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Quality Matters

Quality Matters

Word From Wiese

Opening Doors Lenten Journey, 2026

Discussion Guide #2

Writer: Pastor Wes

4 March 2026

This Lenten season, our WFW emails are a bit different. Instead of a reflection, they are discussion guides about Opening Doors.

As we celebrate Jesus going to Holy Week to break open the doors of death, sin, and despair, we want to explore how as Christians and a congregation, we can do the best job we can of opening doors of faith for our family and neighbors.

So, check out the questions below and see what you think. If you want, you can go the COS YouTube channel to check out Sunday’s sermon which launches the conversation. Thanks for being a part of the door-opening God’s leading this Lent!

In Christ’s hope,

P Fritz

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FOR THE GROUP

God’s blessings on the second week of our Lenten journey. Please use the following as a personal devotional or a small group discussion guide. Typical groups will meet for 30 minutes. But if your group members mutually agree to talk longer, go for it. Figure out what works best for your group: having one person answer each question in turn, or everyone chiming in. You’ll figure it out!

Leader note: please designate someone a note taker. We’ll gladly receive any summary notes and points you want to pass on to us at [email protected].

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“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

  • THANKS everyone for making time to be part of what God is doing in our “Opening Doors” Lenten series. Thank you, leader, for pulling this group together.

Let’s Get Started! Let’s warm up quickly. Share your name and what service at COS you attend most frequently.

Opening prayer: Thanks God for gathering us together for these fun and holy 30 minutes. It’s no fun when we experience dead ends or locked doors. We praise you, therefore, for Jesus opening the doors of life, joy, and meaning for us. Send your Holy Spirit upon us as we discuss how all of us at COS, in grateful response, can play our parts in opening doors of hope and grace for others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discuss these questions from this Sunday’s preacher, Pastor Wes:

  1. As you read the chapter, what grabbed your attention, and why do you think it hit home?
  2. Take a moment to think about our physical space at Christ Our Shepherd. Better yet, imagine walking through the building, inside and out, like you’re seeing it for the first time. What feels welcoming and intentional? What feels a little cluttered, worn, or overlooked?
  3. Let’s talk about the life of our congregation and the quality of what we do. This might feel a little vulnerable, but how would you honestly describe our preaching, music, education, and ministries? Where do we shine? And if you weren’t already committed to church, would you find them meaningful and engaging?
  4. Think back to when you’ve visited other churches. What was that like for you? Was there anything that really impressed you? Anything that left you feeling confused or frustrated?
  5. If you could change just one thing about how we “do church,” what would it be? Where could we grow in a way that would make a real difference for someone walking through our doors for the first time?
  6. Bonus question: What hasn’t been explored in this discussion that you would like to share?
  7. Video reflection: Last week, author Dave Daubert suggested that instead of just inviting a friend to church, we could adjust our invitation. “I know you enjoy making a difference. My church is currently involved in (share the project/mission/service project). Would you like to join me?” In Sunday’s video, we heard Mary Brunso explain our disaster recovery work trips. Would you ever consider inviting a friend to join you on this? If not, which mission/serviced project might work for you?

Action please:

Group leader, what are 2-3 key points that emerged from your conversation? Please send them to [email protected]. We want to listen to what the Holy Spirit might be telling us this Lent as we make future plans for opening doors the best we can.

Future Topics: Please know we’ve got more important upcoming conversations to discuss. (Next week: Knowing Our Story. Then: Addressing Our Fears & Offering Tools, The Power of With) So keep engaged. Keep reading along in The Invitational Christian. YOUR participation adds richly to our overall experience.

Closing Prayer: Gracious and welcoming God, you are the one who first welcomed us, before we cleaned anything up, before we had the right words, before we even knew what we believed. As we reflect on who we are as a church, our spaces, our worship, our ministries, and the way we live out our calling, give us honest eyes and gracious hearts. Help us to see clearly without defensiveness and to grow without losing sight of your grace. Where we are strong, deepen our gratitude; where we are worn or cluttered, renew and refine us. Shape us into a community where hope is proclaimed, faith is formed, and welcome is genuine. Keep us mindful of the visitor, the curious, and the searching, remembering that we too were once standing at an open door. Ground us always in Christ, who welcomes, shepherds, and sends us. Amen.

Thanks everyone! See you next week!