Discussion for 1 April 2012

MARK 11:1-11

¹When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ²and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. ³If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” ⁴They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, ⁵some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. ⁷Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. ⁹Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, 
     “Hosanna! 
          Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 
¹⁰       Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! 
          Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹¹Then 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.

For Consideration:
-How do we usually observe this scripture in our worship service?
-How could this scene be viewed by authorities and followers of Jesus?
-Does Jesus leave anything to chance in the first 8 verses?

Discussion 25 March 2012

Fifth Sunday of Lent
HEBREWS 5:5-10

⁵So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, 
     “You are my Son, 
          today I have begotten you”; 
⁶as he says also in another place, 
     “You are a priest forever, 
          according to the order of Melchizedek.”

⁷In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; ⁹and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, ¹⁰having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.


For Consideration
Verse 7 raises all sorts of questions. How does the 1st part of this verse about Jesus' prayers relate to Him being a "high priest?"
 Does this verse imply God could have saved Jesus from a horrific death? 
What does it mean that Jesus was heard because of His reverent submission?


In Verse 8, what is meant by the statement "he learned obedience through what he suffered?"

Prayer

The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. - James 5:15 (NRSV) Praying for others is more than an opportunity; it is a privilege God presents to us. That day I learned that when we are asked to pray for someone, we should do it. God will take care of the rest. Prayer: Loving God, grant us the sensitivity to recognize and act on opportunities to pray for others. Amen.

A Redemptive Ethic

We seek to continue Christ's work of rising from trespasses & sins and being made alive together. The work begins within the church.

Prayer:
Saved through faith, I offer my life to You for all that I may be and do in the world. Amen

Discussion for March 18, 2012

4th Sunday of Lent

Lent is a time of repentance and decision. It is also a time to reflect on other themes such as sin, healing and thanksgiving. Listed below are the four lectionary texts.

Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

For consideration:
What do these selections have in common?
What do they suggest about faith and obedience?
Is faith anything more than a belief?
Do these selections offer us any choices?

Prayer for Lent

From Psalm 126

May the actions of today become a joyful memory in the future. Amen

Quote & Prayer for Lent

What seems to be a long delay in Christ's return is really God's gracious way of saying to us, from generation to generation, it is not too late. Wait in penitence and hope.  David L. Bartlett


Prayer: Be patient with me, God, and give me the patience as i wait for you. Amen

Prayer for Lent

God of justice, fill me to overflowing with your peace. Amen

Meditation for Lent

"When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel." Oswald Chambers


Prayer
Lord Almighty, when I feel discouraged, alone, and tired remind me of your grace that gives me all that I need. Amen

A Prayer for Lent

Let my hope be in your Word, which never fades. Amen

Prayer for Lent

From today's Prayer of Confession

God, strengthen my faith in you to help me accept all of my rest comes from you. Give me the courage to refuse compromise in my devotion to you and the willingness to share my faith with others.
Amen

A Prayer for Lent

I pray, dear God, to be one who waits for you actively and with great joy! Amen

Class Discussion for March 4, 2012

GENESIS 17:1-7, 15-16

¹When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. ²And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” ³Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ⁴“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. ⁵No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. ⁶I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. ⁷I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

¹⁵God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

For Consideration
During Lent we are invited to spend 40 days examining the nature of our own covenant with God.
1. Upon what does that relationship depend?
2. What actions do we take to become involved with God?
3. If we could ask God for a new name, what would it be?

A Prayer for Lent

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

New International Version (NIV)

 ³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

 ⁴ I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵ For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer

God, may your grace and peace truly be with us during this Lenten season. 

Amen

Prayer for Lent

God, I long to be a person that knows and shows grace. Amen