Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Let me die so I might live

Let me let go of my needs

and let you give me what I need.

Let me give up the things I want

so you can show me more than I image.

Let me live in you

so I will die with you!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 37:12-14

• What does God promise here in this scripture?
• Where do you see God’s promises lived out?

 Romans 8:8-11

• Share an example of when you called out to God. How did He answer?
• What tells you that you belong to Christ? How do you know?

 John 11:1-45

• What areas in your life are “asleep”?  Do they need be awaken?
• Are there things in your life that have been brought back to life this Lenten season?
• How can you relate to Jesus in this scripture?  What experience(s) has/have caused you to be able to relate?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Are there people who have died whom you still talk to? What are these conversations like?
• What is the value of speaking to those who have passed?
• What does it feel like to have God settle I your soul?
• What do you believe the Holy Spirit does?
• Can you or have you called on the Holy Spirit to help you? Expand.
• How do others know God’s Spirit is within you?
• What sin keeps you from a complete relationship with God?
• If Christ dwells in you, where does He dwell? How do you know?
• Where you see righteousness today?
• What do you believe happens to those who die here on earth?
• Have you ever walked into a situation where you knew people were against you? What was the situation?
• Is there a situation in your life that happened in the past which needs your attention? What can you do to help mend a past hurt?
• How can looking at the situation with a different perspective help you now?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, uncover my ears so I can hear…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unveil my eyes so I can see…

 ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unbind my hands so I can touch…

 ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unfasten my feet so I can go…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, soften my heart so I can love…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, ignite my soul so I can believe…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

 

Challenge for the Week:  There are people in our lives whom give us “life” and those whom, let’s be honest, would rather die than to be around.  Of course, this is not the attitude Christ would want us to have so it is something we must work to improve.  This week take time to consider the difference between the two groups of people, what is it about the people whom energize you and those who drain you?  Are there things you can do to help improve your attitude about the second group?  Are there obstacles you have set in place to avoid being around them that could be adding to the frustration?  Try to focus on the positive aspects of what they offer to a relationship instead of the negative.  After reflection, you might learn that part of the reason it is a struggle to be around them is because they are reacting to your negativity or be trying to work extra hard to get you to be engaged because you try to avoid being around them.  It’s time to unravel the bandages and bring back to life a relationship; you never know what gifts you are sealing out of your life.