Deuteronomy 6:4-12 (NIV)

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

¹⁰ When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, ¹¹ houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, ¹² be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

1. One God, One Church — Called to Wholeness and Unity

Moses reminds Israel that God is one whole, undivided, and calls His people to live the same way.

And the New Testament echoes this call, unity that flows from the nature of God into the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:3–6

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”

The unity of the Church reflects the oneness of God. We are different but meant to be family.

2. Streams of Living Water 

At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus cries out:

John 7:37–38

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me… rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

And on the Cross, that living water flows from His side:

John 19:34

“One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side… and out flowed blood and water.”

From this sacred source, the crucified Christ, flow the streams of the spirit that bring the Church alive:

• Contemplative – quiet prayer, deep peace, listening
• Holiness – integrity, purity, obedience
• Evangelical – truth, Scripture, gospel
• Charismatic – Spirit’s gifts, healing, boldness
• Justice – compassion, action, mercy
• Incarnational – faithful presence in everyday life

Each stream brings a gift.

Together, they bring the Church to full life and abundance. 

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Start your time in conversation with one another. Check in about the day or week. Be intentional in listening well and walking with one another.

CONNECT WITH GOD (Use one of the below practices or choose one from a previous week.)

Non-judgmental Presence

Adapted from Spirituality and Practice Daily Practice:

In a world that constantly asks us to make up our minds about other people, a nonjudgmental presence seems nearly impossible. But it is one of the most beautiful fruits of a deep spiritual life and will be easily recognized by those who long for reconciliation. — Henri J. M. Nouwen in Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith by Henri J. M. Nouwen

To Practice This Thought:

Restrain your tendency to evaluate and criticize everyone you meet. Spend a few moments in prayer asking God to loosen your fingers on the practice of judging others. Ask that compassion, trust and love have more space in your heart.

Name for God

Think of one of your favorite names for God (or create a new one). Take two quiet minutes to meditate on this name for God and the characteristics it highlights and talk with God about it. 

Share, as you are comfortable, the name for God you chose and why it is meaningful for you.

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Together: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-12

• Before digging into the scripture and message more, pray together. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and enlighten, and to speak to each one of you through the passage. 
• Alone: Reflect/journal on one or more of the following prompts:
• How do you connect most deeply to the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-12)? 
• How does Deuteronomy 6:4-12 shape your identity?
• In pairs: Share your personal reflections from the prompts above. Encourage one another to engage curiosity, confusion, or bigger questions.

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE 

If needed, read the passage again. Then select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.

• Review the main points from the sermon outline. 
• What questions, observations, or reactions do you have after reflecting on the passage and sermon? 
• What do you already know about the Shema in Deuteronomy 6? What do you want to know more about? 
• How does living the Shema offer you a more whole-hearted faith in a fragmented world? 
• What are the implications for our daily lives from verse 4? 
• What do you notice about Deuteronomy 6:4-9? 
• What role does remembering and gratitude play in our lives according to Deuteronomy 6:1-12? 

ENGAGE AND EXPLORE 

Together: Share which “stream” you most identify and connect with? Which one resonates the least? 

For this time of engaging and exploring, you’re invited to use the message, the book Streams of Living Water, as well as a quick-guide found here: https://renovare.org/about/ideas/the-six-streams.

PRAYER 

Begin your prayer time in stillness. Slowly, enter into prayer with one another. Pray for the Church universal, our own church, and for your small group. Ask for love, attention, and imagination to encounter these six streams over this message series. Pray with gratitude for the ways each of these streams–or faith traditions– have contributed to how we love and worship God. Ask God to help you encounter and receive the gift of diverse expressions of faith.