From Cowardice to Courage
This week, while you meet with your Faith Group you may want to reflect on the sermon, using the following Scripture and questions as a way to begin conversation.
John 21:15-17 (NRSV)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
I love children’s books, this makes sense since I was a first grade teacher. I love children’s books for many reasons, but one of the reason is that many children’s books have a great message, not just for children, but also for adults. As I prepared for this weekends message I thought a lot about the book, You Are Special by Max Lucado. I have read it many times to children, but again, I think there is a message for adults too.
If you are so inclined I have included a link to a YouTube video of a reading of the book. After you watch the video AND after you attend church on Sunday, May 13 or have watched the sermon online, you will want to discuss the questions below with your group. However, you do not have to watch the YouTube video, attended church or watched the sermon online to answer the questions, but doing at least one of those things will be helpful. You can also discuss these questions outside of a Faith Group...but if you are not in a group yet maybe it is time to sign up.
1. What types of labels do people put on you? What types of labels have you observed people putting on each other? What types of labels do you put on other people?
2. What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? What does this mean for a woman? What does this man?
3. If you were sitting with Jesus on the beach what type of label or thing from the past would you need to allow Jesus to take care of? Would this be easy or difficult? What tools can help you let go of your stuff in a quicker, better, healthier fashion?
4. Why do we need to get rid of the labels or things? What does this sheading of the labels help us to do?
As you meet this week, I encourage you to also take time to open yourselves up as a group and dialog on the following Wesley Challenge question: Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disagree?
