Sixth Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Praise and honor to YOU!

My Lord, king and savior,

You understand what it feels like to be lonely;

and you promise to never leave us alone.

You bring us strength, knowledge and courage;

so we can fight temptation and self-doubt.

You leave with us an advocate and protector;

full of understanding and right judgment.

We are made whole through the Holy Trinity;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

• When have you experienced “great joy”?
• What do you think drew people to come and listen to Phillip?

 1 Peter 3:15-18

• What do these words from Peter stir up within you? What is he pleading with you to do?
• How do you put sin to death?

 John 14:15-21

• How do you keep the relevant the commandments God gave?
• Do you believe that following the commandments shows God love? What does this look like?  Make a list.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What topics of conversation get your full attention?
• Where do you go to learn more about your faith?
• How do you learn more about God?
• What does the Holy Trinity mean to you?
• Share a time when you felt the Holy Spirit at work in your life.
• How do you explain the Holy Spirit in relation to your life? Your faith?  Where does the Spirit fit?
• What inspires you? How?
• Who inspires you? How?
• What is difficult about following the commandments?
• Are there ways you have found it easier to keep commandments?
• Which of the 10 Commandments do you find most difficult to follow?
• Would you say that you seek the Holy Spirit or that the Holy Spirit comes in search of you?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father…

 ALL:  I love you for the breath you give me.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  I love you for the example you give me.

Leader:  Spirit…

 ALL:  I love you for the guidance you give me.

Leader:  Father…

ALL:  In your creation, I see your love for me.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  In your sacrifice, I see your love for me.

Leader:  Spirit…

ALL:  In your presence, I see your love for me.

 

Challenge for the Week:  How have you accepted the Holy Spirit into your life?  Take time this week to identify moments, or THE moment when you consciously accepted the Holy Spirit into your life.  Where were you?  Who was there?  Was it influenced by a person or an experience?  How have you continued to carry the Holy Spirit with you?  Then write your own prayer to the Holy Spirit to give thanks and praise.