Opening Question: Have you ever been in a terrible storm? If so, what was it like and how did you feel?
Read Luke 8:22-25
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and left. 23 As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake. It was so bad that the boat was about to sink. They were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke Jesus up. They said, "Master! Master! We're going to drown!" He got up and ordered the wind and the huge waves to stop. The storm quieted down. It was completely calm. 25 “Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. They were amazed and full of fear. They asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him."
Discussion Questions:
1. What was Jesus doing during the storm?
2. Did Jesus know the storm was going to come? If so, why did he let it happen?
3. How did Jesus respond to the storm, and how did the storm respond to him?
4. Why did Jesus ask his disciples about their faith?
5. What do you do when you experience “storms” in your daily life?
6. How is your “faith” doing these days, and how can it grow stronger?
Extra: According to the following verses, who is Jesus?
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning, the Word (Jesus) was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him.
Colossians 1:16
16 All things were created by him (Jesus). He created everything in heaven and on earth. He created everything that can be seen and everything that can't be seen. He created kings, powers, rulers and authorities. Everything was created by him and for him.
Hebrews 1:1,2
1 In the past, God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke at many times. He spoke in different ways. 2 But in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son (Jesus). He is the one whom God appointed to receive all things. God made everything through him.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
April 18th
Opening Q: If we looked under your bed right now, what would we find?
Read the following:
People do not light a lamp and then hide under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand. Then those who come in can see its light. (Luke 8:16)
Let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12)
Discuss the following:
1. What is the difference between the light of the sun and the light of the moon?
2. What good does light do?
3. Why does Jesus call himself “the light of the world”?
4. What does it mean to “let your light shine”?
5. What are some “good things” that followers of Jesus can do?
6. What does it mean to “walk in darkness”?
7. What is the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ followers shining their light?
Read the following:
People do not light a lamp and then hide under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand. Then those who come in can see its light. (Luke 8:16)
Let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12)
Discuss the following:
1. What is the difference between the light of the sun and the light of the moon?
2. What good does light do?
3. Why does Jesus call himself “the light of the world”?
4. What does it mean to “let your light shine”?
5. What are some “good things” that followers of Jesus can do?
6. What does it mean to “walk in darkness”?
7. What is the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ followers shining their light?
Friday, April 11, 2008
April 11th
Opening Question: Have you ever planted a seed? If so, what happened to it?
Read Luke 8:4-15 out loud as a group, and then silently by yourselves:
4 A large crowd gathered together. People came to Jesus from town after town. As they did, he told a story. He said, 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. People walked on it, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky places. When it grew, the plants dried up because they had no water. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up with it and crowded out the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 100 times more than the farmer planted.” When Jesus said this, he called out, "Those who have ears should listen." 9 His disciples asked him what the story meant. 10 He said, “You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God's kingdom. But to outsiders I speak by using stories. In that way, ‘They see, but they will not know what they are seeing. They hear, but they will not understand what they are hearing.’11 Here is what the story means. The seed is God's message. 12 People on the path are those who hear. But then the devil comes. He takes away the message from their hearts. He does it so they won't believe. Then they can't be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who hear the message and receive it with joy. But they have no roots. They believe for a while. But when they are put to the test, they fall away from the faith. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures. So they do not reach full growth. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with an honest and good heart. They hear the message. They keep it in their hearts. They remain faithful and produce a good crop.”
Discuss the following questions:
(1) What are the four responses to God’s message?
(2) How do you think Christians might be “put to the test”? (verse 13)
(3) What could some examples of “life’s worries, riches and pleasures” be in today’s world?
(4) What do you think “a good crop” might mean?
(5) Which soil represents you right now? Which soil would you like to represent you? Explain.
Read Luke 8:4-15 out loud as a group, and then silently by yourselves:
4 A large crowd gathered together. People came to Jesus from town after town. As they did, he told a story. He said, 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. People walked on it, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky places. When it grew, the plants dried up because they had no water. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up with it and crowded out the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 100 times more than the farmer planted.” When Jesus said this, he called out, "Those who have ears should listen." 9 His disciples asked him what the story meant. 10 He said, “You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God's kingdom. But to outsiders I speak by using stories. In that way, ‘They see, but they will not know what they are seeing. They hear, but they will not understand what they are hearing.’11 Here is what the story means. The seed is God's message. 12 People on the path are those who hear. But then the devil comes. He takes away the message from their hearts. He does it so they won't believe. Then they can't be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who hear the message and receive it with joy. But they have no roots. They believe for a while. But when they are put to the test, they fall away from the faith. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures. So they do not reach full growth. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with an honest and good heart. They hear the message. They keep it in their hearts. They remain faithful and produce a good crop.”
Discuss the following questions:
(1) What are the four responses to God’s message?
(2) How do you think Christians might be “put to the test”? (verse 13)
(3) What could some examples of “life’s worries, riches and pleasures” be in today’s world?
(4) What do you think “a good crop” might mean?
(5) Which soil represents you right now? Which soil would you like to represent you? Explain.
Friday, April 4, 2008
April 4th
Opening Question: How do you greet someone for the first time in your culture?
Read Luke 7:36-50 out loud, and then re-read it again by yourselves.
Word List:
Pharisees – the powerful religious leaders of Israel 2000 years ago.
sinful – selfish toward people and God.
special sealed jar – a very expensive jar.
prophet – someone who spoke to the people for God.
lender – one who gives money to people, and then gets it back with interest.
olive oil – a custom from the Middle East. The host would touch the head of the visitor as a blessing.
Simon – the Pharisee who invited Jesus over for dinner.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you imagine this woman was like before she came to Jesus?
2. How did the woman and the Pharisee treat Jesus?
3. How do you think Simon and Jesus felt about the sinful woman?
4. What did faith in Jesus do for the woman?
5. How important is faith and forgiveness in today’s world? Explain.
6. Have you received forgiveness from Jesus yet? If so, what are the benefits?
Read Luke 7:36-50 out loud, and then re-read it again by yourselves.
Word List:
Pharisees – the powerful religious leaders of Israel 2000 years ago.
sinful – selfish toward people and God.
special sealed jar – a very expensive jar.
prophet – someone who spoke to the people for God.
lender – one who gives money to people, and then gets it back with interest.
olive oil – a custom from the Middle East. The host would touch the head of the visitor as a blessing.
Simon – the Pharisee who invited Jesus over for dinner.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you imagine this woman was like before she came to Jesus?
2. How did the woman and the Pharisee treat Jesus?
3. How do you think Simon and Jesus felt about the sinful woman?
4. What did faith in Jesus do for the woman?
5. How important is faith and forgiveness in today’s world? Explain.
6. Have you received forgiveness from Jesus yet? If so, what are the benefits?
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