The Vine Austin

Pastor Ben kicks off our new sermon series in Habakkuk.

Habakkuk 1:1-12 NIV

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a situation that turned out differently than you expected, but ended up changing you for the better? What happened?

2. Habakkuk was honest with God about the injustice and suffering he saw around him. Why do you think it’s sometimes difficult for us to be that honest with God in our questioning and lament? What holds us back?

3. The sermon talked about how God doesn’t necessarily cause the bad things in our lives, but He can bring restoration through them. How does that practically play out? Does that bring hope? Does it bring up more questions? How does that make you think about God when life gets hard?

4. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either as encouraging, confusing or curious?

5. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

6. As you spend time in prayer this week, ask God “Why?”. Practice a moment of lament with God - and trust that God holds you and sees you in the midst of your questioning.

Spend time in prayer. Pray for the things in our lives that seem like they’ve been going on for too long. Pray for peace around the world. Pray for justice where there is injustice and an end to violence. And lastly, express gratitude for Jesus and how He has changed our lives and our world so deeply - and pray that we may live into our new covenant with Him faithfully and honestly.

Mark concludes our 50 Days in Luke series with the story often called "Road to Emmaus."

Luke 24:13-32

www.thevineaustin.org

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples describe their disappointment with the words, "We had hoped..." (v. 21). What is something in your life that you could describe with those same words? How has that experience shaped your relationship with God?

3. The disciples were walking with Jesus but couldn't recognize him. What are some expectations, assumptions, or experiences that might keep us from recognizing Jesus at work in our lives?

4. Jesus helps the disciples understand Scripture in a new way, showing how the story ultimately points toward him. What does it mean to read Scripture with Jesus at the center? How might reading Scripture with Jesus at the center change the way we understand God, engage with difficult passages, or relate to people who see things differently?

5. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either as encouraging, confusing or curious?

6. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

7. The disciples finally recognize Jesus when he breaks bread with them. What does this moment teach us about the importance of hospitality, friendship, and shared meals? When have you experienced something sacred in an ordinary moment with others?

8. Mark shared his hope that our church would be a community situated between Jerusalem and Emmaus. What can we do as a community (our church and your VineGroup) walk with people as Jesus did in this story?

In this sermon, we hear from community member Ellen Ede as she helps us unpack a simple but challenging word from Jesus. If you want to enter the Kingdom, become like a child.

www.thevineaustin.org

Luke 18:15-17

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. From this passage and others in Luke we’ve seen so far, who can receive the Kingdom of God? What is hindering those who would want to receive it?

3. Read Luke 18:9-14. How does the tax collector’s prayer illustrate childlike reception of the kingdom? How does the Pharisee illustrate its opposite?

4. When have you acted like the disciples, treating someone as unimportant or as an interruption to “real” work?

5. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

6. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

7. What is one area of self-sufficiency you could deliberately surrender this week? What would that look like in practice?

Spend time in prayer. As best you can, attempt to pray like a child.

In this message, Fabs shares from Luke 15, three parables of lostness, and a timely message of worthiness.

Luke 15:1-10

www.thevineaustin.org

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you - either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. Which of the three stories (the sheep, the coin, or the son) do you connect with most? Why?

3. What's one thing from the sermon that stuck with you?

4. What are your thoughts on the difference between being qualified vs being valued?

5. What resistance or resonance did you notice within you when you consider that you are valuable to God?

6. Are there relationships in your life where you have felt loved and valued - not for something about you - but just for you?

7. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

8. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

Spend time in prayer. Today, focus your prayers to be simple prayers of gratitude. Share them like a fragrant offering to Jesus.

In this sermon, Ben continues our 50 Days in Luke series with a sermon touching on awareness, anxiety, and spiritual incarceration.

www.thevineaustin.org

Scripture: Luke 12.22-34

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. Ben suggested that the first step toward change is simply noticing where our attention is going. Why do you think awareness is so important? What makes it difficult for us to recognize when something has become too important in our lives?

3. What tends to occupy your thoughts throughout the week? What do those thoughts reveal about the things you value most?

4. Ben pointed out that Jesus wouldn’t tell a hungry person to stop worrying about food; he would feed them. How does that change the way you understand this passage? How should it shape our response to people experiencing poverty or vulnerability?

5. Hansel described people as sometimes being physically free but spiritually incarcerated. What do you think he meant? What are some things in our lives that can capture our attention and keep us from being present to God?

6. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

7. What method or helpful techniques might you use this week to take stock of what’s occupying your mind?

Spend time in prayer. Today, focus your prayers to be simple prayers of gratitude for God’s steadfast provision.

10.11.26-Sermon by The Vine; a church in Austin, TX

In this sermon, Mark explores Luke 9 and Jesus' transfiguration. Not only is Jesus transfigured, but so is the mountaintop experience.

www.thevineaustin.org

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. Do you have a memorable experience on a mountain top?

3. Read the passage (9:28-36). Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about his “departure” - literally, his exodus. How does thinking about Jesus’ death and resurrection as an exodus change the way you understand the cross?

4. Instead of giving the disciples greater clarity, a cloud surrounds them. Where in your life right now does God feel more like a cloud than a clear answer? What does faith look like when we don't have certainty?

5. When the cloud lifts, Luke says, “Jesus was found alone.” What do you think this detail is communicating? What might it mean to say that “Jesus is enough” when other answers aren't available?

6. What from the sermon has stayed with you- either as encouraging, confusing or curious?

7. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

8. The voice from the cloud gives the disciples one instruction: “Listen to him.” The sermon suggested that we hear Jesus through Scripture, prayer and contemplation, Christian community, the voices of the lowly or overlooked, and many other ways. Where have you found it easiest to hear Jesus lately? Where might you need to listen more carefully this week?

Spend time in prayer. Today, pray for the ability to hear Jesus.

As we continue in 50 Days in Luke, we come to Luke 7, a story of the downfall of spiritual pride, and the fragrance of gratitude.

www.thevineaustin.org

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. When you envisioned the kitchen table of your childhood, what came to mind?

3. Read the story above. Why do you think this woman showed up to Simon’s home with this plan in her mind? What provoked her?

4. Why do you think Jesus told this story about the moneylender and debt, rather than just confronting Simon and the other guests? What is the point of this parable?

5. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

6. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

7. How does this woman embody an example to follow this week? What would it be like to follow her lead?

Spend time in prayer. Today, focus your prayers to be simple prayers of gratitude. Share them like a fragrant offering to Jesus.

Mark continues in our second sermon in 50 Days in Luke. We hear Jesus preach his first sermon, declaring the coming of Jesus' Kingdom marked by radical justice, mercy and liberation.

Luke 4:14-21

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. Out of all the different ways Jesus could begin his public ministry, Luke recounts that this was the inaugural sermon. Why might Jesus choose this passage and his final words in verse 21?

3. Mark shared how, in our culture, we commonly separate and choose to emphasize two aspects of evangelism- either social justice or personal transformation. Which have you been trained to focus on? Why do they need one another?

4. Read vv22-30. Why do you think Jesus’ hometown so quickly and violently turned against Jesus?

5. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

6. As our internal narratives hold much power, how does this story reshape your narrative about God or humanity?

We are anointed and empowered to continue Jesus’ ministry. What is a need (whether a person or a cause) you feel compelled to give yourself towards this week?

Spend time in prayer. Pray for the needs that you hold together- that God would give you Jesus’ courage and compassion.

www.thevineaustin.org

Welcome to 50 Days in Luke! In this introductory sermon, Mark kicks off this series talking about our invitation to read the Gospel, some insights about who the author is, and a unique story about a man named Zechariah.

Luke 1:5-20

thevineaustin.org/luke

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which of the week’s daily readings stood out to you- either by the questions that surfaced or the encouragement felt?

2. How has your experience been with the daily habit of reading scripture Scripture before Screen? Has it been challenging or life giving? And what has that experience taught you?

3. As you consider Zechariah’s experience in the temple (v11-17), what words from the angel would impact you the most?

4. Reread verses 18-20. What do you think was behind Zechariah’s question?

5. Why do you think Zechariah was made mute for these months?

6. Mark shared the theological concept mysterium tremendum - a mystery that causes us to tremble. Do you agree that we deeply long for these two experiences in a life with God? Why or why not?

7. Did anything else stand out from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or thought-provoking?

8. What do you hope to experience by the end of these 50 days?

Spend time in prayer. Pray for this 50 day journey and for an ability to learn from the Word and silence.