Scripture: Mark 12:38-13:2
As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Questions
What is your earliest memory of “church?”
When you hear “church” what word(s) come to mind?
Where in your life do you feel drained, or devoured like the widow here?
Have you ever been in a situation or time of your life where you felt invisible, where you felt like nobody cared?
What should our response be to the “widows” in our midst?
What value comes from “being seen” as Lucas was talking about?
B-Sides
Scripture: Luke 10:25-28
25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.[j] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And Jesus said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
Questions
Describe your relationship to the Bible in a sentence or two.
What is your favorite bible story? What is your least favorite?
What questions do you have about the Bible?
Is there a particular character in the Bible who you have always related to?
Have you ever seen, experienced, or used the Bible as a weapon to harm others?
Are there any parts of Lucas’ sermon that you disagree with? What do you think can be gained by discussing the bible from different perspectives?
Lucas asked two questions in his sermon, What is the Bible, and What shall we do with it. How would you answer these questions?
B-sides
Scripture: Mark 1:1
“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Questions
What “titles” do you or have you gone by? What do certain titles reveal about yourself and what do they leave out?
What titles do you initially give Jesus? (Optional Activity)
Dawn talks about the “three C’s” of Christ. Christ challenges, Christ comforts, and Christ is our companion. Which do you feel most drawn to, and why?
What stories of your own life remind you of Jesus as a comforter? A challenger? A companion?
Theologian Jurgen Moltmann often argued that we can see Jesus in the presence of a friend or stranger. Have you ever experienced this?
What questions do you still have about Jesus?
Activity:
Take a sheet of paper. Write “Jesus” in the middle. Take a few quiet minutes to write any words, descriptions, stories, titles down that come to mind. Share with the group.
B-Sides
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Questions
Can you think of a time in your life when you felt a part of experiencing “collective trauma?” How about “collective hope?”
What role do you see yourself filling on the long walk to meet the newborn Jesus that Dawn describes?
When have you had to trust in someone else to get from point A to point B? What was that like? Would you rather be in charge or a follower?
Have you ever found yourself in a group like Nicole? A group that seems incredibly different and has nothing in common, but strong connections are made?
What do you hope for? What should we hope for collectively?
Activity:
Great for kids in the group. Have them draw out what they think it would like if everyone in their home group was walking to meet Jesus. What would people be doing? Who else do you want to add in? Cartoon characters, animals, friends, etc. Share your creations
B-sides
Scripture: Luke 1: 46-55
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Questions
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
When you hear the song “away in a manger” what do you think about?
Do you have any experience with birth? How would you feel in Mary/Joseph’s position, giving birth in a cave surrounded by animals?
Dawn talks about the importance of being “away.” When in your life have you experienced God while “away” from the comforts you are used to?
Dawn tells us how Jesus makes “a way” for us. Where in your life have you found a way when you thought there wouldn’t be one? Where do you hope to find a way?