Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, Lamb of God!

May your light shine

from the heavens

down upon each of us!

May your Spirit dwell

among us

throughout the land!

Let all those who gather

in your name

feel your presence!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 49:5-6

• What is glorious about being a servant?
• How are you allowing God to make you strong?

 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

• Where do you see evidence of holiness?
• What do you call God? What names do you use?
• What does God call you in return?

 John 1:29-34

• Who in your life demands the respect John the Baptist gives Jesus? What have they done to deserve your respect?
• Do you believe in anything with as much conviction as John the Baptist does that Jesus is the Savior?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you turn for help?
• Do you see more light than darkness in your life right now? Or is it the other way around?
• What can you do to step toward God this year, this month, today?
• How has your relationship with God restored you?
• Are there stages of holiness like a 1-10 scale or it is a yes or no, either you are or you aren’t?
• What is the opposite of holiness?
• What are characteristics of holiness? Do any of the characteristics alone point to holiness or do you need all of them?
• Do you believe the Holy Spirit is still among us? Where?  How do you know?
• When was the last time you looked to the Spirit of God? What were you looking for?  Did the Spirit of God deliver?
• Is your faith strong enough you would testify on behalf of your beliefs?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  A promise made for all time

ALL:  from the dawn of creation.

Leader:  A promise made for all time

 ALL:  through a burning bush.

Leader:  A promise made for all time

 ALL:  seen in a dove in the sky.

Leader:  A promise made for all time

ALL:  in the life of a shepherd boy.

Leader:  A promise made for all time

ALL:  with the birth of a Savior.

 

Challenge for the Week:  There is a motivational speaker named Andy Andrews who wrote a book called the Butterfly Effect.  It is a fictional story about a man’s life, based on a scientific theory.  The theory refers to how something as small as a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a tsunami.  The story from Andy Andrews uses this theory to remind us that one small act from us can do the same thing.  This is some amazing power we have!  Whether we use our power for good or bad is our challenge this week.  Think about the significant difference one life can make in the world…JESUS.  Your life can make a BIG difference too.  Imagine what could happen if you simply flap your wings!