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STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes)
Describe a time when you had an unexpected visitor.
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel to be one of the righteous people?)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
Advent literally means "coming." This coming refers to the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Nazareth, his coming into the heart of faithful Christians throughout the ages and his final coming in glory at the end of the world. The Christians in the first century looked for Christ to return soon to establish once and for all God's reign of justice, peace and love. This parable in Mark's gospel encouraged early Christians not to grow careless. Advent is a time of joyful expectation. Jesus will come again. He will not forget his own. Keep looking! {Baranowski}
Awakening
We are asleep Lord,
Our eyes heavy – lidded, our breathing slow,
We do not lift our faces to your light,
Preferring slumberous attitudes in drowsy pews,
The hymnbook opened at the well-leafed page,
the Bible opened not at all.
Among grey blocks of stone and coloured glass,
Impressive columns, white washed walls,
Stiff flowers arranged with care
We sleep, heads resting on hands grasping a meagre offering,
Our posture of prayer, lethargic, empty, dull.
Come to us now we beg, and shake us into joy.
Help us to sing and dance and clap our hands.
Divine experience, give to us life for a second time,
New born into the Spirit's huge embrace,
Not a Gethsemane, but Eden found again.
[Wendy Graig A Challenge of Time]
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
2. In what ways do you show hope in your life?
3.. Describe how you experience God in your daily life and worship.
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other –25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. As we approach the new millennium what message does this passage have for your community?
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
In what ways is this group growing in faith and hope?
What would you like to do differently next time?
PRAYER TIME
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