Read Luke 1: 39-45. 1. What does the word “theotokos” mean? Why is Mary called “theotokos”? 2. What did Mary and Elizabeth have in common? What differences were there between them? 3. Why do you think Mary “got ready and hurried” to visit Elizabeth? 4. What are all the ways Elizabeth talks about “blessing” in this passage? How do you think Elizabet…

Read Luke 1: 26-38. 1. Where and to whom did God send the angel Gabriel to announce the coming Christ child? What is significant about the person and place God chose? 2. Why was Mary “greatly troubled”? 3. What does it mean to “find favor with God”? 4. Has God ever called you to something that left you “greatly troubled”? If so, what was it? 5. Mar…

What is your favorite image of peace from Scripture or real life?  Read Isaiah 11: 1-9. What stands out to you in this passage? How does the image of the shoot from Jesse’s stump inspire hope? What would it look like for a “child to lead them” in today’s world?  Read Jeremiah 23: 5-6. How does this reinforce Isaiah’s vision of a righteous leader?…

Read Isaiah 9: 1-7. 1. What does the word “Advent” mean? Why do we celebrate it every year in the church? 2. Advent is often referred as the season of the “already” and the “not yet.” What does that mean? 3. In what ways does this passage from Isaiah also represent the “already” and the “not yet”? 4. Read Isaiah 9: 2 and John 1: 5 & 9. How do these…

Read Hebrews 4: 14-16. 1. What does it mean for Jesus to be fully human and fully divine? Why is this important? 2. There’s an ancient expression that says, “He was as we are, and therefore He will help; He was not as we are, and therefore He can.” What does this mean to you? 3. What is the word “therefore” there for in today’s passage? 4. Read Heb…

Read Malachi 3: 6-10. 1. Today’s passage begins with God describing the Israelites as “descendants of Jacob.” What is significant about this reference to Jacob? (Hint: remember last week’s message and Genesis 28: 22) 2. Pastor Mick said the Israelites seemed to have some form of spiritual amnesia. What did he mean by that? How do we sometimes strug…

Read Genesis 28: 10-22. 1. What does the word stewardship mean? How does it apply to our faith lives? 2. What does the word tithe mean? Why does God command us to tithe? 3. Why does Jacob vow to give God a tenth at the end of today’s passage? What can we learn from Jacob in this regard? 4. In what ways is tithing more of a spiritual decision than a…

Read Hebrews 12: 1-3. 1. In verse 1, what is the word “therefore,” there for? 2. Why is Hebrews chapter 11 sometimes referred to as the Roll Call of Faith? Look through that chapter and see how many names you can find. 3. What is meant by the “great cloud of witnesses”? Who is in your “cloud” that helps cheer you on in your faith? 4. What kinds of …

1. What does the word “faithful” mean to you? What does it mean for God to be faithful? 2. What does it mean for God to be faithful in his promises? Can you think of examples in the Bible of God being faithful to his promises? How about in your own life? 3. What does it mean for God to be faithful in provision? Read Matthew 6: 25-34. What does this…

1. What does it mean to you that God is just? How does God’s justice shape your view of His character? 2. How do we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the reality of His justice? In what ways do God's love and justice work together rather than contradict each other? 3. God’s justice is perfect, unlike human justice. How does this challenge the…

1. What does it mean that God’s heart is loving? How has your understanding of God's love grown or changed over time? 2. How do we reconcile God's love with the suffering we see in the world? How can we trust in God’s love even in difficult circumstances? 3. We believe that God’s love is not earned but is a free gift (Romans 6: 23). How does this c…

Read Hebrews 4: 14-16. 1. What does the word “grace” mean to you? 2. How is grace different than “mercy” that we discussed last week? How are they similar? 3. Pastor Mick said one of his seminary leaders used to say, “The answer is always grace.” What do you think of that sentiment? Do you agree? Why/why not? 4. What do you think about the Wesleyan…

Read Exodus 34: 5-9. 1. What does the word “mercy” mean to you? 2. Can you think of some ways others have shown mercy to you in the past? How have you shown mercy to others? How has God shown mercy to you? 3. Read John 8: 1-11 about the woman caught in adultery. How is this an example of mercy? 4. Pastor Mick talked about how we often want mercy fo…

Read Exodus 19: 16-20. 1. The word “holy” most literally means “set apart” or “separate.” In what ways is God holy? In what ways are you called to be holy? 2. What is significant about the opening phrase of this passage, “On the morning of the third day”? What is significant about the number 3? Where else do we see “3” show up in key Biblical passa…

Read Exodus 20: 17. 1. What does it mean to be truly content, and how does that look in daily life? 2. How does coveting affect our relationship with God and others? What are some examples of how covetousness can damage community and trust? 3. What role does gratitude play in overcoming a covetous heart? 4. How does our culture encourage covetousne…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 16). 1. What do you think of when you hear the word “lie”? What does “lying” mean to you? 2. Why is it is so important to always tell the truth? What can happen if we don’t tell the truth? 3. Commandment #9 refers to “false testimony” or “false witness,” depending on the translation. What do these terms mea…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 15). 1. What do you think of when you hear the word “steal?” What does “stealing” mean to you? 2. What are some obvious ways people steal? What are some less obvious ways people steal? Have you ever done any of these? 3. Pastor Mick talked about integrity. What does integrity mean? How is integrity related …

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 14). 1. What does the word “adultery” mean to you? How about the words “fidelity” and “infidelity”? 2. The RightNow Media study this week describes physical intimacy as both a wonderful and dangerous gift. What do you think they mean by that? In what ways is it wonderful? In what ways can it be dangerous? 3…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 13). 1. The 6th Commandment says, “Thou shall not murder.” The KJV uses the word “kill” rather than “murder.” How are these two words different? Which do you think best speaks to the intention of this Commandment? 2. The United Methodist Book of Discipline states, “We affirm that all persons are individuals…

Read Exodus 20: 12. 1. What does the word “honor” mean to you in the context of the 5th Commandment? How might it look different for children versus adults? 2. Why do you think God included the commandment to honor parents in the Ten Commandments? How does this commandment contribute to a healthy society? 3. In what ways can honoring our parents re…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17. (today’s focus is v. 8-11) 1. What does the word “Sabbath” mean to you? 2. What does it mean to “remember the Sabbath”? 3. What does it mean to “keep the Sabbath holy”? (hint: holy means “set apart”) 4. What do you think are the primary purposes (and benefits) of Sabbath-keeping? 5. How does Sabbath-keeping create a healthy rh…

Read James 3: 9-12 and Exodus 20: 7. 1. What does it mean to you to honor God's name in your daily life? Can you share specific examples? 2. In what ways do you see people taking God's name in vain in today's society, and how can we, as Christians, respond to this? 3. How can we ensure that our actions reflect the reverence we hold for God's name? …

Read Exodus 20: 1-17. (today’s focus is v. 4-6) 1. What does the word idolatry mean to you? How would you describe an idol? 2. What kind of idolatry were the ancient Israelites guilty of practicing? What kind of idolatry is prevalent in today’s society? Why is modern idolatry sometimes harder to recognize? 3. Why is God so concerned about idols? Ho…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 1-3). 1. How do we know that the 10 Commandments are given directly by God? (hint: see Exodus 20: 1 and 31: 18) 2. What does it mean to you that the 10 Commandments were etched in stone by the finger of God? How do you treat these Commandments in your everyday living? 3. Why do you think these Commandments …

Read Matthew 7: 24-27. 1. What do you think of when you hear the word “equip”? 2. In what way is Jesus equipping his followers in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)? 3. Why do you think Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? Why are parables effective for equipping? 4. What might using parables (sto…

Read 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7. 1. What do you think of when you hear the word comfort? What gives you comfort? 2. Why is comfort important? Why do we need comfort? When do we need comfort? What happens if we don’t receive comfort? 3. In today’s passage, who does Paul describe as our primary source of comfort? 4. Pastor Mick talked about the Greek words…

Read John 17: 11-15. 1. What do you think of when you hear the word protection? Who do you protect? Who protects you? 2. Why is protection important? What did Pastor Mick mean when he said without protection we can become prey? 3. What does Providence mean? How have you experienced Providence in your life or the lives of others? 4. Read Psalm 46: 1…

Read Genesis 2: 15-17. 1. What is a boundary and why are boundaries important? 2. Pastor Mick told a story about a farmer putting up a fence. In what ways are boundaries ways of both “fencing in” and “fencing out”? 3. What boundary did God set for Adam and Eve? What happened when they ignored the boundary? What can we learn from this? 4. Read Prove…

Read 1 Thessalonians 5: 14-15. 1. What does it mean to be a child of God? (Hint: see John 1: 12-13) 2. In the book “The 6 Needs of Every Child,” the second need is “support.” Why is support so important? What kind of support do you long for as a child of God? 3. What are the three specific ways Paul urges us to support one another in today’s passag…

Read Zephaniah 3: 14-20. 1. In Zephaniah 3: 14, the people of Zion are called to sing, shout, and rejoice with all their hearts. How does this passage encourage you to express your joy in God's love in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a spirit of delight? 2. Zephaniah 3: 17 mentions that God will take great delight in…

Read John 3: 1-17. 1. Who is Nicodemus? Why does he come to Jesus at night? 2. Read Matthew 23. What does Jesus think about the Pharisees based on this passage? What are the Pharisees doing wrong? 3. Do you ever see modern-day Christians acting like Pharisees? If so, in what way? Do you ever act like a Pharisee? If so, what needs to change? 4. Why …

Read Acts 2: 1-6. 1. Verse 6 tells us that “there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” Why were all of these people in Jerusalem at that time? 2. According to verse 1, Jesus’ closest followers were “all together in one place.” What were they doing? Why were they there? Why did Jesus tell them to wait there? (s…

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Read Colossians 3: 12-17. 1. Today we finish our sermon series “Healing Hearts: A Journey to Wholeness.” What does wholeness mean to you? What do you think it takes to make you, and/or the congregation, whole? 2. What are the virtues with which Paul tells us to clothe ourselves? Why do you think he chose those vi…

Read Psalm 147: 1-6. 1. The Psalmist begins by praising the Lord (Hallelujah) even amid what seems to be some difficult circumstances. Why is this praise important? Do you find it easy to praise God in difficult times? 2. Have you ever been wounded or heartbroken by others? How about by the church? What would healing look like in these situations? …

Scripture for Study and Reflection: A team from GLUMC is participating in a reentry grant program through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections; training, mentoring and grant reporting has been facilitated by All In Community. 1. What is a reentry coalition? It is a group committed to helping people reintegrate into society after in…

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Read Romans 15: 1-6, 12-13. 1. What does “hope” mean to you? Why is hope important? What is life like without hope? 2. What is your hope for Grand Lake UMC as we go forward? 3. Read Isaiah 43: 19. How does that verse make you feel? Can you see it relating to Grand Lake UMC? 4. Read Romans 8: 28. Does that verse g…

Read Philippians 2: 3-8. 1. What does humility mean to you? Why is humility important, especially in the church? 2. What does it mean to truly forgive? Why is forgiveness important, especially in the church? 3. Do you ever find it hard to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive others? If so, why do you think that is? 4. Pastor Mick said that forgivenes…

Scripture for Study and Reflection: A lot of attention is given to Easter's Sunrise, celebrating the Risen Lord; however if we read a little further, we see a powerful interaction later that Easter at sunset. 1. Read John 20: 19-21. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples? 2. How did the disciples react? What were the disciples to do? 3. Read…

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Scripture for Study and Reflection: Friday before Palm Sunday, Arrival in Bethany – John 12: 1-11 Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend time with his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Sunday, The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) Matthew 21: 1-11, Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 28-44; John 12: 12-19 On the first day of the week, Jesu…

1. What chaos is in your life, or affecting you? 2. Read: James 1:19-20 Colossians 2:7 John 10:10 Romans 5:4-5 Mark 8:34-35 Deuteronomy 30:19 3. After reading these, how can you let Jesus calm your chaos? 4. What repeated mistakes or same choice, are you continuously choosing, over and over, that is affecting your life in a negative way? 5. Will yo…

1. Read Psalm 22: 1-22. In what ways have you felt these same ways? 2. Read Psalm 22: 23-31. Have you ever praised God in the midst of being forsaken, despised, mocked, insulted, and/or bullied? It’s hard. How does the Psalmist respond? 3. As we approach Holy Week, what parts of Psalm are parts of the Passion Story (of Jesus’ suffering and death)? …

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What is your idea of a better life? 2. What does Jesus want for you? 3. What has Jesus done for you? 4. Have you had a spiritual experience? What happened? What was it like? Read Romans 8: 1-6. 1. In what ways have you been set free through Jesus Christ? Read Hebrews 12: 1-2. 1. In what ways is G…

Read 1 John 1:1 – 2:11. 1. In what ways have you been living in the darkness? 2. What have you done differently to live into the light? 3. What else might you do? 4. What is stopping you? Read Matthew 11:28-30. 1. John Wesley taught his followers to ask one another, “How is it with your soul?” So how is it with your soul? 2. In what ways are you we…

Read Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-17 and Mark 7:1-23. Communication is like 'a process by which information is confused by individuals through a conflicting system of emotions, behaviors, backgrounds, and desires.' The six distinct messages heard when we speak are: 1. What we mean to say; 2. What we actually say; 3. What the other person hears; 4. What the …

Read Matthew 5: 23-24. 1. Have you witnessed anyone going to another during a worship service to make amends? 2. How would you feel if someone came up to you during the offering to make an apology? Read Hebrews 12: 14-15. 1. What are some of the disagreements, issues, and problems which have spread throughout our church? 2. How did they make you fe…

Read Matthew 6: 5-15 1. The Lord’s Prayer is broken down into four sections, regarding how one should pray to God. Jesus taught the first thing is to offer praise to God. Do you begin your prayers with praise, or do you get right down to the reason for your prayer? How might your prayers begin if you began with praise? 2. The second part of Jesus’ …

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What is the hardest thing you have ever done or been asked to do? 2. Read 1 Samuel. Have you heard God speak to you audibly or in your head? What did God say? 3. Read the Book of Jonah found between Obadiah & Micah in your Bible. What country would you refuse to go to if God wanted you to go to t…