Plan A: End Goal

Written By Wesley Wood

IT IS OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE A SAFE AND ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT. WE WILL NOT ALWAYS AGREE BUT WE CAN ALWAYS CHOOSE OUR RESPONSES.
CHOOSE LOVE.

Opening

  • Begin with prayer, inviting God’s Spirit to open hearts.

  • What’s one funny or memorable moment when someone studied instructions but didn’t follow through?

Scripture Readings: Read aloud as a group. Pause to reflect.

  • John 13:34–35

  • Luke 14:12–14

  • Acts 2:42–47

Key Themes

  1. Love is the Mark of our Apprenticeship – Jesus didn’t say people will know us by knowledge or rituals, but by love.

  2. Christlike Love is Disruptive – The early church’s radical love turned the world upside down.

  3. Hospitality as Christlike Love – The table is sacred space where walls come down and relationships form.

  4. Doing, Not Just Knowing – Apprenticeship to Jesus means living out love, not just discussing it.

Discussion Questions

Personal Reflection

  1. When you think of how Jesus loved people, what story from the gospels stands out to you most, and why?

  2. Jesus commands us to love as He has loved us (John 13:34). How does this challenge your current rhythms of faith?

  3. Which is easier for you — knowing Scripture or putting it into practice? Why do you think that is?

  4. What barriers make it difficult for you to open your home, table, or life to others?

Communal Reflection

  1. How could our small group practice hospitality in a way that reflects Jesus’ love this season?

  2. The early church was known for loving not only their own poor but also outsiders. How could we embody that in Belleville today?

  3. Richard Rohr says: “We do not think our way into a new way of living – we live our way into a new way of thinking.” How do you react?

  4. What would it look like for REUNION Belleville to be known not just as “church attenders” but as Christlike lovers in our city?

Application & Practices

  • This Week’s Practice: Host or share a meal. Invite someone outside your immediate circle to your table (at home, a coffee shop, or even during a break at work).

  • Communal Action: Brainstorm one way your group can serve others in Belleville together (neighbors, schools, shelters, community needs).

Closing

  • Each person shares one word about what God is calling them to do in love this week.

  • Pray that God would give courage to live love disruptively in ordinary spaces.

Wesley Wood https://www.reunionbelleville.com
Next

Plan A: Become