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. 

  • PRINT

    Discover Scripture and Life


    Introduction: Jesus sends the church into a world of strangers. We are not meant to stay comfortable, but to share with others the hope that is in us. This sense of welcome to the stranger, to one uncomfortable to us is found in the earliest codes of holiness from Leviticus.

    Bible

    Leviticus 19:33-36

    33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35You shall not cheat in measuring length, weight, or quantity. 36You shall have honest balances and honest weights; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

    1 Peter 3:13-17

    13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

    16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.

    Matthew 10:1, 5-8

    1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,

    6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.


      

    Questions for Reflection


    1. When have you stretched yourself to do something uncomfortable or challenging?


    2. Who was one of the more unusual house guests you have ever entertained?


    3. In the Gospel, the uncomfortable neighbor is someone we don’t know, or don’t know as well, and we are asked to share something of our personal faith. Why do you think Jesus sent out the disciples to do this? What is at stake for Jesus? Or rather, what would have happened to the church if no one said anything to anyone?


    4. Why did Jesus tell them to take nothing more than the clothes they wore? Why no props nor external supports?


    5. What did they have inside to bring along? What did ask them to say or do?


    6. Peter talks about uncomfortable situations, where giving an account of your faith can put you into a situation of danger or threat. For early Christians, these uncomfortable or dangerous situations happened often. Peter is saying, “Keep a cool head in a tough spot.” Look again at 1 Peter, what makes for keeping a cool head?


    7. Leviticus, chapter 19, is in the middle of what is called the “holiness code,” what is most essential about following God’s way. Alien is a term for immigrant, non-citizen, someone who is different. How does that make for an uncomfortable neighbor? Why would Moses talk about kindness to aliens? What is at stake? What does cheating with weights and measures say about treating the alien?


    8. Another way of looking at each of the readings is to ask—Who has the power? The answers may be the same or different for spiritual vs physical/social power. How does language of power change how you see the uncomfortable neighbor?


    9. If Jesus called you to participate in a ministry, what would he say to you in light of your own personality? How would Jesus stretch you?


    10. What are examples of sharing faith that is not coercive or manipulative?


    11. Who is the uncomfortable neighbor Jesus is calling you to serve?

               

    Discover More about the Message

    Reflect on the message you heard in person or on-line. You can listen to the message online here.

    https://firstlutherancr.org/resources/sermons

    1. What is something you heard that was interesting or engaging?
    2. Is there anything that raised a question or needed more explanation?
    3. What is one thing you take with you? It may be something to do, something to trust, or a wisdom of insight to have.

    Together with God in Prayer


    OPTION 1: ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?


    OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours

    • Step 1: Ask God to calm your self and help you see your life from God’s perspective.
    • Step 2: Review the last 24 hours. What happened? What stands out? What captures your attention? What is a High and Low of this time? When did you experience God’s presence? When did you feel apart or distant from God?
    • Step 3: Give your day to God your day. Ask for forgiveness where needed. Give thanks.
    • Step 4: Look forward. How might you be more loving this day? What is God calling you to do?

    Prayer

    Who or What can you pray for today?


    Close in the Lord’s Prayer

    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


    Five Minutes with God



    INTRODUCTION: When you hear the word ALIEN, what comes to mind? UFOs full of extraterrestrials taking over our world? How about the word STRANGER? We often talk to children (and ourselves) about stranger danger. We seem to have an instinctual caution around and aversion for anyone who is “different.” But when have YOU been the alien, the stranger, the one who makes others uncomfortable? That’s what the writer of Leviticus wants God’s people to consider: “You shall love the alien as yourself, for YOU were aliens in the land of Egypt.” This is an encouragement to have empathy. Do you remember what it was like for YOU to be the alien? Do you remember the love and acceptance you longed for and maybe didn’t receive?


    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Spend time with God reflecting on the times you were the one making others uncomfortable. Reflect on what you needed at that time. How did others reach out in love? If they didn’t, what was that like for you? Let this time with God grow your empathy for others who may be experiencing what you did. Where and who can you reach out to with Jesus’ love and acceptance?

  • PRINT

    Together in Community

    Check in with one another. 

    If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.

    • If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.
    • (High) Share something good or eventful that you give thanks and praise for?

    Open in Prayer

    We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen. 


    5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice

    (Optional)



    INTRODUCTION: When you hear the word ALIEN, what comes to mind? UFOs full of extraterrestrials taking over our world? How about the word STRANGER? We often talk to children (and ourselves) about stranger danger. We seem to have an instinctual caution around and aversion for anyone who is “different.” But when have YOU been the alien, the stranger, the one who makes others uncomfortable? That’s what the writer of Leviticus wants God’s people to consider: “You shall love the alien as yourself, for YOU were aliens in the land of Egypt.”  This is an encouragement to have empathy. Do you remember what it was like for YOU to be the alien? Do you remember the love and acceptance you longed for and maybe didn’t receive?


    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Spend time with God reflecting on the times you were the one making others uncomfortable. Reflect on what you needed at that time. How did others reach out in love? If they didn’t, what was that like for you? Let this time with God grow your empathy for others who may be experiencing what you did. Where and who can you reach out to with Jesus’ love and acceptance?


    Discover Scripture and Life


    Introduction: Jesus sends the church into a world of strangers. We are not meant to stay comfortable, but to share with others the hope that is in us. This sense of welcome to the stranger, to one uncomfortable to us is found in the earliest codes of holiness from Leviticus.


    Bible

    Leviticus 19:33-36


    33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35You shall not cheat in measuring length, weight, or quantity. 36You shall have honest balances and honest weights; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.


    1 Peter 3:13-17

    13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 

    16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.


    Matthew 10:1, 5-8

    1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,

    6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

                 

    Questions:

    Opening Discovery


    1. When have you stretched yourself to do something uncomfortable or challenging?


    2. Who was one of the more unusual house guests you have ever entertained?


    More about the Scripture


    3. In the Gospel, the uncomfortable neighbor is someone we don’t know, or don’t know as well, and we are asked to share something of our personal faith. Why do you think Jesus sent out the disciples to do this? What is at stake for Jesus? Or rather, what would have happened to the church if no one said anything to anyone?


    4. Why did Jesus tell them to take nothing more than the clothes they wore? Why no props nor external supports?


    5. What did they have inside to bring along? What did ask them to say or do?


    6. Peter talks about uncomfortable situations, where giving an account of your faith can put you into a situation of danger or threat. For early Christians, these uncomfortable or dangerous situations happened often. Peter is saying, “Keep a cool head in a tough spot.” Look again at 1 Peter, what makes for keeping a cool head?


    7. Leviticus, chapter 19, is in the middle of what is called the “holiness code,” what is most essential about following God’s way. Alien is a term for immigrant, non-citizen, someone who is different. How does that make for an uncomfortable neighbor? Why would Moses talk about kindness to aliens? What is at stake? What does cheating with weights and measures say about treating the alien?


    8. Another way of looking at each of the readings is to ask—Who has the power? The answers may be the same or different for spiritual vs physical/social power. How does language of power change how you see the uncomfortable neighbor?


    More about Life


    1. If Jesus called you to participate in a ministry, what would he say to you in light of your own personality? How would Jesus stretch you?


    2. What are examples of sharing faith that is not coercive or manipulative?


    3. Who is the uncomfortable neighbor Jesus is calling you to serve?


    Together in Prayer


    1. As you look to the coming week, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.


    2. Do you have any prayer concern that you would like to share? What is it?


    Closing Prayer

    Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.


    You may also use this prayer.

    O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.


    Lord’s Prayer

    Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


  • PRINT

    Together in Community

    • If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.

    Discover Scripture and Life

    Open in Prayer

    We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence.


    Introduction:  Jesus sends the church into a world of strangers. We are not meant to stay comfortable, but to share with others the hope that is in us. This sense of welcome to the stranger, to one uncomfortable to us is found in the earliest codes of holiness from Leviticus.

    Bible


    Leviticus 19:33-36

    33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35You shall not cheat in measuring length, weight, or quantity. 36You shall have honest balances and honest weights; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

    1 Peter 3:13-17

    13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 

    16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.

    Matthew 10:1, 5-8

    1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,

    6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.


     

    Question—Choose 1 (If there are 6 or more in the group, breakout in groups of 2 or 3.)


    1. When have you stretched yourself to do something uncomfortable or challenging?


    2. Who was one of the more unusual house guests you have ever entertained?


    3. In the Gospel, the uncomfortable neighbor is someone we don’t know, or don’t know as well, and we are asked to share something of our personal faith. Why do you think Jesus sent out the disciples to do this? What is at stake for Jesus? Or rather, what would have happened to the church if no one said anything to anyone?


    4. Why did Jesus tell them to take nothing more than the clothes they wore? Why no props nor external supports?


    5. What did they have inside to bring along? What did ask them to say or do?


    6. Peter talks about uncomfortable situations, where giving an account of your faith can put you into a situation of danger or threat. For early Christians, these uncomfortable or dangerous situations happened often. Peter is saying, “Keep a cool head in a tough spot.” Look again at 1 Peter, what makes for keeping a cool head?


    7. Leviticus, chapter 19, is in the middle of what is called the “holiness code,” what is most essential about following God’s way. Alien is a term for immigrant, non-citizen, someone who is different. How does that make for an uncomfortable neighbor? Why would Moses talk about kindness to aliens? What is at stake? What does cheating with weights and measures say about treating the alien?


    8. Another way of looking at each of the readings is to ask—Who has the power? The answers may be the same or different for spiritual vs physical/social power. How does language of power change how you see the uncomfortable neighbor?


    9. If Jesus called you to participate in a ministry, what would he say to you in light of your own personality? How would Jesus stretch you?


    10. What are examples of sharing faith that is not coercive or manipulative?


    11. Who is the uncomfortable neighbor Jesus is calling you to serve?

     

    Together in Prayer

    Connect with one another before prayer. Choose one of these options.


    Option 1: One word—As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.


    Option 2—Share High’s and Low’s

    (If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.)


    Prayer—We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.


    Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


  • March 17.docxPrint

    FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD



    INTRODUCTION:  When you hear the word ALIEN, what comes to mind? UFOs full of extraterrestrials taking over our world? How about the word STRANGER? We often talk to children (and ourselves) about stranger danger. We seem to have an instinctual caution around and aversion for anyone who is “different.” But when have YOU been the alien, the stranger, the one who makes others uncomfortable? That’s what the writer of Leviticus wants God’s people to consider: “You shall love the alien as yourself, for YOU were aliens in the land of Egypt.” This is an encouragement to have empathy. Do you remember what it was like for YOU to be the alien? Do you remember the love and acceptance you longed for and maybe didn’t receive?


    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Spend time with God reflecting on the times you were the one making others uncomfortable. Reflect on what you needed at that time. How did others reach out in love? If they didn’t, what was that like for you? Let this time with God grow your empathy for others who may be experiencing what you did. Where and who can you reach out to with Jesus’ love and acceptance?


  • print


    Discover Scripture and Life


    Introduction: 

    Loving our comfortable neighbor focuses on the importance of having a healthy faith community. People who share a trust in Jesus are called to participate in a local community of faith. We do faith within a trusting community.

    Bible

    Acts 2:42-47

    The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common;

    45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.


    Mark 3:13-20

    13Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15and to have authority to cast out demons. 16So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home; 20and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.


    Questions for Reflection


    1. Do you have many friends, or a few close friends?


    2. When you go to a party, do you try to talk with everyone? Or stick with a few? Or stay for a brief time and go home?


    3. Mark describes one of the first ministry acts of Jesus, apart from teaching and healing, as gathering a community of people by name. Why do you think this is important or not? What does say about what Jesus values?


    4. What distinguishes the12? The only difference is in the job description given to Judas. What will Judas do? Why make mention of that here?


    5. How do you think the disciple’s lives were changed by Jesus? How did their friendships change? How did their sense of community change?


    6. What we know is that there will be conflict among these 12 apostles and Jesus. James and John will seek favored status to sit at Jesus left and right. Jesus talks several times about being a servant, and humble (which indicates the opposite was happening.) The group will be scattered at Jesus’ arrest. Yet, in the end, they will come back together. Why do you think the bonds were stronger than the divisions? What did they learn from Jesus about this?


    7. What kinds of actions or things bring together the community in Acts? How are these actions or elements still at the work today in

    the church? Does that longevity surprise you?


    8. How does the description of community in Acts carry on what Jesus did in Mark 3?


    9. Do you think the description of the church in Acts describes a church closed off to new people or a church able to welcome and incorporate new people into their fellowship?


    10. As an adult, when and how did you find your way into a church community? What made the difference in finding a sense of belonging in a church?


    11. How is the fellowship life of First Lutheran similar or different from Acts?

    a. Similar?

    b. Different?


    12. What are the growing edges for First Lutheran when it comes to community, to loving the comfortable neighbor?



    Together with God in Prayer


    OPTION 1: ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?


    OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours

    • Step 1: Ask God to calm your self and help you see your life from God’s perspective.
    • Step 2: Review the last 24 hours. What happened? What stands out? What captures your attention? What is a High and Low of this time? When did you experience God’s presence? When did you feel apart or distant from God?
    • Step 3: Give your day to God your day. Ask for forgiveness where needed. Give thanks.
    • Step 4: Look forward. How might you be more loving this day? What is God calling you to do?

    Prayer

    Who or What can you pray for today?


    Close in the Lord’s Prayer

    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


    Five Minutes with God


    INTRODUCTION:  To be a follower of Jesus is to be KNOWN BY NAME. Jesus does not gather anonymous people to walk with him. He calls people to him by name. That’s why we have a list of names (with some biographical information) for the apostles. It’s why we are named when we are baptized. When the community of faith is described in Acts, we don’t know everybody’s name because there are too many people to name. But we can be sure that they knew each other’s names “as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts.” To be known by name means you matter.


    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Pull out your phone and open the FLC app. Click on PEOPLE. Scroll through all those names. Click on the name of someone you don’t know to see the groups they are part of and maybe where they live. This week pray for this person BY NAME. Pray for the groups they are part of and their neighborhood. Above all, give thanks when you pray that this person is someone that Jesus has called by name.

  • Print


    Together in Community

    Check in with one another. 

    If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.

    • If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.
    • (High) Share something good or eventful that you give thanks and praise for?
    Open in Prayer
    We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen. 

    5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice

    (Optional)


    INTRODUCTION: To be a follower of Jesus is to be KNOWN BY NAME. Jesus does not gather anonymous people to walk with him. He calls people to him by name. That’s why we have a list of names (with some biographical information) for the apostles. It’s why we are named when we are baptized. When the community of faith is described in Acts, we don’t know everybody’s name because there are too many people to name. But we can be sure that they knew each other’s names “as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts.” To be known by name means you matter.


    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Pull out your phone and open the FLC app. Click on PEOPLE. Scroll through all those names. Click on the name of someone you don’t know to see the groups they are part of and maybe where they live. This week pray for this person BY NAME. Pray for the groups they are part of and their neighborhood. Above all, give thanks when you pray that this person is someone that Jesus has called by name.


    Discover Scripture and Life



    Introduction: 


    Loving our comfortable neighbor focuses on the importance of having a healthy faith community. People who share a trust in Jesus are called to participate in a local community of faith. We do faith within a trusting community.


    Bible

    Acts 2:42-47

    The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common;

    45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.


    Mark 3:13-20

    13Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15and to have authority to cast out demons. 16So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home; 20and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.



    Opening Discovery


    1. Do you have many friends, or a few close friends?


    2. When you go to a party, do you try to talk with everyone? Or stick with a few? Or stay for a brief time and go home?



    More About the Scripture

    1. Mark describes one of the first ministry acts of Jesus, apart from teaching and healing, as gathering a community of people by name. Why do you think this is important or not? What does say about what Jesus values?


    2. What distinguishes the12? The only difference is in the job description given to Judas. What will Judas do? Why make mention of that here?


    3. How do you think the disciple’s lives were changed by Jesus? How did their friendships change? How did their sense of community change?


    4. What we know is that there will be conflict among these 12 apostles and Jesus. James and John will seek favored status to sit at Jesus left and right. Jesus talks several times about being a servant, and humble (which indicates the opposite was happening.) The group will be scattered at Jesus’ arrest. Yet, in the end, they will come back together. Why do you think the bonds were stronger than the divisions? What did they learn from Jesus about this?


    5. What kinds of actions or things bring together the community in Acts? How are these actions or elements still at the work today in

    the church? Does that longevity surprise you?


    6. How does the description of community in Acts carry on what Jesus did in Mark 3?


    7. Do you think the description of the church in Acts describes a church closed off to new people or a church able to welcome and incorporate new people into their fellowship?


    More about Life


    1. As an adult, when and how did you find your way into a church community? What made the difference in finding a sense of belonging in a church?


    2. How is the fellowship life of First Lutheran similar or different from Acts?

    a. Similar?

    b. Different?


    3. What are the growing edges for First Lutheran when it comes to community, to loving the comfortable neighbor?



    Together in Prayer


    1. The master entrusted to the servants. What does God entrust you and the church with? What are the riches of the Gospel, the fruit of the Spirit, the resources of faith that God entrusts to your care? How do you invest or multiply them in some way?


    2. Do you imagine God as the joyful master who encourages you to risk and act? Or a judging master who scares you not to act?


    Closing Prayer

    Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.


    You may also use this prayer.

    O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.


    Lord’s Prayer

    Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


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    Together in Community

    • If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.

    Discover Scripture and Life


    Introduction: 

    Loving our comfortable neighbor focuses on the importance of having a healthy faith community. People who share a trust in Jesus are called to participate in a local community of faith. We do faith within a trusting community.


    Bible

    Acts 2:42-47

    The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common;

    45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.


    Mark 3:13-20

    13Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15and to have authority to cast out demons. 16So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home; 20and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.



    Question—Choose 1 (If there are 6 or more in the group, breakout in groups of 2 or 3.)


    1. Do you have many friends, or a few close friends?


    2. When you go to a party, do you try to talk with everyone? Or stick with a few? Or stay for a brief time and go home?


    3. Mark describes one of the first ministry acts of Jesus, apart from teaching and healing, as gathering a community of people by name. Why do you think this is important or not? What does say about what Jesus values?


    4. What distinguishes the12? The only difference is in the job description given to Judas. What will Judas do? Why make mention of that here?


    5. How do you think the disciple’s lives were changed by Jesus? How did their friendships change? How did their sense of community change?


    6. What we know is that there will be conflict among these 12 apostles and Jesus. James and John will seek favored status to sit at Jesus left and right. Jesus talks several times about being a servant, and humble (which indicates the opposite was happening.) The group will be scattered at Jesus’ arrest. Yet, in the end, they will come back together. Why do you think the bonds were stronger than the divisions? What did they learn from Jesus about this?


    7. What kinds of actions or things bring together the community in Acts? How are these actions or elements still at the work today in

    the church? Does that longevity surprise you?


    8. How does the description of community in Acts carry on what Jesus did in Mark 3?


    9. Do you think the description of the church in Acts describes a church closed off to new people or a church able to welcome and incorporate new people into their fellowship?


    10. As an adult, when and how did you find your way into a church community? What made the difference in finding a sense of belonging in a church?


    11. How is the fellowship life of First Lutheran similar or different from Acts?

    a. Similar?

    b. Different?


    12. What are the growing edges for First Lutheran when it comes to community, to loving the comfortable neighbor?

     

    Option 1: One word—As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.


    Option 2—Share High’s and Low’s

    (If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.)


    Prayer—We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.


    Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.


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    FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD

    INTRODUCTION:

    To be a follower of Jesus is to be KNOWN BY NAME. Jesus does not gather anonymous people to walk with him. He calls people to him by name. That’s why we have a list of names (with some biographical information) for the apostles. It’s why we are named when we are baptized. When the community of faith is described in Acts, we don’t know everybody’s name because there are too many people to name. But we can be sure that they knew each other’s names “as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts.” To be known by name means you matter.

     

    SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

    Pull out your phone and open the FLC app. Click on PEOPLE. Scroll through all those names. Click on the name of someone you don’t know to see the groups they are part of and maybe where they live. This week pray for this person BY NAME. Pray for the groups they are part of and their neighborhood. Above all, give thanks when you pray that this person is someone that Jesus has called by name.