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? 

Taking the Sermon Home

May 11, 2014

Along with being Mothers’ Day, today is “Good Shepherd Sunday.”  The appointed readings include both Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”) and John 10.

· In the gospel, Jesus warns about thieves and bandits that climb into the sheepfold rather than enter by the gate.  What do you think this refers to in your own life?

· What are the blessings of following a shepherd?

· How would you define the “abundant life” that Jesus promises to his sheep?

Taking the Sermon Home

May 5, 2014
The Road to Emmaus

Today’s gospel lesson from Luke features the journey of two men from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The risen Christ joins them and enters into conversation.

• Why do you think the men were walking away from Jerusalem?  
• Why do you think the travelers do not recognize Jesus at first? What causes them to know it is Jesus? 
• How are the men transformed by the experience? 
• When have your eyes been opened to the presence of the Lord? 

Taking the Sermon Home

April 27, 2014

Sermon Text: John 20:19-31

Today we read about a resurrection appearance of Jesus to the disciples, though Thomas is not present.  Among other things, Jesus announces peace.  Thomas announces he will not believe until he can touch Jesus; later, Jesus appears again to Thomas and the others.  We are invited to consider the ways in which we are called to believe without seeing.

• When has Jesus come entered into your fears and uttered, peace be with you (vv. 19, 21, and 26)?
• What aspects of “believing without seeing” are hardest for you?
• What causes you to come to believe (v.29)?

Taking the Sermon Home

April 13, 2014
Today marks the beginning of Holy Week. At Christ the King we celebrate Palm Sunday today, and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem…but note that this is just the beginning of the end. We must witness the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples on Maundy Thursday, and journey to the cross on Good Friday, before beholding the empty tomb.

• Why do the crowds gather around Jesus and shout Hosanna? What are they looking for? 
• What do you notice about Jesus’ demeanor as he enters this city of hostility and eventual trial and conviction? 
• Matthew reports that the whole city was in turmoil, asking, Who is this? How might different people in Jerusalem answer that question? How do you answer that question? 

Taking the Sermon Home

April 6, 2014

The final extended story from John we are studying during Lent is “the raising of Lazarus” in Chapter 11.

·         How would you describe Martha’s emotions when she meets Jesus after her brother has died?

·         What do you learn about the nature and character of Jesus from this story?

·         Think of a time the Lord brought restoration and renewal in your life.  What blessings or unexpected events flowed from your awareness of God’s healing power?

Taking the Sermon Home

March 30, 2014
We continue to look for Signs of God's Presence in our sermon series from John.  The story of the man born blind is found in John 9:1-41.

• What are the various types of “blindness” displayed in this story? 
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• How did Jesus throw into question the prevailing attitude toward sin? 
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• What blinders do you wear that keep you from seeing things as God would have you to see?