Fourth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Father

When I look for you,

I don’t always see you.

Teach me to look,

through a child’s eyes.

I step out today,

You are watching out for me.

I stumble and fall,

You are there holding me.

Let me not be blind

to the joy you have in front of me!

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

• God’s followers/believers have always fought opposition. What do you fight because you are a believer?  What struggles or battles seem to find you no matter where you turn?
• How do God’s angels bring you comfort, reinforcement in the battle, and/or safety in the hard times?
• Are there messengers from God today who give support or warning? Share an example.

 Ephesians 2:4-10

• How does God’s love for you filter out in your life? Does it come out through compassion?  Mercy?  Grace?  Forgiveness?  Make a list of other ways God’s love can filter through a person’s life.
• How does faith save a person? Give an example.

 John 3:14-21

• How is God lifted up in your life? Within your family?
• Do you love God with expectation?
• God gave his son to the world…how does that make you feel?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What is God’s response when we fail and mess up over and over?
• What is God’s response when we succeed and do the right thing repeatedly?
• Does God’s response change because of our actions? Why or why not?
• What lesson can you learn from God’s example to stay consistent in love, mercy and forgiveness?
• Do you fully embrace your faith 100%? What percentage would you put on your faith?  Does it depend on your situation?  Be specific.
• What holds you back from opening the door to the riches promised by God? Do you feel unworthy?  Are you afraid to go all in?  Do you hesitate because you don’t know what God will expect from you in return?
• How do you let go of the burdens you carry? If you carry too many burdens, how is there room for God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness too?
• What gifts from God do you have and hold dear? What makes these gifts from God?  How do you treat these gifts…as though they are from God?
• Is there darkness in the world? Share examples.  Who or what keeps these things in the dark?  Is there anything being done to shine light on them?
• Can too much emphasis be put on things that are in the light? Why or why not?
• If Jesus was not sent to condemn the world, what can you do to follow his lead? Have you or others succumb to doing it for him?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  What do you give without question?

 ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader:  What do I find hard to share?

ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader: What can give me deeper relationships?

 ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader:  What can soften the hardest heart?

ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader:  What promises unconditional love?

ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader:  What do we need to increase in the world?

ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness.

Leader:  Father your son is our perfect example of…

ALL:  Grace and Forgiveness!

 

Challenge for the Week:  At this point, you might start seeing the mirage of the promises of Easter.  However, don’t be fooled.  The season of Lent is only at its halfway mark and there is still Good Friday and Holy Saturday to get through.  Perhaps you are feeling courageous because you have fought off temptations to let slide some of your Lenten observances to fast, give alms and pray and you are encouraged by the scriptures this week that victory is on its way.  Again, don’t be fooled.  This is the time when you are called to go deeper, to step up your game, recharge and continue on…this is a false summit…find the supplies you need to carry on because this is when it gets real!