Taking the Sermon Home

Today wraps up the sermon series Jacob: A Promise and a Dream.  Jacob returns home, and faces his brother Esau.  The text is from Genesis 33 and 35.

What are Jacob’s concerns as he returns to the Promised Land?
How would you describe Esau’s reception of Jacob?
In what way is the Jacob story, our own story?
What have you learned about human nature through the stories of Jacob…and what have you learned about God?

Taking the Sermon Home

Today we continue the sermon series Jacob: A Promise and a Dream.  We encounter Jacob on the run in Genesis 28, sent by his father Isaac to find a wife to marry.  She is not to be a Canaanite woman such as his brother’s wife. 

·         What is God’s plan for Jacob?

·         In today’s reading, God comes to Jacob in a dream.  When do you find yourself most open to God’s presence and guidance for your life?

·         Jacob marked the place he experienced God with a stone pillar.  What visual reminders do you have that lead you to connect with the Lord?

Today we begin a sermon series on the biblical figure, Jacob.  Today he and his brother Esau are introduced, and read the story of Jacob stealing Esau's birthright.  The stories came from Genesis 25 and 27.

·         What do you surmise about their respective personalities?

·         What is your impression of Jacob based on this story?

·         What does a story like this lead you to think about God’s purposes and plans?

Taking the Sermon Home

The commemoration of apostles Peter and Paul happens is June 29, which happens to fall on a Sunday this year. Our readings today remember the courage of these early disciples of Jesus, and inspire us with their stories of bold faith. The color for the day is red, as the tradition remembers Peter and Paul as martyrs.

Describe a situation in which you had to defend your faith.

•  In what ways were you challenged? 
• How did you respond, and what gave you the strength you needed? 

Religious persecution is not only a thing of the past.

• Where do you read about religious intolerance in our world today? 
• What is our role as Christians in light of continued persecution? 

Today our readings from Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Matthew 10:24-39 speak of challenges and hardship inherent in the life of faith and discipleship.

• What do you find difficult in the life of discipleship?
• Why does the Prince of Peace speak of bringing a sword (Matthew 10:34)?  Why are division and strife necessary aspects of discipleship?
• Where do you find reason for hope in today’s readings?

Taking the Sermon Home

Today is Holy Trinity Sunday, a day to enter the mystery of how we know God.  Our texts are Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; and Matthew 28:16-20.  We noticed that the word "Trinity" is not found in Scripture; it is a doctrine, or teaching, discerned by the Early Church

· How would you explain the Trinity to someone that had never heard of it?

· When you pray, what aspect of the Trinity comes to your mind most often?  Why?

· What difference does it make to our lives, to understand God as being revealed in different ways?

Taking the Sermon Home

Sunday, June 1.  Texts: Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

Today marks the final Sunday in the Easter Season—next Sunday is the festival of Pentecost, when we celebrate the in-breaking of God’s Holy Spirit. In the Acts reading, Jesus promises the apostles the power of the Spirit for their mission of sharing the gospel. In the reading from John, we hear Jesus praying for the disciples on the night before his crucifixion—entrusting them into God’s care.

• What kind of “power” comes with the Holy Spirit? 
• What does it feel like to wait on the Holy Spirit?  
• How do you know that God is with you in your life’s journey? 
• In both the Acts reading and the gospel, there is evidence of a close community of followers that prays together and provides mutual support. How might this strengthen their sense of mission?