Week of December 11, 2011

1. Read John 1:6-8, 19-28.
2. Can you recall a difficult Christmas? What made it hard?
3. Can you recall a really great Christmas? What made it great?
4. What do John the Baptist and Christmas have in common, according to Father Mike's sermon? (Verse 8 is a clue!)
5. What three people did John the Baptist deny being? V. 19-22.
6. How did he describe himself (v. 23)? How did John do this for Jesus? How do we do this today?
7. How would knowing more about Jesus as the light of the world help your perspective this Christmas?
8. What false expectations for Christmas do you have this year? What might keep you from rejoicing?
9. How can your group best pray for you?

Advent II - Small Group Questions

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

Isaiah 40:1-11

1. What is your image or vision of prophets and prophecy?
2. What was the most comforting news you ever received? Why was it so welcome?
3. In what ways have you experienced, recently or in the past, a 'reduction in your circumstance'? Did this feel like being in exile? Why or why not?
4. Mtr. Mary said that as a people of God we all live in exile, in a world that does not operate according to God's ways. How is this true for you?
5. Is there some aspect of your life in which you have become comfortable in exile? Have you perhaps become blinded to God's presence and how he might be calling you out of exile?
6. Have you experienced a time when you thought God's presence had left you? How might Isaiah's message - that God is always with you, even in your exile - change your understanding of that experience?
7. Isaiah uses the image of a shepherd gathering his lambs and gently leading them. What sort of sheep do you feel like: cradled? content? wandering? caught? lost? Why?
8. How can you 'prepare the way' in your life for Jesus?

Week of November 27, 2011

1. Read Mark 13:24-37.
2. Would you like to know the exact date of your death? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think the Father has kept the day and the hour secret?
4. To whom is this warning addressed in v. 37? How is this warning equally relevant to all generations of Christians?
5. What is the most exciting thing about the Second Coming to you? The most distressing? Why?
6. "Be on guard!" "Be alert!" "Watch!" Specifically, how can you do this?
7. Pray for one another.....

Pentecost 22 - Small Group Questions

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

Mt 25:14-30
1. What was your best subject or favorite activity in school?
2. How does it affect your understanding of this parable to know that Jesus told it as he was speaking of faithful discipleship while waiting for his return?
3. Can you think of a time when you found yourself under judgment (like the third slave) for doing what you thought was the safe and prudent thing to do?
4. In what ways are you living as if God is harsh, looking for an opportunity to 'smite' you? How does this inhibit you from stepping into some adventures on his behalf? How does it keep you from living into who you were created to be?
5. Think of an instance where you trusted God and were willing to step into something scary based on that trust. How did that turn out for you? What did you learn about yourself and your abilities? How did you grow?
6. It really is our fear - of judgment, of failure, of provision - that leads us to live small and tight-fisted lives. How has or is this fear true for you? How might you diffuse this fear and grow in your trust in God?
7. How are you 'investing' in God's world?
8. Mtr. Mary said that our faith life is to be an adventure. How would you describe your faith life? Predictable, comfortable, variable, an emergency lifeline? Could you use 'adventure' to describe your faith life?
9. If the master returned today, how do you think he would receive your 'accounting?'

All Saints - Small Group Questions

Josh 24:1-3a, 14-25
1. As a child, what stories did your mom or dad tell you over and over about when they were growing up? How much do you know about your family history?
2. Joshua recounts the history of God's people, from Abraham to this day. Then he calls on them to renew and affirm their commitment to be God's people. Why do you think Joshua wanted them to do this? What power is there in a people intentionally recommitting themselves? How does or could this look in our own congregation?
3. Joshua reminds the people of God's faithfulness throughout the journey. Can you speak to the ways that God has shown his faithfulness to you?
4. Joshua tells the people that there are other gods to serve, but they must make a choice. Do you believe you've dealt directly with the charge to serve no god but God? Or are you living a life that tries to balance service to various gods? What other 'gods' are you tempted to serve?
5. What has helped you to be faithful to serving God? How do you live into your faithfulness? What 'signs of commitment' in your life are an evident witness to others?
6. Joshua made this speech just before he died. If you knew it would be your last opportunity to speak to our congregation, what would you want to say?
7. Fr. Mike spoke to the change that St. Andrew's is undergoing. We are no longer a church plant in need of outside support; we are a self-sufficient parish where the people will chart the course. Share with one another what this means to you? What is your fear and excitement?

Week of October 30, 2011

1. Read Matthew 23:1-12.
2. Growing up, what "hot buttons" did you push to get your parents mad? What "hot buttons" do your kids, if any, use on you? If married, what do you do or say that pushes your spouse to get mad?
3. What was the seat of Moses?
4. Given Jesus' remarks about the Pharisees (like in chapters 21-22) what is surprising about His remarks in v. 3? How does Jesus limit His commendation of the Pharisees?
5. As Jesus sees it, what is the main evil of the Pharisees? How are the disciples to avoid falling into the same evil?
6. Why would it be important that the disciples not allow themselves to be called rabbi (remember that Jesus was called rabbi)? What distinction was Jesus trying to make between His followers and the Pharisees?
7. Compare the path to greatness followed by the Pharisees with that taught by Jesus (v. 5-12). What do these two views of greatness teach us about the two views of the kingdom?
8. How can you avoid making it hard for others to grow spiritually?
9. How can you best avoid what is preached against in this passage?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of October 23, 2011

1. Read Matthew 22:34-40.
2. Who is the most generous person you've ever known? Tell us about them.
3. Father Mike talked in his sermon about how "you can't love God with all your heart without involving your money." What do you think about that statement?
4. For you, which is a bigger motivation for giving - support the work of the church or giving as a personal spiritual discipline?
5. Is there a difference to you about deciding on a set amount and giving that or giving in proportion to your income?
6. How might your giving be a way of "loving your neighbor as yourself"?
7. What aspect of the ministry of St. Andrew's are you most excited about? Do you think needs to be funded?
8. What challenges are facing you today with your giving? How can we pray for you?

Week of October 16, 2011

1. Read Exodus 33:12-23.
2. If you were at church on Sunday, did you go up for healing prayers? What happened? How did it feel? If you are comfortable, share with your group your experience.
3. Father Mike talked in his sermon about how "healing takes work". What do you think about that statement? Has that been true in your life?
4. What does Moses ask of God in v. 12-13? Why does Moses ask this of God?
5. What is God's response?
6. Moses tells the Lord not to send him forward if His presence does not go with him. Have you asked the Lord to "go with you" on the journey of your life? How might you do that? Is it easier for you to ask the Lord's help in some areas more than others?
7. Bravely, Moses asks the Lord to show him His glory (v. 18). What is the Lord's response?
8. Do you think it was right of Moses to ask this? Do you think it right for you to ask the Lord to show you His glory?
9. If God's power were to be extended toward you today, how would you most like it to manifest? With healing, peace, provision, something else?
10. What have you learned from Moses' encounter with the Lord here?
11. Pray for one another.

Pentecost 17 - Small Group Questions

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

Exodus 32:1-14
1. Share with the group a time when you really broke the rules. What was the result?
2. Why do you think the people were able to forget so quickly all that God had done for them (bringing them out of slavery in Egypt, providing manna and water)? How do we do the same thing?
3. Why do you think the people were so eager to find a new god to replace the one they had? How do we do the same thing? Why do we do the same thing?
4. What are some of the false gods that receive your loyalty? Why do you think these gods tempt you? Have there been times when these false gods have drawn you away from the one, true God in dangerous ways?
5. Moses fought for the people rather than let God's wrath burn against them. Discuss the development of Moses' character - from a man on the run from the law who does all he can to refuse God's call to a man who stands toe to toe with God to fight for a 'stiff-necked' people.
6. How do we handle this struggle - to be obedient and loyal to God and yet to be assured that God forgives us when we don't live into it?
7. In what ways are the people of God still a 'stiff-necked people' today?
8. What does it mean to you to know that God's love overwhelms God's justice?

Week of October 2, 2011

1. Read Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20.
2. Did you have an honorable mother and father? What was the thing you most admire about them?
3. Why do you think the commandment "honor your father and mother" made God's list? Why is this important?
4. Father Mike talked about how God included this in the list because He knew it was complicated. How might honoring your father and mother be complicated for you? What makes it difficult?
5. He also said that parents need our help. If they are still alive, how do your parents need your help, or do they? How could you extend this help? Support and encourage each other in the group about your attempts to do this.
6. If you are a parent, is it hard for you to receive honor from your children? How do they support you in ways that are uncomfortable or even unwanted by you? How can you help them give you what you need?
7. How can St. Andrew's be a place that honors and helps people as they age?
8. Share with the group what might have been especially important for you during this discussion.
9. Pray for one another....

Week of September 25, 2011

1. Read Matthew 21:23-32.
2. As a child, what kind of worker were you? How much did you parents have to yell and scream to get you to work?
3. What links the parable of the two sons (v. 28-32) with Jesus' encounter with the chief priests and elders (v. 23-27)? What do these two passages have to do with one another?
4. To whom is this parable addressed?
5. Describe the story. What is the father's request? What does each son say? What does each son do? The first son repented, what did the second son do?
6. Which group is like which son? In what ways?
7. How do you suppose the religious leaders responded to this story, especially Jesus' statement in v. 31?
8. Do you have a vineyard God has asked you to work in? Where is it? Who is there?
9. Which son's story is most like your own story of salvation?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of September 18, 2011

1. Read Exodus 16:2-15.
2. Can you remember a time when you were "in the wilderness"? How did the Lord provide for you, or did He?
3. Why do you think that Israel was looking back toward Egypt? Out of fear? Regret?
4. Can you think of a time when you felt this way, when you were unsure of the future and looked back? How did you make the decision to keep going, or did you?
5. The Lord rains down bread instead of judgment for Israel's grumbling. If you were sure that the Lord would always give you grace for your grumbling, how would that impact your prayer life? Do you think it is proper to complain to God?
6. What does the Lord do so that Israel could keep the Sabbath?
7. Do you keep the Sabbath? Do you regularly schedule a time for rest and refreshment? Is this something you need to improve upon?
8. Father Mike made the connection between keeping the Sabbath and trusting the Lord in his sermon. What does our need to always be working say to God?
9. This passage teaches us that a little manna can go a long way. Is it hard for you to trust God for your daily needs or do you feel the need to "hoard"?
10. What challenges you most about this passage?
11. Pray for one another....

Pentecost 13 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 18:21-35
1. Do you generally find it easier to ask for forgiveness or to forgive others?
2. Offenders in Jesus' day were forgiven up to three times; a fourth offense need not be forgiven. What does Jesus' answer to Peter's question say about forgiveness in the kingdom of God?
3. Who in your life do you find yourself having to forgive most? Do you understand the underlying conflict? Can you think of a way to break the cycle?
4. How do you usually handle it when someone has wronged you? Do you confront or ignore? Do you withdraw and sulk, talk to others about it? Do you hold a grudge? If you don't handle being wronged in a way that brings you peace and gives glory to God, how might you work to change this?
5. What have you found most helpful in forgiving those who have wronged you? Seeking counsel from someone trusted? Writing about it? Praying about it? Trying to see it from their perspective? Or something else?
6. In the parable, Jesus is telling us that in refusing to be merciful to others we deny ourselves mercy...we wind up in our own chains. How have you experienced this in your own life?
7. Share with one another, as you are able, the biggest hurt done to you by another. Have you been able to forgive them? If so, how were you able to do so? How long did it take? If not, are you willing to pray to God that you might want to forgive? What might help you move toward forgiveness?

Week of September 4, 2011mma

1. Read Matthew 18:15-20.
2. When it comes to conflict resolution, are you more like a rhino (who charges in and confronts) or a hedgehog (who balls up and hides)? Why do you think you are that way?
3. Father Mike compared the diversity of people in church to a bag of Chex Mix. Is it hard for you to get to know people in church that are different from you? What are some of the challenges in that? What are some of the blessings?
4. What group is Jesus addressing in v. 15? What difference should there be between the way believers deal with each in conflict and the way unbelievers do it?
5. How would putting God at the center of your life help the way you get frustrated? resolve conflict? forgive?
6. Summarize in the group the three steps that Jesus suggests. Which of these would be hardest for you?
7. Father Mike talked about how this should be done calmly and compassionately, with the goal of restoring the relationship. Have you ever had anyone talk to you about how you've hurt them without being angry? How was that encounter different from others you've had?
8. What does Jesus promise to the church that follows these suggestions?
9. How can you help St. Andrew's achieve a deeper level of Christian community? What do you need to do in your small group?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of August 28, 2011

1. Read Exodus 3:1-15.
2. Have you ever had a "burning bush" experience, where you really felt like God was talking to you? What happened? What did He say?
3. God called Moses while he was busy, out in the fields, on the run from his past, and when he was 80 years old (v. 1-6). What obstacles do you face that keep you from answering God's call in your life?
4. How did God get His message to Moses? What are some of the ways God speaks to you? Some of the ways that He might be speaking that you are missing?
5. What is God's motivation for calling Moses (v. 7-10)? What is it in response to? Is there and individual or a group of people that might be crying out to the Lord that you could help? How could you be a Moses to them?
6. What does God promise Moses (v. 11-12)?
7. What does the name "I AM WHO I AM" mean to you? What does it mean for your own life and your sense of calling?
8. Moses discovered more about God as he stepped forth in his calling. God was who God promised He would be. What do you think of the idea that there is more about God for you to discover?
9. What does this passage say to you individually? What does it say for us at St. Andrew's?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of August 21, 2011

1. Read Exodus 1:8-2:10.
2. Can you think of a time, especially when you were a child, when someone "rescued" you? (Either physically, emotionally, or spiritually.) Who was it? What happened?
3. What was the problem facing the people Israel in this passage? What was the king of Egypt's plan to deal with them?
4. What do you see as the biggest threat to our children today?
5. Could you do what Moses' mother did in 2:3? What do you think she was feeling?
6. In today's passage, what role did Moses' sister play?
7. What is Pharaoh's daughter's reaction when she hears baby Moses crying?
8. What is your usual reaction to the needs of the children you see around you? The ones far away? The ones nearby? The ones in your family?
9. If you heard the sermon Sunday, see if someone in your group can recall what Father Mike said about the "butterfly effect". How is this at work in our Scripture passage today?
10. What role if God calling you to play in the life of a child today: the mother (a person who needs to understand that a child needs help); the sister (who connects a child with the resources that they need); the midwives (who confront and address issues of oppression); or Pharaoh's daughter (someone who has resources to share that will make a difference)?
11. Pray for one another....

Pentecost 9 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 15:21-28
1. What do you think is one of the most memorable movie lines? What do you recall about when and where you first heard it?
2. What reasons might Jesus have had to leave Judea and venture deep into Gentile territory? Why at this time?
3. Mtr. Mary spoke to the possibility that Jesus was having a bad day; that he was not at his best. Does it make you uncomfortable to think of Jesus in this way? How human are you able to let Jesus be?
4. Reflect on the conversation between the Canaanite woman and Jesus. How does it make you feel? What about it is most troublesome to you?
5. Can you recall a time when your response to a need right before you was "This is not mine to do" (or something similar)? Did you end up moving on or getting involved? How did you feel afterwards?
6. How do you determine your response to a need before you? Do you have a 'standard operating procedure' for discernment? or do your responses vary? How much of your response is the Holy Spirit and how much is you?
7. The Canaanite woman referred to Jesus as Lord each time that she spoke to him. How does this story expand your understanding of those who are under God's grace and providential care? Are you living each day in the conviction that Jesus is Lord?

Week of August 7th, 2011

1. Read Matthew 14:22-33.
2. Of all your adventures in life, which was your most daring? What risk was involved?
3. Why did Jesus dismiss the disciples so abruptly? Why didn't He want the disciples there? Why do you think Jesus wanted to pray alone?
4. Do you think Jesus was tempted at all by His mounting popularity and the crowd's clamour for a king? How does this temptation and Jesus' response to it resemble His temptations in Matthew 4:3-10?
5. Meanwhile, what happens out on the lake to rock the disciples boat? To stir up their fear? To encourage their faith?
6. What do Peter's actions reveal about his character?
7. Why do you think Jesus told Peter to come? What do you learn about Jesus' hopes for you in this passage? When did Peter begin to sink? Why then and not earlier?
8. What do the disciples conclude about Jesus as a result of this faith-stretching experience?
9. Would you be more likely to stay in the boat or step out of it? Why?
10. Is there anything in your life that parallels Peter's attempt to walk on water?
11. Pray for one another....

Week of July 31, 2011

1. Read Genesis 32:6-30.
2. Can you recall a time when you had to meet someone that you knew before and dreaded it? What happened? Was your worrying justified?
3. Share with the group what you know about Jacob and his relationship with his brother Esau. Was Jacob's fear justified? What does he do to try and control the situation (v. 7)?
4. What was Jacbo's biggest character flaw, as you see it? Do you have any of these same flaws?
5. What does Jacob pray for in v. 9-12? How has prayer helped you overcome the issues you struggle with?
6. What is Jacob's plan for him and his household to survive this impending encounter with Esau (v. 13-21)? Is it ever hard for you to be motivated to address important issues in your life? Why or why not?
7. Can you relate to Jacob's wrestling with God (v. 22-30)? Have you ever had to wrestle with God about an issue in your life? the future?
8. Like Marlin from "Finding Nemo", Jacob perseveres until God blesses him with the change of his name. Why is this significant for Jacob? What changes have you had (or hope to have) from wrestling with God?
9. Pray for one another....

Week of July 24, 2011

1. Read Romans 8:26-39.
2. Have you seen "The Lion King"? What did you make of the spiritual connections Father Mike was trying to make on Sunday? Are you able to see spiritual insights from the things around you?
3. What confidence does verse 28 give you about events that occur in your life?
4. Look at verses 29-30. What five verbs describe God's role in our coming to know Him? How does verse 29 define God's good purposes for us?
5. In verses 31-39, how does Paul settle the fears of those who may still be asking questions about the security of God's love for us?
6. How might the forces listed in v. 38-39 try to unsettle our trust in God's love? What does Paul's ringing assurance do for your fears?
7. Can you relate to Simba's journey from home out into the wilderness and back again? Do you know what it is like to run from and then run toward God's purpose in your life?
8. In the midst of your journey, how have you seen the Lord at work?
9. Pray for one another...

Pentecost 5 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 13:24-30, 36-43
1. Are you a gardener? What weeds have you had to battle most in your yard or garden? How have you dealt with them?
2. The parable doesn't explain how the evil one gets into the good field and among the good seed. What do you think the evil one was trying to accomplish by sowing bad seed in with the good?
3. Augustine said that the church is full of wheat and tares, of saints and sinners. How has this truth been a challenge for you in your church life? Does acknowledging this give you more peace or make you frustrated? Why?
4. All of us struggle with the desire to judge and eliminate tares. Reflect on a recent time that this was true for you. Can you recall a time when you initially judged someone or something as a tare, only to find that they/it was actually wheat?
5. What concerns you most about the injunction to be patient with the tares and wait for the final harvest for it to be sorted out? What prayer or practices might help heal our desire to judge and eliminate tares?
6. What are the tares growing within you? How might you offer these up to God for healing? How has God used your tares to grow good wheat within you?

Pentecost 4 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 13:1-9, 18-23

1. Which is your favorite parable in scripture? Why?

2. Do you have trouble relating to parables that were originally told as stories to people in a different time and place? Are there modern analogies or angles that make them more meaningful for you today?

3. What do you think that parables accomplish that simple, direct speech cannot? Can you recall a time when a parable led you into a space where you chose to move closer to God? Where you stepped back toward ‘business as usual?’

4. Mtr. Mary encouraged us to look at ourselves as the sower vs. the four types of soil. What kind of sower of God’s love and forgiveness have you been? Have you been a reckless, high-risk sower? Or have you been more frugal and targeted with your sowing? Why do you think this is?

5. Where in your life right now might God be calling you to be more generous with your sowing?

6. Are you able to rest in the truth that it is God’s work to bring the seed to bountiful harvest and not yours? Or do you find yourself pre-judging soil? Trying to do God’s work for him?

7. Can you reflect on your spiritual life and recall when you received the good seed of God’s love and grace and forgiveness even when you weren’t ‘well prepared’ for it? How did this affect your understanding of God and his love for you? Who has been a generous and reckless sower of God’s love in your life?

Week of June 27, 2011

1. Read Genesis 22:1-14.
2. Have you ever been through something that you thought was a test from God? If so, explain it.
3. Has someone ever made you a promise that he didn't fulfill?
4. If you attended worship this week, what stood out from the sermon or the worship service?
5. If someone told you to sacrifice your only child, what would you think? When folks in Abraham's day heard about this story do you think they thought he was crazy? Why or why not?
6. Read v. 1-2. The command God gave to Abraham makes no sense to us. Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something that made no sense to you at the time? What did you do? What was the result?
7. Read v. 3-5. Notice that Abraham never seems to doubt God. In Genesis 15:1-6 we read about how God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants. Have you ever doubted God?
8. Turn and read Hebrews 11:17-22. Do you think the events of this story impacted Isaac? What impact do you think this had on his children and grandchildren?
9. How is this story a foreshadowing of Jesus?
10. What challenges you about this reading and your discussion today?
11. Pray for one another....

Week of June 19, 2011

1. Read Matthew 28:16-20.
2. Which person of the Holy Spirit - Father, Son or Holy Spirit - do you feel the most comfortable with? do you know the most about? Which are you the most uncomfortable with? know the least about?
3. Share with the group what you understand about the doctrine of the Trinity.
4. Why does it matter that God's nature is that of a community, or a family?
5. How might faith in the Trinity allow for a personal knowledge of God?
6. How does God's nature (a community of Persons whose life is love) determine what He does?
7. Why is God being both transcendent (the "out there" God) and immanent (the God that is close) essential to believing what He does?
8. How can you better grow in your knowledge about the faith?
9. Pray for one another....

Week of June 13, 2011

1. Read Acts 2:1-13.
2. In school, were foreign languages easy or hard for you? Why?
3. Given that Pentecost was quite the harvest festival (see Deuteronomy 16:9-10), why does God choose this day to give the Holy Spirit? If you had been in that room, what would you have seen, heard and felt?
4. See if someone in the group has a good Bible map or even a contemporary Atlas. From how far away are these pilgrims in v. 9-11? What has attracted this crowd to the disciples?
5. Look back and read Acts 1:8. How is this promise already being fulfilled?
6. If you were one of the crowd, would you respond more like the folks in v. 12, or those in v. 13? Why?
7. When have you experienced an empowering from God to witness about Christ?
8. What do you think was God's part and Jesus' followers part in this event? What can you do this week to be better prepared for God's use?
9. Pray for one another....

Easter 7 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
1. Who is your favorite superhero with super strength? Why?
2. Peter calls us to live humbly. How humbly do you believe you are living? Where does living humbly fall on your 'appealing/not appealing' scale? What is your image of a humble life? Where is the tension in your life between the self-assurance that the world admires and the humility to which the Gospel calls us? How might you cultivate living a more humble life?
3. How do you struggle to turn your cares over to God? What might this say about your ability to trust in God's care for you? What specific anxiety or concern do you need to cast on God?
4. Would you say your spiritual life is disciplined or undisciplined? What practices might make your spiritual life more disciplined? Is there a specific one to which you can commit?
5. Finally, Peter calls us to remain faithful. Can you recall a time or situation recently that tested your ability to remain faithful? How are you able to return to the Lord when your faith has been shaken or tested?
6. In all of these ways of living - being humble, casting our cares on God, being disciplined, and remaining faithful - we are called to rely on God's strength instead of our own. How do you struggle to rest in God's strength instead of asserting your own?
7. Over the last four weeks we looked at Christ our example, foundation, Lord, and strength. Which of these spoke to you most personally? Which challenged you most? Share how Christ is your hope.

Week of May 29, 2011

1. Read 1 Peter 3:13-22.
2. When have you been really afraid? What happened? How did you deal with your fear?
3. V. 14-15 was the focus of the sermon. As you recall, Father Mike's points when from the end of the phrase to the beginning. Peter tells us to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. What does Jesus being Lord mean to you? How does a person make that happen for themselves?
4. Is there a place that is "sanctified" or sacred to you? Where is it?
5. How can Jesus be sanctified like that place, only in your heart?
6. What are some of the dangers of not giving Jesus enough reverence in your life?
7. In the Old Testament the "heart" was the center point of your self. Do you think there is such a place?
8. The thinking was that the heart was like a throne. If Jesus isn't sitting there, what or who else might be?
9. How would sanctifying Christ as Lord in your heart give you courage and calm?
10. Is there situation where you need more courage or calm? How can the Lord help? How can your group help?
11. Pray for one another....

Easter 5 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1. Read 1 Peter 2:4-12.
2. If someone asked you to oversee the building and staffing of a community center, what services would it contain? What would the staff do? What kind of people would you get to staff it?
3. What similarities does Peter show between Christ's experience and the Christian's experience?
4. How could you repaint in practical terms what Peter meant by the pictures he gives us in v. 5 and 9?
5. What does a cornerstone do? How is Christ a cornerstone? Why would people stumble over the stone rather than build their lives on it?
6. In what ways would it be difficult for Peter's readers to think of themselves in the terms used in verses 9-10? Is this what Peter thinks they will become, or are they all these things right now? Why?
7. Suppose you are a war correspondent reporting live from the front, how would you describe the war going on within yourself represented by v. 9-10 and verse 11?
8. In what dark rooms or your life has God turned on a light?
9. How does it make you feel to be chosen, royalty, and God's possession? When is it most difficult to remember what God has made you?
10. Pray for one another....

Easter 4 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

1.Read 1 Peter 2:19-25.

2.Who was a good example for you as you were growing up? Who is your example today?

3.What do you think it means to move from being a “fan” to a “follower” of Jesus? Have you done this? If so, how?

4. Jesus is an example of sinlessness (v. 22). Do you think it is possible for you to withstand every temptation? Why or why not?

5.Do you think it took any effort for Jesus not to sin?

6.Jesus is an example of suffering (v. 23-24). Do you think that the suffering we experience is something that is under our control? Why or why not?

7. How does your reaction to suffering differ from Jesus’? How is it the same?

8.Jesus is an example of servanthood (v. 25). Who in your life to you feel called to serve? Who aren’t you serving now that you could? What would it mean to do so?

9.What about Jesus’ life do you most want to emulate? How can you become more like Him? How can your group help?

10. Pray for one another….