Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/2/14)

Men's Breakfast is Saturday at 8:00am, we will have the usual eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, grits and gravy. If you would like to help cook or just come socialize we arrive around 6:45am.

Scripture
Matthew 17:1-9 (ESV)  

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. [3] And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [4] And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." [5] He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." [8] And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. [9] And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."  

Questions for Reflection

1. What is the most spectacular event you have ever witnessed?
2. What happened to Christ on the mountain? (17:2)
3. Who else appeared and began talking to Jesus? (17:3)
4. What did Peter volunteer to do? (17:4)
5. What do you think prompted Peter to say he would build shelters? (17:4)
6. What happened while Peter was speaking? (17:5)
7. How did the disciples react when God spoke out of the cloud? (17:6)
8. What memories or insights do you think Peter, James, and John took home with them from this incident?
9. In what way is it difficult for us to worship God?
10. How might seeing Christ in all His glory prompt us to obey Him more completely?
11. In what ways does God reveal Himself to us today?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/23/14)

Sunday afternoon at 5:30 we will have a time of fellowship food and singing. Please bring either a soup, bread or dessert to share. We will have a hymn sing after we eat.

Scripture
Matthew 5:38-48 (ESV)  

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [41] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is appealing about revenge?
2. What character quality more than any other says to the world, “This person is a Christian”?
3. How did Jesus say we ought to treat our enemies? (5:44)
4. What did Jesus say we ought to do for those who persecute us? (5:44)
5. Why did Jesus suggest modifying this universally accepted law? (5:45)
6. How does God treat evil and good people in the same way? (5:45)
7. How does God treat righteous and unrighteous people equally? (5:45)
8. If our holy God is able to exhibit grace and mercy to everyone, why is it difficult for us to be like Him?
9. What does it mean for us to be perfect?
10. How is it possible for us to love our enemies?
11. What would have to happen in your heart in order for you to be able to pray for an enemy?

February 2014 Newsletter

February 2014 Newsletter

January 2014 Newsletter

Sorry! I forgot to put the January newsletter on here.

Here it is:
January 2014 Newsletter

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/16/14)

Scripture
Matthew 5:21-37 (ESV)  

    "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'  [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.  [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  [25] Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.  [26] Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 

    [27] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  [28] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 

    [31] "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'  [32] But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

    [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'  [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,  [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  [36] And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  [37] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. 

Questions for Reflection
1. When do you tend to get angry?
2. What sort of realization did Jesus say should interrupt our worship? (5:23)
3. If a person becomes aware of a relational problem, how quickly should he or she act? (5:24)
4. What should be a believer’s goal in strained or shattered relationships? (5:24)
5. When is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
6. Where is it best to settle disputes? (5:25)
7. Why did Jesus zero in on the emotions behind our violent actions?
8. Why is it necessary to get things right with people before we come to worship God?
9. Why is it preferable for Christians to quietly resolve their differences rather than battle over them publicly?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/9/14)

Scripture
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) 

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. [14] "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Questions for Reflection

1.  To what valuable substance did Jesus compare His disciples? (5:13)
2. What is an essential characteristic of salt? (5:13)
3. What happens to salt that loses its flavor? (5:13)
4. What did Jesus mean when He called His followers salt?
5. What sort of effect does salt have on food?
6. How do salty things affect us?
7. How can a Christian lose his or her saltiness?
8. What specific behaviors mark the life-style of a salty, shining Christian?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/2/14)

Scripture 

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) 

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 

[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

[3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[4] "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

[5] "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

[6] "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

[7] "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

[8] "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

[9] "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

[10] "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[11] "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  

[12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Questions for Reflection

1. What was the setting for this sermon? (5:1)
2. Who was Jesus addressing? (5:1-2)
3. How does it pay in the present to walk with God?
4. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?
5. What does it mean to be meek?
6. How would a person behave if he or she were hungering and thirsting after righteousness?
7. What are some examples of showing mercy?
8. How does society’s list of admirable virtues compare and contrast with these kingdom virtues?