Discussion 29 April 2012

 ACTS 4:5-12

⁵The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, ⁶with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. ¹¹This Jesus is 
     ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; 
          it has become the cornerstone.’ 
¹²There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

For Consideration:

How could Verse 12 be used to undermine Jesus's love for all?

Discussion for April 22, 2012

Depending on the outcome of this Friday's Predators/Redwings game our discussion will come from Acts 24:13-35 (The Road to Emmaus) or Acts 3:12-19.

ACTS 3:12-19

¹²When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. ¹⁴But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, ¹⁵and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. ¹⁶And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

¹⁷“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out."

For Consideration

In this passage Peter challenges his listeners to believe in the power of Jesus' name to make us strong and be perfect in the presence of others. How well are we doing based on our church's mission statement?

Mission Statement

Grateful for the mercy of God,
First Presbyterian Church seeks:

• To proclaim the gospel of Christ by word
and deed;
• To be led by the Holy Spirit to new ways
of living, while respecting the church's traditions;
• To be a caring and spiritual congregation where fellowship is extended, and where we encourage one another through Christian education, spiritual growth, and mutual care.

,

Discussion for Easter Sunday

 ACTS 10:34-43

³⁴Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. ³⁷That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

For Consideration

-What does this passage suggest for regular church goers when they are not in church?

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