Sermon Tone Analysis

Thank you so much, Pastor Bill.

When Bill asked me to share a bit about my personal experience in a small group, I of all the point in his message, this one resonated with us.

Like you, my wife Stacy and I (show pic of family) – isn’t she beautiful – joined a group because we needed support through life’s challenges.

Within the first couple of months of our marriage, we moved 3,000 miles away from our loved ones, and needed support as we dealt with the challenges that come with two individuals uniting together as one.

And we found support through these individuals here.

(show pic of community group) )We did life with these people nearly week for 4 years.

We studied Scripture together, prayed together, celebrated together, served in ministry together – half of these people served with me in student ministry – and we cried together when one of the couples pictured here found out they could not bear children.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian church: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

In another letter, Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

We did this together week in and week out, and as we did so, Christ made us alive through his Spirit!

Paul wrote in one other letter, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

That simple!

– we encouraged one another, we loved one another, we supported each other through life’s struggles, and we built one another up in the name of Jesus!

And that’s why I am so excited to help you get connected into a 40 Days group – because I hope that every single one of you would experience what Stacy and I experienced in that group (point to pic)

Get started by inviting a few friends over to your home to start a group.

My team and I can walk with you every step of the way.

We’ve got the materials ready for you.

It’s biblical, it’s practical, and it’s transformative.

Now, if you’re thinking that nobody would want to come over to your house, then let me ask you to push pause on that thinking, because you might be surprised.

Everybody is longing for belonging.

Your friends are, your co-workers are, your fellow PTSA peers are, so invest your energy and invite them into the opportunity for life transformation in Christ.

Here’s how you do it:

Go to christjourney.org/40Days and click on either “I want to join a group,” “I want to lead a group,” or “I want to host a group.”

We have groups spread across our entire county on most every day and time during the week.

In fact, if you either lead or host a group, please stand.

We want to celebrate you!

Thank you for your faith and love.

I believe that God will bless each one of you to be blessing to others during the 40 Days of Community experience!

Let’s do this together!

My team and I will do our very best to get you connected to the group that works best for your schedule and stage of life.

But if we cannot, then host one.

You might be the very person who God wants to use to bring others into the community of faith!

Stop by the host table on your way out, or connect with us at groups@christjourney.org, or call us at 305…

We’re here for you!

Thank you, Bill!