Second Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Father

Bring on the new day!

Allow my spirit to be awakened!

No more will I suffer, for YOU are my Lord!

I will keep your commands!

Your promises you keep!

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

• Have you questioned your ability to achieve what God requests of you? Share an example.
• God gives Abram the stars to represent his promise. What has God used in your life to represent his promise to you?
• What does God ask for you to sacrifice for a relationship with him?

Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1

• Do you know people who “shine”? Describe what this means.
• According to this scripture, what must you do?
• How can you better prepare yourself to achieve this?

 Luke 9:28b-36

• God’s voice comes from the cloud in this scripture, where else has God’s voice come from? Where have you heard God’s voice?
• How does being on a mountain top change one’s perspective?  Share a time when you have been on top of a mountain, what did you see, what did you feel?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous? Can they lead you down the same path?  Why or why not?
• Does darkness come suddenly or does it creep up on you? Share an example.  Then compare the situation to your faith life.
• Do you trust God 100%? What keeps you from trusting God at all times, in all things?  Be specific and honest with yourself about what keeps you from trusting God all the way.
• Have you ever been afraid of the dark? What about the darkness frightened you?
• Describe the feeling you get when you come out of darkness into light.
• Would you describe yourself an being 1)lead blindly through life by God, 2)a consultant with God on your path in life, 3)going through life ready to face whatever comes your way
• Make a list of at least five things that boost your spirits. What happens within you when you get excited about something?
• Are you more often blinded by God’s goodness or blinded from God’s goodness? Explain and then give an example.
• Are you blinded by other things in your life? What are some of those things that can blind you from God’s goodness?
• What is the overall message you hear from these scripture readings?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me remember, each day the sun rises…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Open my eyes to see the extraordinary in the ordinary…

 ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Allow me patience to find your presence in each moment…

 ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Help me be disciplined enough to always see you…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Even when I see nothing before me…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

 

 Challenge for the Week:   In the Gospel, something spectacular is revealed and Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone.  However, our instinct when we hear good news is to share it with everyone!  Reflect this week on how these disciples must have felt to not be able to share.  Would you have the discipline to keep this experience to yourself?