19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do I doubt your love for me?

Let me reach out to you and feel your embrace.

May I never lose hope in your presence!

What can I do to trust you more?

Let me call your Name and hear your response.

May I always know the sound of your voice!

Keep me close Lord, I cannot live without YOU!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 18:6-9

• Do you trust God will “take care of your adversaries”? Why or why not? Give an example of what this might look like.
• What gives the Israelites the courage to begin their journey?  This same faith lives within you, how do you show it in your life?

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12

• Explain how you show trust in God and His plan for you. Give an example of how you trust God.
• What do you think was going on in Abraham’s head when first he was promised endless descendants and then is asked to sacrifice the only son he was given? Do you trust God this much?  How does God test your trust in Him?

Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40

• Is there anything you’ve been waiting on God for which He has not delivered?
• Why would God want you to be watchful? How do you let down your guard?
• Put into words what “treasure” God has promised and has waiting for you in the kingdom.
• If God knocked on the door, would you be ready? What do I need to do to become ready?

General Questions for Journaling

• Describe having “courage” to let God work in your life.

• Do you have relationships where you have a shared commitment? Who is the relationship with and what is the commitment?
• How are the qualities of your relationship with shared commitment the same and different than other relationships?
• Have you ever needed to make a “leap of faith”? Explain.
• Is there something in your life that you are in “hopeful anticipation” of? What makes you hopeful about the situation or event? How can you give thanks to God for this hope?
• Have you ever felt lost in your faith? Describe.
• Where do you feel God calling you? Who do you turn to for help and guidance during these times of the unknown?
• List three treasures of your heart. Can you come up with more? Is it hard to think of three?  Why or why not?
• What is your understanding of “an hour you don’t expect”? How do your words and actions reflect that understanding?
• What do you do when you think no one is looking? God knows what you do in the dark, so who do you hide from?
• Who in your life is not worthy of your trust?
• Is there a common sacrifice all Christians’ value? What is it and how do you know it is valuable?
• Is it easy or difficult to let others have power over you? Why?  What would Jesus tell you to do?
• Have you ever sworn an oath? What was it for? Did you keep it?
• Do you love and serve God out of fear or obedience? What is the difference?
• Have you ever felt as though there was no hope? What was the situation? Was hope really gone or had you lost sight of it?
• Can someone you know be a stranger? Explain.
• Have you ever moved forward in faith, knowing God was calling but not knowing what was to come? Explain.
• Has God ever delivered a miracle to you? When? What was it?
• What was the last decision you allowed God to make without your input?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I face adversity…

ALL:  May I have the courage, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I question…

ALL:  May I have the wisdom, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I see is despair…

ALL:  May I have the hope, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel empty…

ALL:  May I have the fulfillment, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I have to hold is the promise…

ALL:  May I have the trust, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel you in my soul…

ALL:  May I feel the peace, only faith can give!

Challenge for the Week:  Trusting God, living a Christian life and following the path laid before you can be extremely difficult at times.  You can be tempted to stray and fall into sin or to doubt or lose hope in the promise that God will take care of you and all your needs.  However, scripture repeatedly reminds you that God has plans for your life that are so much better than what you can accomplish on our own.  The scripture says that even though it might be difficult, and you might want to throw in the towel waiting on what God to deliver, but you should NEVER lose hope!  Spend time thinking about how you have remained vigilant in the promises of Christ.  Have you been losing hope?  Are you holding on by a thread to the promise?  What can you do to refocus and get a clearer perspective on what God has been doing in your life?  God is still there, He just maybe not giving you what you expect.  Trust that God has a plan for you and when you do, it will come to fruition.

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