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.

This blog is based on Rev. Kim Salo's sermon on Sunday Feb. 23, "God is Our Refuge."

1. Read Psalm 91. 
What does the Psalmist say about God as refuge? From what? In this psalm, how does God protect us?

2. Read Isaiah 25:4-9.
In verses 4-5, who needs refuge? From verses 6-8, name the promises God makes.

3. Read Revelation 7:9-17.
Is this vision fulfilled in the past, the present, or the future? How does this vision of worship in the heavenly realm help Christians under duress now?

4. Read John 17:6-19.
From verses 6-12, by noticing the verbs in each sentence, list all the actions of the Son and the Father. From these same verses, briefly sum up Christ's actions for us.
Read verses 13-19. What key thing is Christ praying for us? Why do you need that right now, in your present situation?

5. Is the church a refuge? If so, how exactly?

This blog is based on Rev. Susan's sermon of February 16th.

1. The narrative of God's love story (the Bible) with His people has many highs and lows.
a) What are some of the highs and lows that stand out for you?
b) What do you consider to be the highest point, and the lowest point in God's story?
c) Have you experienced highs and lows in your own relationship with God?  What got you through the lows?

2. Why is "being nice, or being kind" not sufficient to get us into heaven?

3. Read Romans 8:31-39.
a) What are the seven questions Paul asks in this passage?
b) What are the things listed that cannot separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus?
c) Verse 34 says that Jesus is at God's right hand interceding for us.  What does this mean for you?

These questions are based on the sermon Drawing Near, from Sunday Feb 2/25.
 
1) Thinking about the encounters with Jesus – as in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 -- in His earliest years, and learning of His life in the Gospels, how do we draw near to God in His extraordinary doings?
 
2) What do Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna have to teach us about Jesus?
 
3) Have we had a longing to draw near to Him, just to be held by Him, no need to talk or present a list of asks; just to be in His presence, dimly aware that He has drawn near to us because He loves us and wants us near Him?  What can we do to address that longing?