Week of April 24, 2011

1. Read John 20:1-18.


2. After you bury someone you love, how do you deal with your grief? Do you find comfort in going out to the cemetery? Why?


3. As Mary, having seen Jesus' torturous death, what is your emotional state two days later? Would you be sleepless? Why else would you visit the tomb so early? Realizing the body is gone, how do you react?


4. What does "the other disciple" (likely John, the author) believe in v. 8? Why?


5. Given the disciples' response in v. 8, why is Mary crying? Would you have responded more like Mary, or like the men?


6. From her response to the angels and Jesus, would you say she is quietly grieving, or more hysterical? Why?


7. What finally break through her grief and confusion? How does her return to the disciples here contrast to that in verse 2?


8. What did you think of the metaphor of the cicada shell in the sermon on Sunday?


9. Did Father Mike's message of "come on out" resonate with you? Do can you relate to having had a "Friday and Saturday" experience? To trusting the Lord to do the natural work of renewal in you? To stepping for and "singing your song"?


10. Pray for one another.

Week of April 17, 2010

1. Read Philippians 2:1-11.


2. If you had a second life to live in unselfish service to mankind, what would you like to do?


3. Reading between the lines, what do you think was the problem with the church in Philippi?


4. What are the four motives Paul mentions for living in unity? How is this unity related to humility? To witness? To suffering?


5. How can you consider a person "better than" yourself when you know you are "better than" they are?


6. How could Jesus Christ become a "man" and still be God? Was He only play-acting? Did He have two part time jobs?


7. If He was fully God, how could He suffer "death" on the cross? In becoming human, which of the "divine attributes" (like knowing everything, being everywhere) did Jesus give up? Which did He retain?


8. What is the "therefore" in verse 9 there for? What new actors, movements and results are signaled by this pivotal word?


9. If you threw a party for the people who helped shape your life by their unselfish caring, who would you invite to your party?


10. Pray for one another.

Lent 5 - Small Group Questions

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

Ezek 37:1-14
1. What is the most impactful image of hopelessness that you can recall?
2. God's people believed that they needed to be in a particular place to worship God. How has this understanding been true in your own life of worship? Are there aspects of worship without which you just wouldn't feel that you were in the presence of God?
3. Share a time when you felt called to speak a word for God? How did you feel? How did it go?
4. Have you had the experience of feeling the 'absence of God's presence?' If you are willing, share the circumstances. How did it feel like 'death' at the time?
5. God's Spirit is the creator of new life from death. How have you experienced God's Spirit as life-giving in your own faith journey?
6. Mtr. Mary said that we have to go through death to get to resurrection life. What is your thought about this? What fears does this conjure for you?
7. Jesus tells Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life." Imagine that Jesus is saying this to you. How do you receive it? What feelings does it conjure for you? Are you able to embrace this truth? How are you living a resurrection life? how are you not?

Week of April 3, 2011

1. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13.


2. Have you ever been lost while out driving? How did you get back on track?


3. V. 1. Can you relate to what Samuel was feeling when he was "mourning for Saul"? Has there ever been a person, idea or project that you were invested in where things didn't work out as planned? How did you get over it and move forward, or have you?


4. Is it hard for you to believe that God has good things already picked out for you - like He picked out David? Do you feel like God has a plan for you?


5. V. 2-5. The Lord asks Samuel to move forward in praise and obedience. Have you ever felt fear by doing what the Lord asks of you?


6. Notice how Samuel goes forward without knowing who exactly he'll be anointing. Do you need to know the whole route before you step forward? If you heard the sermon on Sunday, share Father Mike's GPS analogy. Does this resonate with you?


7. V. 6-7. Samuel was disciplined enough not to anoint Eliab. How easy it is for you to get ahead of God and choose things for Him? Can you think of a time when you've done that in the past?


8. V. 8-12. Samuel perseveres until he sees the one God has chosen, he waits for the will of the Lord. What role does patience play in following the will of God? Is this something that is hard for you?


9. In what area do you need the Lord's leading right now?


10. Pray for one another.