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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/29/12)

Announcement
Jodi and Benton Murphy are the proud parentsof a little girl, 6lbs 3oz, 19.5 inches. Mother and child are doing well.  Her name is Maci Hope Murphy.

Scripture
1 John 3:11-24
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love oneanother. [12] Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murderedhis brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil andhis brother's were righteous. [13] Do not be surprised, my brothers, if theworld hates you. [14] We know that we have passed from death to life, becausewe love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. [15] Anyonewho hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternallife in him.
[16] This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his lifefor us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. [17] If anyone hasmaterial possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, howcan the love of God be in him? [18] Dear children, let us not love with wordsor tongue but with actions and in truth. [19] This then is how we know that webelong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence [20]whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and heknows everything.
[21] Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidencebefore God [22] and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey hiscommands and do what pleases him. [23] And this is his command: to believe inthe name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.[24] Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is howwe know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Questions
1.   Whois someone (in history or alive today) whose life is an example of what itmeans to love?
2.   Whatmessage had the readers of 1 John heard from the beginning? (3:11)
3.   How do we know what love is? (3:16)
4.   Howshould Christians love? (3:18)
5.   Whatis God’s command? (3:23)
6.   Whendo you struggle with loving other Christians?
7.   Howdo you demonstrate your love for fellow believers?
8.   Whyis it easier to love with words rather than actions?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/22/12)

Announcement:
Please don’t forget that we will be having lunch after church and a wedding shower for Kasey Keller and Kelby Brown. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share.

Scripture
Luke 24:36-49
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
[37] They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. [38] He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? [39] Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
[40] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. [41] And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate it in their presence.
[44] He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
[45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Questions for Reflection
1.    When have you ever been really surprised?
2.    What do you like or dislike about surprises?
3.    How did Jesus approach the disciples? (24:36)
4.    Why were the disciples frightened? (24:37)
5.    What was significant about Jesus’ eating a piece of fish? (24:43)
6.    When did the disciples finally understand the Scriptures? (24:44-45)
7.    What does this passage teach us about God’s role in our understanding of the gospel?
8.    What causes us to disbelieve the Scriptures?
9.    What responsibility do we have to share our faith with others?

Friday, April 13, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/15/12)

Scripture
(ESV) John 20:19-31
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus wasn’t hard on Thomas for his doubts. Despite his skepticism, Thomas was still loyal to the believers and to Jesus himself. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubt becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a life-style that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, don’t stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.

Questions for Reflection
1.    When have you doubted a story from a reliable source?
2.    Why did the disciples have the doors locked? (20:19)
3.    How did the disciples respond to seeing Jesus? (20:20)
4.    What greeting did Jesus repeat? (20:21)
5.    What did Jesus tell His disciples about their future? (20:21)
6.    Why did Jesus breathe on His disciples? (20:22)
7.    What did Thomas say he needed in order to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead? (20:25)
8.    How did Jesus restore Thomas’s faith? (20:26)
9.    When have you had doubts about your faith in Christ?
10. How should we deal with our doubts about Christianity?

Monday, April 9, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Easter Sunday (4/8/12)

Scripture
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) 
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

John 11:21-27
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
    [23] Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
    [24] Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
    [25] Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; [26] and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
    [27] "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Questions for Reflection
1.    In what different ways do people respond when a loved one dies?
2.    What did Martha say to Jesus about His having come after Lazarus had died? (11:21-22)
3.    What did Martha and the others learn about Jesus’ identity? (11:25)
4.    What did Jesus say would happen to those who believed in Him? (11:26)
5.    What belief did Martha express to Jesus? (11:27)
6.    When has God given you comfort in the middle of a sad time of life?
7.    In what way is Jesus’ response to Lazarus’s death a model for us to follow?

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Holy Week Schedule (April 5-8)

Holy Week Schedule
  • Thursday April 5, Maundy Thursday Communion Service 7:00pm in the Sanctuary, child care will be available.
  • Friday April 6, Good Friday Tenebrae Service 7:00pm in the Sanctuary, child care will be available.
  • Saturday April 7, Men’s Breakfast 8:00am. Bring a friend.
  • Easter Sunday Children’s Egg Hunt at 9:45 please bring cookies to share for fellowship time after the egg hunt. At 11:00 we will celebrate our risen savoir.
"The Christian experience, from start to finish, is a journey of faith." (Watchman Nee)

Our journey through the season of Lent is a road that millions of Christians have travelled over the centuries. A yearly rediscovery of the truth contained in the Easter message.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
Prayer for Today
For each step that we might take
Be our guide, O Lord of life.
For each load that we might bear
Be our strength, O Lord of life.
For each mountain we might face
Be our power , O Lord of life.
For each river that might impede
Be our safety , O Lord of life.
For each place where we might rest
Be our peace, O Lord of life.
For each sunrise and sunset
Be our joy , O Lord of life.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/1/12)

Scripture
Psalm 23:1-6 New Living Translation
A psalm of David.
        The Lord is my shepherd;
            I have everything I need.
        [2] He lets me rest in green meadows;
            he leads me beside peaceful streams.
            [3] He renews my strength.
        He guides me along right paths,
            bringing honor to his name.
        [4] Even when I walk
            through the dark valley of death,
        I will not be afraid,
            for you are close beside me.
        Your rod and your staff
            protect and comfort me.
        [5] You prepare a feast for me
            in the presence of my enemies.
        You welcome me as a guest,
            anointing my head with oil.
            My cup overflows with blessings.
        [6] Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
            all the days of my life,
        and I will live in the house of the Lord
            forever.

Matthew 9:35-38 NLT
Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. [36] He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. [37] He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. [38] So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."

Questions for Reflection
1.    In what way has God made your “cup overflow”?
2.    What do you pray about on a regular basis?
3.    What emotion did Jesus feel when He saw the crowds of people around Him? (9:36)
4.    In what terms did Jesus describe the situation He and His disciples were observing? (9:37)
5.    How did Jesus describe the number of people helping others come to Him? (9:37)
6.    Who did Jesus tell His disciples to discuss the lack of workers with? (9:38)
7.    For whom do you feel compassion?
8.    What skills, gifts, abilities, or talents can you use to help others come to Christ?