Omega Course Session Outlines

September 1999 First Church of Christ, Unionville, CT By: The Rev. Tom Burlington, D. Min. tburlington@macconnect.com

FIRST BASE: "WHERE IS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Goal: Reflecting upon our Relationship with God Activities: First Base Bible Study (Where on the bases are you?) Mentoring Manual - take home? Session #1: Personal Faith Journey - Part 1 I. Worship - 15 minutes A. Prayer B. Quieting Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Why did you want to do Omega? B. Introduction - Omega Powerpoint Handouts - 10 minutes III. Nurture A. Text for the Day: Rev. 1:4-8 Scriptures, use p. 28 Bible study from mentoring manual B. Sanctuary Meditation First Base Study Handout - 25 minutes C. Listening to One another - Mentoring Manual pp. 1-2 6 minutes D. Our relationship with the Trinity - Mentoring Manual 1. Theme # 1 God p. 13 8 minutes 2. Theme # 2 Jesus p. 14 8 minutes 3. Theme # 3 Holy Spirit p. 15 8 minutes IV. Service - 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. To Do: 1. Reading: Doing Church as a Team, chapters 1,2,3 "How does this reading inform my faith journey?" (What am I learning?) 2. Watch the Jesus Video 3. Meditative Resource for this week … 1. HOPE pamphlet (5 Blessings) 1 Tim. 2: 1-7 2. Psalms o The purpose of your salvation wasn't given to you as a gift for just you personally! Our faith in Jesus gives God a beachhead in whatever territory we currently belong. Now God has a vessel through which He can bless that geographical area . o Every disciple must learn leadership - the world is at stake. Disciples must prepare in the desert to lead in the valley o Leadership - art of influencing others to accomplish a Mission by providing Purpose, Direction, and Motivation.

FIRST BASE: "HOW IS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?" Goal: Realizing where we get stuck and How God frees us Activity: Mentoring Manual - home? Read pp. 100-103 from Miracle in Darian as intro. To Rev. Readings Read Chapters 4 & 5 in the book of Revelations Sanctuary Session # 2: Personal Faith Journey - Part 2 I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: John 1: 12 2. Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) - 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture A. Mentoring Manual 1. Theme # 4 - Forgiveness of Sins p. 16 2. Theme # 5 - Resurrection of the Body p. 17 3. Theme # 6 - Life Everlasting p. 18 B. Sanctuary Meditation Book of Revelation - Chapters 4 & 5 - 30 minutes After they have time to read over it, take them on guided imagery following chapters 3 & 4 C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Miracle in Darien - pp. 100-103 2. Give the Jesus Video to a Relative 3. Meditative Resource for this week … Alpha pamphlet - Why Jesus 4. Network of Relationships - Handout Pray for them, Who does God want you to pray for?

SECOND BASE: "HOW CAN I HEAR GOD'S DIRECTION?" Goal: Practicing the Tools of Faith to be able to hear God's guidance Session # 3: Tools for the Journey - Part 1 I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Luke 11:1 (teach us to pray - listen!) 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring manual, p. 25 1. Theme # 1 - Worship p. 26 2. Theme # 2 - Prayer p. 27 Using the Psalms B. Sanctuary Meditation: "Jesus in My Living room" C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Introduction Guide to Listening Prayer 2. Give the Jesus Video to a Friend 3. Reading: Miracle in Darien - Part I 4. Meditative Resource for this week … My Heart, Christ's Home Psalms

SECOND BASE: "HOW CAN I SEE/FEEL/HEAR GOD'S DIRECTION?" Session # 4: Tools for the Journey - Part 2 Goal: More ways to hear God's guidance I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Matthew 6:21 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual 1. Theme # 3 - Scripture, p. 28 2. Theme # 5 - Giving, p. 30 B. Sanctuary Meditation: "Where Do I Find it in the bible?" Using Am. Bible Society handout & p. 28 of Manual for format to follow. C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Miracle in Darien - Part II 2. Keep praying about who to give the Jesus Video to 3. Meditative Resource for this week … a. Miracle Hour Booklet b. Psalms c. Ask God Questions Week!: (Watch for words, pictures, feelings, day dreams, etc.)

THIRD BASE: "HOW CAN I INVITE OTHERS TO TAKE THE JOURNEY?" Session # 5: Inviting Others on the Journey - Part 1 Goal: Listening to Others & Praying for others I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Mark 2:17 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual, p. 52 - Finding a Prayer Partner 1. Active Listening Training 2. Theme # 1 - 6, p. 33 / Inviting & Faith Sharing B. Sanctuary Meditation: Miracle Hour Booklet (pick a section and reflect) C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Miracle in Darien - Part III 2. Give the Jesus Video to a Neighbor 3. Ask someone the question: "When did God first become meaningful in your life?" D. Meditative Resource for this week … 1. Prayer - Care - Share - Section 1

Third Base Session # 6: Inviting Others on the Journey - Part 2 Goal: Finding a Prayer Partner and Mentoring with Others I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Matthew 25:14-30 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual, p. 52 B. Sanctuary Meditation: Using Prayer/Care/Share book C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life D. Meditative Resource for this week … 10 minutes IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Q. & A. - A Summary of Biblical Teachings 2. Invite someone to: Worship, Group/Mentor, Alpha/Omega, a Ministry 3. Prayer - Care - Share - Section 2

RETREAT DAY - LISTENING TO GOD DAY! Goal: Practice different ways to listen to God Realize that we can use these anywhere and time, not just when on retreat! I. Worship - 9 A. Tour of the Building & Grounds - places to be quiet, bathrooms, soda machines, pictures (Mercy Center - in a Circle) 30 minutes 9:30 B. Opening Prayer Time - Hopes & Expectations - "I came here today because…" II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 9:40 How are you Today - Children on the Tree? 10 minutes III. Nurture 9:50 Introduction to Process - 20 minutes 1. Text to introduce the day: Matthew 14:23 2. Today will practice 3 ways to Listen to God: NATURE, SCRIPTURE, WITHIN SELF 10 A. Listening to God in Nature - 60 minutes Handout Listening Sheet from Simsbury Retreat 10:30 - What did you experience? Open Forum on Nature Any questions, stories? 11 B. Listening to God in Scriptures - 30 minutes 1. Psalms 2. Gospel Lesson 3. Epistle / Revelation - What did you experience? 15 minutes Open Forum on Scriptures 15 minutes 12:00-2:00 Lunch & Free Time 2:00 C. Listening to God Within (Prayer, Care, Share) - 60 minutes 1. Resource: "Jesus in My Living Room" Developing a Prayer-Care-Share Lifestyle See / Hear / Feel a. What is God Saying to you Today? b. What do you plan to do about it? c. When & Where can you take time to listen to God? Reflections together: 2's / All 3:00 - What did you experience? - 30 minutes Open Forum on Listening to God Within: Your reflections on the day so far… IV. Service 20 minutes 3:30 D. Listening to God in Thanksgiving (Symbol for the day?) (How to apply today to my Life) 1. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" 2. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" [KEYS TO THE KINGDOM?!] "What Stage are you in?" Prayer, Care or Share (at: Home, Work, School, Neighbors) 4:00 Worship: With Alpha folks 20 minutes 1. How was your day - sharing back and forth between groups 2. Worship Service (Or Sharing of Symbols and Thanksgivings!) (15 minutes) 4:30 Clean Up and Going Home

Home Plate Session # 7 - Gifts for the Journey - Part 1 Goal: Learning about our Spiritual Gifts and Motivated Abilities I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Ephesians 4:7-13 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual, p. 40 1. Theme # 1 - Spiritual Gifts, p. 41 2. Theme # 2 - Motivated Abilities, p. 42 B. Sanctuary Meditation: Where have I used these in my life? Might I use them? C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Doing Church as a Team - Chapters 4, 5 2. Begin to notice your own gifts and be thankful 3. Meditative Resource for this week … Prayer-Care-Share - Section 3

Home Plate Session # 8 - Gifts for the Journey - Part 2 Goal: Learning about our Gifts through Life, Myers-Briggs, and Behavioral Categories I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Ephesians 2: 4-10 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual 1. Theme # 1 - Life's Journey, p. 43 2. Theme # 2 - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, p. 44 3. Theme # 3 - Behavioral Categories, p. 45 B. Sanctuary Meditation: Where have I used these in my life? Might I use them? C. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Doing Church as a Team - Chapters 6, 7 2. Begin to notice the gifts in others 3. Meditative Resource for this week … A Guide to Prayer for All God's People

Home Plate Session # 9 - Gifts for the Journey - Part 3 I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: 2 Timothy 2: 1-3 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that... 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. Mentoring Manual 1. Gifts Matrix, p. 46 2. My Call, p. 47 & 48 B. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: (If not finished you get to do it orally!) 1. Reading: Use time to finish your "Faith & Ministry papers." 2. Share with others the gifts you see in them 3. Meditative Resource for this week … My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers D. Faith & Ministry Papers due next week, will be using them with partners to share!

Home Plate Session # 10 - The Story of My Journey (Faith & Ministry Paper due!) Goal: Sharing Reflections on your Faith and Ministry Paper I. Worship - 10 minutes A. Quiet time with God 1. Text for the Day: Philemon 1:4-7 2, Psalms B. Opening Prayer II. Fellowship - Partners (2's or 3's) 10 minutes A. Where are you Today James 1:19 B. What did you do this week, that you wish you hadn't James 5:16 "By your confession - you are forgiven. Amen." C. Open Forum: Any questions, stories? 20 minutes 1. Reading - I learned or relearned that… 2. Connections - How do you experience God working through you this week? 3. How have prayer guides been helpful? III. Nurture 30 minutes A. My Faith and Ministry Paper, p. 49 1. Partners read each others 2. Disciple Checklist & Feedback side 3. Open Forum on feedback B. Where can I apply this stuff this week in my life? What's Next: Do your Ministry IV. Service 10 minutes A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage?" Prayer - Care - Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Reading: Doing Church as a Team - Chapters 8,9 2. Pretend that you'll meet Jesus in someone today and watch for Him! 3. Meditative Resource for this week … a. Life Transformation Group Questions b. "What is God calling me to be about and do?"

CELEBRATION SUPPER The Story of My Journey 6:30 I. Worship -Gathering & Opening Prayer 6:40 II. Fellowship - Supper Together 7:30 III. Nurture Hebrews 12:1 1 Peter: 2:9 A. Partners talk about what's next - their hopes and dreams 20 minutes (10 for each partner) B. Sharing of hopes and dreams with the rest of the teams 20 minutes (time for all to share) C. Make a list of those you plan to pray for and invite to the next Omega 10 minutes (5 each) 8:20 IV. Service A. Personal: "How would you like the power to Jesus to touch your life today?" B. World: "How does Jesus want to touch the world through you this week?" "Who are you praying God's blessings upon?" "What Stage are you in?" Prayer, Care or Share (Home, Work, School, Neighbors) C. To Do: 1. Read the Bible 5 days a week 2. Notice each day, who it is that Jesus wants to touch through you!