Kingdom Community Primer
Set the Table
(before the gathering)
Communion: Have elements ready (bread and juice).
Atmosphere: Consider worship music to encourage quiet reflection.
Prayer: Take a moment to stop, pray, and prepare your heart before the Lord.
Bible: Have your Bible present and ready.
KINGDOM COMMUNITY
Conversation and Connection that Honors the Lord
(45 minutes)
Shared Meal: Facilitate the shared meal if the group is participating (consider sharing the act of cooking by inviting everyone to contribute each week).
Conversation: This is the time when people can get to know each other and learn about the daily events in each other's lives.
PURSUING THE PRESENCE
Partake in Communion
(15 minutes)
If you don’t already have a Communion liturgy, invite someone to read Philippians 2:5–11, then take a moment of silence to worship Jesus in humility.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Take a moment to worship Christ for his humility, obedience, and glory.
Encourage quiet reflection.
Explain: “We take communion to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and proclaim His death until He returns. 1 Cor. 11:26
Take the Bread & Cup:
Bread: “And He [Jesus] took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” - Luke 22:19 (Eat together)
Cup: “And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” - Luke 22:20 (Drink together)
Close in Prayer: “Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice. Help us walk in Your grace and love. Amen.”
TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
Read and Discuss
(45 minutes)
Read: 1 Corinthians 7:17–24 (ESV):
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Leader Note: Questions such as “what do you not like?” are designed to encourage conversation about difficult parts of scripture or to better identify what is misunderstood about scripture. Sometimes simply recognizing discomfort may lead to a greater understanding. Do not feel responsible for removing discomfort or explaining. To avoid "fixing" behaviors, set the tone for the group by saying, "It's okay to feel this way; we don't need to fix it. We are here to be honest and open, not to fill the role of the Holy Spirit.”
What did you like from the scripture?
What did you not like from the scripture?
What did you learn about God?
What did you learn about yourself?
What decisions are you being challenged to make?
SACRIFICIAL MISSION
Serve Together
(10 minutes)
Leader Note: This is an opportunity to teach the group about the many things that encompass “Sacrificial Mission,” such as how our church serves the nations through mission trips and the all people project, how we serve the community through Serve Saturday, Neighborhood Network, refugee ministry, and Go Week, the difference between tithes and offerings, and how Sacrificial Mission is more than money. This is not a space to create shame or pride - it is designed to create dialog among brothers and sisters who love one another and may have questions. As we grow in spiritual maturity together, part of development requires teaching and sometimes accountability. We can have honest and vulnerable conversations with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Did you know New Song Church is able to reach so many because of generosity?
Serving: As followers of Jesus, we’re called to use our gifts to build up the body of Christ and bless the world around us. Serving isn’t just something we do, it’s one of the ways God shapes our character, deepens our relationships, and helps us live out our faith in practical ways. When small groups serve together, we become a visible expression of God’s love in our city, strengthening our unity and joining in His mission. If you’re looking for a way to grow, connect, and make an impact, serving as a group is one of the best places to start.
The Difference Between Tithes and Offerings: Tithes and offerings are both biblical forms of giving, but they serve different purposes and reflect distinct spiritual practices. A tithe, from the Hebrew word maʿăśēr, means “a tenth” and refers to giving 10% of one’s income to God. This principle is first seen in Genesis 14:20 with Abram giving a tenth to Melchizedek and later codified in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 27:30). Tithing represents an act of obedience and trust—acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God and returning a portion as an act of worship. Offerings, on the other hand, are gifts given freely beyond the tithe. They are not fixed in amount and are often expressions of generosity or faith in response to specific needs or as prompted by the Holy Spirit. Offerings appear throughout Scripture in many forms, such as freewill offerings, sacrificial giving, or gifts for the poor or for the building of the temple (Exodus 35:29; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
Generosity: What does generosity look like in your life?
Optional Prayer (Giving Liturgy): Heavenly Father, everything I have is from you. You are the owner of all things. My money and possessions are rentals to be stewarded in love for the sake of others. Jesus generously gave himself on my behalf, and as His apprentice, I am learning to live my life in the key of extravagant generosity. I am committed to following the pattern of Christ in all areas of my life. To take what you have given me and use it only for myself is the way of the world. You have called me to swim against selfishness and to live sacrificially, making your Kingdom my priority. I desire to be a person of increasing, mindful, and joyful generosity until no one is in need among us. I yield to the transformative power of Christ in me. Amen.
PRAYER
Bring it Home
(5 minutes)
Pray: Close in prayer
Prayer Requests: You can collect prayer requests, have members put them in GroupMe, or pray over the known and unknown needs of the group.
Release: Group is over—consider discussing the practice of group members assisting in clean-up before leaving. This is a way of serving and honoring the hosting family/person.