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....