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....