You may have been in a Pattern group for years or have recently started one, but we would encourage you to continue to invest regularly in each other in the season ahead. In a time that can be isolating and confusing, creating time and space to reflect and prayerfully contend for one another is key as we continue to seek to lead Spirit-filled lives growing towards Jesus.

story

Intentionally choosing to stop and honestly reflect over our stories of the past season of lockdown and the global pandemic gives us the chance to identify significant moments - the good ones, the painful ones, the disappointing ones, the momentous ones, the confusing ones - that have led to where we are now. It’s a chance to better understand ourselves and how God has been at work in our lives.

Using the same principles and the timeline you will have used to share your stories when you started your Pattern group, reflect and share the story of the past season since March with each other.  

As we reflect on our stories – no matter what they contain – we are reminded that they are drawn up into a larger story by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a story that is travelling towards a beautiful end, which gives us vision and purpose for our lives today.

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PATTERN

‘Pattern’ invites you to set about forming patterns of living that shape you, in order that you might shape the world around you.

In this season of uncertainty and constant change, we want to help each other fill our days with spirit-filled patterns of living that will help us grow towards Jesus during these unusual times. This kind of “life architecture” is traditionally called a Rule of Life. Take this opportunity to create a Rule of Life for the first time, or to prayerfully return to the one you have already created and adapt it where necessary for the coming season.

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CONTEND

Finally, ‘Contend’ and is all about prayerfully and practically contending for a move of the Spirit in each other’s lives. This stage puts prayer at the centre of everything, acknowledging that transformation into the likeness of Jesus does not come from our will power but from His power at work in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Commit to a time each month to meet, in-person if possible, or online. You might want to ask each other some of the following questions:

  • Where have you seen God at work in your life in the past month?

  • How did you experience God’s presence through your practices?

  • How have you been shaped by the practices?

  • What differences did the practices make to those around you?

  • What is the Spirit stirring and wanting to grow in you in this season?

  • What unhealthy patterns or habits have you adopted and what practices will help you refocus on Jesus?

    Finish by contending for one another in prayer, asking that the Holy Spirit would fill each of you in the month ahead.