Faith Building

Sunday, March 13th Readings

2nd 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.
  • What does God ask for you to sacrifice for a relationship with him?
  • God gives Abram the stars to represent his promise. What has God used in your life to represent his promise to you?
  • What covenant does God make with Abram? How do the terms of the covenant affect you?

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?
  • How do you know if something is glorified? Does it look, smell, taste, feel different?

 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?
  • Why do you think people in the Bible go up to the mountain to pray? What is the significance?  What should we learn from this action?
  • Why is it good for the disciples to be there on the mountain? Why is it also good for the disciples to come down?

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.
  • 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.
  • Do you trust God 100%? What keeps you from trusting God at all times, and in all things? Be specific and honest with yourself about what keeps you from trusting God all the way.
  • Are you blinded by other things in your life? What are some of those things that can blind you from God’s goodness?
  • Would you describe yourself an being 1)led 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?
  • How do you come to know Jesus better? Write down all you know about Jesus.  Do you know anyone who needs to have this information?
  • Where have you seen God in everyday situations?
  • How do you know God is real?
  • What earthly things are keeping you from Jesus?
  • How do you imitate God?

Closing Prayer

Leader: As the day comes to a close and darkness fills the sky…

ALL:  I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader:  When I surrender to the silence of the night…

ALL:  I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader:  In the birds who chirp their welcome to a new day…

ALL:  I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader:  As I say my prayers and pause for a response…

ALL:  I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader:  When I go forth to see what my day has in store…

ALL:  I hear your voice, Lord,

        guiding me, leading me up the mountain!

Challenge for the Week:  In the Gospel, something spectacular is revealed and Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone.  However, if you’re like me, your instinct is to share good news when you hear it.  Think about it.  When you get asked to the prom, when you land your dream job, when you buy a new car, all of these things are pretty exciting, and it would be really difficult to keep these things to yourself.  Reflect this week on how these disciples must have felt to not be able to share what they had seen and heard while on the mountaintop.  Would you have the discipline to keep this experience to yourself?

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, March 6th Readings

1st Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father

You lead me through the desert places

so I may be refreshed and made new

You put before me a banquet feast to nourish

so I may be filled with Your goodness

You gave your life to show love without conditions

so I may share that gift with others

Thank you Lord for guiding me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 26:4-10

  • What do you lay at the altar of God?
  • How does being in the desert change your perspective?
  • What good comes from this desert experience for the Israelites? For you?

Romans 10:8-13

  • How do you proclaim Jesus as Lord? Is it evident you are a Christian through your words? Your actions? Both? Share an example.
  • When did you last call on God? What was it for and what was the response?
  • How do you show love to God? How do you show God’s love for others? Is it the same or different, explain.

 Luke 4:1-13

  • The devil tempts Jesus to be self-glorifying; where do you see this behavior in the world today?
  • How does the devil tempt you to turn away from God?

General Questions for Journaling

  • When has God delivered you from a bad situation?
  • Identify a time when you felt alone or abandoned. Can you look back and see God there with you?
  • How does God nourish you? Do you allow God to nourish you?
  • Describe what it feels like to be empty of God’s presence.
  • Describe what it feels like to be full of God’s presence.
  • Make a list of things you can bring to others between now and Easter to help you express your faith more openly.
  • Are there people in your community/family who are crying out but you are ignoring them? Listen for what God wants you to do.
  • What are the communities which you dwell? Give them each a rating on a 1-10 scale on how they show/share the Gospel message.
  • How can love be blind?
  • When did you first understand unconditional love?
  • Does love require effort? Why or why not?
  • How are you exercising your faith?
  • How does having faith give power? What does faith have power over?

Closing Prayer

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL:  to share Your love with others.

Leader:  You call me from the desert places

ALL:  to set captives free.

Leader:  You call me from the desert places

ALL:  to visit the lonely and oppressed.

Leader:  You call me from the desert places

ALL:  to show mercy and kindness.

Leader:  You call me from the desert places

ALL:  to shine YOUR light for all to see!

Challenge for the Week:  Do you have a faith story?  Of course you do!  Just like in the business world where people have “elevator speeches” which describe and highlight their accomplishments and successes; Christians should have a faith story.  Spend time this week putting together your own personal faith story; include pivotal moments, desert places and mountain top experiences.  Include specific scripture passages which carried you through the bad times or sustain you in the good times.  Write it down and then put it in your Bible so it can be added to the many other stories of our salvation HIStory!

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, February 27th Readings

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Give me eyes to see

the beauty in all things.

Allow me to speak

kindness with my words.

Teach me to live

so others might follow.

Let me be a vessel of THE GOOD NEWS!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 27 :4-7

  • What tests your faith? Is it a teaching of the church? A way a person acts? Bad things happening? How do you keep your faith strong in spite of these tests?
  • What is the lesson here about how to treat others? How can you put this scripture into practice today? What specific thing(s) do you need to do?
  • If you were shaken in a sieve right now, what fragments of yourself would remain? What fragments would fall through? What story would these tell? Is the story the one you tell yourself or the one that is actually true?

 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

  • In what ways can a person “labor for the Lord”?
  • How do you protect yourself from being infected by negative, corrupt or immoral influence? Is there a way to avoid these things completely? Why or why not? What advice would you give to another person to help keep these things from spreading like a plague?
  • What are you going through right now that you hope is not in vain?

Luke 6:39-45

  • What does this scripture say about the importance of self-care and personal awareness of your words and actions? Be specific. Make a list.
  • What specific truth do you hear God speaking to you through this scripture?
  • When was the last time you let your heart lead your actions? What was the outcome?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you tell if someone is speaking truth? How would you measure truth in your own words?
  • Is there a time when judgment of a person is okay? Share an example.
  • Share a time when your first impression/judgment of a person was completely wrong.
  • Have you ever felt you were judged wrongly? How did you handle the situation?
  • Where does judgment in general come from? Do people judge out of love?  From insecurity? From competitiveness or jealousy?
  • Right Judgment is a gift of the Holy Spirit. How does the adjective “right” change your definition of judgment?
  • Are there things in your life that weigh you down? Hold you back? Keep you from moving forward?
  • What do you hide or bury, keep out of sight of others?
  • Share an example of when you found light in a dark situation or something positive from a negative? How did you find it? Did you see it immediately or did it take time to realize?
  • Describe the feeling or your emotions and how your body changes when you find a light at the end of a long tunnel of despair.
  • Do you believe a person who is infected with negativity can change? Why or why not? What do you believe your role is in that person’s life?
  • Take time to draw your tree. Identify the fruit you produce, good and bad. What influences you and how does it affect those around you?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for life given at conception!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for the sound of the ocean waves!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for the morning dew glistening in the sunrise!

Leader: I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for the warm hug of a new friend!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for a fiery sky at the end of the day!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for all you give; I will give thanks!

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time this week reflecting on your past experiences.  When you look back, you can identify those times in your life when you had to deal with something heavy or hard and maybe even had doubts on whether you’d be able to come out on the other side of the situation.  Often the world says these experiences leave marks or scars on a person (physically and/or emotionally) but when looking at them from God’s perspective, you have been “refined”.  These experiences of trouble, trauma, heartbreak, disappointment and even death are opportunities for you to grow.  When you are open and listening to God in these moments, you can learn something about yourself and perhaps even gain insight on others.  Revisit some of these times in your life to see if there are opportunities you have missed to reveal something in yourself or open you up to a new perspective on a relationship or a situation.  Allow God to refine you!

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, February 20th Readings

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

When you look at me,

You see me through loving eyes,

holy, forgiven and complete.

When I look at myself,

I see me through condemning eyes,

as a sinner and not enough.

Through your Word,

let me learn how to see me

and others as you see!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Samuel 26 :2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

  • How do you think those with David felt about his actions against Saul? What would you think if you were one of them?
  • What does David’s response say about his character? Is there something there which you’d like to see more of in people today? Be specific.

 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

  • How do you struggle with the “earthly” and the “spiritual” within yourself?
  • Have you thought of yourself as “spirit-filled”? How can the thought of being “spirit-filled” change how your look at the situations you face today? How does it change how you treat others?

Luke 6:27-38

  • Do you give to God in the “measure” in which you want God to give to you? *(God gives 100%, 24/7 regardless of what you give)
  • Is what Jesus is saying in this scripture realistic? Why or why not?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How easy or difficult is it to put God in charge of transgressions and retributions? What is it about humans that makes them want to take matters into their own hands? Specifically identify how you relate to this.
  • Do you believe one person’s life is worth more than another? For example, a mother of four vs an ordained sister, or a Leader of State vs a homeless person, explain.
  • Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? Share a specific example so others can see God’s faithfulness too.
  • In your opinion, what makes a person “anointed”? What other opinions might be out there?
  • Can you spend quality time with people whom have different opinions and/or beliefs than you? Is this barrier too big to put aside for even a little while? Share an example.
  • Where do you rank respect on a scale of 1-10 in relationships? Is it different for your spouse? Your parents? Your boss? Your kids? Your friends? Your pastor? Your neighbor?
  • When you look at yourself do you see God? In what way?
  • Can you see God in others? Share examples.
  • Are there people whom you have a hard time seeing God? Share examples.
  • What measurement do you judge people against? What is the thing(s) that you judge the most? Race? Poverty? Religion? Job? Clothing?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  In those moments when I feel abandoned…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I am filled with anger…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when plans change…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader: In those moments when I receive the results…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I can’t see past today…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I lay myself before you…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Challenge for the Week:  This week consider the barriers you build in your life to keep people at a distance.  Some of the barriers are built to protect you from being hurt yourself or inflicting pain on another, while others are built out of arrogance because you are not open to listening to another person’s view.  Spend time this week reflecting on the barriers you have built in relationships, especially in your family.  How have these become obstacles to spending time together and not just time, but quality time, when you can come together and genuinely enjoy each other.  No one has the same experiences as you, nor the same opinion.  Even siblings raised by the same parents have different memories of the same experience; imagine the greater scale of this scenario to include experiences in your community, the US and the world.  What steps can you take to break down barriers starting in your family relationships and allow the differences bring you together instead of keeping you apart?  (HINT:  This just might be something that needs a bit more time than a week – Lent is coming!)

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, February 13th Readings

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Throughout the Bible are stories of hope

Open my eyes to see the hope in the world today

Let me hear the stories where hope is restored

And be a living example that hope never dies

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 17:5-8

  • Draw a picture of the two images described in this scripture.
  • Share a time when you experienced both images, what was going on in your life, be specific about who was with you and what you felt.

 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

  • Does this scripture bring you hope? Explain how.
  • How does the promise of the resurrection affect your faith? Be specific.

Luke 6:17, 20-26

  • What is the overall message Jesus to sharing with the people who have gathered to hear him speak?
  • What is the message Jesus has intended for you to hear in this scripture to help open your eyes to a situation in your life right now?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you feel about God giving free will? Is it good? Is it bad? How does free will get you into trouble?  How does it free you?
  • Are there choices you have made in your life which you wish you could change? Do you can do something about that choice now?
  • Is it easy or difficult to change? Do you always get to choose to change?  How can making the choice to change affect your attitude?
  • Who do you confide in to help make decisions? What qualities do you look for in a person who helps you?
  • What draws you to ask God for help? Are there obstacles which keep you from seeking God’s advice in matters?
  • How do you feel about trust? Is trust important to you? Is it something people have immediately or do you believe people need to earn it?
  • How much trust do you put in God? How much trust do you believe God has in you?
  • Would you describe yourself as someone who is open to new ideas and new ways to do things or do you consider yourself someone who is comfortable with the way things are and have always been? Share an example.
  • How would you explain the hope you have in the resurrection to someone who doesn’t know about Jesus?
  • Do you believe faith is a choice you make every day or is a choice you made once and it stays with you?
  • Share an example of a time when your faith was challenged; be specific about what you did, how you felt and the outcome.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I will rejoice

ALL:  in the rising of the sun!

Leader:  I will rejoice

ALL:  in the delicate snowflake!

Leader:  I will rejoice

ALL:  in the blooming flower!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL:  in the simplicity of a smile!

Leader:  I will rejoice

ALL:  in the warmth of a hand!

Leader:  I will rejoice

ALL:  in the hope you give!

Challenge for the Week:  Do you have a faith story?  Of course, you do!  Just like in the business world where people have “elevator speeches” which describe and highlight their accomplishments and successes; Christians should have a faith story.  Spend time this week putting together your own personal faith story; include pivotal moments, desert places and mountain top experiences.  Include specific scripture passages which carried you through the bad times or sustain you in the good times.  Write it down and then put it in your Bible so it can be added to the many other stories of our salvation HIS-tory!

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, February 6th Readings

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father,

I hear you calling but I’m held back by…

fear and resentment

judgment and selfishness

sin and shame

Wipe away those things that bind me

Let me walk with you to edge

and take the leap of faith!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8

  • Whom do you fear? Of what are you afraid? Where does your fear come from?
  • How to you tell God you are ready to do His will?

 1Corinthians 15:1-11 (15:3-8, 11)

  • Have you fallen asleep to the purpose you have been called for? What can you do to find the passion and drive to go on?
  • How would you describe someone who is “fit” to serve God?

 Luke 5:1-11

  • When have you doubted God? What was your situation? How did God change your heart?
  • Are there people who are in deep waters who need you to come and bring them to the shore?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How has God made you worthy of His love?
  • Have you ever been paralyzed by fear? What was the situation? How did you overcome the fear?
  • How has your life been shaken up? Where was God during the storm?
  • What has God called you to do? Do you minimize the importance of your purpose?
  • How many people from the Bible (old and new testaments) can you name who encountered God but felt they were not worthy?
  • How many people from the Bible (old and new testaments) can you name whose lives were changed when they took a leap of faith to trust God entirely?
  • How is grace distributed?
  • What “work” is required to receive faith? Grace? Love?
  • Do you think God asks you to do things you are not capable or qualified to do? Why or why not?
  • How do you go about asking someone to do a big task? Do you just give them the big task or do you break it down into some smaller tasks to make sure they will be able to handle the big task?  Be specific.

Closing Prayer

Leader: You created me with the will to choose…

ALL:  Let me choose YOU!

Leader:  You gave me a name and purpose…

ALL:  Let me serve YOU!

Leader:  You walk the road ahead of me…

 ALL:  Let me follow YOU!

Leader:  You call me into the deep waters…

ALL:  Let me trust YOU!

Leader:  You welcome me to the shore…

ALL:  Let me be there with YOU!

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time reflecting this week on a time in your life that is comparable to the experience of the fishermen…when was God asking you to do something you didn’t want to do because you thought you had exhausted all possibilities.  Did you do as He asked anyways?  Did you choose to ignore the suggestion and go a different direction?  Regardless of which path you took, share your story with someone to show how God blew you out of the deep water and onto the shore and how you would do it all over again (the same or differently) as a witness of your faith.

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 30th Readings

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

You knew me before I was born

You know where my path leads

You continue to love and guide me

You open your arms to welcome me

Home!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 1 :4-5, 17-19

  • Jeremiah is trying to stir up the people to prepare for battle; what battles are you gearing up for which require you to be firm in your faith and understanding of who God is to you?
  • Who cries out for peace and justice today? What do they say? Do people believe and follow?
  • What are you willing to stand up to protect? Share an example.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

  • What does this scripture tell you about love? Have you seen love like this?
  • How do you learn of love? How is love taught? Where does it come from? Does love have limits? Is there a capacity for love?
  • What does hope bring to your life? What does faith bring? What does love bring? How do the three things work together?

Luke 4:21-30

  • What does it mean to be humble? How is humility shown in this scripture?
  • Are there people in your life whom you have a hard time believing? What is it that causes you not to trust their words or actions?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Are there things in your life which you are willing to die for?
  • What are things which require a fight? Are you fighting or simply a spectator?
  • Do you feel called to step up and step in to lessen an injustice? What holds you back?
  • Where does your strength to fight an injustice come from? Is it provoked from outside or stirred up from inside?
  • Share an example where dealing with conflict in a peaceful manner gave the desired result. Share an example where dealing with conflict with aggression gave the desired result.  Which is the better way?
  • Does God ask too much of you? When?  How?
  • Can good come from bad things? How does one grow through conflict?
  • Can you love too much? Why or why not?
  • Can you be loved too much? Why or why not?
  • Where have you seen love fail? What initiated the breakdown and what was the result of the failure?
  • Share an example of when love broke down hate, either a personal experience or one you witnessed.
  • Is it easy or difficult to change an attitude? What are some key factors in doing so?
  • How does the name of Jesus provoke you to love?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You created me out of love…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You breathed life into me…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader:  You gave me a purpose…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader:  You laid out the laws…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader:  You cleared a path…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader:  You surrendered and died…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Leader:  You rose and gave me new life…

ALL:  without YOU I am nothing!

Challenge for the Week:  Make a list of ways people can say and show love.   How many can you come up with?  Are there ways in which love can be expressed that you don’t feel comfortable sharing?  When you give love, do you always get love in return?  Sometimes we do and other times the love we give isn’t reciprocated…is that a requirement of love?  Be mindful of the love you give this week, does it have limits, restrictions, requirements?  Does the love you receive from others?  Reflect on the second reading as you focus on love; what is your heart needing to hear?

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 23rd Readings

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Teach me to be holy

as you are holy!

Teach me to listen

as you listen!

Teach me to give

as you give!

I am ready

to do your will!
Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Nehemiah 8 :2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

  • Why does Ezra say this day is holy? What makes it so?
  • Throughout this scripture, Nehemiah tries to make sure you understand Ezra did everything he could to help the people understand. What is the purpose of this?
  • What can the world learn from this scripture passage about being attentive to everyone’s needs while still moving towards a common goal?

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

  • What does this scripture say to you about yourself? Choose one thing you can do to live out this scripture today.
  • Where do you see division and suffering in the world today? In your family? Within yourself? Identify one for each.
  • What wisdom from this scripture can shine light on the division you see? Be specific.

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

  • How does Jesus fulfill the scripture he read in the synagogue, specifically how does He bring good tidings to the poor, set captives free and give sight to the blind?
  • Say out loud how the scripture was fulfilled and proclaim it like Jesus! When you proclaim it, how do you feel? Do you believe it about Jesus? Do you believe it about yourself?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How does the past affect your future? What value do you find in looking to the past?
  • What is the difference between living forward and living backward?
  • How does God share His hope for your future?
  • What gifts have been highlighted in you today?
  • What gifts have you seen in others today?
  • Have you ever intentionally kept gifts you keep to yourself? Explain the situation.
  • Share a time when you experienced working together with others to achieve a common goal. What did it feel like? Were there conflicts?  What was the outcome?
  • What makes a day more special than another? What value do you put on a day such as your birthday or an anniversary?
  • How do you determine a day to be Holy? What do you think God’s criteria would be to describe a day as Holy?
  • Are there books you have read more than once? What are they? What is the purpose of reading them again?
  • Are there shows you have watched more than once? What are they are why do you watch them again? Explain the value of experiencing it again.
  • What is your most favorite thing about yourself? Explain.
  • What superpower would you most like to have and why?
  • What do you believe and know in your heart strongly enough to stand up and proclaim to others?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL:  as you begin each day.

Leader:May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL:  as you struggle to focus.

Leader:  May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL:  as you encounter giants.

Leader:  May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL:  as you celebrate victories.

Leader:  May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL:  as you embrace a loving God!

Challenge for the Week:  Create a pie chart which represents how much time you spend thinking about past events, situations and experiences, how much time you spend planning and hoping for the future, and how much time you give to thinking about what you are doing right now in the present.  Within each slice, write down the topics of conversation you have that contribute to the past, present or future.  Also consider the things you pray about, where do they fit into the pie chart?  You can do this with the books you read, the things you watch on TV, the hobbies you like to participate in because they all can be placed on one of the categories.  When you’ve completed adding the activities to the pie chart, how does it look?  Are you happy or satisfied with how you spend your time or where you focus your time, whether on the past, future or present?  Are there things you’d like to change or not?  Take it to prayer.

OR

Point out special gifts you see in ten people this week by either telling them you are grateful for the gift or talent they share or send a note.

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 9th Readings

Baptism of the Lord

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You meet me in the wilderness

You understand the rocky path

You hear my cry for help

You bring cleansing rain

You give me new perspective

You open my eyes to see

You clear the pathway before me

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 42 :1-4, 6-7

  • Use your own words to describe what it means for God to be pleased with you.
  • Do you want to God to be pleased with you? What do you want God to be pleased about?
  • Describe a real-life desert experience. Where do they exist and what positive things can come from wandering through the desert?

Acts 10:34-38

  • Why does God give salvation?
  • What does it mean that God has no partiality? How does that affect the way you accept others? How does that affect the way you accept yourself?

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

  • The scripture says the people waited in anticipation for the Baptism; explain in your own words how baptism makes you feel. Must you have a personal connection to the one who is baptized to feel this anticipation? Why or why not?
  • John the Baptist brought many believers to follow Jesus. Who first introduced you to Jesus?
  • When did you last see someone whom you knew had Jesus within them? How did you know? What did you feel? What did you see?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Where do you see God’s love?
  • When did you last experience Baptism? What can you do to keep that experience real and close to you all the time?
  • How do you give thanks for the extravagant gift of eternal life God has given to you?
  • God is so generous with His gifts; what can you do to be more giving of love, mercy and understanding?
  • Where do you find value in your life? What validation do you seek?
  • Do you ever find faith hard to comprehend or figure out how it works?
  • Why does turning on the light in the middle of the night when it is dark hurt? Describe the feelings and thoughts you have in those seconds it takes to adjust to the light.
  • On the flip-side, how do you adjust to the darkness when you turn off the lights? How often is there complete darkness?
  • How do you proclaim your dedication to God?
  • Can you always see darkness coming? Is it possible to avoid darkness?
  • What can you do to get yourself out of darkness? Is it possible to do it alone?  How can you help others out of darkness?
  • When do you feel strongest in spirit?
  • What does the power of God feel like?
  • What does the power of the devil feel like?
  • Do you see/feel God’s presence guiding you as this new calendar year begins? Be specific.
  • How do your “new year resolutions” pertain to your faith?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I have been CLEANED!

Leader:Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I have been made PURE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

 ALL:  I have been SATISFIED!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

 ALL:  I have been made WHOLE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am LOVED and called BELOVED!

Challenge for the Week:  There is not one person who has ever wanted to be the last one picked to be on a team.  The anticipation of being the next person chosen can be agonizing, silently screaming “pick me, pick me” and then the feeling of defeat when your name is not the one called.  This is not a feeling God EVER wants His children to experience. So when it comes to His choosing you, God chose you BEFORE you ever existed.  This is one amazing thing to contemplate!

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 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