Two Widows Teach Us All | 1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44

Two Widows Teach Us All | 1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44

Pastor Buegler

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Two Widows Teach Us All”

1. When we say “I believe” at the beginning of our creeds it is not simply a statement of our doctrinal confession, but it is actually a declaration of our commitment to a “lifestyle”. Discuss

2. God protected Elijah and took care of him…..but then sent him on a mission that took him out of his comfort zone. What is it about our mission to the American culture in 2024 that takes us out of our Christian comfort zone?

3. The two widows introduced to us in the Old Testament lesson and the Gospel lesson both teach us a lesson in the call to GO ALL IN……..to trust the Lord when He promises to provide for all we need in this life. Discuss a time in your life when you had nothing but FAITH to get you through.

4. First comes “I BELIEVE”…..than follows “OBEDIENCE”. You really can’t have one without the other. Discuss what happens when you disconnect them.
   

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Jesus Looked Hard Into His Eyes...And Loved Him | Mark 10:17-22

Jesus Looked Hard Into His Eyes...And Loved Him | Mark 10:17-22

Pastor Buegler

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Jesus Looked Hard Into His Eyes...And Loved Him”

1. The preamble to the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 has two parts: God says, “remember who I am” and “remember what I did for you”……Now, therefore HAVE NO OTHER GODS ABOVE ME. And then comes the other 9 commandments. Luther reminds us that if we could keep this first commandment….we could keep them all. Discuss the horror of IDOLATRY in our lives.

2. Pastor Buegler showed the picture Thomas Blackshear painted called FORGIVEN. What does that picture say to the rich young ruler that came to Jesus….and what does it say to us? Did you see the hammer in the man’s right hand? Blackshear says that’s the hammer by which we pounded the nails of our sin into Jesus on the cross. And yet, by God’s grace, we are FORGIVEN.

3. Jesus told the rich young ruler to “go sell everything and give it to the poor”. Yet, this account is not really about money (that’s coming next week). Today we are confronted with self righteousness. Why do even the religious “rules” sometimes cloud our eyes into thinking eternity is all about keeping rules. Isn’t our piety (rule keeping) important?

4. John Calvin said: “The human heart is an idol factory”. What are you manufacturing? What does society lead us to manufacture? If there is a throne in our souls….how do we make sure our loving God remains seated there through all our daily priorities and decisions? How does God’s Word and Sacrament, worship and fellowship, prayer and devotion help us?

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A Prayer for Koinonia | Philippians 1:3-11, Acts 2:42-47, and Luke 19:1-10

A Prayer for Koinonia | Philippians 1:3-11, Acts 2:42-47, and Luke 19:1-10

Pastor Buegler

Sermon Discussion Questions | “A Prayer for Koinonia”

1. The congregation in Philippi was very special to St. Paul as he sat in a Roman prison. He remembered them because of their “partnership in the Gospel”. Is there a congregation or a Christian ministry that you thank God for when you remember what they mean to you? Discuss your answer.

2. There’s an old question that is asked: “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is: “One bite at a time”. The mission of the church to seek the lost…..to make disciples of all nations…..but who of us is up to such a challenge? Discuss what your “bite of the pie” just might be. And aren’t you joyful that you are not in this mission alone?

3. As today’s culture closes its ears to the voice of the church of Jesus Christ, it should be easier to see that Christians don’t have enough energy to waste on fighting one another. Rather, we need more and more to thank God for the partnership we have with all Christians who speak the Apostle’s creed as their faith confession? Discuss the balance we must have partnering with Christian denominations other than Lutheran and yet not watering down our precious Lutheran doctrine.

4. Make a list of all the ministries we partner with at St. Paul. You’ll NEVER list them all. Which ones are you thanking God for today?

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Be Very Careful How You Live

Be Very Careful How You Live

Pastor Buegler

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Be Very Careful How You Live”

1. Read the “Beatitudes” from Matthew 5:1-12. Now read them again substituting the word HAPPY for the word BLESSED. Wow…..it just sounds awful, doesn’t it? So, what is more important when it comes to our inalienable right the Creator gives us to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”?

2. Discuss the challenge and testimony that Joshua gave the people of Israel as they entered the “promised land”. Are you going to choose the gods of this world? My house is going to serve the Lord. Make that a 2024 challenge for each of our houses. And how is it a tough choice?

3. So, St Paul tells us to stay connected to our Father’s will for our lives. If the Father’s will is defined by the MISSION He gave us to be Christ’s BODY, the church in this world…..discuss some says to stay connected to that MISSION?

4. When we think of the days being evil, why is it important to make the best use of our time as Christians? Remember, “work while it is day before the night comes when no one can work”. And why do you think the darkness of this world doesn’t not want to be

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Truth and Its Consequences | Mark 6:14-29

Truth and Its Consequences | Mark 6:14-29

Rev. Buegler

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Truth and Its Consequences”

1. Last weekend our Gospel lesson from John 8 told us that to know JESUS was to know the TRUTH that would set us free. This weekend’s Gospel tells us the consequence doing so brought to John the Baptist. He lost his life for the TRUTH. Discuss the physical and emotional cost of Christians today (here and around the world) when we stand up for the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD AND WILL.

2. King Herod could not handle the truth as delivered by John the Baptist. That’s more than a great line from the movie “A Few Good Men”, when an army general says to his adversary: “You can’t handle the truth”. What are ways which the world today just can’t HANDLE THE TRUTH of God’s Word and Will?

3. If the world doesn’t hear the TRUTH from the Christians living as His body in this world…..then discuss where “in the world” they will ever hear and learn it? What if we are this world’s only hope to distinguish the truth from all the lies Satan spews out? Do you see the eternal consequences?

4. Share some really practical ways you can learn, live and share the TRUTH from God that sets us free.

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Good Sundays Make Better Mondays | Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and Mark 2:23–3:6.

Sermon Discussion Questions | “Good Sundays Make Better Mondays”

1. Isaiah reminded us that we shouldn’t “trample on the Sabbath day”. What are some ways the world is walking all over God’s creative design for the rhythm of life?

2. Demanding Sabbath laws of about what we can do and can’t do on Sunday is just as bad as ignoring Sundays as though they are just another day. Discuss how you can strike a Godly balance and honor the Creator’s intent for the “7th day”.

3. In the “Sabbath Manifesto” Pastor Buegler shared 10 ways to “do better” on the Sabbath. Create your own 10 ways to make Sundays better. Share your list with family or friends.

4. How can you this summer “refuel” your physical life? How can you “release” some of the pressure you are under? How can you “refresh” your spiritual walk with Jesus…..the only true LORD OF THE SABBATH?

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