Lent 1 - Small Group Questions

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

Gen 9:8-17
1. Think about some of the storms you have weathered in your life. Were they short or long? Did they do a lot of damage? Could you see them coming, or did they catch you off guard? Share with the group.
2. After the storm, God establishes a new covenant with Noah and all his descendents and 'with every living creature.' What does this say that God covenants with every person and every living thing? Is this consistent with your understanding of God, that every living thing is part of the covenant?
3. Does your life reflect God's care and love for every living thing?
4. Fr. Mike noted that all of the promises in this covenant are on God's side. There is no requirement on our part. How does this fit with your understanding of your relationship with God? How does it fit with how you view (and perhaps judge) others' relationship with God?
5. Do you believe that God loves you the same no matter what you do or don't do? Or does your life reflect a belief that God 'requires' something to love you?
6. Fr. Mike compared this Noachic covenant with the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. John tells us that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save the world through him. How is this as inclusive and everlasting as God's covenant with Noah? Is it consistent with your understanding of how Jesus saves?
7. What rainbows - actual or metaphorical - have you been given? How did they make you feel? Can you speak to a 'storm' that was redeemed? That became a New Day?

Last Epiphany - Small Group Questions

Mk 9:2-9
1. Can you recall a time outdoors, in nature, when you had an intense experience of God's presence? Share this with the group.
2. Was Peter's response appropriate? If not, why do you think he responded this way?
3. Do you think you would be tempted to speak into God's revelation? If so, why do you think this is? What anxiety would you be attempting to relieve?
4. How comfortable are you with silence? Are you less comfortable with it than you used to be, or more? Why do you think this is?
5. Reflect on all those things that have contributed to a lack of silence in your life. How might you limit or eliminate them to create more space for silence? Do you even want to?
6. What is your greatest fear about spending more time in silence with God?
7. Are you able to bear witness with others in their pain and loss? Or do you feel compelled to speak when no words are adequate?
8. What do you think was the point of God's message to those on the mountain?
9. Do you accept that faith in Jesus Christ requires sacrificial suffering? Or are you hoping to have the glory without the cost? How might suffering and sacrifice lead to a more mature and deeper faith?

Week of February 12, 2012

1. Read Matthew 5:13-16.
2. Are you a person that is more comfortable on the sidelines or "in the game"? Why is that so?
3. Consider salt. How does it function? Become useless? What prevails in its absence?
4. How does the salt metaphor relate to our spiritual lives? How does it apply directly to you today?
5. Consider light. How does it function? Become useless? What prevails in its absence?
6. How does the light metaphor relate to our spiritual lives? How does it apply directly to you today?
7. To whom is the Lord sending you as salt and light? What difference do you think you can make?
8. V. 16. What is the difference between good works where people glorify the person doing them and good works where people glorify God?
9. How do you think you are doing? Is your life salty or saltless? Covered or open? Why?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of February 5, 2012

1. Read Isaiah 40:21-31.
2. Can you think of a time when you have been "in exile". Has there ever been, or is there now, an area of your life where you felt like God has abandoned you or where God's power wasn't working?
3. Read v. 21-23. What does this say about God? What does it mean for you that God is "the Creator of creation"?
4. Read v. 25-26. When times are hard, what are most likely to do, keep you eyes down on your situation or lifted up to the Lord? Why is this so?
5. Why did Judah feel this way in v. 27? Have you ever felt this way?
6. V. 28. What does it mean that God is "everlasting"? Do you really believe that He does not grow weary, even when it relates to you?
7. V. 29-31. Describe an instance where you've seen this happen for you or someone you know.
8. In what area of your life do you need power? What does waiting on the Lord mean for you right now?
9. Pray for one another....