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?

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?

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.

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?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/18/12)

The presence of Jesus is sufficient to conquer our fears!

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.

Luke 8:22-25 (ESV) 

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, [23] and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. [24] And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. [25] He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?"

Questions for Reflection

1. What is it like to fear for your physical safety?
2. How do you react to someone else’s utter calm when all you feel is panic?
3. How did Jesus react to the growing storm? (8:23)
4. What did the disciples think of the turn of events? (8:24)
5. How and how quickly did the situation change? (8:24)
6. After the storm was calmed, what did Jesus ask the disciples? (8:25)
7. What is faith?
8. If you had been in the boat that day, would you have been more like Jesus or like the disciples? Why?
9. Would you have been reassured or angered by Jesus’ calmness?
10. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “Where is your faith?”

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/11/12)

Scripture
Psalm 23:1-6

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 10:1-10

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. [2] The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. [3] The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. [5] But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." [6] Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

[7] Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Questions for Reflection

1.    What motivates God to guide His people? (23:3)
2.    How has the Lord guided you through difficult times?
3.    What did Jesus say He was? (10:7)
4.    To whom did Jesus say the sheep did not listen? (10:8)
5.    What did Jesus say would be the result of entering through Him? (10:9)
6.    How did Jesus contrast His coming with the coming of a thief? (10:10)
7.    In what way is Jesus like a gate?
8.    How has Jesus been a gate in your life?
9.    In what way is Jesus like a shepherd?
10.  How are we like sheep?
11.  In what way is Jesus your shepherd?
12.  How would you describe your relationship with Jesus?
13.  What tempts people to follow a stranger? Why?
14.  How can we better hear the voice of Jesus?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/4/12)

Announcements:
1.    Saturday morning Men’s Breakfast at 8:00am. The menu will be scrambled eggs, biscuits, cream gravy, bacon, sausage, grits and fried potatoes. Bring a friend we are cooking a bunch.
2.    Sunday evening at 5:30 we will have a potluck dinner and a hymn sing in the fellowship hall. Come with your voices ready and your favorite hymns in mind.
3.    Don’t forget that the St. Jude’s Basketball tournament is going on this weekend.

Scripture
Psalm 23:1-6

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.

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. [26] Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

[27] "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

[28] "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Questions

1.    If you had one week of vacation in which to recharge your physical and emotional batteries, where would you go to rest, relax, and get rejuvenated?
2.    What promise did Jesus make to those who would accept His offer? (11:28)
3.    In what ways does God “restore our souls”?
4.    In your eyes, what about Christ seems so obvious that everyone ought to be able to see it?
5.    In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now?
6.    What aspects of the Christian life do you find especially taxing or burdensome?
7.    What is it like to experience the promised “rest” of Christ?