Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Discussion for 4 January 2015


Matthew 2:1–12

2In the time of King Herod, 
after Jesus was born in 
Bethlehem of Judea, wise men 
from the East came to Jerusalem, 
2asking, “Where is the child who
 has been born king of the Jews? 
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay
 him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was 
frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together 
all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired 
of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him,
 “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the 
prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are 
by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from 
you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people 
Israel.’” 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men 
and learned from them the exact time when the star 
had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, 
saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and 
when you have found him, bring me word so that 
I may also go and pay him homage.”9When they had 
heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went 
the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over
 the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star
 had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering
 the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they 
knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their 
treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, 
and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to 
return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

For Consideration
-In the Christian tradition, the season of Epiphany is a season for 
new sight, new vision, and paradigm shifts. How does this passage
correlate to an Epiphany?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Discussion for 21 December 2014

LUKE 1:26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
FOR CONSIDERATION
-What does this passage say about Mary's character?
-In verse 34, is Mary doubting the words of Gabriel? If so, why was she not punished like Zechariah?
-In verse 38 Mary says she is a servant of the Lord. Is she resigning herself to be a passive vessel for the work of God?

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Discussion for 14 December 2014

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,  
     “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 

          ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” 
as the prophet Isaiah said.

24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
FOR CONSIDERATION
How does John embody our relationship with Christ?
How could this passage help with the many folks who find Advent and Christmas more as occasions for loneliness and sorrow then community and joy?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Discussion for 7 December 2014

 MARK 1:1-8
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in he prophet Isaiah, 
     “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, 
          who will prepare your way; 
3   the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 
          ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, 
          make his paths straight,’” 
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
FOR CONSIDERATION
-What do you consider the most pressing political situations of our present time?
-Why would John the Baptist preach repentance as an introduction for the One coming who "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit?"

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Discussion for 30 November 2014

ISAIAH 64:1-9
1   O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, 
          so that the mountains would quake at your presence — 
2   as when fire kindles brushwood 
          and the fire causes water to boil — 
     to make your name known to your adversaries, 
          so that the nations might tremble at your presence 
3   When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, 
          you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 
4   From ages past no one has heard, 
          no ear has perceived, 
     no eye has seen any God besides you, 
          who works for those who wait for him. 5   You meet those who gladly do right, 
          those who remember you in your ways. 
     But you were angry, and we sinned; 
          because you hid yourself we transgressed. 
6   We have all become like one who is unclean, 
          and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth 
     We all fade like a leaf, 
          and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 
7   There is no one who calls on your name, 
          or attempts to take hold of you; 
     for you have hidden your face from us, 
          and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity 
8   Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; 
          we are the clay, and you are our potter; 
          we are all the work of your hand. 
9   Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, 
          and do not remember iniquity forever. 
          Now consider, we are all your people.
FOR CONSIDERATION
-If in biblical times God intervened in history with "awesome deeds", why does God not do so today?

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Discussion for 23 November 2014

MATTHEW 25:31-46
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 
33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
For Consideration
-Why is it difficult to look at this passage without consideration of the entire Gospel?
-Do you consider yourself "one of the least of these" or "one of those that gave [Him] food?" Why?
-Do we serve jesus and others better under the threat of judgment?
-Where exactly do you see yourself in this text?

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Discussion for 16 November 2014

MATTHEW 25:14-30
14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
FOR CONSIDERATION
-When is this scripture usually preached?
-How does the 3rd slave perceive the master and how does the master perceive the 3rd slave? What does this say about how we perceive God?

Friday, November 7, 2014

Discussion for 9 November 2014

MATTHEW 25:1-13
1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”







FOR CONSIDERATION
-Have you ever been late? How did you feel?
-What were the consequences of being late?

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Discussion for 2 November 2014

Rev 7:9–17  – After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could
count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and 
power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

For Consideration
-In verses 13 and 14 one of the elders asks John who are all these people. Where did they come from? John has an interesting reply. What are your thought on this exchange?
-What does this passage say about the universality of God's grace?

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Discussion for 26 October 2014

1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-8
1You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, 
2but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. 3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; 6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

For Consideration
-Based on this scripture, what does it mean to be an Apostle?

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Discussion for 19 October 2014

Isaiah 45:1-7

45Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
   whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
   and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him—
   and the gates shall not be closed:
2 I will go before you
   and level the mountains,*
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
   and cut through the bars of iron,
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness
   and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
   the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,
   and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
   I surname you, though you do not know me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;
   besides me there is no god.
   I arm you, though you do not know me,
6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
   and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
   I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness,
   I make weal and create woe;
   I the Lord do all these things. 

For Consideration
-Should we reject outright someone like Cyrus to play a messianic role for God's people?
-How could this passage serve as instruction for our church?
-How do you think the people of Israel felt about Cyrus being anointed by God?

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Discussion for 12 October 2014

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9
1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.





For Consideration:
-Just what is required of followers of Jesus Christ?
-What difference does becoming a follower of Christ make in one’s daily life?

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Discussion for 5 October 2014

PHILIPPIANS 3:4B-14
4bIf anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

For Consideration

-In this text, what does Paul write that says his love in Christ is just as real as the message he delivers?

-In this day of texting, Twitter, email, Facebook and many other types of communication what would be the best way to deliver this message today?

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Discussion for 28 September 2014

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13
1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 

6   who, though he was in the form of God, 
          did not regard equality with God 
          as something to be exploited, 
7   but emptied himself, 
          taking the form of a slave, 
          being born in human likeness. 
     And being found in human form, 
8        he humbled himself 
          and became obedient to the point of death — 
          even death on a cross.

9   Therefore God also highly exalted him 
          and gave him the name 
          that is above every name, 
10  so that at the name of Jesus 
          every knee should bend, 
          in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
11  and every tongue should confess 
          that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
          to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13or it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
For Consideration
-In verse 12 Paul says we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Why would we shake and be afraid of being like Christ for our own salvation?

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Discussion for 21 September 2014

 PHILIPPIANS 1:21-30
21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

27Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well — 30since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
For Consideration
-Does this passage question the hope of the reality of heaven?
-How would this passage help in times of complete bewilderment and despair?

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Service for 14 September 2014

We will  not meet int he Chapel next week. Please plan to join our sponsored missionaries, the Welches in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour.

Also, thank you to the volunteers agreeing to help with Fellowship for the next three Sundays.

14 Sept.ember   Penny Green
21 September    Pam Hanners, Carolyn & Buddy Fisher
28 September     Argie Satterwhite

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Discussion for 7 September 2014

ROMANS 13:8-14
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
For Consideration
--What does love as fulfilling the law/commandment mean?
-How does love fulfill the law/commandant?
-How does love give us the right to disobey the law when law and authorities violate the demands of love?

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Discussion For 31 August 2014

ROMANS 12:9-21
9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
For Consideration
-Can you think of  any groups or communities that caused tension with their surrounding neighbors? 
-How do some faith communities  distinguish themselves as defined by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ...the crucified One?

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Discussion for 24 August 2014

 ROMANS 12:1-8
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching;8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
FOR CONSIDERATION
-Look up the word "Theology." What does this passage say about theology?
-In Verse 1, Paul mentions making our "bodies as a living sacrifice" which is our "spiritual worship." Bonus pints of you can answers this one!


Monday, May 19, 2014

Discussion for 25 May 2014


 1 PETER 3:13-22
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
For Consideration
-How does this passage address today's "Prosperity Gospel?"
-Are those suffering, those without knowledge of Christ, those with "good conduct" more righteous than those living comfortable lives as a result of their faith? 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Discussion for 18 May 2014


ACTS 7:55-60
55But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
For Consideration
-Read Acts 6:12-7:53. Does Stephen do a good job of sharing his faith with the Sanhedrin?
-Was Saul changed because of what he saw in Stephen's faith ?