QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength".  Mark 12:30. Can you honestly say that you both feel that way and act that way?  What are the toughest parts?

2.  "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."  Mark 12:31 How much love do you have for your "neighbour"?  How much love do you have for yourself?  Does that love show itself in both words and deeds?

3.  "Where you go, I will go; ... your people shall be my people and your God my God."  Ruth 1:16 Is Ruth living out the 2 great commandments in doing this, even though it includes changing who her God is?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 

Mark 10:35-45

1. James and John wanted special recognition for their Christian service. Do you know people who expect that? In your deepest heart, do you expect that?

2. Jesus asked them if they were prepared to truly suffer for their faith. Are you prepared to do so?

3. Jesus said anyone who wished to be ‘great’ as a Christian must be more concerned to serve others than to be served. Is this genuinely true of you?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Let’s make this a real conversation!

Job 23.1-9,16-17;  Psalm 22.1-15

If you were not already depressed this morning, these passages may well have made you so!  Do you often feel as "down" as Job and the Psalmist?  When? 

Mark 10.17-31

This is one of Jesus' most challenging statements in spite of its more hopeful parts.  Are you comforted by Jesus' reply to "then who can be saved?", that "for God all things are possible"?

Hebrews 4.12-16

This passage is challenging, but also more clearly affirming.  We are told that Jesus "in every respect has been tested as we are", so that we can "approach the throne of grace with boldness, to find grace and mercy in time of need".  Does this promise lift your spirits and strengthen your faith?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Let’s make this a real conversation!

 1. Joel 2:21-27: How has God dealt wondrously with you?

2. 1 Timothy 2:1-7: What has God appointed you to be?

3. Matthew 6:25-33: How do you seek ‘God’s reign’ and ‘God’s justice’ in your life?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Let’s make this a real conversation!

11. James 5:13-20: James speaks of maintaining community relationships in gathering to confess to one another, pray together, experience healing and practice accountability to each other. What do you think of his advice?

2. Mark 9:38-50: In what ways do you add flavour (i.e. salt) to the world around you?

3. Mark 9:38-50: How do you live as a person of peace in the world?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Mark 9:30-37: Why do you think Jesus uses a child to illustrate his point about servant ministry?

2. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a: How do you draw near to God and how do you know when God has drawn near to you?

3. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a: What is your response to James' definition of wisdom? (v.17)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Mark 8:34-35: He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." What is your reaction to his words?

2. Psalm 19:7-8: "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;" How does scripture, revive and enlighten you?

3. What does it mean for you to believe in Jesus?