‘Be friendly with everyone…’ (Romans 12:16)

How easy is it to do as Paul suggests here and what do we do if we do indeed find this difficult?

‘I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand…’ (Isaiah 41:13)

Think back to when you were a young child and how reassuring and comforting it was to take hold of a parent’s hand when you felt unsure or uncertain about something.  The simple action of reaching out and placing your small hand in theirs made all the difference. How much more comforting then to know that the Lord is always there to hold our hand and guide us through all that we face each and every day.

John 3:16 is possibly the most well known verse in the entire Bible, and one which is quoted and used so often, however, it is possibly not part of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Scholars believe that it is more likely John providing a commentary on his words. Nevertheless, it is much loved because of all the truth that is encompassed in so few words. However, it does need to be seen within the context that we have it, rather than reading it in isolation.

Read John 3:14-21  and Numbers 21:4-9

1. When the Israelites got impatient with God, especially in difficult times, they turned to other gods to see if they might help. Is this something we are guilty of at times too?
2. When things go wrong in our lives who do you blame? Is there a temptation to attribute a measure of blame to God for not sorting it out?
3. What do we understand by the reference to the serpent being lifted up in the manner described in these verses and is it confusing to us?
4. What do we understand by the phrase Born Again. Is it helpful? Is it misused?
5. Does the reading together of John 3:16-17 change the way that you understand Jesus’ ultimate purpose?

The Good News of the Gospels is that Jesus came that people might see the Light of God shining through the darkness, and believe. That is the overriding message from Jesus in his final words to Nicodemus and from John as he emphasizes the saving nature of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Read John 2:13-22

1. With all the hustle and bustle of the business in the Temple courtyards it might have been impossible for anyone to find in peace in their time of worship. How important is a time of silence within our worship?
2. In our society today, Sunday has just become like any other day in terms or trade, commerce and business. What can we as a Church do that might make a change to this?
3. John quotes Psalm 69 about Jesus. However, Zeal for your house consumes me… is actually the Psalmist’s plea to his God to act against those who were persecuting him and making life a misery, and yet this in John’s story is at the start of Jesus’ ministry. What is he telling us?
4. Those in the Temple, the authorities as well as traders and moneychangers failed to perceive the presence of God within their midst. Where and in what conditions do you find it easiest to feel a closeness to the divine?
5. Jesus speaks of God’s presence being in a person rather than in a building. How do we explain this to anyone who might come to us enquiring of our faith?

Read Mark 8:31-38

1. Which part of this passage do we find most challenging?
2. In our passage Peter gets a strong rebuke for taking Jesus aside and tries to get Him to stop all this talk of death and suffering, but can we empathise with Peter as he struggles to understand why Jesus had to walk this particular path?
3. What do we understand by the saying, the way of the world?
4. Mark tells us that Jesus spoke plainly to those listening. In today’s terms we might say he was completely up front and held nothing back. Are we like this when we witness to our Lord, or are we guilty of saying only what we think those listening might want to hear and missing out on those more difficult and uncomfortable parts of what it means to follow Jesus – like carrying our own cross and all it implies.
5. When Jesus asks, what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul…what do we understand by this?
6. How would we explain the cross we are asked to carry?

For the last 3 weeks I have been doing an online Bible study which a number of people have taken part in. My intention is to start putting these on the Daily Reflection page on a Wednesday, however, between now and then I will post the ones that we have already covered with questions to reflect upon.

Read Mark 1:1-11

1. Baptism has been at the heart of our Christian faith from the very beginning, however, when we look at this passage, has the Church got the balance right between Baptism being seen as a welcome and a call to repentance?
2. The waters of the River Jordan and the Baptism itself are clearly symbolic of cleansing, but is that how we actually view Baptism? Are such symbols important in our spiritual lives, and if so, what might they be?

Read 1 Peter 3:8-22

1. In this passage the writer appears to link Baptism to a change of behaviour – an eagerness to do good, even when provoked. Why might this be? And do we as a Church have a part to play in encouraging such behaviour among youngsters who are Baptised in our Church?
2. Peter also tells his readers to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope they have. Are we prepared and ready to do this?
3. Mark’s use of the phrase, ‘heaven being torn open’, could in a sense be a visual picture of those moments when experience the closeness of God in our lives, rather like an invisible curtain being drawn aside. But do we leave space in our lives for this to happen and if not what could we try and do during Lent to help with this.

‘The Lord is near to those who call on Him…’ (Psalm 145:18)

Have you called on the Lord today?

‘I know the plans I have for you…’ (Jeremiah 29:11)

What plans does God have in place for you? What destiny has He in store for you? Take time now to come to the Lord and enquire of Him the path that He would have you take.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart…’ (Proverbs 3:5)

How easy do we find it to trust someone? What does a person need to do in order to gain that trust? How do we feel if that trust is then either abused or betrayed? Is it possible to truly trust another person with all of our heart?

Questions like these, although we may not be openly conscious of them, are ones that we all face in our daily lives in our many situations and interactions with other people and the answer to each of them may vary depending on that person or that situation, causing us all sorts of dilemmas.

With the Lord, however, there should be problems or know dilemmas. Through His Son God has fulfilled His promises to us once and for all, revealing His great love for us and reconciling us to Himself. Therefore, we have no reason whatsoever to not trust the Lord. But do we trust Him with all our hearts – or do we hold back at times?