Grand Lake Church Grand Lake Church

Scripture for Study and Reflection:

Read Romans 15: 1-6, 12-13.

1. What does “hope” mean to you? Why is hope important? What is life
like without hope?

2. What is your hope for Grand Lake UMC as we go forward?

3. Read Isaiah 43: 19. How does that verse make you feel? Can you see
it relating to Grand Lake UMC?

4. Read Romans 8: 28. Does that verse give you hope? If so, in what
ways?

5. Pastor Mick talks about hope in togetherness. What does he mean by
this? Why is togetherness important? How can it give us hope?

6. Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church says, “The local church is the hope
of the world.” Do you agree with that? Why/why not? How are we at
Grand Lake UMC providing hope to the world?

7. Pastor Mick talks about finding hope through Scripture. How do the
Scriptures provide hope?

8. Read verse 13 again. How are we filled with joy and peace? What
does this do for us? What might it also do for others around us?

9. In what ways is God the true source of all our hope? What do you
need to do to tap into this hope more fully? How can you help others
tap into this source of hope?

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, you are the source of all our hope. We find hope in the
way you draw us together as a community of faith, the body of Christ,
your church. We find hope for all of life’s ups and downs when we read
the Scriptures. More than anything, we find hope in our relationship with
you, as you fill us with joy and a peace that passes all understanding,
regardless of our life circumstances. Remind us, Lord, that you are not
done with us. You are always doing something new in us, whether we
perceive it or not. For this, we give you thanks and praise. May our
collective thanks and praise fill others with hope and draw them to you in
a way that advances your kingdom and gives your glory. We pray all of
this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Read Philippians 2: 3-8.

1. What does humility mean to you? Why is humility important, especially in the church?

2. What does it mean to truly forgive? Why is forgiveness important, especially in the church?

3. Do you ever find it hard to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive others? If so, why do you think that is?

4. Pastor Mick said that forgiveness is transformative. What do you think he meant by that? Have you ever experienced forgiveness (whether giving or receiving) to be transformative in your life and relationships?

5. There’s a popular saying, or adage, that says, “Hurt people, hurt people.” What does this mean? Have you experienced this personally? How might this help to explain people’s words and actions in the midst of our denominational turmoil?

6. Who are you still holding in unforgiveness? How does that affect your own life? What do you need to do?

7. Pastor Matt often tells people, “I see you, I hear you, I love you; and there’s nothing you can do about it.” How does this get to the heart of the gospel? How might the church (and world) be different if we all practiced this more intentionally?

8. Why do you think Pastor Mick says that “Forgiveness” undergirds this series focusing on being “Humble, Hopeful, Healed and Whole”? What do you hope you (and the church) will learn from this series? What changes are needed, both individually and collectively, as a church?

Prayer for the Week: 
Lord Jesus, forgive us for all the times we have been anything but humble, repentant and forgiving. Forgive us for all the times when our words and actions toward our brothers and sisters in Christ do not reveal your love to the world around us. Forgive us for all the times we have been more like stumbling blocks than building blocks for the faith of those around us. Help us do better. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and our minds so we can be your true disciples, good and faithful servants who practice humility, forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. Transform us into the humble and forgiving community that you call us to be, for the building of your kingdom and the glorification of you holy name. We pray all of this, Lord Jesus, in your precious, holy and strong, strong name. Amen. 

Scripture for Study and Reflection:
A lot of attention is given to Easter's Sunrise, celebrating the Risen Lord;
however if we read a little further, we see a powerful interaction later that
Easter at sunset.

1. Read John 20: 19-21. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples?

2. How did the disciples react? What were the disciples to do?

3. Read John 20: 22-23. What did Jesus do? What did the disciples need
to do?

4. What did Jesus say about forgiveness?

5. Read John 20: 24-25. What feelings did Thomas experience when he
heard he had missed seeing Jesus?

6. If you were Thomas, how would you feel?

7. Read John 20: 26-29. What did Jesus do and say to help Thomas believe?

8. What was Thomas' response? Why is his response so significant?

9. Read John 20: 30-31. Why did John write his Gospel, his testimony? Which of the numerous stories of Jesus life and ministry helped you believe?

Prayer for the Week:
Lord, help my unbelief in the areas where doubt still reigns. Help me to believe where I have not seen. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, cleanse me from all that stands in the way of me believing. Give me the peace you gave the disciples long ago. I ask these and more in Jesus' name. Amen.

Scripture for Study and Reflection:

Friday before Palm Sunday, Arrival in Bethany – John 12: 1-11
Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend time with his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Sunday, The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21: 1-11, Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 28-44; John 12: 12-19
On the first day of the week, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

Monday, Clearing the Temple
Matthew 21: 12-17; Mark 11: 15-18; Luke 19: 45-48 Jesus returned to the Temple.

Tuesday, A Day of Teaching and Controversy
Mathew 21: 23-24, 51; Mark 11: 27-13, 37; Luke 20: 1-21: 36
Jesus taught in parables and warned the people to watch out for the Pharisees.

Wednesday – The Gospels do not mention this day. Read John 21.

Thursday, Passover, The Last Supper
Matthew 26: 17-30; Mark 14: 12-26; Luke 22: 7-23
In an upper room Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death.

Friday, Crucifixion, Good Friday
Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22: 66-23: 56
Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings, and mockery, Jesus was required to carry his cross to The Place of the Skull, where he was crucified.

Saturday, In the Tomb - Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb before 6:00 p.m. Friday.
When the Sabbath began, all work stopped. The Gospels tell us that Jesus’ body continued to lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath.

Sunday, Resurrection Day, Easter Sunday
Matthew 28: 1-10; Mark 16: 1-8; Luke 24: 1-49; John 20

Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, we thank you for teaching us who God is, by learning and seeing God through you. Help us be like those first disciples and help us to proclaim that you are Lord and Savior of our life. Thank you, that because of your rising, we too have the promise of eternal life. In your name. Amen.