We’ve developed discussion questions to go along with our Lent-Easter Catalyst Conversations for your discussion group. This series was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we hope that as churches and communities plan for the Lent and Easter season, these questions will help your group think through ways to invite new people into relationship with Jesus Christ and his community of believers.
We’d love to know what you’re doing to welcome new people at Easter or any time of the year! Email us at catalyst@foundationforevangelism.org or share on social media @FFEvangelism.
Video #1- Nashville Area
Discussion Questions:
- As you think about what you have planned for Lent and Easter, what do you hope people experience? Will your current plans facilitate this goal? If not, how can you tweak or reverse engineer the events with this goal in mind?
- Rev. Slowery shares about the intentionality of creating and advertising ministries and events that could connect with people dealing with a wide range of circumstances and life events. Her congregation wants their guests to know there is place for them and the church cares. How will you let guest know about upcoming opportunities or areas where they might find greater connection?
- We spend so much energy gearing up for major holiday celebrations that we are often exhausted and reduce activity once the season is over. This is understandable, but don’t we hope that people will respond and come back? How do we balance self-care with a plan to engage those who want to make a connection after the holiday?
- Rev. Ssebulime shares his struggle of wanting to measure effectiveness through counting and metrics while also just trying to be available for people without an ulterior motive or agenda. What could that look like for you personally, and in the life of your church? What relationships is God nudging you to build on?
Video #2 – Western NC Area
Discussion Questions:
- Rev. Nicole Jones shares the importance of looking for God in the ordinary. Does your congregation practice looking for and naming the ways they experience God in the everyday?
- Rev. Jo Schonewolf talks about finding ways to connect to people who are “through with religion” and engaging with them in everyday life like volunteer opportunities in the community or online. Does your church currently provide ways to do this? Have you experienced this personally? What opportunities can you think of?
- Rev. Jones describes visitors as a gift from God. It isn’t their responsibility to become like us, but our privilege to meet them where they are. Does your congregation share that mindset? Why/why not?
- There tends to be more openness to church and the Gospel message around important holidays like Christmas and Easter. How does your church attempt to reach out and connect with those who normally do not attend church or participate in a faith community? Do you have a plan to continue engagement with them after Easter?
