, get active in church, and serve in church. To most people church is essentially an activity. This is what we are calling a 1.0 version of ourselves as a Christ-follower.
When “Christ-follower” becomes our primary identity, it is grounded in love: the love of God has laid hold of us, and all of life is a response to His love. Life becomes about loving Him, and loving Him makes us who we are. It changes us, transforms us, and defines us. At this point we move from “doing” church to “being” the church; from 1.0 to 2.0.
1. What would you define as Church 1.0 (“doing”) vs Church 2.0 (“being”)?
2. How have you lived out Church 1.0?
Read Acts 2:41-47 (The Message)
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
3. What was it about the early church that caused so many people to be “in awe” and caused God to “grow their number”?
4. How would living out Acts 2 look in your everyday life? What would need to change?
5. In what area of your life are you currently “doing” church? How is God calling you to grow into “being” the church in a particular area?
6. In what area of your life are you currently “being” the church?
READ Ephesians 3:17-19 (The Message)
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
7. What are some areas that you see people can help move Keystone from a 1.0 Church to a 2.0 Church?
What’s Next?
What’s one thing you could do this week to play your part in making Keystone a 2.0 Church?
Session 2
CELEBRATE 2.0
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s “What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
Celebrating is not just something we do: it’s who we are based on our love for God.
Ice Breaker
What is the best celebration you have ever experienced? Why?
Introduction
Often times we celebrate because, in the moment, it’s the right thing to “do.” In a church setting, we look around and it seems everyone is singing, clapping their hands, and celebrating together, so we join in. We tend to participate rather than celebrate. As a 1.0 celebrator we only do so because we are supposed to or in hopes that it will turn into something more.
As a 2.0 celebrator we sing, move, pray, and read because our God loves to hear us and in return we become filled with joy. Our God loves to hear the sound of our voices no matter how well we sing, read, or pray. Celebrating 2.0 is when communicating with God becomes a part of who we are rather than just something we do.
1. How would you classify the celebration you experience with God (at home, at church, in good times, and in bad times)? 1.0 or 2.0?
2. What would it take or what does it take for you to experience Celebrate 2.0?
Read Psalm 63:1-8 (The Message)
God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
3. What images does the Psalmist use to make his point?
4. Have you ever “hungered” for celebration with God?
5. Have you ever pictured God as being as present in your life as the Psalmist suggests?
6. What are some ways that you most effectively celebrate God in a unique, 2.0 kind of way (i.e. study of Scripture, prayer, a quiet walk, journaling, fasting, etc.)
What’s Next?
Is God waiting to hear from you or are you already experiencing Celebrate 2.0? If God is waiting, what steps are you going to take to grow in the area of Celebrate 2.0?
Session 3
CONNECT 2.0
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s “What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
Connecting is not just something we do: it’s who we are based on God’s love for the people in our lives.
Ice Breaker
Who was your best friend in elementary school? Middle school? High school?
Introduction
Remembering relationships past and current is a good way to realize the importance of relationships and helps us to realize what our life would be like without human connection. Connecting is a good thing to do: getting together with other
Christ-followers for support and encouragement, prayer and Bible study, building friendships, etc. But it’s meant to be more than what we do: it’s meant to be who we are.
Connecting moves from 1.0 to 2.0 when we realize and appreciate how much the people in our lives mean to God. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are more precious to God than we have any idea. God loves everybody and it makes Him happy when His children love each other and take care of one another.
The best connections are made when we spend time together outside of what we normally do: helping each other, encouraging each other, being there for each other and truly living life together. Connecting 2.0 is the kind of connecting where we begin to see others as God sees them; when connecting is a part of who we are.
1. Take time to share the times when you have connected with someone on a 2.0 level.
2. Where do you see room for growth in connecting in a 2.0 kind of way?
READ John 13:34-35 (The Message)
Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.
3. Give some examples of how we can love in such a way that people recognize that we are Christ-followers?
4. Where would you place your life on the scale below when it comes to connecting?
Connect 1.0 Connect 1.5 Connect 2.0
“What’s your name again?” “How are things going?” “How can I pray for you?”
What’s Next?
What changes can you make and implement this week to move from Connect 1.0 to Connect 2.0? How will people recognize you are a Christ-follower based on your love for others?
Session 4
CONTRIBUTE 2.0
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s “What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
Contributing is not just something we do: it’s who we are based on God’s love for world.
Ice Breaker
What body part would you not want to live without? Why?
Introduction
A body would function differently without one of its parts. It’s true that we can adjust and compensate for a missing part, but we were designed for all parts to function together. Some of us have gifts in areas that serve one need and others of us have entirely different gifts that may serve very different needs. In terms of contributing, we can have a number of reasons for playing our part: because we like to serve in our area of interests and gift set, because it makes us feel good about ourselves, because we get affirmation and approval from others for doing it, or because we get an income tax deduction. That’s ok, but if that’s why we contribute, it’s going to be just something we do. And contributing is meant to be more than what we do: it’s meant to be who we are.
God loved the world through giving of Himself sacrificially, and that’s what we can do when we contribute, too: giving of ourselves out of love for the world. Serving in Children’s Ministry is loving the world. Being a greeter is loving the world. Tithing is loving the world. Singing on stage is loving the world. Setting up chairs is loving the world. Pouring coffee is loving the world. Washing dishes is loving the world. Driving students to an event is loving the world. It’s not just what we do. It’s who we are. That’s contributing 2.0!
Read 1 Corinthians 12:27 (The Message)
You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything. You're familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his "body.”
1. Do you believe that God has designed each of us with unique gifts, talents and passion? Why or why not?
2. What talent or gift have you used to serve God and others most?
3. Is there a talent or gift that you have not used to serve God and others?
Contributing becomes who we are and not just what we do when we open ourselves to loving the world the way God does. For our contribution to move from 1.0 to 2.0 we have to contribute as a way of loving the world instead of just being something we do.
4. Do you have a favorite experience of contributing – what impact has that had on your life?
What’s Next?
What need do you know of right now (either in your church or in your community) that you have the ability to meet? What is holding you back from meeting it? Would doing something to meet this need move you from a 1.0 contributor to a 2.0 contributor?
LEADER COMMENTARY
Commentary
SESSION 1 – CHURCH 2.0
1. Answers will vary but some examples to consider are attending on Sundays and leaving without interacting with people would be 1.0 and engaging in the community at church and serving in a ministry area would be 2.0.
2. Answers will vary but may include not singing, not making friends at church, attending sporadically, and not tithing.
3. I’ve always been intrigued about the particular time in history that God chose to come to the earth as Jesus. He could have come at any time, but he came when there was no marketing, no fancy buildings, big parking lots, or polished programs. Not that those things are bad necessarily, but he chose to come into this world when things were a little simpler and mostly done through relationship. Church wasn’t an activity or task per say, it was lifestyle. As my 6 year old niece will tell you, “We didn’t go to church…we are the church.”
4. Answers will vary but for me living out Acts 2 would look like a daily routine of reading the Bible, playing some music on cd or on my guitar, engaging in intentional, spiritual conversations with others, being involved in a discussion group, and praying constantly for others with whom I interact.
5. Answers will vary. This will provide people an opportunity to begin sharing where they would like to grow over this next year. I know for me it is in the area of prayer. I struggle with having a consistent prayer life – listening to God’s Spirit. I want to go from doing to being when it comes to my prayer life.
6. Answers will vary. Being the church means we have a genuine life transformation. For me it has been financial generosity – I have a long ways to go in this area, but genuinely enjoy giving away money. And this has all been possible through my relationship with Jesus
7. Answers will vary. This question is giving people a chance to share growth areas for the church but really asking what are they going to do about it. How will they lead church towards spiritual growth and stronger dependency upon God as we become more and more Church 2.0.
SESSION 2 – CELEBRATE 2.0
1. Answers will vary. I love celebrating church and feel most connected with God through music. At home, I am often distracted and would consider my celebration at home a 1.0. In good times, it seems much easier to celebrate (2.0) and in bad times much more difficult (1.0).
2. Answers will vary. For me, it takes prayer, a good song that I already know the words to, and some times brokenness.
3. The Psalmist uses hunger to describe our yearning for celebration. Almost like wew can’t get enough and can’t hold it in all at the same time.
4. Answers will vary. I would say for me, I have definitely hungered for celebration but it’s often after a long lapse in celebration that I notice I am starving for it.
5. Answers will vary. I have definitely longed for a life where God is on my mind as much as food is one my mind. That my body and soul would crave God like it craves an all you can eat buffet.
6. Answers will vary. This one will easy for me, though: pray. I just need to pray before I attend and participate in our worship. Celebrate 2.0 is so dependent upon my willingness to hear from and God and to humbly approach His throne of grace.
SESSION 3 – CONNECT 2.0
1. Answers will vary. I have connected best in a one-on-one situation where trust was strong and we could share deeply personal things and pray for one another as well as hold each other accountable.
2. Answers will vary. I could benefit from a group of people to interact with on a spiritual accountability level. I would grow from interacting with others and reading the Bible together.
3. Answers will vary. Sacrifice is the biggest for me. I notice when people do random acts of kindness and it costs them something but they gain nothing from it. I know that kind of love does not come naturally.
4. Answers will vary. Be sure to get the reasons why.
SESSION 4 – CONTRIBUTE 2.0
1. Answers will vary. I definitely do but I also believe that we can develop in areas that we may not be strong. God helps us to grow and he uses our strengths to help other grow where they may be weak.
2. Answers will vary. I have served God best by caring for people. I am passionate about helping others and I know God has given me a gift of patience and understanding.
3. Answers will vary. I know I can develop a stronger backbone when it comes to standing for what’s right and facing conflict. God has really grown me in this area and I know that the conflict in my life is a direct opportunity to grow further in connecting and serving others.
4. Answers will vary. One of my favorite serving opportunities came when I was serving a homeless shelter in Atlanta, GA years ago. It was at this shelter where I got to connect the stories of the homeless with reality. I got the chance to converse with many who were looking for hope and I had the privilege of telling them about the hope of Christ.
