Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." [41] But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Questions
1. What is your home like shortly before guests arrive?
2. What is your home like shortly before guests arrive?
3. What did Jesus think of the sisters’ choices?
4. If you had been Martha in this situation, how would you have reacted to your sister’s choice?
5. What events or opportunities are coming up in which you can focus on being a student of Christ?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Scripture and Questions for Sunday (7/11/07)
Matthew 22:15-22 (ESV)
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. [16] And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? [19] Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. [20] And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" [21] They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." [22] When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
Questions
1. What qualities mark a person of integrity?
2. How did Jesus respond to all the false adulation He received in this incident?
3. What do you think Jesus called us to do when He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”?
4. What responsibilities do you have to the government?
5. What might be the first step in better living up to your obligations as a citizen of God’s kingdom?
This Week the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is being held in Minneapolis from July 3-10, 2010. Here is a link to see what all is going on.
http://ga219.pcusa.org/
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. [16] And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? [19] Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. [20] And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" [21] They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." [22] When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
Questions
1. What qualities mark a person of integrity?
2. How did Jesus respond to all the false adulation He received in this incident?
3. What do you think Jesus called us to do when He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”?
4. What responsibilities do you have to the government?
5. What might be the first step in better living up to your obligations as a citizen of God’s kingdom?
This Week the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is being held in Minneapolis from July 3-10, 2010. Here is a link to see what all is going on.
http://ga219.pcusa.org/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Announcements, Scripture and Questions for Sunday (7/4/10)
Announcement
On July 7th we will meet in the fellowship hall at 5:30 to finalize the plans for VBS. I am hoping all of you can be there. Our material is all in and it looks like lots of fun. The dates for VBS are July 20 thru 23, 6pm to 8pm.
So far the following stations are manned:
Donnette, 979-571-8331 or dd115@suddenlink.net
Scripture
2 Cor. 12:2-10 (ESV)
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—[4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. [5] On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. [6] Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. [7] So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Questions
1. Why are we typically afraid to disclose our weaknesses to each other?
2. What can we learn from Paul’s example about dealing with physical discomfort or hardship?
3. How can you allow the Lord’s power to take over where you are weak?
4. How does the Christian perspective on power and weakness differ from that of the world?
5. In what area of your life do you want to rely more on God’s strength and power, rather than your own?
On July 7th we will meet in the fellowship hall at 5:30 to finalize the plans for VBS. I am hoping all of you can be there. Our material is all in and it looks like lots of fun. The dates for VBS are July 20 thru 23, 6pm to 8pm.
So far the following stations are manned:
- Opening - Sing and Play Splash - Laurie, Diana & Marvin
- Crafts -Clipper Ship Crafts & Missions - Donna & Sandra
- Food - Goodies from the Gallery- Zee & Laurrie Allen
- Games - Ship Rec Games - Jeannette & Luke
- Bible Voyage - Barbara McGuinney
- Susan Curry and Irene Andrews are helping arrange food for those teachers who will have to come directly from work.
- Jim is in charge of the fish fry for Friday night.
- Molly is on deck with the decorations.
Donnette, 979-571-8331 or dd115@suddenlink.net
Scripture
2 Cor. 12:2-10 (ESV)
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—[4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. [5] On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. [6] Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. [7] So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Questions
1. Why are we typically afraid to disclose our weaknesses to each other?
2. What can we learn from Paul’s example about dealing with physical discomfort or hardship?
3. How can you allow the Lord’s power to take over where you are weak?
4. How does the Christian perspective on power and weakness differ from that of the world?
5. In what area of your life do you want to rely more on God’s strength and power, rather than your own?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/20/10)
Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Questions for Reflection
1. How does our society regard the quality of humility?
2. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?
3. How important are outward appearances in our culture today?
4. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?
5. Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?
6. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Questions for Reflection
1. How does our society regard the quality of humility?
2. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?
3. How important are outward appearances in our culture today?
4. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?
5. Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?
6. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/13/10)
Scripture
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. In what ways have you been thanked recently?
2. With what character in the story do you most identify?
3. What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story?
4. What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?
5. What can you do to foster your own thankfulness to God this week?
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. In what ways have you been thanked recently?
2. With what character in the story do you most identify?
3. What were the limits of Jesus’ compassion in this story?
4. What are the limits of Jesus’ compassion toward us?
5. What can you do to foster your own thankfulness to God this week?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Scripture and Questions for Sunday (6/6/10)
Ephes. 2:1-10 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Thoughts
In these words, Paul is proclaiming the core of the Christian faith: Grace from God! Ours is not a religion in which we expend our own efforts to impress God and achieve salvation. This is religion that is built on the generosity of the heart of God as he looks at sinners and exclaims, "I know you don't deserve it, but I'll love you anyway!"
Grace is, by its very nature, surprising and without reason! And it is very expensive! Grace is expensive to God because it cost him his only begotten Son, and it's expensive to Christ because he gave his life for us. But we must not overlook the fact that it also has a cost for us. We must relinquish control of our life and give it over to our Sovereign Master.
Questions
1. When have you shown mercy to a person who deserved to be punished?
2. What three characteristics mark the condition of a person without Christ?
3. Why did God make those who were dead alive with Christ?
4. Why can no one boast in his own salvation?
5. How do you see God’s creative workmanship operating in your life?
Don’t forget the church breakfast (pancakes and bacon) Saturday morning at 8:00am and then we will do some clean up around the church. The more hands the lighter the work!
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Thoughts
In these words, Paul is proclaiming the core of the Christian faith: Grace from God! Ours is not a religion in which we expend our own efforts to impress God and achieve salvation. This is religion that is built on the generosity of the heart of God as he looks at sinners and exclaims, "I know you don't deserve it, but I'll love you anyway!"
Grace is, by its very nature, surprising and without reason! And it is very expensive! Grace is expensive to God because it cost him his only begotten Son, and it's expensive to Christ because he gave his life for us. But we must not overlook the fact that it also has a cost for us. We must relinquish control of our life and give it over to our Sovereign Master.
Questions
1. When have you shown mercy to a person who deserved to be punished?
2. What three characteristics mark the condition of a person without Christ?
3. Why did God make those who were dead alive with Christ?
4. Why can no one boast in his own salvation?
5. How do you see God’s creative workmanship operating in your life?
Don’t forget the church breakfast (pancakes and bacon) Saturday morning at 8:00am and then we will do some clean up around the church. The more hands the lighter the work!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2010 Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 5th
- Men of the Church breakfast, 8 AM
- Work Day, 8 AM
- Communion
- Session Meeting, 6 PM
- Mission Presbytery
- County-Wide Women’s Conference at the First Baptist Church
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