Arise and Abide

Reading from Acts of the Apostles 1:12-26 NLT ~ Matthias Replaces Judas ~ Discussion looks at who was there and the way Matthias was chosen.

Reading from Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 NLT ~ The Promise of the Holy Spirit, The Ascension of Jesus ~ Discussion looks at Baptism, and Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Reading from Luke 24:35-53 NLT ~ Jesus Appears to the Disciples ~ Discussion looks at a the final verses of the Gospel According to Luke. Jesus demonstrating that he was flesh and blood, alive. God opening their minds to understand the Word. The need to repent from believing that our way is good or right and turn to God. Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit, and the joyful ending praising God!

Reading from Luke 24:13-35 NLT ~ The Walk to Emmaus, Jesus Appears to the Disciples ~ Discussion looks at a possibly of why Jesus hid his identity to the two followers who were leaving Jerusalem. Example of Jesus meeting people where they are, even when their walk is headed in the wrong direction. Followers leaving Jerusalem and going back to what they had left to follow Jesus. The Personal connection of breaking bread.

Reading from Luke 23:26-24:12 NLT ~ The Crucifixion, The Death of Jesus, The Resurrection ~ Discussion looks at God as the one who sustains life. The women of faith who followed Jesus even after His death. The truth of Jesus, His Questions, and His Teachings. God had a plan to send His Son, The Bible is God's story, it explains why it is the way it is, and tells us of our Hope.

Reading from Luke 22:66-23:25 NLT ~ Jesus Before the Council, Jesus' Trial Before Pilate ~ Discussion looks at Jesus' Answer "You say that I AM". Why the crowd turned on Jesus. People getting swept up in the current of the crowd. It's easy to slip into the lizard brain/fight or flight when we don't intentionally slow down and connect with God.

Reading from Luke 22:54-65 NLT ~ Peter Denies Jesus ~ Discussion looks at Peter's Denial, The Guards who beat and mocked Him, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Sally gives a football analogy, God is Good!

Reading from Luke 22:31-38 NLT~ Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives ~ Discussion looks at Jesus asking the disciples to pray for themselves that they might not give in to temptation. What temptation was Jesus talking about? The angle strengthened Jesus but He was still in anguish as were His disciples. The time when darkness reigns, and the victory of Jesus on the cross.

Reading from Luke 22:31-38 NLT Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial ~ Discussion looks at Peter being addressed as Simon. Peter's agenda to follow Jesus at a distance was motivated and rooted in fear. Adding a sword to the list of things to carry, and the reason for doing so. Remember what Jesus did when his disciples used the sword.

Reading from Luke 22:7-30 NLT The Last Supper ~ Discussion looks at the tradition of Holy Communion and the beauty of the symbolism. A time of reflection and remembrance. The disciples missed the point over and over again, its easy to miss the point to day and make it about ourselves. God had a plan, and all the stories in the old testament pointed to this moment, the beautiful upside down victory for God's upside down kingdom.