Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/22/12)

Scripture
Mark 1:14-20

    After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [15] "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

    [16] As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [17] "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." [18] At once they left their nets and followed him.

    [19] When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. [20] Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Repentance involves two turns. There is a negative turn away from sin and a positive turn toward God. It is a turning to God away from sin, whether sins of thought or action.

Questions for Reflection

1.    How did Jesus want people to respond to the fact that the kingdom of God was near? (1:15)
2.    What did Jesus tell the people they must do besides believe His good news? (1:15)
3.    Whom did Jesus call to be His followers? (1:16, 19)
4.    What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? (1:17)
5.    What does Jesus ask all of us to do?
6.    What can you learn from the disciples’ response to Jesus’ call?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/15/12)

Scripture
John 1:35-51

The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. [36] As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and then declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" [37] Then John's two disciples turned and followed Jesus.

[38] Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them.

They replied, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

[39] "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day.

[40] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. [41] The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means the Christ).

[42] Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "You are Simon, the son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

[43] The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, be my disciple." [44] Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown.

[45] Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

[46] "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?"

"Just come and see for yourself," Philip said.

[47] As they approached, Jesus said, "Here comes an honest man—a true son of Israel."

[48] "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked.

And Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you."

[49] Nathanael replied, "Teacher, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!"

[50] Jesus asked him, "Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." [51] Then he said, "The truth is, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What gets you excited or enthusiastic?
2.    What did John’s disciples do when John identified Jesus? (1:37)
3.    What did Jesus ask John’s disciples? (1:38)
4.    What did John’s disciples call Jesus? (1:38)
5.    What did John’s disciples ask Jesus? (1:38)
6.    What was the first thing Andrew did after he had followed Jesus? (1:40)
7.    What did Andrew tell his brother about Jesus? (1:41)
8.    What does it mean to follow Jesus?
9.    What hinders us from following Jesus?
10. What must we leave to follow Jesus?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (1/8/12)

Announcements
1.    Men’s Breakfast Saturday @ 8:00am
2.    Elder Training Saturday @ 9:00am to Noon
3.    We will undecorate the church Monday @ 5:30pm

Scripture for Sunday
Mark 1:4-11 (ESV) 

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  [5] And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  [6] Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.  [7] And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

[9] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  [10] And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  [11] And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What reasons to be baptized did John give the people? (1:4)
2.    What had to happen before John could baptize a person? (1:5)
3.    How did Jesus’ baptism differ from John’s? (1:8)
4.    How were the three persons of the Trinity present in this event? (1:10-11)
5.    In what ways can we imitate Jesus’ attitude of humility and submission?
6.    This is the beginning of Jesus ministry, what kind of a beginning is offered to us?
7.    How often can we begin again?

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

Announcements:
1.    Dress rehearsal and lunch for those taking part in the Christmas Play will follow morning worship.
2.    Community Christmas Cantata Sunday December 11^th 6pm at First United Methodist Church
3.    Our Church Family Christmas Breakfast is December 18th at 9:45. Please bring a breakfast dish to share.
4.    The Christmas Play is next Sunday during morning worship.
5.    Also during our morning worship on the 18^th Hilario and Courtney Cantu will reaffirm their wedding vows.

Scripture
Mark 2:1-12

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

[6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

[8] Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralytic, [11] "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." [12] He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Questions for Reflection

1.    What dilemma did the paralytic man and his friends face? (2:2-4)
2.    What do the details of the story tell you about the paralytic man, his friends, and Jesus’ reputation? (2:3-4)
3.    What motivated Jesus to respond to the paralytic man’s plight? (2:5)
4.    What connection is there between a person’s faith and God’s working in his or her life?
5.    What does God require or not require to forgive us of our sins?
6.    How would you compare Jesus’ response in this story to the Pharisees’ attitudes?
7.    What does this story tell you is the difference between true spirituality and counterfeit spirituality?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (12/4/11)

Announcements and Prayer Concerns

1.    Pastor Jackson Boyett and his wife were killed Tuesday in a head-on collision in Austin.  Formerly of Telegraph and Junction, he was the pastor of Dayspring Fellowship in Austin since its founding.  They had no close family surviving. Please pray for the congregation of Dayspring Fellowship.

2.    We will have men’s breakfast Saturday at 8:00am

Scripture
Mark 1:1-8 1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Questions for Reflection
1.    How would you prepare for a home visit from your boss or another important person?
2.    Who sent the messenger? Why? (1:2-3)
3.    What were the two aspects of John’s ministry? (1:4)
4.    What reasons to be baptized did John give the people? (1:4)
5.    What was the theme of John’s message? (1:7-8)
6.    What is your reaction to the fact that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled?
7.    How can we ensure that our lives focus attention on Christ, and not on ourselves?
8.    In what ways can you prepare others for Christ?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/27/11)

Announcements:
Our Advent Bible Study begins Monday @ 6:00pm in the fellowship hall.

Scripture:
Mark 14:24-37 (ESV) 

And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  [25] Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  [27] And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'  [28] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."  [29] Peter said to him, "Even though they all fall away, I will not."  [30] And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."  [31] But he said emphatically, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." And they all said the same.

[32] And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."  [33] And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  [34] And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch."  [35] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  [36] And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."  [37] And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 

Questions for Reflection
1.    How have your friends helped you through difficult times in your life?
2.    What is it like to have a friend let you down when you really need support?
3.    Who has been a faithful friend to you during difficult times in your life?
4.    Why do you think Jesus chose three disciples to pray with Him?
5.    What does the fact that God did not grant Jesus’ request teach us about prayer?
6.    How does this passage encourage you to react when you feel distressed or troubled?
7.    What about Christ’s humanity can we learn from this event in His life?
8.    How can we trust God with our extremely difficult circumstances?
9.    What does it mean to “watch and pray”?
10. How can we prevent ourselves from falling into temptation?

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (11/20/11)

Announcements
1.    Practice for the Christmas Play has begun. We need the youth and children of the church who will be participating to come to church at 9:30 each Sunday for practice.
2.    We will be decorating the church Sunday at 6:00pm. Chili and cornbread will be provided please bring a desert to share. We can use lots of help, hope to see you there!

Scripture
Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV) 

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40] And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

[41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44] Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45] Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Questions for Reflection
1.    What are some ways we label or categorize others?
2.    What are some common examples of separating clean from dirty, fresh from spoiled, or good from bad?
3.    What will Jesus say to those on His right? (25:34-36)
4.    Why will the group on Jesus’ right be blessed? (25:35)
5.    How will the “sheep” respond to Jesus’ words on that day? (25:37-39)
6.    What criterion will Christ use to judge people? (25:40)
7.    How do people usually determine whether they will be nice to somebody?
8.    How would your behavior change if you treated each person in your life as if he or she were Jesus?
9.    In what specific ways has your faith in Christ changed you?