Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/23/14)

Scripture
Mark 12:1-12 (ESV)  

And he began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. [2] When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. [3] And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. [4] Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. [5] And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. [6] He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' [7] But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' [8] And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. [9] What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. [10] Have you not read this Scripture:

    " 'The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone;
   [11] this was the Lord's doing,
        and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

[12] And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Questions for Reflection

1. What was your reaction to a time when you were cheated?
2. To whom was Jesus speaking? (12:1)
3. Whom do the farmer, servants, and son in the parable represent? (12:1-6)
4. Why did the owner of the vineyard send so many servants to the tenants looking after the vineyard? (12:2-5)
5. How did the tenants treat the owner’s son? Why? (12:7-8)
6. In what ways is it possible to mistreat the messengers or message God has sent us?
7. How does God want us to treat His message?
8. How can you be a better steward of the spiritual responsibility God has given you?
9. What is one area of your life that you are holding back from the Lord for fear that He may ask too much of you?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/9/14)

Please don't forget to change your clocks Saturday night.

Scripture
Mark 11:1-11 (ESV)  

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples [2] and said to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. [3] If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.' " [4] And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. [5] And some of those standing there said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" [6] And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. [7] And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. [8] And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. [9] And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [10] Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" [11] And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Questions for Reflection

1. What kinds of events or occasions do we celebrate with parades?
2. How did the disciples’ experience match with what Jesus said? (11:4-7)
3. What did the people in the village do when the disciples asked to take their colt? (11:6)
4. What did Jesus do with the colt? (11:7)
5. How did Jesus enter Jerusalem? (11:7-11)
6. Why did the people spread cloaks and branches on the road for Jesus? (11:8-10)
7. What do you think the disciples thought about what Jesus asked them to do?
8. Why do you think the people in the village let the disciples take their colt?
9. What did Jesus communicate to the crowds by riding a donkey into Jerusalem?
10. When has God told you to do something that you thought was unusual or difficult to justify?
11. Why do you think God does not always reveal His intentions or long-range plans for us when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances?
12. What should we do when we do not understand what God is trying to accomplish in us and through us?

March 2014 Newsletter

Check out the newsletter here...

March 2014 Newsletter

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (3/2/14)

Men's Breakfast is Saturday at 8:00am, we will have the usual eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, grits and gravy. If you would like to help cook or just come socialize we arrive around 6:45am.

Scripture
Matthew 17:1-9 (ESV)  

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. [3] And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [4] And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." [5] He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." [8] And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. [9] And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."  

Questions for Reflection

1. What is the most spectacular event you have ever witnessed?
2. What happened to Christ on the mountain? (17:2)
3. Who else appeared and began talking to Jesus? (17:3)
4. What did Peter volunteer to do? (17:4)
5. What do you think prompted Peter to say he would build shelters? (17:4)
6. What happened while Peter was speaking? (17:5)
7. How did the disciples react when God spoke out of the cloud? (17:6)
8. What memories or insights do you think Peter, James, and John took home with them from this incident?
9. In what way is it difficult for us to worship God?
10. How might seeing Christ in all His glory prompt us to obey Him more completely?
11. In what ways does God reveal Himself to us today?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (2/23/14)

Sunday afternoon at 5:30 we will have a time of fellowship food and singing. Please bring either a soup, bread or dessert to share. We will have a hymn sing after we eat.

Scripture
Matthew 5:38-48 (ESV)  

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [41] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is appealing about revenge?
2. What character quality more than any other says to the world, “This person is a Christian”?
3. How did Jesus say we ought to treat our enemies? (5:44)
4. What did Jesus say we ought to do for those who persecute us? (5:44)
5. Why did Jesus suggest modifying this universally accepted law? (5:45)
6. How does God treat evil and good people in the same way? (5:45)
7. How does God treat righteous and unrighteous people equally? (5:45)
8. If our holy God is able to exhibit grace and mercy to everyone, why is it difficult for us to be like Him?
9. What does it mean for us to be perfect?
10. How is it possible for us to love our enemies?
11. What would have to happen in your heart in order for you to be able to pray for an enemy?

February 2014 Newsletter

February 2014 Newsletter

January 2014 Newsletter

Sorry! I forgot to put the January newsletter on here.

Here it is:
January 2014 Newsletter