If you were not with us on Sunday, you can listen to the sermon at http://www.standrewsonline.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=39&Itemid=79
Jn 12:1-8
1. If you had a year's wages to spend on those you love, which would you give: a big party? a glorious trip for a few? an extravagant gift for one?
2. Mary was unconcerned with what others were thinking, fully vested in ministering to Jesus. Have you ever observed this way of being in others? Have you entered it yourself? Why is it so hard for us to live in this place?
3. Even as she acknowledged his impending death with her anointing, Mary was filled with life and hope and gratitude and trust. How is Mary modeling discipleship for us?
4. Judas, embarrassed by the display, saw waste and futility in it. When have we been tempted to dismiss or belittle others and their actions because of our own discomfort or guilt?
5. Jesus' response is "Leave her alone...You will not always have me." 'Good work' could have been done with the gift used to minister to Jesus, and yet Jesus defends Mary's choice. What might this tell us about being with God vs. doing for God? What are some ways you might cultivate/prioritize tending to God?
6. If you had a year's wages (or time) to use for Christ, how would you do so? How is this reflected in your budget and priorities now?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Lent IV - Small Group Questions
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
1. When did you leave home for the first time? Did you ever run away from home? Where did you go and what happened?
2. Growing up, were you the 'nice one,' the 'good one?' Did it feel like others were having more fun, even though they weren't as good? Do you have siblings where this was an issue?
3. Which brother are you most like? Is this the same as 10 years ago? 20 years?
4. What stages does the younger son go through on his pilgrimage? What brings him to his senses? What does he realize? How does he approach his father?
5. How does the older brother feel about his younger brother's return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother's objection?
6. What does this story teach about sin, repentance, and the love of God?
7. How do you feel about the father in this story? Do you think he did the right thing by giving the son his inheritance early? Do you think he did the right thing by throwing him a party when he returned?
1. When did you leave home for the first time? Did you ever run away from home? Where did you go and what happened?
2. Growing up, were you the 'nice one,' the 'good one?' Did it feel like others were having more fun, even though they weren't as good? Do you have siblings where this was an issue?
3. Which brother are you most like? Is this the same as 10 years ago? 20 years?
4. What stages does the younger son go through on his pilgrimage? What brings him to his senses? What does he realize? How does he approach his father?
5. How does the older brother feel about his younger brother's return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother's objection?
6. What does this story teach about sin, repentance, and the love of God?
7. How do you feel about the father in this story? Do you think he did the right thing by giving the son his inheritance early? Do you think he did the right thing by throwing him a party when he returned?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
3 Lent - "Branching Out" - Joshua 1:1-11
- Can you think of a time when you faced a task that was overwhelming? What was it? What did you do?
- How do you think Joshua was feeling? Excited? Afraid? Confident? Unprepared? How would you have felt?
- V. 1-4. Father Mike talked about how Joshua was challenged to embrace his destiny as the leader of Israel. How does God encourage him to do this?
- Joshua faced the Jordan River. What sort of obstacles do you face?
- V. 5-6. What does God ask Joshua to do? What does God promise in return?
- V. 7-9. What is the connection between obedience to God's commandments and success? Why would God feel it necessary to point this out to Joshua? Why do we need to hear it today?
- V. 10-11. God tells Joshua to rally his leadership and to get moving. What is keeping you from getting going toward what He has for you? Who has He sent you to help you?
- What about this passage applies to St. Andrew's? to your life right now? How can this group support you in the ways God is asking you to branch out?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lent II - Small Group Questions
If you were not with us Sunday you can listen to the sermon here: http://www.standrewsonline.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=39&Itemid=79
Genesis 15:1-18
1. Did you go to church as a child? If so, what were your earliest memories of church? If not, share with the group what your first experiences of church were?
2. What are the important parts of an edifying worship service for you?
3. v.1-6: Do you think Abram was struggling with God's promises here? Has God ever promised you something that seemed "too good to be true?" What did you do?
4. v. 7-11: Fr. Mike pointed out the connection God makes between his promises and sacrifices. What sort of sacrifices do we make when we gather for worship? Which come easy for you? Which are harder?
5. v. 12-16: As the deep sleep sets in on Abram, God begins to give him a long-term, generational perspective on things. Is it important for you to pass on your worship traditions to your children and younger generations? Do you think this is something that should be taught or left up to them to discover?
6. v.17-18: What can you remember from the sermon about the Hebrew tradition of "cutting a covenant?" How are these verses a picture of the cross of Christ?
7. Why is worship important for you? What ways can you improve your worship? How can you help improve the worship atmosphere at St. Andrew's?
Genesis 15:1-18
1. Did you go to church as a child? If so, what were your earliest memories of church? If not, share with the group what your first experiences of church were?
2. What are the important parts of an edifying worship service for you?
3. v.1-6: Do you think Abram was struggling with God's promises here? Has God ever promised you something that seemed "too good to be true?" What did you do?
4. v. 7-11: Fr. Mike pointed out the connection God makes between his promises and sacrifices. What sort of sacrifices do we make when we gather for worship? Which come easy for you? Which are harder?
5. v. 12-16: As the deep sleep sets in on Abram, God begins to give him a long-term, generational perspective on things. Is it important for you to pass on your worship traditions to your children and younger generations? Do you think this is something that should be taught or left up to them to discover?
6. v.17-18: What can you remember from the sermon about the Hebrew tradition of "cutting a covenant?" How are these verses a picture of the cross of Christ?
7. Why is worship important for you? What ways can you improve your worship? How can you help improve the worship atmosphere at St. Andrew's?
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