Week of September 23, 2012

1. Read Mark 9:33-37.
2. If you could recapture one quality you had as a child, what quality would it be?
3. Contrast the agenda of the disciples with that of Jesus.
4. According to Jesus, what is the true measure of greatness?  Why did he use a child to illustrate greatness?
5. What does it mean to receive the weak and powerless in Jesus' name?  What is the surprising outcome of such an act?
6. How do you measure success?
7. How well do you do when it comes to being a servant?
8. Pray for one another....

Pent 16 / Proper 19 - Small Group Questions

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

Mark 8:27-38
1. If your closest friends were asked what word best describes you, what would they say?
2. Why is the question, "Who do you say that I am?" so important?  How would you answer this question if Jesus put it to you?  How has your answer changed over the years?
3. How did Peter go from 'gold star teacher's pet' to being in the doghouse?  Why do you think Jesus reacted so strongly?
4. What comes to mind when you hear 'deny yourself?'  Can you recall a time when you felt called to deny yourself but chose not to?  What was the result?  How did you 'rationalize' your decision?
5. Can you recall a time when you responded obediently to a call to 'deny yourself?'  What was the result?  How did that impact your relationship with God?
6. Jesus calls us to 'follow me.'  Do you believe you are more an admirer of Christ or a follower of Christ?  Why?
7.  What is the scariest part for you in contemplating submitting more of your life to Christ?  What do you believe it will require of you?  Why do you fear this would be too much for you?

Week of September 10, 2012

1. Read Mark 7:24-30.
2. When have you felt like an outsider in a group situation?  What did it make you want to do?
3. Tyre was outside of Israel.  Why do you think that Jesus went to a non-Jewish territory:  Was Jesus trying to dodge the crowds?  Did God have a mission to accomplish in Tyre?  Or both?
4. Were Jesus' words in verse 27 harsh, or were they some kind of play on words?  How does this woman take in (v. 28)?  How is her reply evidence of her faith?
5. What message is Jesus giving by healing the daughter?
6. Jesus walks one hundred miles to heal one person.  How far are you willing to go for one person?
7. Pray for one another....

Week of September 3, 2012

1. Read James 1:17-27.
2. Who has a relationship with God that you admire?  What is it about their walk with Christ that you would like to have?  Is there a "gap" between you and them?  What is it?
3. V. 18.  What do you think James means by "birth by the word of truth"?
4. Do you agree that Christians can be a "firstfruit" of the Kingdom of God?  What characteristics about the Christian do you think are most needed in society today?  in our city?  in our church?  in your group?
5. We are told in v. 21 to receive the word with meekness.  What keeps you from doing that?  Are there  particular issues, like the ones in v. 19-21 that you struggle with the most?
6. What does it mean to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer?
7. Do you understand the image of the mirror James uses in these verses?  How is the word "perfect" and a "liberty"?  How can you better persevere in keeping it?
8. Read v. 26-27.  Of these challenges - in speech, action and purity - which speaks the most to you right now?
9. What is keeping you from a closer walk with Christ?  How can the group help you?
10. Pray for one another....