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