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….

Easter 3 - Small Group Questions

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

Lk 24:13-35
1. What is your most cherished memory centered around a meal?
2. What is your favorite story in scripture centered around a meal or a banquet? Why?
3. These two disciples are dejected and their hopes have been dashed. They are returning to what is known and what is comfortable. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt like these disciples? When you sought comfort in the known and predictable?
4. Why do you suppose Jesus, unrecognizable to the disciples, taught a Bible study instead of revealing himself immediately and directly? How might this inform our study of scripture and spiritual practices?
5. Jesus was made known to the disciples in the breaking of the bread. Share a time when you knew Jesus in the breaking of the bread. What was it like to encounter Jesus there? How did you leave that encounter?
6. Taking, blessing, breaking and giving - this is the Eucharistic pattern established by Jesus and followed to this day in the Eucharistic prayer of the church. Reflect on these four acts. Which resonates with you most deeply? What meaning does this pattern have for your life?
7. In the Eucharist we are fed by Jesus and then asked to go out and feed the world. How do you see the connection between your life of worship/faith and your way of being in the world? Are you living into this? Why or why not?

Easter 2 - Small Group Questions

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

Jn 20:19-31
1. Have you ever gone to your room and locked the door? Why?
2. In this passage, Jesus tells the disciples, "Peace be with you" three times. Why do you think it is necessary for us to be told so often? What is it about us and our lives that make it so difficult to live in Christ's peace?
3. Fr. Mike said that we are offered peace in our fear. Recall a time when you have been held by fear. How were you able to find peace? If you were not, why do you think this is?
4. Recall a time when you were anxious because of changes going on in your life. How were you able to find peace?
5. It is not a peace that we conjure from within ourselves, it is Christ's peace given freely to us. Where could you use Jesus' peace in your life right now? In a relationship? In your work? In some inner fear?
6. The peace of Christ helps us move from being inwardly focused, protectively hiding from that which agitates us, to outwardly focused, prepared to engage our lives and God's world. What practices might help us to appropriate Christ's peace as our own when we find ourselves hiding behind locked doors for protection?