tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71570624161059773072024-02-18T22:00:40.467-08:00LIFT @ BethelLIFT stands for "Living In Faith Together". This is our intentional small group ministry. Our LIFT sessions meet for a specific number of weeks and every LIFT group studies the same topic during that time.
We offer LIFT sessions four times a year (Lent, Spring, Fall, Advent).Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-45673488629400042612019-04-08T06:57:00.000-07:002019-04-08T06:57:03.829-07:00Lent 2019: Week Five Study Guide<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #2198a6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"></span></span><h4 style="color: #2198a6; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Week Five: Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord</span></h4>
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<b style="background-color: white;">SHARE</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Share your Highs and Lows for the week with each other. </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">READ</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Read the Gospel lesson from this past Sunday (John 12:1-8). What part of the reading intrigued you, interested you, confused you, enlightened you?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>TALK</b><br /><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="505" id="multi_iframe" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/multi?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fplaylist.podbean.com%2F311385%2Fplaylist_multi.xml&vjs=1&size=315&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&skin=0" width="100%"></iframe> </span><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">In his sermon, Pastor Dave shared that being devoted to Jesus can lead us to do actions that will seem "peculiar" to the outside world. Take the story of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. Of course it was an act of extravagance. It could seem to some to be a "waste" and not good "financial stewardship." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">However, Jesus cautions against this dualistic thinking and instead invites us to see the beauty in what Mary does. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Can you see the beauty in her act of devotion? Can you see what Jesus is saying? Are you willing to be seen by others as "peculiar" because of your devotion to Jesus?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">PRAY</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pray for each other, the world, and then share the Lord's Prayer together</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">BLESS</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-10030424047123000502019-04-01T08:06:00.002-07:002019-04-01T08:06:33.549-07:00Lent 2019: Week Four Study Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Week Four: The Most Wonderful Word in the Bible</span></h4>
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<b style="background-color: white;">SHARE</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Share your Highs and Lows for the week with each other. </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">READ</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Read the Gospel lesson from this past Sunday (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32). What part of the reading intrigued you, interested you, confused you, enlightened you?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">TALK</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="505" id="multi_iframe" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/multi?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fplaylist.podbean.com%2F311385%2Fplaylist_multi.xml&vjs=1&size=315&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&skin=0" width="100%"></iframe> <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">In his sermon, Pastor Dave talked about how far and wide does the forgiveness and grace of Jesus go. Some say to all people. Others only the baptized believers. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">He quotes a sermon that says that the most wonderful word in the Bible is the word, "until". As you read the parables in the 15th chapter of Luke you will notice that the God-figure (the shepherd searching for a lost sheep, the woman searching for a lost coin, and the father waiting for the lost son) all search "until" they find them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So the question is, how long is "until"? Is "until" ever over? What are your initial reactions, struggles, concerns, etc. in considering God's grace? God's love is generous and God's ways are not our ways. How might this shape our own willingness to forgive others?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">PRAY</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pray for each other, the world, and then share the Lord's Prayer together</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">BLESS</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-85002685083479582272019-03-27T12:16:00.001-07:002019-03-27T12:31:41.009-07:00Lent 2019: Week Three Study Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Week Three: Bearing Fruit for Heaven's Sake</span></h4>
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<b style="background-color: white;">SHARE</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Share your Highs and Lows for the week with each other. </span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">READ</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Read the Gospel lesson from this past Sunday (Luke 13:1-9). What part of the reading intrigued you, interested you, confused you, enlightened you?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">TALK</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="505" id="multi_iframe" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/multi?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fplaylist.podbean.com%2F311385%2Fplaylist_multi.xml&vjs=1&size=315&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&skin=0" width="100%"></iframe>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In his sermon, Pastor Dave used the image of "Lazy-Boy" Lutheranism as an insufficient response to God's saving work in Christ (i.e. resting on grace with no action). Instead we are called to be "fruit bearers", i.e. we have work to do. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">He discussed that we have been given the wonderful invitation to "partner" with God in achieving God's purposes in this work. The words from the Lord's Prayer that read, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" speak to this invitation. Pastor Dave said, "Heaven comes to earth through us." Reflect on this statement together.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In conclusion, Pastor Dave used the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5 as the guiding image for what we are invited to do. See if you can memorize the Fruits of the Spirit and then discuss how you can partner with God in being agents of fruit bearing in these ways. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Remember, though, this work doesn't "get you into heaven". It is merely the work we do in response to what God has first done and helps bring a little more heaven to earth.</span></div>
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<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="background-color: white;">PRAY</b></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Pray for each other, the world, and then share the Lord's Prayer together</span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">BLESS</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-24041013460255960892019-03-22T15:38:00.004-07:002019-03-27T12:34:42.199-07:00Lent 2019: Week Two Study Guide<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #2198a6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Week Two: God is All In</span></h4>
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<b style="background-color: white;">SHARE</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Share your Highs and Lows for the week with each other. </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">READ</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Read the Old Testament reading from this past Sunday, Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18. What part of the reading intrigued you, interested you, confused you, enlightened you?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">TALK</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="505" id="multi_iframe" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/multi?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fplaylist.podbean.com%2F311385%2Fplaylist_multi.xml&vjs=1&size=315&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&skin=0" width="100%"></iframe>
<span style="background-color: white;">In his sermon, Pastor Dave talked about covenant. In the Bible, a covenant is a "contract" between God and the people of God. In the covenant with Abram, what imagery does God use to express His willingness to enter into this covenant?</span></div>
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At the heart of our faith is a questions of whether or not we can trust God. What makes you trust God? What challenges your ability to trust God? What has helped you begin to trust God again?</div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">PRAY</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pray for each other, the world, and then share the Lord's Prayer together</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">BLESS</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-91705534996206841832019-03-11T06:44:00.001-07:002019-03-27T12:35:12.589-07:00Lent 2019: Week One Study Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrwAfP2YBGOyaNcGW_vV7k3HUja7dK6VjqOK55iGqaAd6dEWX33ZvNgcUm04nY3Qs3vK4PR67goFk-sMj3A8f3czxqUNJ3SBE3Ylj3k_BoiG_fNXrEpFt5JePNmabpanq-8MQQws30R8/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" /></a></div>
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Week One: The Devil Made Me Do It</h4>
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<b>SHARE</b></div>
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Share your Highs and Lows for the week with each other. </div>
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<b>READ</b></div>
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Read the Gospel reading for the week: Luke 4: 1-13. What part of the reading intrigued you, interested you, confused you, enlightened you?</div>
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<b>TALK</b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="505" id="multi_iframe" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/multi?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fplaylist.podbean.com%2F311385%2Fplaylist_multi.xml&vjs=1&size=315&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=1&skin=0" width="100%"></iframe>
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In his sermon, Pastor Dave highlighted three ways that we can face our own temptations as modeled by Jesus in the wilderness: </div>
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1) Find strength in our baptism and belovedness to God (the promise of God to be with us), </div>
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2) God is in the wilderness and God can change us and lead us through them </div>
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(see Abraham, Moses, Jacob, etc.), </div>
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3) Seek the words of Scripture (other religious teaching) to guide us, and provide strength</div>
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Discuss how these may contribute to helping you in our own struggle with temptation. What has been helpful to you in working through your own temptations? </div>
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<b>PRAY</b></div>
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Pray for each other, the world, and then share the Lord's Prayer together</div>
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<b>BLESS</b></div>
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Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, "God loves you and so do I"</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-63506127147722730282019-02-28T09:56:00.006-08:002019-03-27T12:18:32.276-07:002019 Lenten Preaching Series: Getting Serious about Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNa0Lf9jVaktVpI1d4708iH2zjy61ZE0iZg-IUpUuZApRNSsBBXOi9sW49VCx3oatuyZidMMWq3DAxdMb0A1H7Pj_fy3Em7epLZZCHBD-F4sCv-K6iyzzyUKnuuG3uGdjh6maU0PiZo/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNa0Lf9jVaktVpI1d4708iH2zjy61ZE0iZg-IUpUuZApRNSsBBXOi9sW49VCx3oatuyZidMMWq3DAxdMb0A1H7Pj_fy3Em7epLZZCHBD-F4sCv-K6iyzzyUKnuuG3uGdjh6maU0PiZo/s1600/Lent+image.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Getting Serious about Jesus</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday, March 10: The Devil Made Me Do It (Luke 4: 1-13)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday, March 17: God is All In (Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday, March 24: Bearing Fruit for Heaven's Sake (Luke 13: 1-9)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday, March 31: God Forgives, are we OK with that? (Luke 15)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">April 7: Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord (John 12:1-8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lent is traditionally understood to be a season of contemplation and repentance. It is a season of "reorientation" and renewal. It is a season where we intentionally seek to follow Jesus more closely. In other words, it is a time to "get serious" about Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each week of Lent, I will be posting a small group study with questions about the topic for the week. It will go out each Sunday evening, beginning March 10 and concluding on April 7. All LIFT groups are invited to participate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you happen to be at Bethel during Lent, don't be alarmed if someone comes up to you and asks, <i>"Are you serious?</i>" </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It will not be meant in a derogatory way. It is our Lenten mantra! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SO, ARE YOU READY TO GET SERIOUS?</span></b></h2>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-28180021727781821502018-10-03T09:32:00.005-07:002018-10-03T09:35:25.475-07:00LIFT Bible Study on Evangelism (Part III)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5_dzjSIySw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Begin with the song "Revelation Song"</span></a></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Acts 17: 16-31)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pastor John Wertz, when visiting us on September 30, preached from this text and reminded us that in the 21st century, Christianity in America looks more like "Athens" than "Jerusalem". We are not in "familiar" territory anymore. We are now in a culture that we cannot assume knows about our faith and life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He gave us three "prescriptions" for how to be in "Athens" effectively, taken from our lesson:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) Realize we are in Athens, i.e. name our reality and embrace it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) Find a way to "build bridges" into this strange new land. What are the bridges we/you could build? Discuss together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) Begin at the beginning. Instead of assuming others "know" the Christian story, assume that they do not. How might this change the way we "do" evangelism effectively? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-73643477125576080432018-10-03T09:22:00.005-07:002018-10-03T09:35:07.351-07:00LIFT Bible Study on Evangelism (Part II)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfosSggwQS0"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Begin with the song "Live Like That"</span></a></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (John 1: 43-51)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some thoughts on how the church messed up evangelism?<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“By
presenting
a <b><i>false
dichotomy</i></b> between evangelism and justice.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“By <b><i>finger wagging</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“The church has screwed up
evangelism by aggressively beating people over the head with "the message”
and <b><i>forgetting
to “love” people</i></b>. People won’t
listen to people who they don’t believe love them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“By distorting the gospel; <b><i>too
much law and not enough grace</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Made evangelism a belief and <b><i>set
of rubrics</i></b> rather than an action where we seek to live in Christ's
likeness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I think that evangelism in
impoverished areas, specifically Africa, can lead to <b><i>dishonest evangelism</i></b>.
Also, I don't think <b><i>infomercial evangelism</i></b> was what Jesus had in mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“In trying to spread good news of
great joy for all people, we've made it bad news for most people, <b><i>especially
people with whom Jesus would have hung out</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“The "church" hasn't
messed up evangelism, <b><i>humans have</i></b>. It seems that Jesus had
a lot to say about the Holy Spirit, but the "church" <b><i>doesn't
seem to talk about the Holy Spirit very much</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What might effective and
faithful evangelism look like?</span></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-20670296231359286092018-10-03T09:15:00.005-07:002018-11-05T05:59:01.568-08:00LIFT Bible Study on Evangelism (Part I)<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2uq--mll30"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Begin with the song "All are Welcome"</span></a></h2>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 28: 16-20)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss the following:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is
this Evangelism?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evangelism can be defined as the duty and privilege of every follower of
Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples
of all nations; to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness
undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the
gospel of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What about
this?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evangelism is not a matter of converting someone to a different belief,
it is a matter of welcoming those who are isolated and in need of a community;
founded on the belief that people have a need for religious community, for deep
relationships, for spiritual exploration, and for social involvement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some
Definitions of Evangelism from others?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“IMHO evangelism is not about
telling folks you're right it's about <b><i>providing
them something they want to be a part of</i></b>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Sharing the message and love of
Christ to those <b><i>beyond the household
of the faith</i></b>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I love Brian McLaren's
definition about <b><i>participating in
God's healing of the world</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“A lived life of engaging with
folks in things that <b><i>really matter</i></b>
where <b><i>relationships</i></b> are built,
and love is cultivated.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I would define it as bringing
the <b><i>love</i></b> and message of Christ
to others <b><i>genuinely</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Evangelism is not winning
converts but <b><i>announcing to the world
who the true Lord of heaven and earth really is</i></b>, whether they
acknowledge it or not. Evangelism is telling people that they ARE saved,
therefore, BE reconciled.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Evangelism is <i>more <b>relational</b></i> than
confrontational, more <b><i>communal</i></b>
than solitary, and is more <b><i>a beginning</i></b>
than an end.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Evangelism is <b><i>bearing witness</i></b> to what God has done,
is doing and will do in the world and in one’s life, <b><i>engaging others</i></b> in Spirit-led dialogue and <b><i>inviting</i></b> people to faith.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<b><i>Everything you do</i></b> is
evangelism.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How
would you define Evangelism?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 28pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-58303040913686953152018-06-04T14:09:00.003-07:002018-06-04T14:09:24.710-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #12 (Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBD18rsVJHk"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin with the song "How Great is Our God"</span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 20: 1-16)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?<br />
<br />
2) Do you empathize with the workers who were upset? Why or why not?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Consider the landowner. Why didn't he give more to those who worked longer? How might this relate to our lives of faith?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Where do we get our ideas or what is "fair" and what is "unfair"? Who defines "fairness"? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Does God's idea of "fairness" differ from ours? If so, what would our world be like / look like if it modeled God's idea of fairness more fully?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-51992676691845970102018-06-04T14:04:00.001-07:002018-06-04T14:04:34.838-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #11 (Parable of the Prodigal Son/Waiting Father)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvIB_veig5s">Begin with the song "Your Grace is Enough"</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 15: 11-32)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?<br />
<br />
2) Have you ever felt like running away from it all (even faith!). What caused that feeling?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Consider the older brother. Have you ever felt "righteous indignation" toward another when they received grace that you felt was unfair? How might this be more dangerous to faith than running away and giving up?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Consider the father. What decisions did he make out of "love" for his sons? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Consider the prodigal son. He showed courage to face his sinfulness and mistakes. He was surprised by grace. When have your "faced the consequences" only to be surprised by grace? How did this change you?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-73275915101796054782018-06-04T13:57:00.001-07:002018-06-04T13:57:26.093-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #10 (Parable of the Talents)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bryEXPELAyg">Begin with the song "Here I Am, Lord"</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 25: 14-30)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?<br />
<br />
2) What are your talents? Don't be shy. God gave them to you so claim them!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Consider when and how you "risked" your talents for the Lord? What is the difference between a "good risk" and a "bad risk"?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) What do you believe God expects from us and our talents? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Why might God be frustrated with one who buried their treasure? What might this say to us about discipleship?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-63161010290738522952018-06-04T13:51:00.001-07:002018-06-04T13:51:12.133-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #9 (Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y281553XUAA">Begin with the song "Ocean Floor"</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 18: 21-35)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Consider and share a story of forgiveness, either when you received forgiveness or when you offered forgiveness?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Why do you believe it is hard to offer forgiveness to others? Why do you believe it is hard to offer forgiveness to yourself?<br />
<br />
4) Why do you believe it is hard to ask for forgiveness? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) There is great power in forgiveness. How might your family, community, congregation, or even the world be better if there was more forgiveness?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-86648647358420706142018-06-04T13:41:00.002-07:002018-06-04T13:41:26.950-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #8 (Parable of the Rich Fool)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCwGZJ0fCKM">Begin with the song "Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven"</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 12: 16-21)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) What do your worry about the most? What is the source of this worry?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) How does worry impact our relationship with God? Give examples. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) How does your faith affect your financial decisions? Give an example.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) How can we prepare for the future and still trust in God? Discuss how people of faith can do this well.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-53260016247766929022018-06-04T13:34:00.005-07:002018-06-04T13:34:58.552-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #7 (Parable of the Tares)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwudqCO7mSQ">Begin with the song "Change My Heart, O God"</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 13: 24-30)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) What are the "weeds" in your life right now? How are they affecting the "wheat" in your life?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Who are the "weeds" in your life? How are they affecting your ability to live your life of faith? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Why would Jesus say to allow the weeds and the wheat to live together? How might this teach us something about how we grow in faith and discipleship?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Do you find assurance in the promise that the weeds will one day be separated from the wheat?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-25540707079856481212018-06-04T13:26:00.002-07:002018-06-04T13:26:20.287-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #6 (Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHBzI_Jb-o4"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin with the song "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"</span></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 13: 44-46)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Have you ever desired something enough to consider giving up everything for it? If so, how do you feel about it now? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) What does it mean to you to know that you are "precious" in the sight of the Lord? What are your "precious" qualities? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Why would Jesus give up everything for you and your salvation? What might this say about Jesus?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) How could you thank Jesus in your life for his gift of grace?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-38907347829749433532018-06-04T12:24:00.001-07:002018-06-04T12:24:10.821-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #5 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oSB3elWY4">Begin with the song "Just As I Am"</a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 18: 9-14)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Consider a time you felt "better than" someone else. It's human, we all do it. Still, try to consider who it is that you may more often than not feel some superiority to. Why do you believe that is?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) The prayer of the tax collector is so genuine. Have you ever prayed with such heartfelt emotion? When? Why? What may have contributed to the tax collector praying so powerfully? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Discuss the following quote from Mother Theresa, "You never know Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you've got." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Where do you do your most honest and genuine praying?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-88720097041554869172018-06-04T12:15:00.003-07:002018-06-04T12:15:20.693-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #4 (Parable of the Unjust Judge)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdqfAkHCZnA">Begin with the song "Great is the Lord"</a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 18: 1-8)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) When a rotten person does the right thing, how do you feel? Have you ever been the "rotten person" from another's perspective? If so, have you tried to do right by them?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Have you ever gone to God over and over again with the same request? How did you feel doing that? Did you receive the answer you were hoping for? If so, discuss what that felt like. If not, discuss how you made peace with it (if you indeed have done so).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) How would you describe "God's justice?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) Where do you see "injustice" in our world? What can you do about it?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-52196859177906441752018-06-04T11:55:00.002-07:002018-06-04T11:55:49.820-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #3 (Parable of Two Builders and Two Foundations)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTqRiP2w0_8"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin with the song "How Firm a Foundation"</span></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 6: 46-49)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) You're not literally building a house, so what might Jesus be talking about here for our lives of faith?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Consider and reflect upon a specific "floodwater" that has broken against your life. Was the response more like "standing firm" or more like "crumbling" or perhaps a little of both? What contributed to your or others reaction?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) What might it mean to "lay a foundation upon solid rock?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) What faith practices can help us to build on "solid rock?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-66326691377676180612018-06-04T11:49:00.003-07:002018-06-04T11:51:23.723-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #2 (Parables of the Lost)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJJPdYeAW6Q7S0oX2FSUax_F08hl_q1YrqTIPr6cDicKVyYaWnvVjFNQBvB3TOdlPOvvDc4rNMAzH3h1ME8hR7jvkNgIvSFQvufZakVNntV6sLIZ1UcbiUiVG1mCF1jiTi3wtBDPh8mQ/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG0vH4WYChQ"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin with the song "Amazing Grace"</span></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Luke 15: 1-10)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) In what ways have your felt that God pursued you in your life? How did you know that Jesus was pursuing you?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Why does Jesus compare us to sheep? How do you feel about that? Why might it be a good analogy for people of faith?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Do the actions of the shepherd, leaving the 99 to find the one, or the woman, when upon finding her coin, gathers her friends and neighbors for party, seem a bit ridiculous to you? What might this say about God and his love for us in Christ?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) When did you last experience and feel joy? Do you have enough joy in your life? If people of faith were the most joyous people of all, how might that effect others in our world? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-42452595310801258222018-06-04T11:39:00.002-07:002018-06-04T11:50:09.906-07:00Parables of Jesus Study Guide #1 (Parable of the Sower / Soils)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrQ_U5Xb1Z9QGeVpXcg_otOm1-5hkqiUxwL5hKXAvpPsI8wEtlxiExfkgp1kuP1xkqJSSPeKb1LDvDmAv-OnUYZKSeivCld0W66WB0lrDsRhpA9dz72iPCk-1TNSBVO5vJ5ebUF6EWyM/s1600/LIFTpng.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYyKNhrb1dE"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin with the song "Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil"</span></a></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Share</b></span> your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read</b></span> the Lesson (Matthew 13: 1-23)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Talk</b></span> and discuss among the following questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) What is required to keep soil healthy? What can keep your relationship with Christ healthy?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Think about the seeds that fall among the weeds. What are the "weeds" in your life? What can you do to help remove the weeds?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) Look again at the different soils. Consider your own relationship with Christ. Being transparent with God, what kind of soil do you feel like today? Over the last year?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) What is one small thing (or big thing) that you can do today/this week/this month/this year to get healthier soil in your life? What commitment are you willing to take today?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pray</b></span> with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bless </b></span>each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-18141262527587956552018-05-01T11:19:00.002-07:002018-05-01T11:19:39.287-07:00Summer LIFT Small Group Study (The Parables of Jesus)You are invited to join us this summer for a a time of fellowship and learning in our LIFT small group ministry.<br />
<br />
LIFT stands for Living in Faith Together and we are looking to offer this time during the summer as a way to connect and stay connected to your Bethel friends and even with some new people as well.<br />
<br />
If you have not already done so, you can <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VXX6RPY">sign up online</a>. <br />
<br />
We hope you will take time to participate!<br />
<br />
Blessings and Peace,<br />
Pastor DaveUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-36809241658120162372018-03-12T08:08:00.002-07:002018-04-03T06:02:13.572-07:002018 LIFT Lenten Series (Week 3: March 12-18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RSXI-zUY9oYCN8nNOqMfsXRdPwXTQQLMxy69AwG4TDC9LO0W2dgeIBpsQw_9Bzd142Hd5gc406UdSGlSUvt4ChLMSzLcB-qbteJnbbIZJ5S09GMcPyBXYPI0sLvg5bH9T4VbAOx8exY/s1600/lent4losers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="333" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RSXI-zUY9oYCN8nNOqMfsXRdPwXTQQLMxy69AwG4TDC9LO0W2dgeIBpsQw_9Bzd142Hd5gc406UdSGlSUvt4ChLMSzLcB-qbteJnbbIZJ5S09GMcPyBXYPI0sLvg5bH9T4VbAOx8exY/s320/lent4losers.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout our sessions of LIFT, we will be using our Faith 5 model of discipleship: Share, Read, Talk, Pray, and Bless.</span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Share</b> Highs and Lows for the week, day, month (whatever you choose)</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Read</span></b> our weekly scripture</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<h2 class="passageref" style="width: 600px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Jeremiah 31: 31-34</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">The days are surely coming, says the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband,</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white; color: #0000bb;"><sup class="fnote">*</sup></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;"> says the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;">; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Talk</b></span> about the scripture and the discussion questions below</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) What about the scripture or reading captured your imagination this week? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) What is the "new" thing that needs to happen in your life of faith today? This week? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) Remember a time when God did not abandon you and you felt God's presence?</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Pray</span></b> for and with each other (or share the Lord's Prayer together)</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bless</span></b> each other with a sign of the cross saying "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-2507256806574128402018-03-05T09:07:00.002-08:002018-03-05T09:07:51.758-08:002018 LIFT Lenten Series (Week 2: March 5-11)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RSXI-zUY9oYCN8nNOqMfsXRdPwXTQQLMxy69AwG4TDC9LO0W2dgeIBpsQw_9Bzd142Hd5gc406UdSGlSUvt4ChLMSzLcB-qbteJnbbIZJ5S09GMcPyBXYPI0sLvg5bH9T4VbAOx8exY/s1600/lent4losers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="333" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RSXI-zUY9oYCN8nNOqMfsXRdPwXTQQLMxy69AwG4TDC9LO0W2dgeIBpsQw_9Bzd142Hd5gc406UdSGlSUvt4ChLMSzLcB-qbteJnbbIZJ5S09GMcPyBXYPI0sLvg5bH9T4VbAOx8exY/s320/lent4losers.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout our sessions of LIFT, we will be using our Faith 5 model of discipleship: Share, Read, Talk, Pray, and Bless.</span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Share</b> Highs and Lows for the week, day, month (whatever you choose)</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Read</span></b> our weekly scripture</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<h2 class="passageref" style="width: 600px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> John 3:16-17</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him will </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> not perish but have eternal life. Indeed, the son did not come into the world to condemn </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> the </i></span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Talk</b></span> about the scripture and the discussion questions below</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) What about the scripture or reading captured your imagination this week? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) John 3:16 is one of the most famous scriptures. What does it mean to you? Have your ever tried to memorize it? Could you?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) John 3:17 is not as famous but perhaps should be. Talk about this reading and what it says about God. Can you try to memorize it as well?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Pray</span></b> for and with each other (or share the Lord's Prayer together)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bless</span></b> each other with a sign of the cross saying "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157062416105977307.post-58638069406516293222018-02-26T06:27:00.002-08:002018-02-26T06:41:44.640-08:002018 LIFT Lenten Series - (Week 1: February 25-March 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout our sessions of LIFT, we will be using our Faith 5 model of discipleship: Share, Read, Talk, Pray, and Bless.</span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Share</b> Highs and Lows for the week, day, month (whatever you choose)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Read</span></b> our weekly scripture</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Philippians 4</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> everyone. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Talk</b></span> about the scripture and the discussion questions below</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) What about the scripture or reading captured your imagination this week? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) What causes you to "worry"? Why? How do you ask God to help you?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) What "practices" can help us find Jesus' strength in our lives?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Pray</span></b> for and with each other (or share the Lord's Prayer together)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Bless</span></b> each other with a sign of the cross saying "God loves you and so do I"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0