Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist

 

Opening Prayer

Savior

Let me be reminded

each day is a gift

and live it in that way!

I want to learn discipline

so I can be more mindful

of your presence each moment!

Help me see things

more like you see

so I can do your work here on earth!

I want my love for you

to be shown without words or actions

but for others to see you when they see me!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 49:1-6

• How does God show his glory through you? Are you intentional about it or does it just happen?
• Share an example of when you have toiled for nothing or uselessly used strength to do something, complete something and it was all in vain. How was God present in that moment?

 Acts 13:22-26

• What does this reading teach you about the qualities of John the Baptist? What about these qualities is appealing?
• Explain the baptism of repentance. How is this the same or different from baptism today?

 Luke 1:57-66, 80

• What message do you get about Zachariah’s deafness? How does this impact John’s life?
• How does fear factor into your faith? Give an example.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Do you believe you are born pre-disposed to do specific things or have a specific job? Why or why not?
• Who are some of the people you look up to today? What qualities do they have that appeal to you?
• Are there positive role models in the world today? Are they easy or difficult to find?  What values do they teach?
• How do you believe technology and media affect who society holds in favor? What are the benefits?  What are the consequences?
• What one word best describes your relationship with God? Is it the same word for your relationship with Jesus? Or the Holy Spirit?
• Is there a difference between spirituality and religion?
• Have you ever gone against tradition? What was the situation and the outcome?  Would you do it again?  Why or why not?
• Share an example from the past week of people being united because of faith. Share an example of people being united because of fear.  What are the similarities and differences of the gatherings?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Shine your light

 ALL:  so others see you first.

Leader:  Form my thoughts

ALL:  so others see you first.

Leader: Prepare my path

 ALL:  so others see you first.

Leader:  Teach me humility

ALL:  so others see you first.

Leader:  Fill my soul

ALL:  so others see you first.

Leader:  May I live my life

ALL:  so others see you first.

 

Challenge for the Week:  When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  A nurse?  A firefighter?  An archeologist?  Were there people in your family or in your community whom you looked up to and thought, I want to be just like them when I grow up?  What were some of those qualities in the specific profession or in the person that you found appealing?  What if those first interests was God.  Reflect back to when you were younger and spend time pondering those first inclinations of what God wrote on your heart before you were born.  What were those specific interests and how are you using them today?  Are you close or far away from those first interests?  How does that make you feel?  If you are far away, do those qualities or professions still interest you?  Take time this week to discern if you are in the place, on the path God has laid out for you or if you have followed another path.  It is not uncommon for people to wake up and realize they ended up somewhere they didn’t intend but the ultimate question is, are you where God intends???