Read Genesis 28: 10-22. 1. What does the word stewardship mean? How does it apply to our faith lives? 2. What does the word tithe mean? Why does God command us to tithe? 3. Why does Jacob vow to give God a tenth at the end of today’s passage? What can we learn from Jacob in this regard? 4. In what ways is tithing more of a spiritual decision than a…

Read Hebrews 12: 1-3. 1. In verse 1, what is the word “therefore,” there for? 2. Why is Hebrews chapter 11 sometimes referred to as the Roll Call of Faith? Look through that chapter and see how many names you can find. 3. What is meant by the “great cloud of witnesses”? Who is in your “cloud” that helps cheer you on in your faith? 4. What kinds of …

1. What does the word “faithful” mean to you? What does it mean for God to be faithful? 2. What does it mean for God to be faithful in his promises? Can you think of examples in the Bible of God being faithful to his promises? How about in your own life? 3. What does it mean for God to be faithful in provision? Read Matthew 6: 25-34. What does this…

1. What does it mean to you that God is just? How does God’s justice shape your view of His character? 2. How do we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the reality of His justice? In what ways do God's love and justice work together rather than contradict each other? 3. God’s justice is perfect, unlike human justice. How does this challenge the…

1. What does it mean that God’s heart is loving? How has your understanding of God's love grown or changed over time? 2. How do we reconcile God's love with the suffering we see in the world? How can we trust in God’s love even in difficult circumstances? 3. We believe that God’s love is not earned but is a free gift (Romans 6: 23). How does this c…

Read Hebrews 4: 14-16. 1. What does the word “grace” mean to you? 2. How is grace different than “mercy” that we discussed last week? How are they similar? 3. Pastor Mick said one of his seminary leaders used to say, “The answer is always grace.” What do you think of that sentiment? Do you agree? Why/why not? 4. What do you think about the Wesleyan…

Read Exodus 34: 5-9. 1. What does the word “mercy” mean to you? 2. Can you think of some ways others have shown mercy to you in the past? How have you shown mercy to others? How has God shown mercy to you? 3. Read John 8: 1-11 about the woman caught in adultery. How is this an example of mercy? 4. Pastor Mick talked about how we often want mercy fo…

Read Exodus 19: 16-20. 1. The word “holy” most literally means “set apart” or “separate.” In what ways is God holy? In what ways are you called to be holy? 2. What is significant about the opening phrase of this passage, “On the morning of the third day”? What is significant about the number 3? Where else do we see “3” show up in key Biblical passa…

Read Exodus 20: 17. 1. What does it mean to be truly content, and how does that look in daily life? 2. How does coveting affect our relationship with God and others? What are some examples of how covetousness can damage community and trust? 3. What role does gratitude play in overcoming a covetous heart? 4. How does our culture encourage covetousne…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 16). 1. What do you think of when you hear the word “lie”? What does “lying” mean to you? 2. Why is it is so important to always tell the truth? What can happen if we don’t tell the truth? 3. Commandment #9 refers to “false testimony” or “false witness,” depending on the translation. What do these terms mea…

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 15). 1. What do you think of when you hear the word “steal?” What does “stealing” mean to you? 2. What are some obvious ways people steal? What are some less obvious ways people steal? Have you ever done any of these? 3. Pastor Mick talked about integrity. What does integrity mean? How is integrity related …

Scripture for Study and Reflection: A team from GLUMC is participating in a reentry grant program through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections; training, mentoring and grant reporting has been facilitated by All In Community. 1. What is a reentry coalition? It is a group committed to helping people reintegrate into society after in…

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Read Romans 15: 1-6, 12-13. 1. What does “hope” mean to you? Why is hope important? What is life like without hope? 2. What is your hope for Grand Lake UMC as we go forward? 3. Read Isaiah 43: 19. How does that verse make you feel? Can you see it relating to Grand Lake UMC? 4. Read Romans 8: 28. Does that verse g…

Read Philippians 2: 3-8. 1. What does humility mean to you? Why is humility important, especially in the church? 2. What does it mean to truly forgive? Why is forgiveness important, especially in the church? 3. Do you ever find it hard to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive others? If so, why do you think that is? 4. Pastor Mick said that forgivenes…

Scripture for Study and Reflection: A lot of attention is given to Easter's Sunrise, celebrating the Risen Lord; however if we read a little further, we see a powerful interaction later that Easter at sunset. 1. Read John 20: 19-21. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples? 2. How did the disciples react? What were the disciples to do? 3. Read…

Pastor Matt Overman

Pastor Deb Ketcham

Scripture for Study and Reflection: Friday before Palm Sunday, Arrival in Bethany – John 12: 1-11 Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend time with his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Sunday, The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) Matthew 21: 1-11, Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 28-44; John 12: 12-19 On the first day of the week, Jesu…

1. What chaos is in your life, or affecting you? 2. Read: James 1:19-20 Colossians 2:7 John 10:10 Romans 5:4-5 Mark 8:34-35 Deuteronomy 30:19 3. After reading these, how can you let Jesus calm your chaos? 4. What repeated mistakes or same choice, are you continuously choosing, over and over, that is affecting your life in a negative way? 5. Will yo…

1. Read Psalm 22: 1-22. In what ways have you felt these same ways? 2. Read Psalm 22: 23-31. Have you ever praised God in the midst of being forsaken, despised, mocked, insulted, and/or bullied? It’s hard. How does the Psalmist respond? 3. As we approach Holy Week, what parts of Psalm are parts of the Passion Story (of Jesus’ suffering and death)? …

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What is your idea of a better life? 2. What does Jesus want for you? 3. What has Jesus done for you? 4. Have you had a spiritual experience? What happened? What was it like? Read Romans 8: 1-6. 1. In what ways have you been set free through Jesus Christ? Read Hebrews 12: 1-2. 1. In what ways is G…

Read 1 John 1:1 – 2:11. 1. In what ways have you been living in the darkness? 2. What have you done differently to live into the light? 3. What else might you do? 4. What is stopping you? Read Matthew 11:28-30. 1. John Wesley taught his followers to ask one another, “How is it with your soul?” So how is it with your soul? 2. In what ways are you we…

Read Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-17 and Mark 7:1-23. Communication is like 'a process by which information is confused by individuals through a conflicting system of emotions, behaviors, backgrounds, and desires.' The six distinct messages heard when we speak are: 1. What we mean to say; 2. What we actually say; 3. What the other person hears; 4. What the …

Read Matthew 5: 23-24. 1. Have you witnessed anyone going to another during a worship service to make amends? 2. How would you feel if someone came up to you during the offering to make an apology? Read Hebrews 12: 14-15. 1. What are some of the disagreements, issues, and problems which have spread throughout our church? 2. How did they make you fe…

Read Matthew 6: 5-15 1. The Lord’s Prayer is broken down into four sections, regarding how one should pray to God. Jesus taught the first thing is to offer praise to God. Do you begin your prayers with praise, or do you get right down to the reason for your prayer? How might your prayers begin if you began with praise? 2. The second part of Jesus’ …

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What is the hardest thing you have ever done or been asked to do? 2. Read 1 Samuel. Have you heard God speak to you audibly or in your head? What did God say? 3. Read the Book of Jonah found between Obadiah & Micah in your Bible. What country would you refuse to go to if God wanted you to go to t…

1. Read Daniel 1. When have you stood fast in your faith, yet worked in an environment that was different? What was that like? 2. Read Daniel 3. Have you considered whether you would suffer or die for your faith? Would you stand fast, no matter what? Why or why not? 3. Read Daniel 6. When has God rescued you? 4. Read Psalm 34. How do you glorify Go…

Read John 1: 6–28 and Matthew 3: 1-17. 1. What surprises you about these accounts? 2. Have you been baptized? When were you baptized? Where were you baptized? What led you to be baptized? 3. How did you feel? If you were an infant, how did you feel today as you reaffirmed your baptismal covenant? 4. In what ways have you lived out your baptismal co…

Read Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:10-14; Micah 5:2-5a; & Matthew 2:1-12. 1. These are the prophetic scriptures and the story from Matthew - to the Jewish people - to show from scripture Jesus was the Messiah. Write down how you are certain that Jesus is the Messiah. 2. What new background information, regarding the time of Jesus’ birth, did…

Matt Overman

Decide How You Want Your Holidays to Look: 1. List words or phrases of how you’d like your life to look from Thanksgiving to the New Year: 2. List words that describe how you do not want your holidays to be/ look: 3. List what you like the most about the holiday season. What do you absolutely love or want to do? 4. Consider/admit what you don’t lik…

1. Read John 14. 2. Verses 1-4 are often read at funerals. In what ways do these verses give you comfort and assurance that Jesus will guide you to the place He is? 3. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life; and the only way to the Father.” Do you believe this as a foundational Christian principle of faith? 4. How would you explain th…

1. Read Matthew 14: 13-21. 2. What would you have said if Jesus asked you to feed 20,000 people? 3. How did one offering become a miracle? 4. Read Luke 14: 16-24. This parable is more than a meal; it’s about accepting God’s invitation to include others. 5. When have you included people in your home gatherings that are not of your family or friends?…

1. What is your favorite Christmas memory? 2. What is your least favorite memory? 3. Why are the holidays so difficult for you or another? 4. What is your focus regarding the holidays? 5. Read Mark 13: 24-37. Jesus said to expect His return - at any time. If He comes at 5:00pm today, will you be ready? Why or why not? 6. Have you done as He asked? …

Why Are You Here? Four traits explain the apostles’ witness in the book of Acts—boldness, humility, tenacity, and urgency; these same four traits should characterize our witness. Peter and John constantly went around reminding the religious leaders that they had killed Jesus, a fact they were less than thrilled to recount. Their boldness astonished…

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. Read Luke 10: 25-37. 2. Who are you in this story, and why? 3. Read Luke 17: 11-19. 4. When all seems lost, who do you turn to for help? 5. What do you need to give up control over? 6. Why is this so hard? 7. Where is our “Go?” 8. Read Isaiah 40: 21-31. 9. What are God’s promises to you? Prayer f…

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. In what ways do you serve Jesus in and through Grand Lake United Methodist Church? 2. Are you aware there is a program in and through the United Methodist Church which helps equip and empower people in the church? Lay Servant Ministries has a multitude of classes that can equip and enhance your s…

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. What stories have your heard that have given you the hope and promise there really is life after death? 2. As Christians, we believe in the resurrection of the body, (stated in the Apostle’s Creed). Do you believe in the resurrection of the body or only a spiritual body? Why? 3. Read 1 Corinthian…

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection: 1. When is the first time you remember hearing about giving money to the church? What were your thoughts? 2. Over the years were you taught to give to God, or did your giving depend upon what was left over by Sunday morning? 3. Why do you think people become apprehensive when we talk about money in …

1. Why do you come to worship? 2. Who taught you to worship? 3. In what ways do you prepare for worship: Saturday night, Sunday morning, on the drive over, and as you arrive? 4. Do you come with the expectancy to worship, or to see what you can ‘get’ out of worship or the sermon? 5. Read Romans 12: 1. In what ways do you offer yourself in spiritual…

1. Why do you come to worship? 2. Who taught you to worship? 3. In what ways do you prepare for worship: Saturday night, Sunday morning, on the drive over, and as you arrive? 4. Do you come with the expectancy to worship, or to see what you can ‘get’ out of worship or the sermon? 5. Read Romans 12: 1. In what ways do you offer yourself in spiritual…

Wesley Covenant Prayer: I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield…

Spiritual Gifts: Apostleship – Read Acts 13: 1-5; Romans 1: 1-6; & Ephesians 4: 11-13. 1. What is an apostle? 2. What is their Spiritual Gift? 3. Who do you know that has this gift? Evangelist – Read Acts 8: 26-40 and Isaiah 53. 1. In what way was Philip drawn to the Egyptian eunuch? 2. What didn’t the Egyptian not understand? 3. How would you expl…

The Spiritual Gift of Miracles – Read John 2: 1-11; John 20: 30-31 and Matthew 11: 20-24. 1. Jesus performed many miracles. What miracles have you witnessed? What miracles are you aware of? In what way(s) did these deepen your faith? 2. The Gospels are filled with miracles. What other miracles can you find? Which one is most meaningful to you? The …

Discernment Read Acts 5: 1-11. 1. Have you considered, when you aren’t truthful, you are more importantly lying to God? 2. In what ways will this new understanding affect you? Shepherding Read Ephesians 4: 11-16. 1. What stands out to you in these verses? 2. How will you continue to move forward toward maturity in Christ? Hospitality Read Hebrews 1…

1. Read Mark 2: 6-8; John 1: 45-50. What knowledge does Jesus have about the people in each of these settings? 2. Read 1st Corinthians 2: 12-13 & 12: 8; Jeremiah 9: 23-24. How is wisdom understood in these scriptures? 3. Read Acts 6: 1-17 & Exodus 18. Why is the gift of administration important when working with a large group of people? 4. Read Luk…

Today I shared an overview of Tongues, Interpretation, Intercession and Prophecy found in 1 Corinthians 14. 1. What stood out to you? 2. What surprised you? 3. Read 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10. What are the nine Spiritual Gifts listed in Paul's letter? 4. Read 1 Timothy 2: 1-2. What Spiritual Gift is listed in Paul's letter to Timothy? 5. Read Exodus 31…

Read James 5: 1-6. - How does wealth destroy people? Read James 5: 7-11. - The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. In what ways have you experienced God's compassion and mercy? Read James 5: 12. 1. Compare this to Matthew 5: 33-37. How does Matthew's expanded version help your understanding? 2. What does swearing an oath accomplish, over a mere y…

Read James 4: 1-2, 7-12. 1. Who do you fight or quarrel with the most? Why? 2. When you don’t get something you want, how do you usually respond? 3. Why are we to submit to God? 4. What keeps you from submitting wholeheartedly to God? 5. What are your plans for the next 5 years? Read James 4: 13-17. 1. What does the person in 4: 13 presume about hi…