Surprise the World! Resources

This Lent (February 14-April 1, 2018), the Bishop and Cabinet invite all Minnesota United Methodists to join an all-conference Lenten book study.

Beginning on Feb. 8, 2018, each week in the MN Connect e-newsletter, we will post a new video introducing these practices, based on Michael Frost’s book Surprise the World: Five Habits of Highly Missional People. We will also post a scripture and reflection questions weekly on this webpage.

If you want to end the series on Palm Sunday, start on Sunday, Feb. 11. If you want to end on Easter Sunday, start on Sunday, Feb. 18.

We encourage congregations to purchase copies of the book ($4.99 on Cokesbury.com or $6.79 on Amazon), and to form small groups to journey together as a DNA (discipleship, nurture, accountability) group during Lent. And then tell the stories of what happens as you engage in these five practices by posting on social media with the hashtag #surprisetheworld! Let’s start a movement!

Click here to view or download the weekly videos

Scripture and reflection guides

• Week 1: A Surprising Faith, Rev. Cindy Gregorson View and download scripture and reflection guide 
• Week 2: Bless, Rev. Cynthia Williams View and download scripture and reflection guide 
• Week 3: Eat, Rev. Mark Miller View and download scripture and reflection guide 
• Week 4: Listen, Rev. Susan Nienaber View and download scripture and reflection guide
• Week 5: Learn, Rev. Fred Vanderwerf View and download scripture and reflection guide
• Week 6: Sent, Rev. Dan Johnson View and download scripture and reflection guide
• Week 7: A Shared Faith, Rev. Ben Ingebretson View and download scripture and reflection guide