Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/27/12)

Scripture
Acts 2:1-13 (ESV) 

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

[5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." [12] And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" [13] But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Held 50 days after Passover, Pentecost was also called the Feast of Weeks. It was one of three major annual feasts (Deut. 16:16), a festival of thanksgiving for the harvested crops. Jesus was crucified at Passover time, and he ascended 40 days after his resurrection. The Holy Spirit came 50 days after the resurrection, ten days after the ascension. Jews of many nations gathered in Jerusalem for this festival. Thus Peter’s speech (Acts 2:14ff) was given to an international audience, and it resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers—the first converts to Christianity.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What was celebrated on the day of Pentecost? (2:1)
2.    What group of people was gathered together? (2:1)
3.    What was the importance of the wind and fire? (2:2-4)
4.    When the Holy Spirit filled the believers, what did they do? (2:4)
5.    Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
6.    What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
7.    How does God use us to witness to others?
8.    When has God enabled you to do something that you didn’t think you could do?
9.    How can you be more open to seeing, hearing, and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit in your prayer and Bible reading?

God made his presence known to this group of believers in a spectacular way—violent wind, fire, and his Holy Spirit. Would you like God to reveal himself to you in such recognizable ways? He may do so, but be wary of forcing your expectations on God. In 1 Kings 19:10-13, Elijah also needed a message from God. There was a great wind, then an earthquake, and finally a fire. But God’s message came in a “gentle whisper.” God may use dramatic methods to work in your life—or he may speak in gentle whispers. Wait patiently and always listen.

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/20/12)

Announcement
Please don’t forget that we are recognizing our graduates Sunday. We will have a lunch following with a Mexican theme, please bring a dish to share.

Scripture
Psalm 1:1-6
   Blessed is the man
        who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
    or stand in the way of sinners
        or sit in the seat of mockers.
    [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
        and on his law he meditates day and night.
    [3] He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
        which yields its fruit in season
    and whose leaf does not wither.
        Whatever he does prospers.
    [4] Not so the wicked!
        They are like chaff
        that the wind blows away.
    [5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
        nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
    [6] For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
        but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions for Reflection
1.    When has peer pressure influenced your attitudes or actions?
2.    What activities does the righteous person avoid? (1:1-3)
3.    What is the theme of this psalm? (1:1-6)
4.    How are the righteous and the wicked different? (1:1-6)
5.    Why is Christian fellowship important?
6.    What positive ideals does this psalm encourage us to follow?
7.    What does this psalm teach us about spiritual discipline?
8.    How can we demonstrate our delight in God’s Word?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/13/12)

Announcement
A memorial service for JoElla Bolt’s brotherTed Bolt will be held Sunday evening at 6:00pm in the sanctuary. A receptionwill follow in the fellowship hall.

Scripture
John 15:1-17
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts offevery branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruithe prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. [3] You are already cleanbecause of the word I have spoken to you. [4] Remain in me, and I will remainin you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neithercan you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
[5] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in meand I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [6] Ifanyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away andwithers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [7] Ifyou remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it willbe given you. [8] This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,showing yourselves to be my disciples.
[9] "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain inmy love. [10] If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as Ihave obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told youthis so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] Mycommand is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has noone than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are myfriends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because aservant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends,for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] Youdid not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bearfruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask inmy name. [17] This is my command: Love each other.

Questionsfor Reflection
1.   Whatdid Jesus urge His disciples to do? (15:9)
2.   Howwere Jesus’ disciples to remain in His love? (15:10)
3.   Why did Jesus talk with His disciples about vines and branches? (15:11)
4.   Whatcommand did Jesus give His disciples? (15:12)
5.   Whatis the greatest manifestation of love? (15:13)
6.   Howare we to remain in Jesus? Why?
7.   Whatdoes it mean to bear fruit as a Christian?
8.   Whenis it difficult to develop and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus?
9.   Inwhat way is your joy complete?
10. When do you strugglewith loving others the way Jesus has loved you?
11. What kind of friendare you to Jesus?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (5/6/12)

Don’t forget that we have Men’s Breakfast Saturday morning at 8:00am.

Scripture
John 14:15-31
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [21] Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
[22] Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
[23] Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [24] He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
[25] "All this I have spoken while still with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
[28] "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. [29] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. [30] I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, [31] but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What is the result of obeying Jesus’ commands and loving Him? (14:21-23)
2.    What did Jesus say the Counselor would do? (14:25-26)
3.    What did Jesus leave with His disciples? (14:27)
4.    Why were the disciples to be glad that Jesus was leaving them? (14:28)
5.    Why did Jesus tell His disciples about the future? (14:29)
6.    How can we show Jesus that we love Him?
7.    What are the commands of Jesus that we should obey?
8.    How are we taught by the Holy Spirit?
9.    When have you been comforted by the Holy Spirit?
10. What is the peace that Jesus has given us?