Week of April 25 - Number 13:25-33

1. Can you recall a time when fear got the best of you? What did you do? Were you able to overcome it?
2. Why do you think God had Moses send spies into the land of Canaan? Why not just send Israel in there directly?
3. Were you more likely to be with the ten spies who thought that the task of entering the Promised Land was too dangerous, or would you have been with Joshua and Caleb, who encouraged Moses and Israel to go for it? (v. 30)
4. Can you name the "giants in the land" for St. Andrew's as we move toward our building? What obstacles do we face?
5. What are the "giants in the land" in your life right now? How can we help you overcome them?

Third Sunday of Easter

If you were not able to be with us on Sunday, you can hear this sermon at http://www.standrewsonline.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=39&Itemid=79

Acts 9:1-20
1. Saul was a student of Gamaliel. Read Acts 5:34-39. What had Gamaliel advised regarding followers of Jesus? How is Saul responding to this advice? What might this say about Saul?
2. Imagine Saul's three days of blindness and fasting. What do you think Saul is experiencing and thinking during this time? How does this period mirror Jesus' death and resurrection?
3. Jesus addressed Saul directly on the road to Damascus, yet he still sends Ananias to see Saul. Why do you think this is important? What opportunity does this provide for Ananias to grow in his discipleship?
4. Mother Mary spoke of this passage telling the story of two conversions. Do you agree? Do you relate more to Saul's conversion or to that of Ananias?
5. How did the Lord first get your attention? Was it dramatic or subtle?
6. Do you believe that some people are out of God's reach? How does this story challenge those assumptions?
7. When have you found yourself in Ananias' shoes? How was your 'comfortable Christianity' challenged?

Second Sunday of Easter

If you were not with us on Sunday, you can hear this sermon at http://www.standrewsonline.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=39&Itemid=79

Jn 20:19-31
1. Can you remember a time when you locked yourself in a room? Was your motivation fear, like the disciples, or something else?
2. Jesus says "peace be with you" three times. How does this relate to the disciple's fears? How does it relate to their call and mission? Where could you use Jesus' peace right now?
3. Think about the resurrection appearances that John has described for us. How does Mary receive Jesus' appearance? How do the disciples in the locked room? How does Thomas? Where do you see yourself?
4. How does Jesus deal with Thomas' doubt? What is significant about the way Thomas responds?
5. With what doubts or questions about God are you struggling? What have you found to be helpful when dealing with doubts?

Easter Day

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

Luke 24:1-12
1. The women were bringing spices to prepare Jesus' body for burial. How do you think the women felt when (a) they found the tomb empty? (b) they realized two angels were standing beside them? (c) they heard the angel's announcement?
2. How did the disciples receive the news from the women?
3. Why would it still seem to the disciples as 'nonsense' even though Jesus had spoke of his death and resurrection?
4. Why do you think Peter ran to the tomb? What do you think went through his mind when he reached the tomb and saw that Jesus' body was not there?
5. How did the meaning of the resurrection first 'dawn' upon you? What does it mean in your life? How do you find it challenging to live into the truth that you are given new and abundant life in Christ?
6. Are there dead things in your life that you need to set down so that you can turn toward this new life? What keeps you from being able to do so? How might this be overcome?