Glidden-Lanesboro-Lohrville UMCs

Discussion Questions

Why do the tenants treat the servants and the son so badly?

What do they owe the vineyard owner?

What do you “owe” God?

Why does it matter whose face is on the coin?

How have you had to decide between “Caesar” and God?

Acting on the Word

Give back to God this week by giving some of your resources (whether that is money, time, or talents) to someone who needs assistance.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 12:1-17 (or Mark 12:1-12)

Monday:         Matthew 21:33-46

Tuesday:         Luke 20:9-19

Wednesday:    Mark 12:13-17

Thursday:       Luke 20:20-26

Friday:            Matthew 22:15-22

Saturday:        Mark 12:18-27

How are the parable of the Tenants and the questions about paying taxes different and the same in these three Gospels?

What questions appear in these passages? What questions do they evoke for you?

Worship is still on at Lanesboro, Lohrville, and Glidden United Methodist Churches tomorrow (March 15).

Yesterday Church leaders consulted with County Health Departments and checked CDC guidelines, and determined that cancelling in person worship was not necessary at this time. We will be making some modifications to our worship practices, including putting the offering plates out near the entrance to the worship space instead of passing them, and not shaking hands.

That said: 1) If you are over 70 and have health complications or are of any age and have lowered immune response, we encourage you to be extra safe and consider staying home. 2) If you feel at all ill, please stay home for the safety of others. Pastor Lorinda will be modeling this herself: She has a slight (very slight!) cold and will not be in worship this weekend out of an abundance of caution.

Below are some links in the comments to online worship services that will be using the same Scriptures we are using in worship. We will also email out the bulletin and insert to everyone in the congregation that Pastor Lorinda has an email for. If you don’t have one by Sunday morning and would like one, please contact her with your email address.

Live Stream options for tomorrow (all times are central; all churches just happen to be in Minnesota):

10 am Easter Lutheran Church: https://easter.org/wordpress/?page_id=10443&fbclid=IwAR3H1iVct9BRE9ao1tcLt58Gqn6BihznxI1W1DT-St7ihQkyrD8eWldoDV8

10 am Aldersgate United Methodist MN:
http://www.aldersgatemn.com/video-and-audio-of-services/?fbclid=IwAR1jfI46GEo3oSg7-DU6iQatw-lelCroW7vYo-e1oFyi_RbOkU9aQl0Fe-I


9:15 (Traditional) and 10:45 (Contemporary) Immanuel Lutheran also available “on demand”
http://www.immanuel.us/worship/sermons-live-streamed?fbclid=IwAR3Y6zJsDQrBmc3J_63nUKmsb0jZvme1TwYicOk29zhc1kyWsOlgv1MmBEM

Discussion Questions

Why do you think James and John made the request they did?

What is the difference between what James & John and Bartimaeus ask?

How do you distinguish between wants and needs?

What do you want from Jesus?  Why do you want it?

Acting on the Word

Make a list of the things you want. Spend some time reflecting on why you want these things.  What on this list are things you pray for?

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 10:32-45

Monday:         Mark 10:46-52

Tuesday:         Mark 11:1-11

Wednesday:    Mark 11:12-19

Thursday:       Mark 11:20-26

Friday:            Mark 11:27-33

Saturday:        Isaiah 53:3-6

What questions appear in these passages? What questions do they evoke for you?

Discussion Questions

What is your most prized possession?  What would it feel like to sell it or give it up?

What do you think Jesus advised this man to sell everything he had?

Do you think God is asking you to downsize?  If so, in what ways?

How does God expect you to help the poor.

Acting on the Word

Each day, try to identify at least one thing you can give away or sell and donate the proceeds, then do so.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 10:17-31

Monday:         Matthew 6:19-21

Tuesday:         Luke 12:22-34

Wednesday:    Luke 16:10-13

Thursday:       Acts 2:42-27

Friday:            Acts 4:32-26

Saturday:        1 Timothy 6:17-19

What stands out to you in these readings?  What comforts you?  Challenges you? Raises questions for you?

Discussion Questions

What is your experience with/opinion of “Makeover” shows?  What kinds of transformations happen there?

When have your expectations or assumptions about someone been overturned?

What images, thoughts, or feelings does the phrase “take up your cross” bring to mind?

What crosses do you own (e.g. jewelry, decoration, bookmarks, etc.). Which is your favorite?  Why?

Acting on the Word

Use a cross during your prayer time this week:  look at a picture of the cross or hold a cross in your hand.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 8:27-9:8

Monday:         Mark 9:9-13

Tuesday:         Mark 8:14-29

Wednesday:    Mark 9:30-37

Thursday:       Mark 9:38-41

Friday:            Mark 9:42-50

Saturday:        Mark 10:1-16

What stands out to you in these readings?  What comforts you?  Challenges you? Raises questions for you?

Discussion Questions

Are you a neat freak, a slob, or somewhere in between?  Why do you think this is?

What practices were you taught as a child were “improper,” “impure,” “defiling” or “not done”?  How do you feel about those things now?

Describe a time you felt unwelcome or judged because of your traditions or practices?

What is the difference between traditions and traditionalism?

Acting on the Word

Talk to a friend from a different Christian denomination or even a different faith.  What traditions and/or practices in that tradition are meaningful to them?

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 7:1-23

Monday:         Mark 7:24-30

Tuesday:         Mark 7:31-37

Wednesday:    Mark 8:1-10

Thursday:       Mark 8:11-8:21

Friday:            Mark 8:22-26

Saturday:        Psalm 50:7-23

What stands out to you in these readings?  What comforts you?  Challenges you? Raises questions for you?

Discussion Questions

What do you like most and/or least about traveling?

How do you like meeting new people?

When have you been “out of your comfort zone”?  What was the experience like for you?

Acting on the Word

When you are out and about this week, be intentional about looking for ways God can use you as you interact with the people you encounter.  Where can you offer healing? Forgiveness? Mercy? Kindness?  What happens when you do?

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Mark 6:1-6

Monday:         Mark 6:7-16

Tuesday:         Mark 6:17-29 

Wednesday:    Mark 6:30-34

Thursday:       Mark 6:35-44

Friday:            Mark 6:45-52

Saturday:        Mark 6:53-56

How does God work through Jesus and/or the disciples in these passages?  What is God asking of you in these verses?