Why Should Anyone Come to Church?

Word From Wiese

Opening Doors Lenten Journey, 2026

Discussion Guide #1

Writer: Pastor Fritz

25 February 2026

A curveball.

For WFW readers who don’t normally attend COS, this email devotional might be a curveball for you. Because it connects to our multi-faceted Lenten series.

But we hope you can hop on board too. 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 watch Sunday’s sermon from the COS YouTube channel which launches the conversation. From here on out, you’ll find the discussion guide we’re offering for small groups or families to use. Thanks for being a part of the door-opening God’s leading this Lent!

In Christ’s hope,

P Fritz

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God’s blessings on the first full 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!

If you are still searching for a discussion group, check out the kiosk at the church entryway. If travel is an issue, join Brad and Kendra Milburn’s Zoom group on Thursdays at 6:00 PM (Zoom link is available below) or Pastor Fritz’s Zoom group, Friday mornings from 10:00-10:30 AM. ID: 869 5240 3978. Password: “open” (Zoom link also available below).

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:

In his sermon, Pastor Fritz shared how many joyful aspects of his life evolved upon someone else’s invitation to him. Share how an invitation from someone else benefited you.
How would you personally describe one blessing you experience from being part of a faith community like COS?
Statistics tell us that fewer Americans are connected to a faith community. And that many connected members worship less frequently. Why do you think that is?
In his sermon, Pastor Fritz cited some reasons why Americans might find value in a faith community. What do you say? What are the top blessings you think others might experience at COS?
Describe how some Christians might try shame their neighbors or family members into participation. How does that work?
In the Sunday gospel, Jesus withstood temptations because he knew he was God’s beloved and was aware of God’s promises as captured in Scripture. Are these still powerful gifts for centering us in our lives today? What’s tough if you don’t know about identity and promises?
Pastor Fritz talked about two key teachings of Jesus that started with the initials, G.C. What are they? How are they connected? How do you feel COS does with both?
Pastor Dave Daubert of The Invitational Christian book suggests that we replace the question of “Would you like to come to church?” with “My congregation is working on (such and such) and I know you care about that. Would you be interested in helping?” Share your thoughts about that approach. What’s one COS ministry to which you might invite somebody?
Church demographer Ryan Burge suggests that today, while attendance and affiliation is down across Christian (and many other faith) communities, about 9% of Americans affiliate with a Christian mainline congregation, down from 18% in 2007. If connection continues to fall, and more congregations close, what will future families and communities miss out on that God currently provides through congregations? Are there both pros and cons to the changing reality?
Not all Christian denominations agree on theology and approach. Do you ever find yourself not talking about your faith because you don’t want to be confused with “other” Christians and possible negative connotations?How so? What would have to happen to change that?
Bonus question: What hasn’t been explored in this discussion that you would like to share?
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. (Quality Matters, Knowing Our Story, 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:

Dear Lord, thanks again for these holy moments, either with this small group of friends or by myself. Thanks for opening your doors of love to us. Inspire and guide us in opening doors to our family members, friends, and community in gentle and loving ways that please you. While you lead your Son to the cross of Holy Week, lead us to the cross-roads of where our family and neighbors live so we can help them see the open doors of your grace and opportunity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks everyone! See you next week!