Advent I - Small Group Questions

If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 24:36-44
1. When you were a child, what was your favorite time of day? or favorite day of the week? or favorite season of the year? Why?
2. Read v.37-39. In what ways is Jesus saying the second coming will be like the flood?
3. Fr. Mike spoke to the necessity of being prepared. In what ways are you living a prepared life as a Christian?
4. Fr. Mike noted that we will be tested - either through Jesus' return or through facing our own death in this life. How prepared do you feel for this test? What kind of steward do you believe you are being with your life?
5. Are there aspects of your life that, if Jesus returned as you were in their midst, you would be embarrassed or ashamed? What might this say about your need to offer these areas up for transformation? How might you move away from these so that you might honestly say that Jesus could come at any time and you would be prepared?
6. How does the knowledge that Jesus will return some day affect how you are living your life, if at all?

Week of November 21

1. Read Luke 33-43.
2. What would you like carved on your tombstone? What is the statement you would like the newspaper to say about you in your obituary?
3. Where does the crucifixion take place? Who is executed with Jesus? What do you know about crucifixion?
4. What does Jesus say to God about His executors? What do the soldiers do with His clothes?
5. Who taunts Jesus (v. 36-39)? What do the various people say? Do? Why are the members of the crowd angry? What hopes for Jesus did they have that now seem shattered?
6. Do you think the written notice (put there at Pilate's request) reflects a hint of sarcasm or truth on Pilate's part (v. 38)? Why?
7. What is significant about the interchange between the criminals and Jesus?
8. How do you view the crucifixion: Necessary evil? Common tragedy? Cruel and unusual punishment? "Good" Friday? Sacrifice for sin? Triumph of justice? Triumph over justice? Why?
9. When did the full meaning of the death of Christ begin to make sense to you? How would you explain the necessity of the crucifixion to a non-Christian friend?
10. Pray for one another.

Pent 25 - Small Group Discussion Questions

Luke 21:1-19
If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1. What is the most impressive building you have viewed personally? How did it make you feel and what were your thoughts about it?
2. There are several 'end time' passages in Scripture. How do they make you feel? What do you think about them?
3. Not many years ago we had a lot of 'predictions of dire signs' around Y2K. Do you recall how you felt about these warnings at the time? Did you 'prepare for the worst' in any way? What were your thoughts when it became apparent that it was 'much ado about nothing?'
4. When you reflect on your life, what are the sources of your security? Are you comfortable with this, or do you see a need for adjustment?
5. Have there been times when your 'testimony' to a life of faith put you in conflict with others? with 'the way of the world?' How have you learned to live with these conflicts?
6. What is the soul-gaining work to which you are currently called?

Pent 24 - All Saints

Luke 6:20-31
If you were unable to be with us on Sunday, you can listen to the sermon here.

1. On Sunday we celebrated All Saints' Day. Who are the saints, living or dead, that have impacted your spiritual life?
2. Our Catechism states that the "communion of saints is the whole family of God, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and praise." Reflect on these three aspects - sacrament, prayer, and praise - and how they are among us at St. Andrew's as this particular "communion of saints." How does this feed you and draw you closer to God?
3. On Sunday we had 8 folks make a mature commitment to Christ in the sacrament of Confirmation. Did your mature commitment to Christ come at Confirmation? At some other time? What does a mature commitment to Christ look like?
4. As part of the Confirmation rite we, as members of this congregation, vow to "support these persons in their life in Christ." How, specifically, might we support one another in this way? How have you been supported in this way by your congregation?
4. Bishop Lambert said that our job as saints is to fall head over hills in love with Jesus. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus? BFF, exchange Christmas cards, acquaintances - head over heels in love?
5. In what ways might you (a) make a more mature commitment to Christ and (b) fall more in love with Christ?

Week of October 31

1. Read Luke 19:1-10.
2. As a kid, did you have a favorite tree to climb? Did you ever build a tree house?
3. What is significant about Zacchaeus and his vantage point?
4. Why does Jesus want to dine with him? Why does this bother others?
5. What do you think they talked about over dinner?
6. On what basis does Jesus confirm Zacchaeus' salvation (v. 8-10)?
7. Do you think the meeting between Zacchaeus and Jesus was coincidental or all part of the plan and purpose of God?
8. How do you think Zacchaeus felt when he left Jesus?
9. Where did Jesus first find you: up a tree? out on a limb?
10. How did He get you to come down: a little coaxing? a big scare? an invitation you couldn't refuse?
11. If Jesus stopped under the tree you're climbing, what would He say?