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STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes) Describe a recent event in which you saw somebody behaving in a way that was contrary to what they said.
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel as a Pharisee to hear Jesus talking like this.)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
In this Gospel reading Jesus came right out and accused scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders, of being false. Some Pharisees, who were supposed to be role models for the people, taught one thing but lived in another way. Jesus told the disciples to respect the Pharisees' position as successors to Moses and to take their teaching seriously (v.3). But the disciples were not to follow the Pharisees' example (v.3). Jesus makes it clear to his followers that they must honour and respect God instead of being overly concerned about their own importance and power. They were called to serve others (v.11), not be applauded by them. [Baranowski]
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. Give an example of a leader you know who doesn't have to be important in everyone's eyes but tries to be of service to others
3. Share an example of when what you did was not consistent with what you say is important. What caused you to become aware that you were being untrue? How did it feel? What did you learn from the experience?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other –25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4.Is the image of your group to those who do not belong consistent with the values of being a Small Church 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
This was a difficult passage. What did you learn by comparing two versions of the same
story?
What would you like to do differently next time?
PRAYER TIME
You may wish to pray that the Holy Spirit will help you individually and as a group to live out a Christ like life. |
