Text: Mark 5.21-43The central idea of this text is: Jesus' touch brings life and love to all who are without. In the context of the sermon series, we've asked here - why are we about working with God in transformation of all types of people?Questions:1) Read the text through. What is the sense you get of the scene? List the central characters: Jesus Jairus The Sick Woman (as a reminder, she was menstruating for 12 years straight, which rendered her continually unclean and unwelcome in almost any part of society, and especially in the community of God's people). The Dead Girl (as a reminder, she was dead - which could be the ultimate marginalization from society)What do you know about each of these figures, from the text, or from the context? List it out.2) How are the Sick Woman and the Dead Girl alike? Different? (ex. - 12 years old, bleeding for 12 years...both are female...both have no social status).3) What is the attitude/posture of each of these people? First, in terms of their circumstances. Second, in their approach to Jesus. How desperate were the circumstances of Jairus, Dead Girl, and Sick Woman? How far on the margins did the Sick Woman live?4) What is Jesus's response to the unclean, unloved, unaccepted, and without hope? What is the significance of Jairus pleaing for his "little daughter," and Jesus naming this Sick Woman his "daughter."5) Have you ever been desperate in your life? Either as desperate as these people, or less? Felt separated from God, from the People of God, from the world around you? Or - have you ever been pushed to the margins? Explore how that has felt for you?6) What might Jesus' touch of these women say about how Jesus touches us? Does Jesus still bring the transformation that you see happening with his children in this story?7) How do you relate to people who have been pushed to the margins? Who are they - both in your mind, and in Christ's? What do you see in Christ's example here?8) How does this relate to our Mission statement about transformation of people from cultural backgrounds and all personal circumstances?

Partnership with GodPhilippians 1:3-111) Does the Apostle Paul really need partners? He's very capable all by himself. 2) Our mission statement actually calls us "partners with God". How does that description strike you? Are you God's partner?3) What is "partnership in the gospel"? 4) Hear Paul's affectionate words and tone. What effect does that have? How is he modeling relationships and ministry leadership for us/you?5) Even as he affirms his friends, Paul stretches them with his prayer (verses 9-11). How are you stretched by this prayer ... to do what?

Authentic, Loving and VibrantColossians 3:11-171. What kind of community is described in Verse 11? Why would this be appealing? Can we experience this today? 2. According to Verse 12, we are chosen and loved by God. Why does that privilege need to be absorbed first --- before we can consider all that follows? Do you know yourself to be "chosen, holy and dearly loved"? (Why not?) 3. What does authenticity look like? Do you find it at GrX? Are you willing to be? How do we develop it? 4. What is a "vibrant" church? Describe an alive, vibrant Christian. Are you one?

Small Group Discussion Questions:The MiraclePhilippians 3:7-111. Paul has a lot going for him (read Phil. 3:4-6). He was a supremely confident person before he was captured by Christ. Is there anything wrong with having a lot of confidence?2. Then Paul throws away all of his advantages. Would you be willing to do that? Is Christ worth it? What would be the practical implications of such a strong focus on the benefits of knowing Christ --- to the exclusion of your own accomplishments?3. Righteousness comes from God. We receive it by faith. (3:9) Explain that. 4. Are you willing to “share in the fellowship his suffering” as well as to experience the “power of this resurrection”? Do they go together? How?

Small Group Discussion Questions:Easter SundaySecond ChancesJohn 21:1-171. Does it strike you as strange that Peter and some of the other disciples decide to go fishing right after the big news of the Resurrection? 2. Peter is an expert fisherman … and after hours of effort, they caught nothing. This comes after his conspicuous failure the night before the crucifixion. Have you ever felt like you couldn’t do anything right?3. The Risen Christ is cooking breakfast for the disciples. Does that strike you as strange? What’s the significance of this act of service?4. What is the meaning of the dialogue between Jesus and Peter? How does this change their relationship? How does this change Peter’s life? How does this exchange relate to your understanding of the call of Christ on your life?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. In the Bible, we are often challenged to be "strong and courageous" ("Finally, be strong ..." 6:10). Is it really possible to choose strength ... and courage? What if you don't have any? What if you believe you already have all that you need? 2. Verse 12 stretches our understanding. We know how to fight against "flesh and blood." Can you imagine what it means to struggle against "rulers and authorities, dark powers and evil forces?" What does it mean that we should regard the person who is our enemy as, themselves, the victim of our real enemy? 3. Choose one of these "weapons" and describe how you would use it. Why are there a number of defensive pieces but only one offensive weapon? 4. Even Paul needs prayer (verses 19, 20). He asks for fearlessness in his desire to share the Gospel. Is this your prayer? What would you do if God answered your prayer and you lost all of your fear? 5. Verse 24 reminds us of our theme: Live a Life of Love. Is your love for Christ "undying?" How does such a love express itself? How does such a love sustain itself?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. Read Ephesians 5:21-33 out loud. How do you initially react to this text? What have you heard people say about texts like this in the past? What about your reaction might be culturally conditioned? Are you able to read the text again and heart it, as Pastor Jim encouraged, with your whole body? How does it strike you now?2. It is true that texts like this tend to get the short end of the stick when considering Scripture. Many in our culture- and even a good number of people in the church- tend to see a latent repression of women in these verses. For that time period and context of the Ephesian church, what are the liberating words for women? How might we receive Paul's words today?3. What is the husband called to here? Consider the calling Paul is laying out to husbands- how huge is this charge to love his wife as Christ loves the church? Can you put some practical flesh on the idea?4. What is the wife called to here? To submit as the church submits to Christ- how huge is this calling? What might it look like?5. Can you see Paul's analogy- the relationship between husband and wife parallels the relationship between Christ and the church? Is this how our society generally thinks of marriage? Is this how we in the church generally think of marriage? If this was something we considered more fully, how might it change the concept of marriage as a whole?6. If you are married- how can you and your spouse move toward this biblical vision of a beautiful marriage? What might it look like for you?7. If you are single- what can you do to prepare yourself for this type of relationship? What pieces of this vision do you think you will do well with, and what pieces need a bit more work?

Small Group Discussion Questions:To come...