Glidden-Lanesboro-Lohrville UMCs

Living in Humility

Discussion Questions

What do you have the least patience with in others?

How easy is it for you to ask for help?

When have you felt judged by others?  What was that like?

When have you judged other people?  Why do you think you did so?

Acting on the Word

Identify a person or group of people you tend to judge.  Pray each day for God’s mercy for them and ask God to help you see good in them.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29    The Golden Rule

Monday:         Psalm 37:1-11                    Psalm

Tuesday:         Matthew 9:9-17                Call of Matthew

Wednesday:    Matthew 8:18-27             Miracles of Jesus

Thursday:       Matthew 8:28-9:8            Healings of Jesus

Friday:            Matthew 9:18-38              Healings of Jesus

Saturday:        Matthew 10:1-15              The Twelve Apostles

Discussion Questions

What are your first memories of learning the Lord’s Prayer?

What version of the Lord’s Prayer did you grow up with?

Do you prefer memorized prayers—like the Lord’s Prayer—or do you prefer to use your own words?

Acting on the Word

Pray the Lord’s Prayer each day this week.

Daily Readings

Sunday:          Matthew 6:7-21     The Lord’s Prayer/Treasure in Heaven

Monday:         Psalm 145:1–13a   Psalm

Tuesday:         Matthew 6:22-24   Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday:    Matthew 6:25-34   Teachings of Jesus

Thursday:       Matthew 7:15-20   Teachings of Jesus

Friday:            Matthew 7:21-23   Teachings of Jesus

Saturday         Matthew 8:1-17    Healings of Jesus

Discussion Questions

How do you feel about Jesus saying those who face pain or struggles are “happy” or “blessed”?

How have you seen God at work in your life during difficult times?

How easy do you find it to see God at work in your life when everything is going well?

What does it mean to you to be the salt of the earth or the light of the world?

Acting on the Word

In difficult times this week, be alert to God’s presence with you.  Offer presence to another person who is struggling.

Daily Readings

    Sunday:          Matthew 5:1-20         The Beatitudes

Monday:         Psalm 1                      Psalm

Tuesday:         Matthew 5:21-26       Concerning Anger

    Wednesday:    Matthew 5:27-32       Concerning Adultery and Divorce

    Thursday:       Matthew 5:33-42       Concerning Oaths and Retaliation

    Friday:            Matthew 5:43-48       Love for Enemies

    Saturday:        Matthew 6:1-6           Concerning Almsgiving

     What does the reading say about what God is doing? What God expects of us?

Discussion Questions

When have you heard Scripture quoted and felt like it was being twisted or used as a weapon?

What tempts you the most?

When have you felt as if your faith were being tempted?

Acting on the Word

Pay attention to the voices you hear quoting Scripture or saying, “God says” or “the Bible says.”  At least once, take some time to do some Scripture study of your own about the topic or Scripture.  Pray for guidance to determine if Scripture or God’s will was being used appropriately or not.

Daily Readings

    Sunday:          Matthew 4:1-17         Tempted in the Wilderness

Monday:         Psalm 91                    Psalm

Tuesday:         Genesis 1:26-27         Creation of Humanity

Wednesday:    Genesis 3:1-7            Temptation in the Garden of Eden

Thursday:       Deuteronomy 8:1-10 A Warning from God

Friday:            Matthew 4:18-22       Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Saturday:     Matthew 4:23-25:  Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

Discussion Questions

When was the last baptism you witnessed?

What do you remember from the baptism?

What do you think baptism means?

Why do you think John was hesitant to baptize Jesus?

Acting on the Word

At least once each day when you come into contact with water, stop to remember the promises of baptism.

Daily Readings

    Sunday:          Matthew 3:1-17

Monday:         Psalm 2

  Tuesday:         Malachi 3:1-3

    Wednesday:    Isaiah 40:1-5

    Thursday:       Mark 1:4-11

    Friday:            Luke 3:1-22

    Saturday:        John 1:19-34

What do these passages say about Jesus and his purpose?  Thursday-Saturday: How are the other Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism the same as Matthew’s?  How are they different?

Discussion Questions

Do you enjoy star gazing?  Why or why not?

If you do, what is your favorite constellation?

Why do you think people read horoscopes or other astrology predictions?

How has Jesus been a light or a “star” in your life?

Acting on the Word

Go outside after dark one night this week and spend some time looking at the stars.

Daily Readings

    Sunday:          Matthew 2:1-12

Monday:         Isaiah 60:1-6

Tuesday:         Micah 5:2-4

Wednesday:    Psalm 72

Thursday:       Jeremiah 31:15–17

Friday:            Hosea 11:1–4

Saturday:        Matthew 2:13-23

    How is God at work in these passages? What are the connections between the Old Testament readings and the two Matthew readings?

Discussion Questions

How often do you remember your dreams?

Do your dreams usually seem like nonsense, or do your dreams often seem to have meaning?

Have you ever had the sense that God was communicating with you in your dreams?

Acting on the Word

Keep a dream diary this week:  each morning as soon as you wake up, make some notes about the dream(s) you remember.  During your prayer time, read over those notes and ponder whether or not God has a message for you in your dream.

Daily Readings

Sunday:       Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph’s Dream

Monday:      Luke 2:1-14, [15-20], Birth of Jesus

Tuesday:      Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds Visit

Wednesday: Genesis 15:1-21, God’s Covenant with Abram

Thursday:    Isaiah 7:10-17, A Sign of Immanuel

Friday:         Isaiah 7:18-25, A Sign of Immanuel

Saturday:     Acts 13:38-39, Jesus Frees

How is God with us in each of these passages?