The Wise Disciple: Rest - Small Group Questions

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

Mk 6:30-34, 53-56

1. How do you feel about the pace of your life?  Too busy?  Not enough balance between work and rest?  The balance in your life feels good?
2. In what way, if any, do you keep Sabbath?
3. Why do you think we take keeping the Sabbath less seriously than, say, the commandment not to murder?  What do you think God would say to this?
4. If you honestly look at your work situation, are the long hours and stress more required by your employer or more self-induced?  If you're driving yourself (more than others' requirements of you) why do you think this is?  What reasons do you give yourself?
5. How might the unremittant activity in your life be a way of checking out of the deeper aspects of life?
6. When was the last time you had the time and space to look at the whole of your life? to discern where you wanted to go and what you wanted to take leave of?
7. How comfortable are you sitting in silence with God and with your thoughts?  What kind of things tend to rise in your thoughts when you sit in silence?
8. Mtr. Mary told the story of baby Sam and his journey toward resting his head on the shoulder of his parent.  How are you refusing to rest your head on God's shoulder?

Week of July 1, 2012

1. Read Mark 5:21-43.
2. What is the closest you've ever come to dying?
3. Of all the people pressing for Jesus' attention, two get through to Him in the story - how so?
4. Both Jairus and the sick woman took Jesus' seriously.  What promises of Jesus do you feel like you need to take more seriously:  forgiveness, grace, peace, wholeness, eternal life, something else?
5. Father Mike made the observation that the sick woman had been ill for twelve years and that Jairus' daughter was twelve years old.  What is your "twelve" issue?  The thing that you are the most hopeless or desperate about?  Have you taken it to Jesus?
6. Both the sick woman and the dead child would have been unclean.  Why is Jesus not worried about the Jewish laws about ceremonial uncleanness?
7. Do you have a problem taking your uncleanliness to Jesus?  Why or why not?
8. Jesus the woman "go in peace" (wholeness) and "your faith has healed you" (salvation).  He restores the 12 year old girl to live and strength.  What are you most in need of today?  Wholeness, salvation or strength?
9. What is the relationship between faith and wholeness?  
10. In what area of your life will you trust Jesus to heal you?
11. Pray for one another.