Grand Lake United Methodist Church

Read 1 Peter 1: 3-51. How did the theme of “Becoming a Little More Like Jesus” during Lent impact yourpersonal walk with Christ? Which weekly key word resonated most with you andwhy?2. The sermon mentioned the phrase, “A lot can happen in seven days.” How does thetransition from the despair of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday help youunderstand the concept of “Living Hope”?3. Imagine being in Mary Magdalene's shoes—what thoughts or emotions might youhave experienced upon finding the empty tomb? How does her encounter with therisen Christ shape your understanding of hope?4. Pastor Mick said Easter is “proof that good overcomes evil...light overcomesdarkness.” What personal experiences or moments have reminded you of this truthin your own life?5. The Message translation of the passage says, “we've been given a brand-new lifeand have everything to live for.” What does this “brand-new life” look like for youpractically?6. The quote, “He didn't wait for me to get it right. He died knowing I couldn't, andloved me anyway,” was highlighted as a summary of the gospel. What does thisreveal about the nature of God's mercy? How does that change how you seeyourself? How does that change how you see others?7. If Jesus has done all the heavy lifting, why do you think our response of faith is stillessential? What does “faith” look like in your day-to-day life?8. Have you ever fallen into the trap of trying to earn God's love or approval, even afterbecoming a Christian? What helps you shift your mindset back to grace?9. The sermon introduced the “Romans Road to Salvation.” Which verse from that pathspeaks most deeply to you right now, and why? (Romans 3: 10, 3: 23, 5: 8, 6: 23,10: 9-10, 10: 13)10. “Living Hope” is not just for Easter Sunday—it's for every day. What does it mean foryou to carry that hope into your relationships, challenges, and daily routines?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and merciful God, we thank You for the gift of Living Hope through theresurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the journey from the cross to theempty tomb, we are reminded that You meet us in our weakness with grace that neverfails. Help us to live each day in the truth that we don't have to earn Your love—you'vealready given it freely. Strengthen our faith to trust in Your promises, and guide us towalk in the new life You've made possible, sharing Your hope with a world still in need ofYour marvelous light. May our hearts continue to become a little more like Jesus and alittle less like ourselves, anchored always in Your love and mercy. We pray all of this inthe name of our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Message - "Sacrifice"

Read Matthew 21: 1-9.1. What is the significance of Holy Week, and how does it shape ourunderstanding of Jesus' mission?2. How does the contrast between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixiondemonstrate the unexpected nature of Jesus' kingship?3. What does the phrase "With God, even when we're down, we're not out"mean in the context of Holy Week? How can we apply this to our personallives?4. Romans 8: 28 reminds us that "in all things God works for the good of thosewho love him." How does this verse speak to the peace we receive throughChrist?5. Jesus is described as the "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9: 6. How does this titlecontrast with the expectations of the people during His time?6. What is the significance of the crowd shouting, "Hosanna!" at Jesus' entryinto Jerusalem? What did they hope for, and how did their expectationsshift?7. In what ways did the people of Jerusalem's reaction to Jesus' entry differfrom their reaction when they shouted, "Crucify him!"?8. The sermon talks about choosing between "Jesus of Nazareth" and "JesusBarabbas." How can we sometimes make similar choices in our own livesbetween the peace that Jesus offers and the false peace that the worldoffers?9. Why is it important that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, was the ultimatesacrifice for our sins? How does this act bring us peace?10. In John 14: 27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."What does this peace look like in your life today, and how can you share itwith others?Prayer for the Week:Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible gift of peace that we find inJesus Christ. As we reflect on the events of Holy Week, we are humbled by thelove and sacrifice that You demonstrated through Your Son. Help us toremember that, even in times of turmoil, Your peace is greater than all the chaosaround us. Teach us to trust in Your plan, even when things don't go as weexpect, and to find comfort in knowing that You are always working for our good.Lord, we ask that the peace of Christ would fill our hearts, minds, and lives. Maywe be instruments of peace in a world that desperately needs it. Help us to carrythat peace to others and to live in a way that reflects Your love and grace. Weoffer this prayer in the name of Jesus, our Savior, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Read James 5: 7-11.1. What does it mean to be patient in the context of waiting for theLord's return? How can we practically apply this to our lives today?2. What are some areas in your life where you struggle with impatience?How can you grow more patient in those areas?3. Reflecting on the example of the farmer in James 5: 7, what does"long-suffering" look like in your own spiritual walk?4. Read Romans 12: 12. How does this verse challenge ourunderstanding of patience? How does joy relate to patience inaffliction?5. Why is it important to focus on God's promises when experiencingtrials? How do His promises give us strength to persevere?6. How does the example of Job inspire you when you face suffering?What can we learn from his response to hardship? How did Godultimately respond to Job's patience and trust?7. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 says, “Love is patient.” What does it mean for loveto be patient? Why is this important in our relationships with others?How does this reflect the nature of God?8. How can we support each other in cultivating patience during trials?What role does community play in this process? 9. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to bemore patient? How will you respond to His call this week?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and Loving God, thank You for Your patience with us as we liveand learn through the ups and downs of life. Please instill in us thepatience we need to truly love others the way you love us. Strengthen ourhearts and help us to persevere through life's trials with steadfast faith,knowing that Your promises are trustworthy and true. Keep us fromgrumbling as we patiently bear with one another, even carrying eachother's burdens. May Your Spirit fill us with hope and perseverance as weeagerly await Your return. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Read Hebrews 11: 1-2.1. What does the word “faith” mean to you?2. Take a look at all of Hebrews 11. Why is this chapter sometimes referred to as the“Hall of Faith”?3. Why does the phrase “by faith” occur so many times in chapter 11? What does thistell us about our own lives?4. Pastor Wendy Joyner describes life as a “glorious adventure” that we are to “viewthrough the lens of eternity.” She says we need to be “farsighted pilgrims.” What doyou think she means by all of this?5. Hebrews 11: 13 describes the Biblical heroes of the “Hall of Faith” as being “likestrangers and foreigners on the earth.” C.S. Lewis said, “The fact that our heartyearns for something Earth can't supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.”What do you make of this? Can you relate?6. 2 Corinthians 5: 7 says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” What does this mean toyou?7. James 2: 17 says, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Whatdoes that mean to you? Is faith more than what we believe, but actually how welive? Is this what it means to “walk by faith,” actually putting our faith into action?8. Hebrews 11: 16 says, “they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one.” Howdoes this relate to questions 4 and 5 above? How does this inform us about the waywe are to live our daily lives? How might this mindset help us through the difficulttimes of life?9. Becoming more like Jesus is a daily pursuit, shaped by trusting God's promises,enduring life's ups and downs with faith, and living with an eternal perspective. Doyou agree with this statement? Why/why not?10. What do you need to change in your life in order to become a little more like Jesus?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and Loving God, we thank You for the powerful examples of faith You havegiven us through the Biblical heroes listed in the “Hall of Faith.” We are grateful for theopportunity to learn from their trust in Your promises, their endurance through the upsand downs of life, and their eternal perspective. Lord, help us to be “far sighted pilgrims”like them, living life as a glorious adventure viewed through the lens of eternity. In sodoing, help us to become a little more like Jesus. Help us to trust Your promises evenwhen the road ahead is unclear. Give us the strength to endure challenges and trialswith unwavering faith, knowing that You are using all of it to guide us and to shape usmore into the image of Jesus. May our lives reflect His love, His obedience, and Hisperseverance as we commit to walk by faith and not by sight. We pray all of this in thestrong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, nowand forever. Amen.

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection1. When you think of the word "goodness," what comes to mind? How would you define God's goodness versus how the world defines goodness?2. Read Matthew 5: 1-12 (The Beatitudes). Which of these blessings stands out to you the most? How do these characteristics reflect the goodness we are called to live out?3. Jesus calls His followers “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5: 13). What do you think He meant by this? How does salt relate to the way we live out our faith?4. Jesus also calls us “the light of the world” (Matthew 5: 14-16). What are some ways we can be a light in our daily lives?5. In verse 16, Jesus says that our good works should glorify God. How do we make sure our actions point to God and not just to ourselves?6. In what ways can we preserve (like salt) and illuminate (like light) God's truth and love in our communities?7. Jesus calls us to let our goodness shine in a way that draws others to God. What's one practical step you can take this week to reflect Christ's goodness to those around you?8. What do you need from God to live as salt and light this week?9. Who in your life needs to experience God's goodness, and how can you be part of that?Prayer for the Week:Gracious God, You have called us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Help us to live out Your goodness in all that we do. May our words be seasoned with grace, our actions reflect Your love and our lives shine brightly for Your glory. When the world feels dark, let us be a light. When others are in need, help us to be generous. When we face challenges, remind us that Your goodness sustains us. May we bring flavor to a world that longs for hope and shines with the love of Christ wherever we go. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Read Luke 10: 25-37.1. What do you think the lawyer's motivation was for asking Jesus, "Whatmust I do to inherit eternal life?" How might this question reflect ourown attitudes toward faith?2. Jesus asked the lawyer, "What is written in the Law?" How would youanswer this question in your own life today?3. In what ways can loving God and loving neighbor become a tangibleexpression of your faith in everyday life?4. What is the difference between "works righteousness" and lovingothers because we are already saved? How does this impact the waywe love others?5. Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of the parable?How does this challenge your understanding of who your neighbor is?6. In what ways do we often judge others based on their differences,similar to how the priest and Levite passed by the man in need?7. What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself" in practicalterms, especially when those neighbors are different from you?8. How do you "read" or interpret the command to love God and loveyour neighbor? How does your understanding of this shape youractions toward others?9. Jesus emphasizes mercy and grace throughout this parable. How canwe extend these qualities to those around us, even when they don't"deserve" it?10. As we reflect on Lent and the command to "go and do likewise," whatspecific actions can you take to embody mercy, grace and love in yourrelationships with others moving forward?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and Loving God, as we journey through this season of Lent, wethank You for the powerful example of mercy and grace You have shownus in Jesus Christ. Help us to reflect Your love in all that we do, especiallyas we interact with those who are different from us. Teach us to love notjust with words, but with tangible actions that reflect the mercy and gracewe have received from You. May our hearts be softened, our minds open,and our hands ready to serve, as we become A Little More Like Jesus eachday. We pray for Your strength and wisdom to guide us in loving ourneighbors, just as You have loved us. We pray all of this in the strongname of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God,now and forever. Amen.