Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/26/17)

Sunday after church we will have a pancake lunch.  Please bring a breakfast dish to share. 

Scripture
Luke 9:28-45 (ESV)  

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. [29] And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. [30] And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, [31] who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. [32] Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. [33] And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah"— not knowing what he said. [34] As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" [36] And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. 

[37] On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. [38] And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. [39] And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. [40] And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." [41] Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." [42] While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. [43] And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, [44] "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." [45] But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 

Questions for Reflection
1. What special events in your life do wish could have lasted forever?
2. What happened to Jesus while He was praying? (9:29)
3. How did Peter react to the amazing scene? (9:33)
4. How did the disciples handle their experience? (9:36)
5. In describing Peter’s suggestion about the shelters, why did Luke say, “He did not know what he was saying”?
6. Why do you think the disciples told no one what they had seen that day?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/19/17)

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)  

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. [37] And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, [38] and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." [40] And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 

[41] "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" [43] Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." [44] Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." [48] And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [49] Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" [50] And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Questions for Reflection
1. What limits do most people place on hospitality?
2. What did the Pharisee say about what the woman did? (7:39)
3. What did Jesus think of Simon’s hospitality? (7:44-46)
4. How did the other guests react to Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman? (7:49)
5. When have you ever felt like Simon or the other guests when confronted with a person of questionable morals?
6. What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?
7. What people do you want to view more with Jesus’ eyes?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/12/17)

Scripture
Luke 7:18-35 (ESV)  

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, [19] calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [20] And when the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' " [21] In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. [22] And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, b the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." 

[24] When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? f A reed shaken by the wind? [25] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. [26] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [27] This is he of whom it is written,

    " 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
        who will prepare your way before you.'

[28] I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." [29] ( When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, [30] but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.) [31] "To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? [32] They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

    " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
        we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'

[33] For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' [34] The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' [35] Yet wisdom is justified by all her children." 

Questions for Reflection
1. In your opinion, what causes most people to doubt?
2. For what two questions did John want answers? (7:19)
3. How did Jesus answer the visitors’ questions? (7:21-22)
4. In what ways can you relate to John the Baptist in this passage?
5. Why didn’t Jesus condemn John’s doubts?
6. How can a person cultivate the wisdom and expectant response described by Jesus?
7. What opportunities might you have in the next few days to express your beliefs, as well as your doubts?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/5/17)

Announcements

• Men's Breakfast Saturday morning 8 AM. Coffee will be on at 6:30 so come early to visit and bring a friend.
• From Rene Weitz:  They released Doyle to come home.  Now starts the process of therapy for many months to come. Please continue to keep him in your prayers during this challenging time. We can't thank everyone enough for all your love, support and prayers.
• On Saturday February 11th we will be moving the food bank to the Northside Church of Christ building. We will meet at the First United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Scripture for Sunday
Luke 7:1-17 (ESV)  

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. [2] Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. [3] When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, [5] for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue." [6] And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. [7] Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. [8] For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." [9] When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." [10] And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. 

[11] Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. [12] As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. [13] And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." [14] Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." [15] And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. [16] Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" [17] And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. 

Questions for Reflection
1. When you hear the word “authority,” who first comes to mind?
2. When have you been amazed by someone else’s faith?
3. From whom have you learned the greatest part of your understanding of faith?
4. What different character qualities were demonstrated by the centurion? (7:3-8)
5. What message did the centurion send when he discovered Jesus was actually coming to his house? (7:6-8)
6. What characteristics of the centurion’s attitude and request would be helpful to remember when we ask God for help?
7. Why is it difficult for us to be as dependent on God as the centurion was?
8. How could you affirm the faith of someone who has been an example to you?