Wesley Notes

[Rev. Ellen Ely]

Good morning friends,

 

Attached and copied into this email you will find the Wesley Study Notes to prepare you for our worship this Sunday morning. We will continue to worship online only, with the service available on our website at 10am. Remember also – Virtual Coffee time at 9:30. That link is also available on our website and I hope you will consider joining us then. If you have a neighbor or friend who does not have internet or a computer, consider inviting them to your home to participate together on Sunday mornings. Just remember to keep the group small  (preferably 10 persons or less) and maintain social distancing. This is a time when isolation is really difficult for those who live alone. Keep that in mind.

 

If you are not involved in a small group such as a Wesley Study group, this is a great time to begin. With Sunday School classes unable to meet, we don’t want you to lose connection with one another and starting a new group would help provide more conversation and study during these strange days when we cannot meet together. I am leading a Wesley Study group on Thursdays and many others can be started at convenient times for you. While zoom isn’t always the preferred format, I’m thankful it provides a way for us to pray and study together. You can gather in neighborhood groups, friends and family (they don’t necessarily have to be from our church), or many other small group formations, but I would encourage you to keep it small – no more than 12-15 so discussion can involve all participants. For more information, call one of your pastors. We’d love to help get you connected! Again, remember that isolation is not a good friend right now.

 

Blessings

Ellen

 

Rev. Ellen Ely

Senior Pastor

First United Methodist Church

1101 Bluebonnet Dr.

Marble Falls, TX 78654

(830) 693-4341 Office

(830) 265-0761 Cell

 

Wesley Groups Study Lesson

Week of July 12, 2020

Scripture: Genesis 7:17-24

Countdown of Our Favorites!

Theme: “God’s Re-Boot”

 

Opening Prayer:

Dear God, each time we study a familiar story, we are reminded that we don’t really remember every detail the way we think we did. Clear our minds and open our hearts to the power of your Holy Spirit to hear and embrace what you want for us in this lesson this week. Amen.

 

Overview:  This week we continue our sermon series: “Our Favorite Bible Stories” Thanks to all who voted! This week we study the 3^rd favorite Old Testament story: Noah and the Ark

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Read the lesson. Now go back and read starting with 6:1 and read through to 9:17. That second reading gives you the context of the whole story do you can then focus on the lesson for today – 7:17-24.
2. What character traits did Noah have? Why did God wish to destroy his creation with a flood? Why did he choose Noah to be the one to build the ark and be a participant in his greater plan?
3. Do you think it was easy for Noah to experience this special calling on his life? What challenges did he face in fulfilling that calling?
4. Do you see a parallel in today’s culture with the events surrounding Noah’s calling? What would happen today if someone started building an ark in their back yard?
5. If these events were happening today, how would we respond? What opportunities would we have? With COVID, what opportunities might we have to move forward serving those in need right here in our community?

 

Closing Thoughts on Scripture Lesson: Discuss anything else that you noticed in this lesson that speaks to you, or anything that jumped out at you for the first time.

 

Sharing of Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

 

Closing Prayer: Mighty God, may we have the courage and perseverance of Noah. Help us to hear whatever call you place on our life, and to move forward, embracing it to make a difference in our community and world. Amen!