Primer Guide 6: Service

FAMILY

COMMUNION

Review the practice so far (10 min)

Let’s take some time to talk about some of the topics we discussed last week by considering these questions, one at a time:

• Looking back on last week’s exercise of Listening, Forgiving, and Staying, what moment—big or small—stood out to you? Did anything from that night linger with you during the week?

• As you think about our Community life together, which of these three exercises feels most natural for you right now, and which one feels most challenging? What might it look like for us to grow in that area together?

Facilitator Note: Set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer is up, move on to the next section.

Read this Overview (2 min)

Our vision at Reflection Church is “in Boonton as it is in Heaven.” We long for our town to reflect the Kingdom of God because God’s people are present here, following the way of Jesus. As a Community we are on a shared journey to become people of love and compassion—caring for our neighbors. We are called to be a living example—a foretaste—of what Jesus intends for all creation.

Practically, our Community will commit one week each month to Service: seeking God’s justice and renewal for those who have experienced injustice and brokenness across our town. Service for us is not only about action but relationship. We pursue Justice in ways that grow kinship—embracing our neighbors and those on the margins as if they were family. Kinship pulls us into proximate, transforming relationships where assumptions and power are replaced by kindness, care, and humility.

Tonight, we are taking our first step in the journey—discerning and engaging a Community Service. Our exercise for tonight is to pray and talk through a step-by-step guide for starting and committing to a monthly Service. This can look like dedicating one night a month to serving the unhoused, preparing meals for a family in need, or building supportive relationships with at-risk families in our area. No matter what we choose, we don’t want this rhythm of Service to simply become something we do; rather, we want it to shape who we are. We don’t want to become like service providers, but like family. We want to take spiritual responsibility for our part of town, praying and working to see God’s Kingdom come and his will be done—in Boonton, as it is in Heaven.

Exercise for tonight (30 min)

Let’s begin our exercise for tonight by sharing what matters to us.

1. What matters to us?

As we consider our monthly Service, each of us carries a number of values and desires. While we won’t be able to fulfill each of them, it is important to take some time to name them. Some examples of this that are common in Communities include: our availability, an opportunity for all to participate, the inclusion of kids, or having a particular focus (e.g. kids in foster care, families in need, incarcerated adults, the unhoused, etc.).

As we consider what matters to us, what comes to mind? (8 min)

2. What are our limitations?

Another helpful category to guide our conversation is one of resources. When we consider engaging a Service, it’s important to be honest about what we really can offer together. What is our collective availability, possible financial contribution, or our ability to commit to a certain opportunity over time (e.g. 6 months, a year, etc.)?

As we consider our limitations, what comes to mind? (5 min)

3. Start Somewhere

If there isn’t a clear desire that the whole group can agree on, let’s just pick something to try for 6 months! Reflection has some local partners right here in Boonton that are always looking for volunteers:

• Fishes and Loaves (a local food pantry—an opportunity to help stock, pack, and distribute food to neighbors in need)

• Boonton Green Team (opportunities to care for our town through clean-up efforts around Boonton)

As we consider these options, what stands out to us? (8 min)

4. Who can coordinate?

It is vital to have one or two people coordinating our Community’s Service. The role is to be the liaison between the Community and the partner organization/area of service. These individuals would help coordinate details, such as making sure people know when and where to be each night we serve. The vision is for this role to be owned by someone who isn’t also serving as a Community Leader.

Does anyone feel interested in being our Service Coordinator? (4 min)

5. Prayer

We would be missing something massive if we didn’t talk about prayer. We believe that prayer is more than just good thoughts or feelings—prayer actually changes reality. So as we move closer to our neighbors through Service, let’s also commit to holding them before God in prayer.

I’m going to read off four separate prayer prompts, one at a time. After each prompt, we will all pray aloud at the same time in response to that prompt. Let’s begin by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath. [Pause]

Now, let’s pray: (5 min)

• that God would move our hearts to compassion and action

• that God would raise up his people—in our church and in our town—to do justice

• that God would make us into the kinds of people who pursue kinship with our neighbors

Exercise for the week ahead (3 min)

As our discussion about leadership in our Community continues, let’s remember how valuable it is to acknowledge the gifts and characteristics we see in one another, even if our relationships are still new.

This week, our exercise is to reach out to someone in our group and share a quality you appreciate in them. With Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians in mind—“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”—let’s strive to foster a group defined by mutual support and encouragement.