Mythbusters

Please click here to read Sunday's sermon based on Matthew 5:21-37.

As you read consider these discussion questions and post a comment!

• Try to put into your own words why we have a never ending struggle inside of ourselves to prove to God that we are good enough on our own for him.
• Thinking back through the account of David from 2 Samuel 11:1-27 what started David's snowball into adultery and murder?
• What "myths" might people think about God if they lived right next to you, shared a workspace, was a locker buddy?
• Which of the areas that Jesus covers are the biggest problem in 2011 USA in you opinion?
• Can you consider a witness that would "bust" those "myths"?

Salty Christians

Happy Valentine's Day!  Sunday's sermon was taken from Matthew 5:13-20.  You can read or listen to the sermon here.

• These two star crossed lovers, John and Anne, were featured in this New York Times article.  Both divorced their spouses so they could be together.  What could you, the salt of the earth, say to Anne, as she weeps in the shower one moring, “Why am I being punished? Why did someone throw him in my path when I can’t have him?”

• God uses marriage as a model of his love for us - Christ and the church.  On Valentines day, do you think a bouquet of flowers and box of chocolates reflects that love of God?  Do you think a once-a-year reminder of love is good for couples? ...or just good for Hallmark and the local florist?

• Salt bites when it is put in an open wound.  What might be the consequence for salting a friend's sinful wound?  Would you rather ignore a sin just to keep a friend?

• The Pharisees had 613 extra laws that they put on top of God's law.  The purpose was to keep them from ever getting close to breaking a command of God.  Jesus tells us that this didn't work.  The idea seems to make sense.  Why doesn't this work?

• What did you do for your S O today?  Some of us might be able to use the idea next year :)

You Are Blessed

Our sermon this Sunday was taken from Matthew 5:1-12.

As you read or listen consider these discussion questions:

• Give an example of a comforting witness you could offer to someone who is mourning (death, guilt, divorce, job loss, etc.) so that he or she might be blessed.
• What are some ways you could be a peace keeper this week?
• Why do you watch NASCAR races, hockey games, or the Running of the Bulls?  Is it really wrong to find entertainment in the misfortune of others - e.g. America's Funniest Home Videos?
• How have you been persecuted because of Jesus?  How have you been blessed because of it?
• Someone asked you, "Is it hard to be good all the time?"  How would you respond?

Fishing For Men

Please click here to see Sunday's sermon on Matthew 4:12-23.

As you read consider these discussion questions:

• How does the darkness that existed in Galilee of the Gentiles compare to the darkness in our society?
• What ways have you found to repent when you find yourself going the wrong way?  I find the busier I get the more focused I become.  Business can be it's own temptation too.
• How have you been "covered by the dust of a Rabbi"?  I know that my preaching style mirrors the pastors I grew up listening to at Bloomington Lutheran Church.
• Give a simple confession of faith as an example of your fishing for men. 
• What are ways have you heard other churches go fishing for men?  One great way is to point them to www.whataboutjesus.com