DISCOVER MORE : TOGETHER
Our weekly devotional content ties back to the worship themes and scriptures from the previous Sunday. Dig deeper into what the Word and the message mean to you, and explore how you can deepen your walk with Christ through these resources.
In addition to the devotional resources, the "5 Minutes with God" sections are like spiritual snacks; small, quick, easy connections you can make as you go about your busy life.
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Spiritual Direction Ministries
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Weekly Devotion
2-15-26
Introduction: At the transfiguration, God’s voice was heard, declaring Jesus to be the beloved Son. By the activity of the Holy Spirit, God’s voice continues to be heard through the word of scripture.
2 Peter 1:16-21
16 We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Introduction:
Jesus reveals to the disciples what it will mean for him to be the Son of God, involving suffering and the cross, which surprises his followers. Jesus shows that following him cannot avoid the cross.
Matthew 16:20-24
20 Then Jesus sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Introduction:
Shortly before he enters Jerusalem, where he will be crucified, Jesus is revealed to his disciples in a mountaintop experience of divine glory called the transfiguration.
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
1Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Discussion Questions
Opening Discovery
1. Of all the places you call “god’s country,” which is your favorite?
2. What is it about mountains that are associated with “mountain top experiences.”
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3. Six days before the transfiguration was a pivotal event, recorded in chapter 16. How does that event impact how you see what is happening here?
4. What does Peter need or receive from the Mountain top experience?
What does Jesus need to receive from same experience?
5. Why was Peter’s response inappropriate? What does he not understand? (verse 4)
6. What is significant about the voice from the cloud? What does the voice say? Vs 6. Reread 2 Peter, on later reflection, what does Peter understand later?
7. Three times, heaven speaks a word of favor on Jesus: Baptism, Here, and the cross. What do you make of that? Why is it important??
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8. When have you experienced God in an unusual way? What happened?
9. How did you come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others, that you should listen to?
10. How do you listen to Jesus now? Or What helps you to listen to Jesus? What is he saying to you?
11. The lectionary places this story the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and Lent. Why do you think that is so?
Weekly Devotion
2-8-26
Introduction: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, doing good works and keeping God’s commandments.
Matthew 5:13-20
[Jesus said:] 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Opening Discovery
1. Do you salt your food? How much?
2. Have you ever had to go on a completely salt free diet? How was that?
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3. Salt in the time of Jesus was used in three ways—to preserve, flavor and purify. Jesus doesn’t say “Try to be salt” but that you are. Where in your everyday life (home, work, congregation, community) do you sense Christ has used you as salt?
4. Jesus warns about salt losing its “saltiness” and being thrown out. In your own life, what tends to “dull” your faith—busyness, compromise, resentment, fear of conflict, something else?
5. Jesus says “You are the light of the world” When have you clearly seen Christs as the light for you in a dark time?
6. What might it look like for you to concretely “put the lamp on a stand?” One act of witness, compassion, truth telling?
7. Jesus talks about abolishing and fulfilling the law. What is the difference between abolishing the law and fulling it?
8. Luther said the Law has 2 key uses. 1) to be a mirror that shows our sin and 2) to curb our tendencies and guide human life. When you listen to the Sermon on the Mount, which use do you feel most strongly here? Does it mostly accuse you or curb/guide you?
9. Elsewhere Jesus, and then the apostle Paul, talk about the distinction between a formal obedience to the letter of the law and love that freely does what the law demands. Paul speaks of the difference between works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit—it is the spirit of love and the freedom that comes with forgiveness that changes how we live. How might that interpret Jesus who says, “I have not come to abolish the law, but fulfill the law.”
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10. Where is Christ calling you to be salt—preserving, flavoring, or slowing decay?
11. Where is one place you sense Jesus calling you to uncover the lamp—to let your faith be seen in a humble, non-showy way?
12. Who is someone for you who has been faithful, fulling God’s command, without becoming judgmental or self-focused?
