Listen Now

Read 1 John 1:5-10 1) We all have issues/things that we avoid in life and these things can keep us from walking in the light with Christ. What are the top three issues/things you are currently avoiding? 2) To do the right things, we must often choose to walk the narrow path and make the harder decisions. When has this occurred in your life and what were the results? When did you choose the wider, easier path and what were the results? 3) Sometimes we all need practical suggestions to stop avoiding. Here are four to consider: 1. Give yourself time to discern all the facts. 2. Make a plan with small steps that show incremental progress. 3. Make a deadline to have a time limit on your plan to eliminate avoidance. 4. Outsmart your brain by finding ways to help yourself do things you do not want to do? Which of these suggestions resonate with you and why? Have you ever used one of these suggestions or will you in the future? 4) The good news of today’s passage is God is not telling us to just “quit it.” Instead, God is our faithful companion as we step into the light. How does knowing God as your traveling companion - who loves you, forgives you, and sustains you - make a difference in your struggle to avoid issues/things that block your ability to walk in the light?

Read Matthew 6:25-34 1) In today’s passage, Jesus’ audience would have been ordinary peasant people whose most pressing worry was wrapped around hunger and their next meal. What are the top ten things on your “worry list?” 2) Jesus tells us in this scripture to “stop worrying about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Does this verse bring you comfort? If so, why? If not, why not? 3) Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Have you seen transformation and even blessing in your life or the lives of others while navigating the deepest valleys? Give examples. 4) To quit worrying, the word most needed is "trust." Do you truly trust Christ to direct your path and lead you through all things? Why or why not? 5) Do you completely surrender your sometimes selfish worries and let God handle them? If so, what are the challenges and the victories of doing so?

Read Philippians 2:14-18 1) Just before today’s passage, Paul tells us to work out our salvation in “fear and trembling” and then immediately gives us a prohibition against grumbling. Does this change your attitude towards grumbling? 2) Grumbling reveals our dissatisfaction and rebellious attitude towards God. When have you grumbled against God without realizing it? Give an example. 3) How can chronic grumbling affect our relationships with the people we love best? 4) Grumbling is a sin, affects our health, blocks our ability to love others as Jesus loved us, and most of all, affects our witness. How can grumbling affect our witness? Give general and personal examples. 5) If you are a chronic grumbler, how are you going to quit the grumbling habit? What are some ways you can chose joy each day? Give examples.

Read Luke 10: 38-42 1) Our text today tells us the story of Martha and Mary. Which character resonates most with you? Why? 2) Our culture encourages us to work more so we will not miss out on all of the “good stuff” in life. How would you define the “good stuff” that matters most in your life? 3) Why is it important to model Mary’s behavior and sometimes live in the moment? How would your life change if you slowed down? Give examples. 4) What would happen this week if you took a moment and sat at the feet of Jesus just like Mary did?

Read Philippians 2: 5-11 1) When were you “saved”? Was it a specific moment in time or a gradual process? Was it a “Damascus Road” flashy experience like Paul the Apostle or rather a strange warming of your heart like John Wesley? 2) Today is the final week of our “We” sermon series when we explore how you and me become “we” with God. What does it mean to your faith and your life that God wants to be in relationship with you? Give specific examples. 3) The Incarnation is the moment in time when God came here to be with us. Why did it happen? What did God have in mind when Jesus came to us to be human like us? 4) What does a human Jesus mean to your faith? Has it changed the way you deal with the challenges of life? 5) How has your life changed when you put Jesus Christ first in your life?

1) What word(s) would you use to describe your relationship with God? Have you ever considered that you have a covenant with God? 2) There are multiple covenants in both the Old and New Testaments. Is there one that speaks most deeply to your heart? Why? 3) In our daily life, we have covenants like our vows of marriage, baptism, and church membership. We also experience covenants in Holy Communion and even within a small group. If you look at them through the lens of covenant, do you have a greater appreciation for them? Why or why not? 4) What does it mean to you that you can become “we” with God? Could it change the way you live out your faith?

Read Genesis 3:1-13 1) In today’s scripture, we see the blame game at its finest; Eve blames the snake and Adam blames Eve. When have you refused to take responsibilities for your own sins and tried to blame others? 2) If someone asked you to define sin in your own words, what would you say? What are the repercussions of sin in your life? 3) What sins are weighing you down and damaging your relationships with others? What sins are damaging your relationship with God? 4) The cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter mean our sins can be forgiven. What does that mean to you personally? What is your emotional reaction to such a gift?

Read Genesis 2:4-9 1) Read today’s creation story and also the one found in Genesis chapter one. What do both of these creation stories tell us about God? What do they tell us about human beings? 2) After creating human beings, God said it was very good. What does it mean to you that God believes you are very good? 3) We are created in the image of God. What do you see when you look in the mirror? What do you think God sees when He looks at you? 4) How can you renew the image of God in you? Give examples.