Faith Lutheran Church

We prize what's big; God surprises with the small. ( Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52; Romans 8:26-39)

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) When have you seen small actions result in a big outcome?2) What helps you trust that you are loved?3) When has the Holy Spirit helped you communicate when you didn't have the words?

Even when we are surrounded by bitter weeds, God plants good wheat. ( Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) What bitter weeds in your life do you find yourself fixating on?

2) What good wheat is growing in your life right now?

3) This week, how can you shift your attention away from trying to pull the weeds and towards caring for the wheat?

Even in our failure, God's Word is fruitful ( Isaiah 55:10-13; Matthew 13:1-23)

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) Jesus lists three reasons why the word of heaven's kingdom fails to bear fruit in people's lives. Which of those three reasons do you recognize in your own struggles to receive God's word?

2) Which of your failures have you come to love?

3) How can you share God's love with someone this week in a way that you will love doing, no matter how it is received?

We think we need to be strong, but God's strength is found in our weakness ( Zechariah 9:9-12; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 )

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) In what ways do you feel the need to be strong?

2) When has your weakness caused you to ask for help?

3) This week, what part of your life will you ask God to take charge of?

Our greatest fear becomes God's greatest promise. ( Genesis 22:1-1; Matthew 10:40-42 )

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) What was your relationship to the library before last week?2) What feelings do you have about the library now?3) How can you reclaim the public hospitality of your city this week?

We think we have to be perfect for family, but Jesus gives us family that's perfect for us. ( Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 10:24-39 )

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) What does your family expect of you?

2) In what ways can you be honest with your family about your struggles? In what ways do you hide your struggles from your family?

3) How can you show love this week to a member of your family who gets less attention?

We expect presents, Jesus gives presence. ( Exodus 19:2-8a; Matthew 9:3510:9 )

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) What is the greatest gift you have received?2) When have you felt most empowered?3) This week, who in your community could you help recognize the way that God works through them?

We scoff, but Jesus is steadfast ( Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26; Hosea 5:15-6:6)

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) When have you scoffed at someone else's hope?2) When have you received mercy?3) Where have you seen God this week?

We crown individuals; Jesus commissions community ( Matthew 28:16-20; Genesis 1)

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) When have you put your hopes in a single individual, only to be dissapointed?2) In what ways do you exist as a distinct individual? In what ways do you exist as a set of relationships? 3) This week, how can you use the relationships you have to create the world you want to live in?

Satan makes life suffering; Jesus makes life sacred. ( John 17:1-11;1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 )

As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God:

1) When have you shared the same purpose as someone, but had a very different perspective? 2) When have you done something that others considered suffering, but you considered sacred?  3) How have you known God in your life?