Below are the scriptures and questions that were discussed at Cafe Church this past Sunday (November 17th). 

1. 1 John 3: 1-10: How does embracing your identity as a Child of God help you live in the world today? What practices, have helped you live out your Christian identity as a Child of God?
2. 1 John 3: 11-24: What barriers do you face that prevent you from growing closer with your brothers and sisters in Christ? How can we as a family of believers at St Aidan’s, overcome these obstacles?
3. John 15: 1-11: How does the image of pruning help you understand what God’s intent is when allowing us to go through new or unfamiliar seasons? How does this image help us understand the season we are undergoing at St. Aidan’s?
4. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11: Why is the church’s gathering of worship the ideal time to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit? What are some ways that St. Aidan’s can provide more opportunity to exercise our spiritual gifts?

If you have any additional insights to these questions, please share with Rev. Chris.
 

This blog is based on issues arising from Rev. Kim's sermon on Nov. 10th, Remembrance Sunday.

Read Romans 13:1-5

1. Nero Caesar reigned from 54 to 63 A.D. Paul wrote his letter to the churches of Rome in 57 or 58 A.D., probably before Nero's persecution of them. Why do you suppose Paul raised the issue of submission to civic authorities in his letter to the Roman Christians? (Hint: look at 2 Timothy 2:1-4, Titus 3:1-2, I Peter 2:13-17, Proverbs 8:15-16, Mark 12:17)

2. Do you think each and every civic authority is instituted by God? Does God grant unlimited or limited authority to earthly governments? 

3. How is Romans 13:3-5 helpful for a Christian in the armed forces or a police force, who is concerned about being judged for breaking the commandment "Thou shalt not kill"?

4. Why did Jesus say, at Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God"?

​November 6th – Based on a sermon given November 3rd by Les Kovacs
 
My sermon this past Sunday focused on being missional Children of God as exemplified by the saints throughout the ages.  Like many of our brothers and sisters, we may want to share our faith with others but feel unsure of ourselves, seeing several obstacles that can make it challenging. I’ve listed a few below for you to consider.
1. Fear of Rejection or Judgement

• Many of us worry about how others will react, or we fear being rejected, ridiculed, or even alienated.  This can lead to hesitancy in openly sharing our beliefs.

2. Feeling Unqualified or Unprepared

• Sometimes we may hold back because we feel a lack of knowledge about the Bible or feel we may not have the "right" answers.  We may worry that tough questions will come up, and we won’t be able to respond.

3. Cultural Sensitivity and Fear of Offense

• Today’s pluralistic society places high value on respecting diverse beliefs, and we may fear offending others or being perceived as being pushy or intolerant.

4. Personal Doubts or Spiritual Struggles

• We may even be struggling with doubts, questions, or a sense of spiritual inadequacy ourselves and feel unprepared to share a faith we feel we haven’t fully mastered or embodied.

5. Pressure to "Convert" Rather Than Connect

• We may feel responsible for convincing or converting someone.  This can make faith-sharing feel like a performance or goal, rather than a natural expression of our belief.  

7. Lack of Practice and Confidence

• Like any skill, sharing one’s faith requires practice.  Without prior experience or mentorship, we may lack the confidence and skill to initiate these conversations comfortably.

8. Concern About Relationship Dynamics

• Many of us worry that sharing faith could strain relationships, particularly with family, friends, or colleagues who might view it as a sensitive or divisive topic.

When considering these obstacles, do you recognize any that may apply to you, and if so what practical steps can you take to overcome them?  Learning to share faith with compassion, patience, and authenticity can help overcome many of these barriers.