3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God of all,

There is no where I can go

        that will take me away from You.

No mountain is too high,

        No ocean is too deep;

                You are always there!

Let my heart and mind know

        I cannot run away from You.

Your will, Lord, is always done!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

• Share a time when you were like Jonah and didn’t want to do what God was asking you to do. What was the situation? What was the outcome?
• What message did Jonah bring to Nineveh? How does this same message ring true in your life right now?
• What truths about God are revealed through this scripture?
• What significance does the three days have to this story? Where else in scripture does God promise change in three days?

1Corinthians 7:29-31

• Are there times when you act as though you are not a child of God? 
• What does God want from you right now?  Is it the same or different from what he wanted from you a year ago? 5? 10?
• What does the scripture tell you about what God values?

Mark 1:14-20

• What is your idea or definition of the “time of fulfillment”? Describe.
• How can you live like a disciple called to be a “fisher of men”? What can you do to “catch people” for God?
• Jesus found them “mending their nets.” What requires mending in your life right now? Does God find you doing the mending or are you waiting for someone else to fix it?

General Questions for Journaling

• How has your view of the world changed over the past 5, 10, 15, 20 years? Do you still value the same things? Do the same things still bring you joy and make you happy?
• Reflect on the past week; are any of your actions in need of repentance? How would God answer the same question about you?
• Is there anything you must repent to have a stronger relationship with God? Are there things you should repent to heal or strengthen a relationship with a friend or family member? 
• Do you believe there is a recipe for happiness which could be true for all people? What would it look like?
• Do you act as if you believe God loves you despite your shortfalls? If God can love you, what can you do to show love to yourself?
• What were the credentials needed to be one of Jesus’ disciples? Are they still the same today?
• How do you act when given a deadline? Does it increase productivity?  Does it cause stress? What about your attention/focus changes?
• How have you been called to change? Where does the call come from?
• What benefit comes from a threat? Are there times when they are effective? Why or why not?
• Are there things you hold onto? What value do they have to you? What value does the world give them? What value does God give them?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your words engulf me!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my heart is awakened!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I turn to listen!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my soul rejoices!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I hear nothing else!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your servant is ready!

Challenge for the Week:  The word present has a couple of very different meanings.  One present means “right now” and another is “a gift” but what if to God they really mean the same thing???  Consider the present moment in time as a gift from God.  How do you use it?  What value do you give it?  Unfortunately, many people spend much of their time thinking about the past and planning for the future.  They don’t always give the present, the value of time which it deserves.  This doesn’t only apply to the time you spend alone, with your own thoughts but it also affects the time you spend with friends, family and others whom deserve your uninterrupted attention.  Are you present with them?  What can you do to become more present, in the moment?  What changes can you make to allow you to be more present minded…what a true present that would be!