First Sunday of Easter

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You breathed into us at creation,

You sent YOUR Son to breathe with us,

You left YOUR Spirit to fill us with the breath of life.

May we show gratitude for this gift you have given

so when we breathe in we are aware of you filling us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 4:32-35

• Can you imagine what this community looked like? How does it compare/contrast with the community in which you live?
• Where can you find examples of places who live and work in the manner described in this scripture? What can we learn to do to better live in this way?

 

1John 5:1-6

• What have you done out of love for Jesus today, this week, this month? How do you know it was out of love for Him?
• The scripture says the commandments are not burdensome. Do you agree or disagree?  How might one NOT find them burdensome?

 

John 20:19-31

• When have you, like Thomas doubted Jesus? Perhaps it was doubt of His existence or doubt of His presence?
• When did you first experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Share the feelings and emotions which cause you to KNOW the Holy Spirit was there.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• We can sometimes have a hard time sharing our possessions. What lesson can we learn from those early Christians about our possessions?
• Who are the needy around you? Is there someone in need within your reach?  What can you do to help satisfy their need?
• How does your life bear witness to Christ? How does your church or place or worship bear witness to Christ?  How does/can your workplace/school bear witness to Christ?  How does your home/family bear witness to Christ?
• Is there something about faith which you struggle with believing or agreeing? What action should you take to learn more about it?  How can you come to a better understanding instead of accepting unbelief?
• What does through the “water and spirit” mean to you? What is your personal story involving the “water and spirit”?
• How does the “water and spirit” come alive in your life and help you witness Christ’s love?
• How can you carry the promises of Easter on throughout the Easter Season and the rest of the year?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  We gather because of your loving sacrifice,

ALL:  May your love bind us to one another

Leader:  We celebrate together at the table,

ALL:  May your love bind us to one another

Leader:  We pray for our common needs,

ALL:  May your love bind us to one another

Leader:  We are united in heart and mind,

ALL:  May your love bind us to one another

Leader:  We join in community to remember,

ALL:  May your love bind us to one another

Challenge for the Week:   As Christians we can sometimes miss the mark on the true meaning of Christian.  Simply being a Christian means you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  However, as Christians we don’t always act as though we believe this fact.  When you believe in something you must live it out but when we intentionally hurt others with our words or actions we aren’t showing that we are followers of Jesus and his teaching.  The old song, They will know we are Christians by our LOVE reminds us that saying we are Christian means a whole lot more than doing our novenas or sitting in the pew on Sunday.  Take time this week to check in and answer the question whether you are Christian because of what God has done for you or because what you do for God?