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Advent Worship Series: Fear Not!

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:

Fear Not: The Shepherds (Advent – week 4)

1. How do you relate to the shepherds in their humility and simplicity? What might God be inviting you to in your own life?
2. What does it mean to you that God chose the lowly, ordinary shepherds to be the first to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth? How does this shape your understanding of who God calls to share God’s message?
3. In what ways can we share the good news of Christ’s love with others in a way that feels authentic and joyful, rather than forced or fearful?
4. What “disruptions” have you experienced in your life that led to spiritual growth or a change in direction? How did these moments transform you?
5. The shepherds didn’t wait for the perfect moment to act. How can we overcome hesitation and step into opportunities to share hope and joy today?
6. How can we make space in our busy lives for encounters with God that might lead us to be more open to God’s calling?
7. In what ways can we live out the shepherds’ example by spreading the joy of the Gospel in our communities?

Fear Not: Joseph (Advent – week 3)

1. How can we, like Joseph, choose faith over fear when faced with difficult decisions? Reflect on moments in your own life when you’ve had to make a tough decision based on faith.
2. What are some examples of how love has influenced your choices in challenging situations? Consider times when acting out of love—whether for others or yourself—made a difference.
3. Joseph’s story is one of listening to God’s guidance. How can we better tune into God’s voice in our own lives? How do you discern God’s direction and how you can be more open to God’s guidance.
4. How do you think Joseph’s trust in God’s plan shaped his role as a father to Jesus? Reflect on how trust in God’s plan could influence our own roles as parents, mentors, or leaders.
5. In moments of uncertainty, how can we cultivate the same courage and compassion that Joseph showed? Discuss practical steps to strengthen your resolve and compassion in difficult times.
6. Joseph made a bold decision in the face of doubt. What bold decisions might God be calling you to make in your life right now? Consider any current challenges where a bold, faith-driven decision could bring change.
7. How do you see Joseph’s example of quiet obedience impacting your own approach to following God’s will? Reflect on how obedience, even when it’s not loud or dramatic, can have a lasting impact.

Fear Not: Mary (Advent – Week 2)

1. What stands out to you most about Mary’s reaction to the angel’s message? How might you have responded in her place?
2. Mary is described as humble and unassuming, yet chosen for a profound role. How does this challenge our ideas of who God chooses for significant purposes?
3. The angel tells Mary that she is “favored” because “the Lord is with you.” How does this concept of divine favor resonate with your understanding of God’s presence in your own life?
4. What “impossible” situation in your life needs the reassurance that “nothing is impossible for God”?
5. The podcast notes that Mary’s response is a model of consent and trust. What does her “let it be with me just as you have said” teach us about responding to God’s call?
6. Reflect on the idea of the Holy Spirit “overshadowing” Mary. How does this imagery challenge or inspire your understanding of God’s power in your life?
7. Mary and Elizabeth share a unique connection, both carrying miraculous pregnancies. How does community support play a role in carrying out God’s plans in our lives?
8. Mary’s child, Jesus, is described as a future political and spiritual leader. What does it mean for you that faith involves confronting systems of power and justice?
9. Mary finds peace and courage in knowing God’s presence and seeing Elizabeth’s example. How can you seek out signs of God’s work in your life and find peace in your current challenges?
10. What role does external affirmation (like Elizabeth’s pregnancy) play in helping you discern God’s call? How do you balance this with internal conviction?
11. The podcast discusses the importance of “getting to yes” in answering God’s call. What fears or doubts might be holding you back from saying “yes” to something God is inviting you to do?
12. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to something new or unexpected. How did you discern whether to move forward? What might you learn from Mary’s process?
13. The podcast highlights the communal aspect of Mary’s and Elizabeth’s journeys. How can we, as a community, better support each other in stepping into God’s plans?
14. How does recognizing that God is already at work in and around us shape how we approach our own callings and challenges?
15. Mary’s story includes themes of fear, faith, and action. Which of these themes feels most relevant to your life right now, and why?

Fear Not: Zechariah (Advent – Week 1)

1. What does “Fear Not” mean to you in moments of disruption or uncertainty? How can this message guide you in trusting God’s plan?
2. Zechariah was called to something new late in life. Have you ever felt a calling or purpose arise when you least expected it? How did you respond?
3. The angel said, “Your prayers have been heard.” What long-held hopes or dreams have you set aside? Could God be inviting you to revisit them?
4. What might God be trying to “birth” in you during this Advent season?How can you stay open to God’s message?
5. Hope was described as an action. How can you actively practice hope in your daily life, even when the future seems uncertain?
6. Zechariah was silenced to give him space to reflect. When have moments of silence or stillness deepened your understanding of God’s will?
7. The podcast discussed “holy interruptions.” Have you ever experienced an unexpected moment that turned out to be a blessing? How did it change your path?

Previous Worship Series: Purpose-full

11.18.2024 – Purpose-full Gratitude (Luke 17:11-19)

1. How do you practice gratitude in your daily life?  In what ways has expressing gratitude deepened your faith or relationships?
2. What boundaries—social, cultural, or personal—might you be called to cross in your own life, as Jesus did? How can we better welcome and learn from those who experience marginalization?
3. How do you understand the connection between healing, salvation, and wholeness in your spiritual journey? Have you ever experienced a moment of transformation similar to the Samaritan leper’s “turning around”?
4. How might privilege shape or limit your ability to experience deep gratitude or faith? What steps can you take to cultivate humility and a heart of thankfulness despite layers of privilege?
5. What does this story teach us about the importance of expressing gratitude directly to God? How might this Thanksgiving season serve as an opportunity for you to intentionally practice faith through thankfulness?

11.11.2024 – Purpose-full Generosity (Luke 14:1, 7-24)

1. How does Jesus’ approach to meals and hospitality challenge our own views of who we invite into our lives and communities?
2. In what ways do we seek “places of honor” in our social or professional lives, and how can we practice humility instead?
3. What does it mean to you to “extend your table?” Who in your life might need an invitation to belong or feel welcome?
4. Jesus emphasizes inviting those who cannot repay us. How can we practice generosity with no expectation of return?
5. Pastor Melissa speaks about the “seating chart” of God’s Kingdom. What might it look like to align our values with this Kingdom order?
6. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or left out. How might that experience inform the way you welcome others?
7. How can we use our resources and influence to create a more equitable “table” in our communities?

11.4.2024 – Purpose-full Joy (Luke 15: 1-10)

1. “Are you part of the party, or are you a grumbling onlooker?” How do you personally respond to God’s grace given to others, especially those who may seem least deserving?
2. In the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, who do you identify with most—the lost items, the seekers, or the onlookers? How does that perspective shape your understanding of God’s love and grace?
3. In the podcast, Pastor Melissa mentions that “the emphasis in this story is not on lostness – but on the seeking and finding.” How does it feel to consider that God actively seeks you, even in moments when you’re not seeking God?
4. These parables end in celebration. In what ways can we, as a community, celebrate and support each other’s journeys of being “found” by God?
5. In the episode, Pastor Melissa points out that some people may be “lost inside the house” without realizing it. Have there been times in your life when you felt lost, even while remaining close to faith or community? What helped you to feel “found” again?
6. “Those who find God’s mercy offensive cannot celebrate with the angels when a sinner repents.” What barriers might prevent us from truly celebrating God’s mercy in others’ lives? How can we overcome these?
7. How can you intentionally cultivate joy, not just for your own blessings, but for God’s grace in the lives of others?

10.28.2024 – Purpose-full Living (Luke 12:22-34)

1. What are the things in your life that tend to cause worry or anxiety? How might you release some of that worry by trusting in God’s provision?
2. Jesus emphasizes the value of generosity. How might giving to others, especially those in need, change your perspective on what you have?
3. The rich fool in Jesus’ parable focused on storing up wealth for himself. In what ways do you see “building bigger barns” in your own life, and how might you shift toward a more kingdom-focused purpose?
4. How can you reframe your daily priorities to emphasize living with purpose and serving others over acquiring more possessions?
5. Reflect on the phrase “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does this mean to you, and how might it guide your choices?

Previous worship series: Beyond the Box

10.21.2024 – Beyond the Box (We the Purpose-full)

1. Proverbs 27:9 speaks of friendship refreshing the soul. How can we cultivate deep, meaningful friendships in our communities? How do these relationships support us in times of challenge?
2. Proverbs 31 calls us to speak out for justice. What are practical ways you can advocate for the marginalized in your daily life? How does your faith influence your sense of responsibility to others?
3. The pastors discuss how faith can influence voting without defining a person’s Christianity by their vote. How do you balance your personal values and faith when making decisions that affect the broader community?
4. “Both/and” thinking is emphasized over binary thinking. Can you think of a time when two opposing perspectives were both valid? How can practicing “both/and” thinking enhance your relationships and understanding of others?
5. The podcast mentions that God’s kingdom is already in charge. How does this perspective affect your outlook on current events, community involvement, and long-term goals?
6. In the episode, the pastors encourage listeners to see diversity as a strength. How can you practice embracing diverse perspectives in your personal, spiritual, and professional life?
7. The final message is to live “on earth as it is in heaven.” What does this look like for you in your daily life, and how can you contribute to creating a just and loving world?

10.14.2024 – Beyond the Box (Focus Forward)

1. How do you guard your heart in daily life? What practical steps can you take to protect yourself from negative influences What are some signs that you may not be guarding your heart effectively?
2. What are some common “sideshows” or distractions in your life that pull you away from your purpose or priorities? How can you develop the discipline to stay focused on what’s truly important?
3. Can you recall a time when being humble helped you grow? What did you learn from the experience?
4. Why do you think it’s difficult for people to admit when they’re wrong, and how can we make it easier for ourselves
5. How can “I statements” improve communication in conflicts or difficult conversations? How have you used them effectively before?
6. In what ways do you take ownership of your actions and words in your relationships with others?
7. How can we strike a balance between holding each other accountable and offering grace? Why is this balance important for building a strong community? What does it look like to lovingly correct someone while maintaining a spirit of humility and kindness?
8. When faced with difficult or challenging situations, how can you remain open to correction while also protecting your mental and emotional well-being?
9. What role do others in your community play in helping you grow? How can you contribute to the growth of others?

10.7.2024 – Beyond the Box (Do No Harm)

Be sure to view/hear the podcast before considering these questions!

1. Think of a time when someone’s words had a significant impact on you, either positively or negatively. How did it shape your actions or feelings?
2. How do you think your words impact others on a daily basis?
3. How do you typically respond when someone offends or hurts you? Do you find it easy or difficult to approach conflict with love and patience?
4. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your words reflect grace and promote reconciliation during conflict?
5. How can we better embody Wesley’s rule of “doing no harm” in our workplaces, families, or friendships? How can our speech help heal rather than hurt, and what actions can we take to reflect God’s love through our words?
6. How do you respond when others are unkind to you? How might you approach such situations differently to reflect God’s love?
7. What tools or spiritual practices can help you stay grounded in kindness when faced with challenging interactions?

9.30.2024 – Beyond the Box (Seek Wisdom)

1. How can the teachings of Proverbs be relevant to contemporary issues we face? Can you think of a proverb that resonates with your current life situation?
2. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between acting on knowledge versus seeking wisdom. What was the outcome?
3. The episode emphasizes that wisdom is participatory. In what ways do you think seeking wisdom requires our active involvement?
4. How do you interpret the “try-on” approach to understanding different perspectives? Can you share an experience where trying on a new perspective changed your view?
5. Why do you think humility is essential in the pursuit of wisdom? How can we cultivate humility in our conversations and interactions?
6. What does it mean to “seek wisdom” in your daily life? How do you currently approach decision-making and seeking understanding?
7. How can you incorporate the daily examine prayer from St. Ignatius into your routine? What specific areas of your life would you like to focus on during this practice?