Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read 1 Peter 5:6-11.

1. Pastor Mick shared that in today’s passage, the Apostle Peter was writing to a persecuted church. In what ways is the church persecuted today, globally and right here in the U.S.?

2. Peter says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand...” What does he mean by this and why is it important?

3. Peter says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Pastor Mick shared an example of one man asking another, “Have you given it over to the Lord?” The other man replied, “Yes, many times.” What does the second man’s response reveal? How often do you act more like that second man than what Peter is recommending? Why?

4. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and bur- dened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Have you found this kind of rest for your soul? How might humility before God affect whether (and how much) rest you find?

5. Peter describes the devil as the one who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” In what areas of your life are you easy prey for this lion? What changes do you need to make to protect yourself?

6. Peter says to resist the devil by standing firm in the faith. What are some things you can do to stand firm like this? (Hint:Think about Jesus alone in the wilderness. Also, look at James 4:7)

7. Peter is clear that our sufferings are not unique to us. Christians throughout history have faced the same kinds of sufferings. Pastor Mick said his commentary called this a “koinonia of suffering,” or a “fellowship of suffering.” What does this mean for us? How can we find hope in this?

8. Peter says, “The God of all grace...will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” How does this support Pastor Mick’s mentor who says, “The answer is always grace”? What does this tell us about the importance of grace in our lives, both receiving it and offering it to others?

Prayer for the week:

Almighty God, forgive us for the times we have failed to humble ourselves and surrender our lives to you. Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to do life on our own and made a terrible mess of things. Help us to do better going forward. Take our guilt and shame away from us and restore us though your steadfast love, mercy and grace. Give us wisdom, courage and strength to stand firm in our faith and resist the temptations of the evil one. As we do, help others to see your mighty hand working in our lives so that they seek and find you in their lives as well. We pray all of this in the strong and holy name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Acts 17:22-31.

1. Pastor Mick shared a couple of examples from his marketing days regarding the importance of knowing your audience (The Home Depot and Lowe’s). Why is it important to know your audience? What did Paul do in this passage to indicate he also had learned the importance of knowing his audience?

2. What did Paul mean when he said to the Athenians, “I perceive that in every way you are very religious”? Was Paul impressed with how “religious” they were? Why/why not?

3. How might this passage impact the way we use the word “religious” in our culture? Do we have it right, or do some things need to change?

4. Pastor Mick said that as disciples of Jesus we are called to know God and to make him known? What do you think about that? How do you do that?

5. What is the significance, if any, of the location in which Paul addresses the Athenians – at the Areopagus on Mars Hill, between the Parthenon (temple of Athena) and the Forum (place of commerce and philosophical debate)? What might this mean for us in the modern-day culture in which we live?

6. What was the significance of the altar Paul found in Athens with the inscription “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”? How might this be relevant for us today?

7. Pastor Mick told a story about a friend/colleague who planted a new church, focusing on the poor and homeless being denied access to the big fancy church that launched them. What does this say to us about being “religious” and having an “unknown god” even in the church today? What must we do to avoid such pitfalls in our own faith?

8. What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God? Which one best describes you right now? What can you do to better know God? How can you make Him known to others?

Prayer for the Week:

God, forgive us for the times we have been content in knowing about you rather than intimately knowing you. Forgive us for the times we focus on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of your love. Give us the desire and the ability to know you and to make you known. May our attempts at evangelism, flawed as they may be, produce the desired effects. May all that we say and all that we do draw ourselves and those around us closer to you, so that lives may be transformed and you may be glorified. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Acts 2:42-47.

1. In the new member “Connect” Class, we teach that the church is a “family.” Do you agree with this description of church? Why or why not?

2. Pastor Mick said this is a perfect Mothers’ Day passage because it describes the church family living and behaving the way every mom wants her family to live and behave. Do you see that in this passage?

3. Have you ever struggled with the part of this passage in which people sell their possessions and give to others? Do you find that behavior consistent with modern cultural norms? If so, how? If not, how do you reconcile the difference?

4. Do you agree that everyone longs to belong to a family? How might the church help satisfy this longing?

5. Acts 2 is the Biblical model of what the church should look like in practice. Often times, however, it does not look like this. Why do you think that is?

6. Pastor Mick attributed much of the dysfunction that occurs in church to the fact that brothers and sisters in Christ act like, well, brothers and sisters. Do you agree? What should we do when this happens?

7. Pastor Mick discussed how the pandemic has reminded us of the difference between Christian cloistering and Christian community. What did he mean by that? How might this reminder be helpful, both in the short-term and the long-term?

8. How does the strength of our church family unit impact our ability to achieve the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?

Prayer for the Week:

Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting us to be part of your family we know as the church, of which you are the head. Draw us closer to one another as brothers and sisters who nurture each other in faith. Help us to see God the Father through your life and teaching, and bring us into His presence through your redemptive work on the cross. Through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, help us to be the church the leads others to abundant and eternal life through a deep and abiding relationship with you. We pray all of this in your strong and holy name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

These are certainly strange times we’re living in right now. Some may even say “difficult” times. Whatever our thoughts are...may we be reminded that we still serve a God that is mighty, powerful, loving and able to help us be “Overcomers.”

1. Read 1 John 5:1-4. What promise is John sharing in this text? What areas in your life might need changed in order to fully receive this promise?

2. Often times we hear Christians talk about living a “victorious Christian life.” What does that really mean?

3. Read Romans 12:21 and Revelation 3:21. In what ways are you encouraged to overcome the great battles or obstacles facing you now?

4. What are some difficult areas or situations you have overcome in your life? Did you hear, see or feel the Spirit of God in those situations? Share.

5. How confident are you in your relationship with Christ...that you feel you can overcome any situation? Are there areas you need to work on?

6. What are some big steps of faith God is calling you to take?

Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, by your death and resurrection, you have given me the most wonderful gift of victory over all of my enemies...sin, death and the evil one himself. All are defeated by you, Lord. Thank you most gracious Lord for allowing me to live in glorious triumph today. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Luke 24:13-35.

1. How do you relate to the two disciples who were going back to Emmaus discouraged and dejected? Have you ever felt that way? When? What causes those kinds of feelings?

2. What did you think about the idea of Emmaus being a place we go to escape? Where do you go/what do you do when you need to escape?

3. How might going to a place we need to escape facilitate an encounter with the Risen Christ? Has this ever happened to you? If so, did you recognize it at the time, or only in retrospect?

4. How do your expectations affect your vision? Have you ever failed to recognize Jesus in a situation simply because you weren’t expecting to see him there? If so, in what shape was your heart and mind during that time?

5. What are your thoughts on Revelation 3:20? When have you been aware of Jesus knocking? Did you invite him in? What does this say to you regarding grace (remember Prevenient, Justifying and Sanctifying grace?)?

6. How has breaking bread together (other than Holy Communion) been a powerful, even sacred, moment for you? Have there been times when your eyes were opened, so to speak, at the breaking of bread with someone?

7. What do you make of the notion of “divine glimpses” or awareness of God’s presence as “fleeting moments”? Have you ever had such glimpses/ moments? If so, how have they impacted your life?

Prayer for the Week:

Almighty God, thank you for your divine glimpses that renew our faith, rekindle our fire, and re-energize us for the work you have called us to do as followers of Jesus Christ.
Help us to find those safe places to which we can retreat when life and discipleship become overwhelming. Meet us in those places and reveal yourself to us in ways we can recognize. Give us all that we need to navigate the peaks and valleys of life as your good and faithful servants. Help us to share your love, mercy and grace with others so they too can experience your presence for themselves. We pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read John 20:19-22.

1. How might the fear the disciples were feeling behind locked doors inform our feelings during this period of lockdown? What can we expect Jesus to do for us in our times of fear?

2. Read Genesis 2:7, Ezekiel 37:9-10 and John 20:22. What do these passages have in common? What does that mean for us?

3. Google the songs Spirit Wind by Casting Crowns and Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you listen to them. What did the Spirit say to you? How is God calling and equipping you to be a theotokos – “Christ-bearer” as part of his mighty army?

4. On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” but we see him again today with the frightened disciples behind closed doors. What did Jesus mean by, “It is finished”? What did it mean for those early disciples and what does it mean for us today?

5. Pastor Mick discussed Jesus breathing on the disciples and giving them the Holy Spirit in conjunction with the concept of The Inflatable Church. Why did he tie these things together? What did he mean by The Inflatable Church?

6. Why does the world need The Inflatable Church today? (or does it?) How might this kind of church once again be the center of the community, even if in different ways than in the past?

7. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all means some might be saved.” What did he mean by this? What does this mean for us? How does this tie in with The Inflatable Church concept?

8. How does our “mobile ministry” (bouncy houses) position us well to be The Inflatable Church in our community? (think beyond the literal inflatables we use)

Prayer for the Week:

Holy Spirit, breathe on us. Breathe your life into our souls. Send your wind into this valley. Raise us again a mighty army. Fill us with your Spirit Wind. Help us to truly be the inflatable church, filled with the breath of heaven, and going wherever you send us, out into the world, where the lost and hurting people are. Work in and thru us to breathe the breath of life into their souls by whatever means you desire, so that many more will be saved. Thank you, Lord, for not letting this difficult season of life be in vain. Thank you for waking this sleeping giant and empowering us to do all that you call us to do. For now, please continue to protect us from this deadly virus and help us keep finding new ways to be in ministry. And when this season is complete, and the shutdown is over, send us out as a mighty army for the Lord, filled with the Spirit Wind, meeting people where they are, and offering them your love, mercy and grace. We pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read John 20:1-7 and Matthew 28:1-10.

1. How has the empty building due to the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your understanding of the empty tomb? How might it affect the way you live out your faith when the pandemic is over?

2. Pastor Mick quoted 1 Peter 1:3 several times – “Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Why do you think he dwelled on the Scripture? How might reflecting on that Scripture help you to have a truly Happy Easter?

3. Do you agree with Pastor Mick that hope is as necessary to life as food, water and air? Why or why not?

4. Pastor Mick talked about Tom Hanks’ character in the movie Castaway. What two things gave him hope to carry on? Why do you think that was? What did Hanks mean when he said of the one element, “This package saved my life”? How could that be?

5. From where do you derive your hope? Has the current pandemic highlighted and reinforced this for you? If so, how?

6. What does the phrase “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” mean to you? What does it mean in light of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

7. What did Pastor Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg Church mean when he said, “God does some of his best work in cemeteries”? What might that mean for us today?

8. Where in your life do you need to experience a little “Resurrection Hope” today?

Prayer for the Week:

Lord Jesus, thank you for filling our lives with resurrection hope. Thank you for giving us everything, including your own life, that we might have life ourselves that is both abundant and eternal. Help us to put our full trust in you and expect miraculous things when we surrender our lives to you. We love you so much Jesus, and we offer this prayer in your strong and holy name. Amen.

Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead! It is the most awesome news ever announced. After his resurrection, he stayed around to have breakfast with his most faithful followers. It is through his encounter with them, that we find encouragement and yes, challenges.

Read John 21:1-25

Jesus had conquered death, risen from the grave and now he's inviting his disciples to "Come and have breakfast." There are several messages in this passage... discuss each:

God enjoys seeing people feed.

God likes to feed people physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually and spiritually.

Share how this passage encourages you. Share how this passage challenges you.

Discussion Questions:

Read Acts 2:42-47. What are some of the things early believers did together? How often? How do you think they felt about Jesus and each other? What transpired as a result of their behavior?

Which of the following do you enjoy most? Which do you find difficult?

A) Teaching (the Word of God)
B) Having fellowship with other believers
C) Breaking the bread
D) Praying
E) Selling your possessions to meet the needs of others.

What reassurance do you need from Christ for something you feel you've failed him in?

How might you respond to this question: Are you a disciple of Christ? Are you taking the steps needed to grow in Christ's likeness? Are you fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel of Christ to others?

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the God of victory over death. Your Son revealed himself again and again, and convinced his followers of his glorious resurrection. Help us to remember Hus resurrection and presence in our everyday life. May we love obediently. May we feed his sheep. May we care for the lambs of his flock, until we join the hosts of heaven in worshiping Him and praising Him in eternal life. All glory to you God. Amen