CELL NOTES 10/5/10 

ICE BREAKER 

Recount a memorable journey you have made.

THEME 

The Communion of saints

Reading Rom 15 : 23 - 33

SERMON OUTLINE 

1) The reading can be summarised as “Paul’s travel plans.”

2) Take the analogy of our Christian journeys being similar to an air-flight. The recent turmoil with volcanic ash has underlined how many people we are in fact dependant on when we fly.. Similarly we owe much to many others on our Christian journey, and yet we may be only dimly aware of them.

3) The Communion of saints is brothers and sisters who have gone before us, told us about Jesus, left a legacy (e.g. hymns) that we will draw on.

4) Similarly we leave a legacy for future generations.

5) In practical terms the Communion of saints is expressed as we learn from and share in the lives of others – e.g. David Kereto, and the way  part of our Parish Share is used to bless poorer parishes.

6)  In the reading Paul refers to the Practical (v26) and spiritual ( v30) aspects of this communion.

7) We have a challenge as to how we express this communion, in real ways, in the life of All Saints – how is our personal and practical involvement expressed? How much are we spurring each other on, as members of a team?

8) The role of time. “I believe in…..” implies giving time for others, before putting my own interests first.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION 

1) Read the passage. What hits you?  What impression do you get of the Apostle Paul?

2) Looking at your schedule over the last month, what would you say have been your ambitions and priorities?

3) How is your part in the Body of Christ expressed? Are there new or fuller ways this could be developed?

4) Use some time to pray for issues facing Christians elsewhere, at home, or in the life of All Saints, as a way of expressing membership of “The Communion of saints.”