Week of June 24, 2012

1. Read 1 Samuel 17:32-49.
2. Do you know someone who has "beaten the odds"?  Who are they, what did they do and how did they do it?
3. Do you have a Goliath in your life?  Something that has positioned itself in your life that is making it hard for you to move forward?  How did it get there?  How long has it been there?
4. Before going down to Goliath's valley, David remembered how God had helped him in the past (v. 34-37).  Is it hard to remember God's faithfulness when you are facing your giants?  What "lions and bears" has the Lord rescued you from in the past?
5. Note how David rejects Saul's armor (v. 38-39).  Why does he do this?  What is a modern day example of "false armor"?  What do we use to fight our battles when we don't rely on the Lord?
6. What does David take as his weapon instead (v. 40)?  How can you use your gifts and resources now to battle your Goliath?
7. How does David respond to the taunts of the Goliath (v. 41-47)?  Does your "Goliath" speak to you? What does it say?
8. Note how eager David was to engage his enemy (v. 48).  Are you willing to engage your Goliath?  Why or why not?
9. At his first opportunity, David slings his stone in faith (v. 49).  What work will it take for you to overcome the giants in your life?  Will it be a short term or a long term process?  What will you do if you don't succeed at first?  How can your group support you?
10. Pray for one another.....

Pentecost 3 - Small Group Questions

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

Mark 4:26-34

1. Do you garden?  Is it easy for you to grow things or do you need to tend your plants carefully?
2. What is your impression of parables?  Do you enjoy them or do they confuse or frustrate you?  Have you had 'a-ha' moments when reflecting on a parable or not so much?
3. Mtr. Mary spoke of how we have become selective listeners.  Think of some examples of how this is true in your life.  What do you think we might be losing in our 'selective listening?'
4. Think of times in the past when you have chosen not to spread your seed.  Why was this?  Do you still agree with your decision, or would you handle it differently today?
5. Can you recall a time when you planted your seed convinced that nothing would come of it only to see God bless and grow it?  Share with the group.
6. Are you using the world's standard of successful results to determine how/when you serve God?  What do you think is the biggest barrier to your ability to 'let go of results' and 'trust God?'
7. Mtr. Mary shared a few home-grown parables about St. Andrew's (VBS, Summer Food, Belize Mission).  Share some St. Andrew's' parables of your own.
8. What could you do that might make it easier for you to 'listen to God' and 'spread your seed' more readily?

Week of June 10, 2012

1. Read Mark 3:20:30.
2. What is the one thing you could do that would make your family think you were out of your mind?
3. Why do you think Jesus' family was worried about Him?
4. When have you felt misunderstood by your family?  How was the issue resolved?
5. Why would the Pharisees connect Jesus with Beelzebub (the Devil)?
6. How do Jesus' parables answer the charges?
7. What sorts of things have you done that would seem "strange" to those without your faith?
8. What sins can be forgiven?  What is the sin that cannot be forgiven?  (Remember:  to receive forgiveness, you must ask.)
9. Have you ever worried about committing the "unforgivable sin"?  Explain.  How does your concern prove that you are not guilty of such a sin?
10. Pray for one another....

Week of June 3, 2012

1. Read John 3:1-17.
2. Read also the Proper Preface for Trinity Sunday, found on page 380 of The Book of Common Prayer: For with your co‑eternal Son and Holy Spirit, you are one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being; and we celebrate the one and equal glory of you, O Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
3. Do your best to describe your views of the doctrine of the Trinity.  What does it mean?
4. How do you see the three Persons of the Trinity active in our reading from John?
5. Let's look closer at the Proper Preface.  What does it mean that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are "co-eternal"?
6. What does it mean that they are "in Unity of Being"?
7. What does it mean that they "one and equal"?
8. Is there anything about this doctrine that is challenging for you?
9. How does God being in Trinity help you know God better?
10. Pray for one another.