epiphany

Sunday, January 8th Readings

Epiphany of Our Lord

Opening Prayer

Lord

You shine like a star for all to see

You bring light to the dark places

You pour out Your goodness

You fill me until I overflow

Help me to radiate in this world, like YOU!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 60:1-6

  • The Magi were drawn to the baby Jesus because of the “great light”. What draws people to a relationship with Jesus today? What draws you into a relationship with Jesus?
  • God calls you into the light. Are there areas of your life which you close off to God or to others because they are dark? Identify the darkness in your life and resolve to let God begin to shine light onto it. Make a resolution to seek help from people who can help shed light onto a dark situation.

Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

  • What brings light into your life? Take a piece of paper and write down the things that bring light to your life and draw a star around each one. Place this paper in a significant place in your house, on the refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror, in your prayer space, wherever you will see it and be reminded and encouraged.
  • How would you identify yourself as a copartner with God? What does Saint Paul mean here?
  • Saint Paul says all people are heirs to the kingdom of God. Do your actions express this truth? Who in your life needs to be shown God’s unconditional love? What steps can you take to make them feel like a child of God?

Matthew 2:1-12

  • The Magi travelled a great distance to find Jesus. How far have you travelled to find Jesus? What makes the journey worth it?
  • How will you pay homage to Jesus this year? Do any of your resolutions help you deepen your relationship with him? What gifts do you bring to Jesus?
  • The scriptures over the past month have given us examples of how God speaks to his people through dreams. Does this cause you to look at your dreams in a different way?
  • Do you think God still speaks to his beloved people through dreams? Why or why not?
  • What do your dreams warn you against? Do you listen?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Can you identify where God is working in your life? How do you help or hinder God’s work in your life?
  • What does a steward do? How are you a steward of God’s grace?
  • How is it that you came to know Jesus? 
  • How far would you travel to see God?
  • What are you willing to sacrifice/give up in order to find God?
  • How do you relate to Jesus as a baby? What are you to learn or take away from the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? 
  • Is there someone or something that threatens you and your growth in the Spirit? Is there an obstacle in your life, you must overcome? Name the Herod in your life, then ask God to guide you to safety.
  • Things don’t always work out the way you expect. The story of Jesus’ birth says you just have to go with the flow. Are there prayers in your life which have been answered, just not in the way you expected? 
  • Is the faith you express a gift or curse to others?  Explain and give examples of how faith can be both.
  • Is it harder to believe Jesus came to save ALL people or Jesus came to save YOU?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  shine so I might find You in the darkness.

Leader:Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  let Your light be a beacon when I am weary.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  spotlight the path I must follow.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  consume me so others see Your glow within me.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  awaken me to Your radiance!

Challenge for the Week:  Throughout Jesus’ life, He unwrapped the gift of Himself and shared the gifts with others.  Jesus was a good son, obedient to God, a teacher, a healer and a welcomed companion and friend.  What gifts have you been born with but have not unwrapped?  Have you unwrapped gifts within you which you have not shared with others?  What keeps you from unwrapping the gifts and sharing them?  Spend time this week reflecting on your life and the gifts which you have been given and unwrapped.  Have you used the gifts to the benefit of God?  Have you kept the gifts to yourself or only shared them with a few people?  Are there still gifts left for you to unwrap?  How do you know when it is time to unwrap and share the gifts you have been given?  Light a candle in your home to help remind you to reflect on the gift Jesus is and the gift you are too!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, January 2nd Readings

Epiphany of the Lord

Opening Prayer

Savior

May I rise each morning

with the fire of Your spirit within me.

May I run toward the light

and find You waiting with anticipation.

May I soak up the splendor of Your love

until it overflows onto all I encounter.

Let me live forever changed

by Your loving presence!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 60 :1-6

  • Where do you see God’s light shining in your life? In your family? In your community? At work?
  • How can you celebrate God’s glory today?
  • What can you do to celebrate God’s glory more often in the coming year?

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

  • Can you measure the love of God? The grace of God? The mercy of God? The forgiveness of God? Explain.
  • Describe how you are a co-partner in the promise of Christ.

Matthew 2:1-12

  • How did the magi know, after their long journey, the baby Jesus was the one they had come to see?
  • What can you learn from the magi in this scripture about faith?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What draws people to love God?
  • Where do people go to search for God? Do you think they find Him there?
  • Where are some places people are surprised to find God?
  • What are some things which might keep people from finding God?
  • Do you think you live up to the potential God has in mind for you?
  • Share a time when you witnessed God’s grace at work.
  • Name three gifts which God has given you which are precious to you.
  • Name three gifts which God has given you which are precious to others.
  • Do you think there are gifts you have that have yet to be revealed? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever felt motivated by God to do something which seemed out of the ordinary or ridiculously crazy?
  • Define a pilgrimage. Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? If so, share the experience.
  • What has been the furthest distance you have traveled? What was the purpose of your traveling?
  • What do the stars tell you about God?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, you are a shining light…

ALL:  shine so I might find You in the darkness.

Leader:Lord, you are a shining light…

ALL:  let your light be a beacon when I am weary.

Leader:  Lord, you are a shining light…

 ALL:  spotlight the path I must follow.

Leader:  Lord, you are a shining light…

 ALL:  consume me so others see Your glow within me.

Leader:  Lord, you are a shining light…

ALL:  awaken me to Your radiance!

Challenge for the Week:  God is shining His light on you all the time, even when you aren’t feeling too much like being radiant.  Imagine having a spotlight on you all the time, how would you feel, how might you act differently?  Think about what happens when a spotlight is shone someone, the reaction is to shy away from the light, however there are some who desire for it to shine on them always.  Reflect this week on the difference of God’s light verses the light of the world, primarily thinking about the light being a spotlight.  What does God’s light say?  What does the world’s light say?  What are the things God wants to shine the spotlight on vs. the world?  Then consider what you can do to change which light you seek to shine on you and how you can shine God’s light on others so they might seek to shine in God’s light on their own.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, January 3rd Readings

Epiphany of the Lord

Opening Prayer

Jesus,

Like the sun, let me rise to bring light!

Like a baby, let me be born to a new life!

Awaken me from my slumber,

so I can shine like a star and lead others to YOU!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 60 :1-6

  • Are you able to see God’s Glory even through the dark times of your life? Share an example.
  • Can you see God working in your life right now or only when you look back do see God at work?
  • What do you see when you look out into the future?

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

  • What is the “commission” God has called you to? How are you living it out? What can you do to better complete the mission you are called to?
  • How can you treat others as “co-heirs” of the promises of Christ?
  • What is Saint Paul trying to remind you of in this reading?

Matthew 2:1-12

  • What caused the magi to drop everything and travel from foreign lands? What is important enough for you to stop everything and travel a great distance? 
  • What lesson(s) can you learn from the magi? What do they receive in return for the gifts they bring?
  • What can you learn about Jesus and the entire Holy Family from their choices and actions in this scripture?
  • Spend time role playing. Imagine yourself as each of the characters in the Gospel reading. What are you thinking, feeling? What motivates you? 

General Questions for Journaling

  • What gifts do you see in the world today? 
  • Are there places on earth which you are drawn to go? What is there which you want to experience?
  • What do you give back to God? Do you feel obligated to give? Explain.
  • What has God revealed to you in the past year?  Month?  24 hours?
  • Define the word, diligent. How can you search diligently for God this year?
  • Would you describe yourself as a “star” which shines light onto others? How does the light of Christ shine through you to draw people to Christ? Share an example.
  • Name some of the people you are drawn to. What draws you to them? What characteristics or qualities make them appealing?
  • Who are people in this world who are worth following? What makes them worth following? Are there people whom you follow who are not worth following? How can you tell the difference?
  • Reflect on the shape of the star. Describe how it is important to you and your beliefs; how is it a symbol of your faith?
  • Would you say you are the “star” of your own life or do you let others take the lead? How does God appear in your life story? Do you allow God to shine through you or are you eclipsed by God?
  • What are you willing to give up for a deeper relationship with God?
  • Are there people or situations which you hide from? What message do you think Jesus would like to reveal to you about what you should do?

Closing Prayer – (music lyrics to song “Rise Up” by Andra Day)

Leader:  When the silence isn’t quiet

ALL:  And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe

Leader:  And I know you feel like dying

ALL:  But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet

Leader:  And move mountains

ALL:  I’ll rise like the day

Leader:  I’ll rise unafraid

ALL:  I’ll rise up

Leader:  And I’ll do it a thousand times again

ALL:  And I’ll rise up

Leader:  High like the waves

ALL:  I’ll rise up…for YOU!

Challenge for the Week:  Reflect on the past couple of months since the beginning of the new liturgical year (or since around Thanksgiving) and make a list of the gifts which you have received…NOT the tangible ones.  The holiday season can open up new insights, new relationships and shine light on situations in relationships.  Spend time thinking about the gifts opened to you, these can range from very personal to global depending on how much time you want to spend and how deep you want to go.  However, giving time to these special moments can bring new insight and reflect the true value of the gifts which you might have been too busy to accept!