Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/3/13)

Don't forget Men's Breakfast Saturday at 8:00am.

Scripture
1 Cor. 13:1-13 (ESV) 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. [13] So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What to you is an unmistakable demonstration of love?
2.    What qualities do you associate with love?
3.    Why is love important? (13:3)
4.    What qualities does love have? (13:4-8)
5.    Why do you think Paul wrote about love to the Corinthians?
6.    What is difficult about loving?
7.    How could you show love to a difficult person this week?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/20/13)

Scripture
John 2:1-12 (ESV) 

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. [2] Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. [3] When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." [4] And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." [5] His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." [6] Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. [7] Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. [9] When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom  [10] and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." [11] This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. [12] After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Questions for Reflection
1.    Why are people interested in miraculous or supernatural events?
2.    What makes an event miraculous or supernatural?
3.    What did Jesus’ mother say to Him? (2:3)
4.    What was Jesus’ response to His mother? (2:4)
5.    What was the banquet master’s response? (2:10)
6.    Why did Jesus perform this miracle? (2:11)
7.    How does Jesus reveal His glory to us today?
8.    What is something you would like Jesus to change in your life?

People look everywhere but to God for excitement and meaning. For some reason, they expect God to be dull and lifeless. Just as the wine Jesus made was the best, so life in him is better than life on our own. Why wait until everything else runs out before trying God? Why save the best until last?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/13/13)

Scripture
Luke 3:1-22 (ESV) 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, [2] during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. [5] Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, [6] and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."      [7] He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. [9] Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

[10] And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" [11] And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." [12] Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" [13] And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do." [14] Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."

[15] As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, [16] John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

 

[18] So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. [19] But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, [20] added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

 

[21] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What well-known public person would you most readily describe as a great speaker?
2.    What was John’s basic message? (3:3)
3.    What attitude did John warn the people not to have? Why? (3:8-9)
4.    What is repentance?
5.    When John explained repentance to people, how did it relate to the work they did in life?
6.    When we are confronted with a call to repent, why do we tend to accept or reject the invitation strongly?
7.    What connection is there between repentance and forgiveness?
8.    How did John apply the principle that while God is at work changing people, He often does not change their work or their place in life?
9.    In what ways does John’s life teach us about humility?
10. How should your relationship with God make your work habits differ from those around you?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/6/13)

Scripture
Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV) 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

    [6] " 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
        are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
    for from you shall come a ruler
        who will shepherd my people Israel.' "

[7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Questions for Reflection
1.    If you could give any gift to anyone, what would you give, to whom, and why?
2.    What prompts people to make great sacrifices for others?
3.    What external and internal factors prompted the Magi to search for Jesus? (2:2)
4.    What title did the Magi give to Jesus? (2:2)
5.    What was the Magi’s reaction when they realized they had found the Christ? (2:10)
6.    How would you define worship?
7.    What sort of activities does worship involve?
8.    What are some various “presents” we might give to Christ?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/16/12)

Scripture
Luke 3:1-20 (ESV) 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,  [2] during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  [3] And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  [4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

    "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make his paths straight.
    [5] Every valley shall be filled,
         and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
    and the crooked shall become straight,
        and the rough places shall become level ways,
    [6] and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

[7] He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  [8] Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.  [9] Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

[10] And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"  [11] And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."  [12] Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"  [13] And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do."  [14] Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."

[15] As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,  [16] John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

[18] So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.  [19] But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,  [20] added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What was John’s basic message? (3:3)
2.    Where did John the Baptist carry out his ministry? (3:3)
3.    What Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist? (3:4)
4.    How sensitive was John’s welcome of the crowds who came to hear him? (3:7-8)
5.    What responses did John expect from his listeners? Why? (3:8-9)
6.    What attitude did John warn the people not to have? Why? (3:8-9)
7.    How did John describe Jesus? (3:16-18)
8.    What is repentance?
9.    When John explained repentance to people, how did it relate to the work they did in life?
10. What connection is there between repentance and forgiveness?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/9/12)

Scripture
Luke 12:35-48 (ESV) 

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,  [36] and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.  [37] Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.  [38] If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!  [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.  [40] You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

[41] Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"  [42] And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?  [43] Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  [44] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  [45] But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  [46] the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.  [47] And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.  [48] But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

 

Questions for Reflection

1.    What is it like to wait for someone without knowing when he or she is coming?
2.    What did Jesus tell His disciples to do? (12:35)
3.    According to Jesus, what are the two traits of the one who is ready? (12:35)
4.    How long should the servants have been willing to wait? (12:38)
5.    When do important things often happen? (12:39-40)
6.    How should we act while waiting for Jesus to return?
7.    What do we learn of God’s fairness here?
8.    How much have we, individually and collectively, been given and entrusted with?
9.    How can we use wisely what God gives each of us?

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

Scripture
Luke 21:25-36 (ESV) 

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, [26] people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." [29] And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. [30] As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. [31] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. [34] "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  [35] For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  [36] But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What do you think of people who make predictions about the future?
2.    What do you already know about your future?
3.    For what purpose did Jesus tell the parable of the fig tree? (21:29-31)
4.    What final advice did Jesus give? (21:34-36)
5.    What does this passage teach us about the trustworthiness of Jesus’ promises?
6.    Why should we not allow our hearts to be weighed down with the anxieties of life?