If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.
Mt 4:12-23
1. Do you remember when you left home to be on your own for the very first time? What were the things you were unprepared for? How did leaving change how you viewed yourself? or what you came to know about yourself?
2. What has 'follow' or 'following' meant for you in a spiritual or religious sense? What is the image you would use to describe it?
3. Mtr. Mary told us that Jesus calls us as we are, from where we are, being who we are. Have you been living as if you believe this is true? What excuses have you used to keep from listening for your call from Jesus?
4. "Jesus doesn't call everyone to leave everything behind, but no one can be a disciple without leaving something behind." If you reflect on it, what might Jesus be asking you to leave behind so that you might 'follow him more nearly?' Is there something about yourself or your life that you believe separates you from God's plan for you?
5. To follow Jesus is to live the Jesus way. If you could not give God the glory with your words, would those around you know that you are a follower of Jesus? How are you proclaiming the good news with your life?
6. Do you know and accept that you have been chosen by Jesus? How might it feel for you to live in this knowledge?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Week of January 16, 2011
- Read John 1:29-42.
- Have you ever felt like you were called to something? What was it? What happened?
- How do you think John the Baptist knew all of this about Jesus (v. 29-34)? Why was it important for him to tell people about Him?
- Why was it so easy for Andrew to leave everything and follow Jesus (v. 37)? Or was it easy? What sorts of things keep you from following Jesus? What is an obstacle facing you today?
- They want to know where Jesus is staying (v. 38). Can you think of a time when you knew you were in God's presence?
- What can you do in the way that you worship to get closer to Jesus?
- Do you think Andrew thought twice about getting Peter? Why not keep the "good news" about Jesus, and the opportunity to be a disciple to himself?
- What things keep you from sharing Jesus with others? How can you do better at this and at making St. Andrew's a friendly place to everyone?
- Pray for one another....
Monday, January 10, 2011
Epiphany I/Baptism of our Lord Small Group Questions
If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.
Mt 3:13-17
1. Do you remember your own baptism? If not, what is your earliest memory around baptism - yours or anothers? What is your earliest memory of baptism within the community of faith?
2. Fr. Mike spoke to the historical aspect of baptism. Historically, baptisms were with full immersions. Today, we have sprinkling, pouring or immersion. What are your thoughts around these types of baptisms? In what ways do each of these symbolize - or struggles to symbolize - the meaning of baptism?
3. Baptism is a sacrament - 'an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.' Our Catechism states that in baptism this inward spiritual grace is 'union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God's family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit' (BCP 858). Discuss each of these aspects of the grace of baptism. Which speaks to you most deeply?
4. As baptized persons, we are members of the Church. Our Catechism states that the duty of Christians - the members of the Church - is to 'follow Christ, come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray and give for the spread of the kingdom of God' (BCP 856). How are you living into your duty as a baptized member of the Church?
5. Today the church works to find the balance between making baptism available to all and requiring an appropriate amount of preparation on the part of those seeking baptism so that the import of the sacrament is duly conveyed and understood. Where do you fall on this continuum? What was your experience in this regard when you sought baptism for yourself or your loved ones?
Mt 3:13-17
1. Do you remember your own baptism? If not, what is your earliest memory around baptism - yours or anothers? What is your earliest memory of baptism within the community of faith?
2. Fr. Mike spoke to the historical aspect of baptism. Historically, baptisms were with full immersions. Today, we have sprinkling, pouring or immersion. What are your thoughts around these types of baptisms? In what ways do each of these symbolize - or struggles to symbolize - the meaning of baptism?
3. Baptism is a sacrament - 'an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.' Our Catechism states that in baptism this inward spiritual grace is 'union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God's family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit' (BCP 858). Discuss each of these aspects of the grace of baptism. Which speaks to you most deeply?
4. As baptized persons, we are members of the Church. Our Catechism states that the duty of Christians - the members of the Church - is to 'follow Christ, come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray and give for the spread of the kingdom of God' (BCP 856). How are you living into your duty as a baptized member of the Church?
5. Today the church works to find the balance between making baptism available to all and requiring an appropriate amount of preparation on the part of those seeking baptism so that the import of the sacrament is duly conveyed and understood. Where do you fall on this continuum? What was your experience in this regard when you sought baptism for yourself or your loved ones?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas II - Small Group Questions
If you were unable to be with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.
Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
1. Recall a time of preparation for something big in your life, like the birth of a child. What were your feelings and issues around this? How did it change your life?
2. Mary and Joseph were given little chance to prepare for all of the changes that would turn their lives upside down. Can you recall a major change or event in your life for which you were not given advance warning or time to prepare? How did you make it through? What were your sources of reassurance?
3. Mtr. Mary noted that there will always be Herods who are threatened by truth and by what God is doing in the world. How have you known this to be true in your own experience?
4. We reflected on how places of struggle can become places of salvation. Recall a particularly hard experience in your life. How did the struggles you encountered issue in learnings or blessings? Do you struggle to name anything redeeming about the experience?
5. Can you recall a time when it felt as if God was creating a place of refuge for you?
6. Matthew's Christmas story is harder and more somber than Luke's. Why is it important to recognize the pain and sacrifice that comes with Jesus' incarnation? How might this be comforting to those of us living in the 'worst of places?'
Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
1. Recall a time of preparation for something big in your life, like the birth of a child. What were your feelings and issues around this? How did it change your life?
2. Mary and Joseph were given little chance to prepare for all of the changes that would turn their lives upside down. Can you recall a major change or event in your life for which you were not given advance warning or time to prepare? How did you make it through? What were your sources of reassurance?
3. Mtr. Mary noted that there will always be Herods who are threatened by truth and by what God is doing in the world. How have you known this to be true in your own experience?
4. We reflected on how places of struggle can become places of salvation. Recall a particularly hard experience in your life. How did the struggles you encountered issue in learnings or blessings? Do you struggle to name anything redeeming about the experience?
5. Can you recall a time when it felt as if God was creating a place of refuge for you?
6. Matthew's Christmas story is harder and more somber than Luke's. Why is it important to recognize the pain and sacrifice that comes with Jesus' incarnation? How might this be comforting to those of us living in the 'worst of places?'
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