Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Let us remember

it is YOU who makes all things NEW

May we learn

to let go of past mistakes and begin fresh

Help us to

try a new path instead of the same one

Guide us on

to find YOU waiting with open arms

YOU forever change us,

mold us and do great things for us!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 43:16-21

• What keeps you from believing God has a plan for you and has created a safe passage way for you just as He did for the Israelites? How do your actions confirm your belief or disbelief?
• How do the events of the past (those of the Old Testament and/or the events of the past 3-6 months) affect how you live out today? Share specific examples.

 Philippians 3:8-14

• How can you accept loss? What does that look like?
• St Paul is determined; he has his eye on the prize. What is your goal?  What steps do you take each day to achieve your goal?  Are there others whom have a similar goal?  How can you help one another reach your goal?

 Luke 8:1-11

• Do you condemn others? What causes you to do so?  Is it jealousy?  Is it because you think something is unfair?  Is it out of fear of the unknown or what you don’t understand?
• Where are you called to be merciful like Jesus in this Scripture? Who needs you to reach out to them?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where in the Bible does God abandon someone? Where in the bible does God leave anyone alone?  How does this affect you?
• When have you felt like God has left you alone or abandoned you? What was the situation?  What caused you to overcome?
• How has God shown His presence to you today?
• Each day God offers us a new beginning; what things of the past do you need to leave in the past so you can begin again?
• How do your sins feel? Describe how it feels when you sin and how you are changed; how it affects your behavior, your thoughts.
• What is the most important relationship in your life? Why?
• What does it mean to live our lives forward? What does it mean to live in the past?  Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever good

ALL:  to us when we sin against you and others.

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever kind

 ALL:  to us when we experience hurt.

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever generous

 ALL:  to us when we call on you for help.

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever merciful

ALL:  to us when we turn our back to you.

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever faithful

ALL:  to us when we are ready; you welcome us!

Leader:  Praise to YOU

ALL:  Father of ALL!

 

 Challenge for the Week:   Where do you see God walking with you on your journey?  Are you walking together side by side or are you lagging behind?  Have you stumbled and refuse to get up and move or is God carrying you?  What terrain are you travelling?  Are you on flatland?  Going through the desert?  Climbing a mountain?  Swimming/wading/drowning in the deep waters?  Take time this week to figure out where you are on your journey with God.  Use your own words to describe and even possibly draw a picture of what it looks like.  Whether you write the words or draw the picture, put the date on it and place it in your bible so you can find it later and reflect on how it compares to where you are at that moment of time.  God gives us all we need to succeed; we need to train our will to keep us accountable.