This Blog is based on Rev. Kim's sermon on Encouraging One Another, on May 25.

1. Tell about a time you were encouraged by someone. What was it like? What exactly needed encouraging?

2. Read Philippians 1:1-14. Name 3 ways Paul encourages the church.

3.God doesn't reveal very much, good or bad, of what will happen to us. Why do you think that is?

4. Read Acts 16:6-10. How did God direct Paul's mission to Philippi? Has anything like this happened to you?

5. Read Proverbs 31:10-31. Now compare that portrait of a woman of noble character to Lydia as found in Acts 16:13-15. What are the similarities and differences between them?

6. Think of one way you could be an encourager this week.

isThese questions are a follow-up to the sermon by Rev. Susan on May 18th. 

1. a. How or when have you felt most cared for in your church?
b. In which ways are you most comfortable caring for others in the church? 
c. Have you ever stepped outside of your comfort zone to help others, and how did that go?

2. a. Are there some ways we are missing the mark of caring for one another in our church? 
b. How can we do better?

3. a. "It's easier to care for people if you know them." True or false? 
b. How do you get to know people best - by chatting after service, by joining a small group or a 'task force' (like Choir or Feed My Sheep), or by _______?

4. a. How do we most effectively use our 'spiritual gifts' to care for each other? 
b. What has been your experience with this? 
c. What would have been more effective?

5. Which of the 'quiet gifts' (faith, administration, wisdom, etc.) has an impact on our relationships within the church?

6. In several epistles (letters to churches) the writers bid people to persevere in the face of persecution and difficulties. We now face the challenge to persevere through this period of adjustment/transition at St. Aidan's. 

[READ Romans 5.3-5] What do we hope our perseverance will benefit us at St. Aidan's?

These questions are a follow-up to the Sermon by Rev. Chris on May 11th. 

Read:  Luke 10: 38-42

1. Have you ever had conflict with a brother or sister in Christ?
2. What was the cause of this conflict? Was the problem really the problem, or was there a deeper root that was the underlying cause of the conflict?
3. What was wrong with Martha’s words/accusation towards her sister Mary?
4. How does Jesus seek to correct and redirect Martha in his response? 
5. Why has Mary made the right choice according to Jesus?
6. What is the primary lesson from this gospel passage?
7. What practices could you institute in your daily life to help you be more like Mary and less like Martha in your service and your relationships? 

​This week's blog is based on Rev. Kim's April 27 sermon "Brothers and Sisters in Christ".

1. What or who makes us 'brothers and sisters' in the church? How?

2. Read I John 4:7-16. How do you understand 'God is love'? How can 'God is love' be misunderstood?

3. There are two main words for love in Greek. One is eros (air-oss), the other is agape (ah-gah-pay). Eros is romantic or sexual love. Agape is love that gives with no expectation of return. Agape occurs 115 times in the New Testament. Eros is not used even once, even though the writers would know the word. Why do think they didn't they use 'eros'?

4. How are 'brothers and sisters' in Christ different from:
A. brothers and sisters in a natural family?
B. friends?
C. romantic lovers?

5. Read John 15:9-12. What does Jesus mean when he said in v. 12, 'Love one another as I have loved you'?

6. Read I Peter 4:7-11. What does Peter mean in v. 8, 'Agape love covers over a multitude of sins'? Name one way this happens in a church. Name one way this could be misunderstood in a church.

This blog is based on Rev. Susan Salo's sermon "Faithful to the End", preached on Sunday, April 6th.

1. Women were not seen as "trustworthy witnesses" during Bible times. Like wearing 'The Cloak of Invisibility', they were seen but unseen.  How was this a hindrance or a help for the women at the crucifixion?  How about at the resurrection? Who always saw them?

2. Read Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49, 55 and John 20:25.  Why are the names of the women different in all 4 gospels?

3. There were women who were followers of Jesus. Could we call them disciples? Why or why not?

4. Were the women braver than the disciples who ran away? Discuss.

5. PRAYER EXERCISE:
Read John 20:11-17.  One way of praying for inner healing is to let Jesus carry your pain, and other difficult emotional baggage to the cross. At the resurrection, be with Mary and hear Jesus speak your name with love and compassion.
Share if you feel able.

There questions are a follow-up from the March 30th Real Lives Service.

Read: Mark 15:16-22
1)   Simon of Cyrene provides us a visual of what it means to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. In what ways are you taking the posture of Simon in your walk with the Lord? In what ways have you not yet denied yourself and picked up your cross to follow Jesus?
2)   How did Jesus deal with being afflicted and humiliated? How do you feel knowing that following Jesus often means facing affliction and humiliation? How will you model Jesus in dealing with this in the future?
3)   Are you allowing the Simon of Cyrene’s in your life (Brothers and Sisters), to help you carry and bear your burdens. If not, why?
4)   How did the Real Lives testimonies encourage you in your walk with the Lord? What did you learn about God from these talks? 

This blog is based on Rev. Kim Salo's sermon on March 23, on Pontius Pilate.

Read John 18:12 to 19:22

1. Why doesn't Jesus just come right out and tell Pontius Pilate that he is the Son of God who has come to this world to save it, and to establish the Kingdom of God?

2. What factors prevented the Jewish leadership from recognizing that Jesus is in fact the Messiah, the true King of the Jews? What would be the outcome if they had?

3. Name 3 or 4 miscarriages of justice during the Passion of Jesus.

4. Why is Pontius Pilate mentioned in both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed? Why does this matter?

5. Is it a good thing or not when church and state cooperate closely? Why is that situation risky for the church and Christianity? Or should close cooperation between church and state be encouraged? Why?

March 16, 2025
Judas’ betrayal of Jesus raises several profound moral questions, including:
 
1. The Nature of Betrayal and Trust

• What moral obligations do we have to those who trust us?
• Is betraying a friend or leader ever justifiable, even if you believe it serves a greater good?

2. Personal Responsibility vs. Larger Purpose

• Can you be morally guilty if your actions ultimately lead to a necessary or preordained outcome?

3. Motivations for Wrongdoing

• Did Judas betray Jesus out of greed, political disillusionment, or a misguided sense of duty?
• Does his reason behind the betrayal change its moral weight?

4. Consequences and Moral Responsibility

• Should you be held accountable for an action if you do not fully understand its consequences?
• Does knowing that your actions will cause harm impose a greater moral obligation to resist them?

5. Justice, Mercy, and Redemption

• Could Judas have sought forgiveness instead of succumbing to despair?

 
These questions highlight broad ethical dilemmas about trust, accountability, and redemption, making Judas’ betrayal one of the most morally complex events in history.