This blog is written by Rev. Merv Lanctot, based on his sermon "Beacon of God's Grace - Unity in Grace", preached on Sunday, February 25th.

1) Do you see yourself as a Beacon of God’s Grace?

2) Do you see St. Aidan's as a Beacon of God’s Grace?

3) How do you see Grace as an element of Unity?

4) John Wesley said: It was free grace that ‘formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him a living soul, and stamped on that soul the image of God! Are there scripture verses that back that up?

5) Read Isaiah 58:6-9. As you meditate on these verses, is that how you see fasting?

Note: The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5:1 to 7:29. 

Read Matthew 5: 1-12:

1. Why do think Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with these Beatitudes?
2. Which of the Beatitudes is the toughest for you to comprehend? Which is the toughest for you to practice? Why?
3. Meekness is often misunderstood by our prevailing culture as a “weakness”. How does Jesus disprove this? How is meekness a strength?

 
Read Philippians 2: 1-12:

1. According to this passage, in what ways does Jesus fulfill the Beatitudes?
2. What are some practical ways that you can apply the Beatitudes to your life?  What type of improvements would this make in your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ? And with non-believers? 

This blog is written by Rev. Merv Lanctot, based on his sermon on "Unity in Service", preached on Sunday, February 11th.

Scripture Readings:
1 Cor 12:27-31
Act 4:31-37
Matthew 20:20-28

1) How do you see the early church serving in one heart and mind?

2) How do you see us at St. Aidan's serving in one heart and mind?

3) I spoke of the effects leadership can have on making decisions beyond our control. How do those decisions affect our serving as a community?

4) Amos 3:3 says Do two walk together unless they have agreed? This speaks of unity being a decision we make. How do you feel about this?

5) I quoted A.W. Tozer concerning 100 worshippers being tuned to Jesus and not each other. How do we manage that? How do we encourage that? Is that even possible?

​This blog is written by Kim Salo, based on Dan Rutherford's sermon on "Unity in Joy and Suffering", preached on Sunday, February 4th at St. Aidan's Church.

Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-19
Romans 8:28-39
John 14:12-20

1. READ Isaiah 7:10-19. Looking at what Isaiah said to King Ahaz, how is the birth of a child a sign from God to the king and his nation under threat from Egypt and Assyria? What is King Ahaz' attitude to God in this passage? Why is the name of the child so important?

2. READ Romans 8:28-39.  As if we were in a court of law, a defense lawyer puts several questions (starting at 31b):
"Who can be against us, who shall bring a charge, who is to condemn, who shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Can anything ever seperate us from the love of Christ?" What is the answer to the question "who"? Is it God, an accuser, our own conscience, sin, or some other? What is Paul's own answer to these questions in this passage?

3. Romans chapter 8 begins with no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and ends with no separation from Christ. Who most needs to hear that good news? When do you personally most need to hear that God is for you? 
"For those who are in Christ..." What does Paul mean by "in"?

4. In many religions, including today, worshippers go to a certain place, or to a temple to worship, possibly very far away. 
In I Cor 3:16, and I Cor.6:19, Paul says that "you" (both plural and singular) "are a temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this change the "where" of worship? Does this mean we can dispense with gathering for worship? How is your own body a temple for the Holy Spirit?

5. READ John 14:15-20. Jesus assures us in this passage that he is in us. How does this happen? This passage can be read as a series of promises by Jesus, most of which begin with "I will," or "You will." What are they?
What are the signs this is happening?