“Why did Jesus have to die?” There are a few scripted answers to this question, a plethora of theological justifications, and perhaps just as many explanations and speculations. Perhaps “why” is too heavy. Likewise, “Who dunnit?” is too simplistic without nuance. And...
During this year’s Lent observance, we, along with several other area UM Churches, are participating in a series titled Who Dunnit? The people who wanted Jesus dead (see article). The series begins after Ash Wednesday on Sunday, March 9. In Sunday school, when we...
The water I will give them will become a spring, giving them life-giving water and eternal life. John 4:3-29, 39-42 Questions for Life Groups Read John 4:3-29, 39-42. Imagine yourself in the story finding Jesus waiting for you at the well (or water cooler) and asking...
God created us to live in communities and gave us each unique potential to contribute to the common good. In a competitive culture, rejection is inevitable. Sooner or later, we won’t make the grade; we’ll slip up or reach the end of an era where we can’t do what we...
If you want to, you can make me clean! Jesus reached out and touched him. Be clean! At once, the disease left the man. Luke 5:12-16 Questions for Life Groups Read Luke 5:12-16. Imagine yourself in the crowd with Jesus. What emotions might you be feeling as the man...
Fear motivates us to respond in one of four ways. Sometimes, we freeze and are unable to move. Other times, we run away. Occasionally, we move aggressively toward the source of our fear. Last, we may try to appease the source of our fear. Psychologists refer to these...
Jesus was having a meal in Levi's house. Many tax collectors and other outcasts followed Him, joining Jesus and His disciples at the table. Mark 2:13-17 Questions for Life Groups Read Mark 2:13-17. As you read this story, do you relate more to the tax collectors, the...
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs were first implemented in businesses and government hiring practices following the civil rights movement. A recent New York Times article cited a webpage on the U.S. Department of Labor website that defined diversity as...
The twelve disciples travelled with Jesus, as did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases, including Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had been driven out. Luke 8:1-3 Questions for Life Groups Read Luke 8:1-3. Describe what...
We begin our new series, Friends, as a precursor to our next series, which will examine the people and systems that chose to become enemies of Jesus. In doing so, we cannot help but notice the contrast as we consider current circumstances. Our companion devotional...