Collective Renewal

COLLECTIVE RENEWAL

CONNECT - for mid-week/Home League groups

Fellowship Session - Psalms

When God renews one person, the blessing ripples outward!

Summary

Share a time of welcome and fellowship
Create a patchwork of renewal
This year let’s ask God not only to refresh our personal faith but also to breathe new life into our church family and community

Organise some tea and cake to accompany your group discussion
Cut out some coloured hexagons from card and have an A3/A2 presentation card, glue and pens
Print Psalm 51 extract for members and cut out the questions (optional)
Print out a copy of the Renewal prayer for members or display on a screen
Display a printed map of your community plus sticky notes and pens

Additional resources

Psalm 51 extract
Renewal prayer

Please be aware of allergies.

January often signals new beginnings, resolutions and the hope of better habits for the year ahead. But we know that our renewal is not a solo journey; how much better do we stick to things when we have people to help us along the way. And not only that, but our changes can also inspire others too.

In the well-known verses in Psalm 51:10, David prays for God to

‘create in [him] a pure heart’.

David goes on to say that then he will ‘

teach transgressors [God’s] ways, so that sinners will turn back to [God].’

When God renews one person, the blessing ripples outward – to family, friends, and the whole church. Just as David’s transformation inspired others (Psalm 51:13), our own renewal can become a spark for communal renewal.

As this might be the first time your group meets this year, create a time of welcome and fellowship as you discuss the following questions – ideally with tea and cake!

What are your resolutions for this year?
What was something new you learned last year?
Was there a new person you became friends with last year?
What word or image comes to mind when you think of new beginnings?
Does the fresh start of a new year excite you?

PATCHWORK OF RENEWAL

Create a patchwork of renewal. Give each member a couple of hexagons and ask them to write on them key words of the stories where they have seen God’s redemption in their own lives. Help them think about all the different ways God brings new life and new friends, through a community of prayer.

Stick the hexagons, connecting the edges, on to an A3/A2 presentation card. Talk about how hearing and sharing our stories together helps us see more of God’s redeeming work.

Pray and discuss how God is moving within the church community.

DISCUSS

Share the Psalm 51 extract together. Discuss the following questions. You may wish to make this a group activity and cut out the questions into strips, to be done in any order.

If your heart could speak to God today, what would it say?
What does ‘a clean heart’ mean for you today?
How can our church family experience renewal together this year?
Who could you encourage or bless as they begin something new?
How can we help each other experience spiritual renewal this year?
When have you seen God use another person to renew your faith or hope?

COMMUNITY PRAYERS

Print out a map that reflects your community, where people live, work and hang out. Ask members to write prayers for renewal on sticky notes and stick them on those places around the community.

Renewal is one of God’s most beautiful promises. It’s more than a January new start; it’s a deep, Spirit-led transformation that draws us closer to God and to one another. When David prayed,

‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’

(Psalm 51:10)

he was asking for more than personal forgiveness. He longed for a restored relationship – with God and with his community. Renewal that begins in one heart often grows into renewal among many.

In every season of life, God invites his people to be agents of restoration. When we share our stories of redemption, pray for one another and serve together, we become living stories of his grace. Like pieces of a patchwork quilt, each of our renewed lives contributes to a greater whole – vivid evidence that God is still at work among us.

This year let’s ask God not only to refresh our personal faith but also to breathe new life into our church family and community. May our worship, kindness and unity reflect his renewing power – turning our collective hearts toward his light.

‘He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”’

(Revelation 21:5)

PRAYER

Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew a right spirit within us.

May our renewal be shared, strengthening our friendships, our families and our church.

Make us a community where your grace overflows.

Amen

SASB 367 ‘I am a new creation’
- Brass instrumental lyric video by Keston Stanford (1:44)
- Lyric video by Parkside Evangelical Church (2:39)
- Lyric video by Highlands Presby (3:22)
SASB 497 ‘I want, dear Lord, a heart that’s true and clean’
- A cappella (no lyrics) video by KwaSizabantu Mission (1:58)
- Congregational lyric video by Squirrel 24 (2:02)
- Piano instrumental lyric video by The Salvation Army Songbook (1:09)
‘Clean’ by Hillsong
- Lyric video by Gospel Classic Lyrics (2:29)
‘Build your Kingdom here’ by Rend Collective
- Lyric video by Hadleigh Baptist Church (4:18)
- Lyric video adapted from the official video by Mr Lyrics (4:16)
‘The Blessing’
- Lyric video ft Kari Job and Cody Carnes by music meets heaven (11:06)
- Video (press cc for lyrics) by The UK Blessing (6:46)