“Questions to God”
February 22 – Ash Wednesday
6:30 PM at Groveville UMC
“Living with Questions Doubts”
— Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 6:1-6
Focus Statement: Doubts about faith and life are normal. Unfortunately, Christians are often taught to view doubts as failing God. Isaiah teaches us that by bringing our doubts into the open, we allow God’s grace to fill us with peace and strength.
Sunday, February 26
“Who is God?”
— 1 John 4:7-19
Focus Statement: People often wonder who God is or if God even exists. Each time we give, receive, or witness love, we get closer and closer to our answer.
Sunday, March 5
“Is the Bible Reliable?”
— Hebrews 4:12-14
Focus Statement: As Christians, we must always remember the purpose of the Bible is to call us back to God by retelling the story of salvation that culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cheapen the Bible when we use it to promote our own agendas.
Sunday, March 12
“Why Should I Go to Church?”
— Psalm 100
Focus Statement: We might be able to believe in God, pray, and even worship alone, but in a community of faith, despite all its imperfections, we can connect, grow, and experience God’s love for us in ways we never could on our own.
Sunday, March 19
“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”
— Psalm 137 (secondary: John 11:23-35)
Focus Statement: It is difficult to understand how God could allow the pain and suffering we see in the world and in our own lives. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with Us”. Jesus reminds us that a better question to ask ourselves is, “What can I do to help those who are suffering and in pain?”
Sunday, March 26
“How and Why Do I Forgive?”
— Matthew 6:9-15
Focus Statement: Forgiveness frees us from resentment and turmoil. God, who knows us inside out, sees where our mistakes and failings come from. God loves us through it all, offers forgiveness as a gift, and shows us how to extend it to others.
Sunday, April 2 – Palm/Passion Sunday
“Why is Jesus Special?”
— Mark 11:1-11
Focus Statement: The world gives us a certain idea of what it means to be strong and powerful. Those same traits can so easily be – and often are – used to do evil. Jesus turns them upside down and shows how real strength and power lie in loving and serving each other.
Thursday, April 6 – Maundy Thursday
— Time/Location TBD —
“Are You Scared of the Future?”
— John 13:1-7, 31b-35
Focus Statement: The disciples were afraid of losing their positions of power in Jesus’ coming kingdom. So, Jesus beautifully teaches them the power of loving and serving others. Loving and serving others can free us from a life of fear.
Sunday, April 9 – Easter Sunday
“Why Be a Christian?”
— Mark 16:1-8
Focus Statement: The original ending of the Gospel of Mark has the women, because of fear, not share the good news of the resurrection. Mark’s first readers knew the women ultimately told the story, but Mark’s ending reminded them, and reminds us, that the resurrection story changes the world when we choose to let it change us.
