These questions are a follow-up to the sermon on March 24th by Rev. Kim Salo.

1. Have you ever acted in a play? Was it easy or hard to “get into character”? Was it a church play with a Christian theme, including a Christmas pageant or a drama about Christ’s Passion? If so, what was the experience like?
 
2. Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit telling you what to say? What happened? 

3. Read Mark 10:32-34. What are some of the reasons that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was warning them about when he got to Jerusalem? In other words, why was Jesus so badly misunderstood by everyone?

4. Which of the many characters in Christ’s Passion do you easily identify with? From Mark’s gospel, try to choose one of the following: the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet; someone in the crowd at Palm Sunday; Judas Iscariot; Peter; the disciples who fell asleep in Gethsemane; the young man who fled as Jesus was arrested; a member of the Sanhedrin; Barabbas; a thief on a cross next to Jesus; Pontius Pilate; the centurion who declares that Jesus is the Son of God; the women disciples looking on from a distance; Joseph of Arimathea.

5. When you think about Jesus dying on a cross, what strikes you most? What about his Passion do you find most moving?

These questions are a follow up to the sermon on March 17th by Pastor Chris. 

Read Matthew 5: 43-48

1. What is the difference between the teaching of Jesus in this passage, and the teaching of the religious leaders at the time? What would have been the biggest challenges to the Israelites who were listening to this exalted teaching? How would this teaching have changed their worldview?
2. What do you find most difficult with this teaching? What steps/actions do you take to be able to obey this teaching? Do you pray for your enemies?

Read Acts 9: 10-19

1. How did Ananias overcome his negative feelings towards Saul? How did the Lord bless this act of obedience? How do you foresee the relationship between Saul and Ananias changing after this encounter?
2. Do you have any rivals inside the church body? If so, how are you going about loving them and treating them well? Is it possible to have the unity that Jesus desires of His church, if rivalries in the church are not addressed?

 
Bonus Question: Throughout our sermon series on unity, what has been the biggest challenge for you? What has encouraged you the most?

Questions related to the sermon Light in the Darkness by Les Kovacs

Sharing our faith in Jesus Christ can be a bit intimidating in our post-Christian society. 

1. Have you run into cultural differences with non-Christians which create barriers to understanding and acceptance of Christian teachings?  Were you able to get past them?
2. Do you have a fear of being rejected or ridiculed by non-Christians for your beliefs, causing you to hesitate sharing your faith?  Where can you find the courage to overcome that fear?
3. Do you feel a lack of knowledge or confidence in your ability to articulate your faith effectively to non-Christians?  How can you better equip yourself to increase your knowledge and confidence?  
4. Have you experienced negative stereotypes being applied to you because you are a Christian?  What are some steps you can take to dispel the preconceived notions or stereotypes about Christians that can allow you engage in discussions about faith?

Addressing these obstacles often involves deepening your own understanding of Christian beliefs, fostering genuine relationships, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in sharing the message of faith with others.

​This blog is based on Rev. Kim Salo's sermon for March 3rd, titled "Together in Prayer".

1. What is the difference for you, if any, between praying alone, or in a small group of people, or with the congregation on Sunday?

2. What is your preferred way of addressing God when you pray? How much does it matter how you address God?

3. Have you experienced the Holy Spirit praying through you when you are alone? Through a group? Through a congregation?

4. What happens when you run out of words while praying?

5. When praying with Christians from other backgrounds, was it easy? Awkward? A bit formal? Did it bring greater unity, or leave you just where you were?