26 June 2022

24 June, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

See the attached document that outlines the various stations for the prayer service this week.

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10 April 2022

8 April, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK

Prayer Stations Aim:

To enable people to engage with the last week of Jesus’ life on earth in a multi-sensory way

Biblical Reference(s):

Matthew 6:21, 20:28, 21:8-10, 26:6-7, 26:12, 26:14-16, 26:36-39, 26:57, 26:59-60, 27:15-17,

27:21b, 27:26b-31, 27:32-34, 27:37-38, 27:51-52a, 27:54, 27:57-60, Luke 23:21, Luke 23:34, John

13:1, 13:3-5, 13:14-15, 14:6, 20:1-2, 20:18, 20:19-20, Galatians 5:1, Isaiah 53:5

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Outline of Prayer Stations

Station 1: Hosanna to the King

Station 2: Mary and Judas

Station 3: The Servant King

Station 4: Not my will but Yours be done

Station 5: Jesus in Chains

Station 6: Jesus Suffers

Station 7: The Cross

Station 8: Dead and Buried

Station 9: Jesus is Alive

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. Hosanna to the King!

Our journey to the cross begins as Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey.

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

(Matthew 21:8-10)

The people hoped that Jesus had come as their conquering king to kick out the occupying Romans. A few days later, because Jesus didn’t fulfil their expectations, the same people shouted: “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

(Luke 23:21)

i) Look at the palm leaves on one side of the table and the palm crosseson the other side of the table. As you look at these symbols of love and hate, think about your own relationships. Can you be fickle; loving one moment and not the next?

ii) Jesus, the King, invites each one of us to faithfully follow Him. If you would like to respond to His invitation, take the first letter of your name from the basket, and stick it on the paper as you pray something like:

“Jesus, You are King.

Help me to faithfully follow You. Amen.”

2. Mary and Judas

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman (Mary) came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.”

(Matthew 26:6-7)

Jesus said to those in the room: “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” (Matthew 26:12)

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on

Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

i) Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Mary and Judas show us how true that is…..one loved Jesus and the other loved money. As you smell the fragrant oil and look at the silver coins ask yourself the question:

“Who or what do I love the most?”

ii) If you would like to, take a heart and on it write a prayer asking Jesusto become your greatest treasure, and then place it in the treasurebox.

3.

The Servant King

“It was just before the Passover Feast……Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:1, 3-5)

Jesus said to His disciples: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:14-15)

i) Jesus’ greatest act of service was to lay down His life so that dirty lives, rather than dirty feet, could be washed clean. As you look at the bread and the wine, symbolic of His body and blood given for you, thank Jesus for the incredible way that He has served you.

ii) Who is Jesus inviting you to serve? Whose “feet” can you wash? Wash your hands in the water as a way of offering your hands in service to Jesus.

4.

Not my will but Yours be done “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little

farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:36-39)

After Jesus had prayed, Judas appeared in the garden with a crowd, armed with swords and clubs, and Jesus was arrested.

i) Jesus was willing to drink the cup of suffering in obedience to His Heavenly Father. Dip your finger into the little cup with wine vinegar and taste it. As you taste its bitterness, think about the agonising decision Jesus had to make in the garden; whether to obey HisHeavenly Father or not.

ii) Do you have any difficult decisions that you need to make? Can you pray, “yet not what I will, but what You will Lord”? Now drop your little cup into the bin provided.

iii) Pray for anyone you know today who has a difficult decision to make.

5.

Jesus in chains “Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders hadassembled................................................................ The

chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence

against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.” (Matthew 26:57, 59-60)

Jesus was then bound and taken to the Roman governor Pilate who questioned Him and also found that that He had done nothing wrong.

“Now it was the governor's custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or

Jesus who is called the Messiah?”............. “Barabbas,” they answered”

(Matthew 27:15-17, 21b)

i) Feel the coldness and the hardness of the large chain and thinkabout how shocking it is that Jesus, God’s Son, was willing to surrender His freedom.

ii) Jesus took Barabbas’ place. He gave up His freedom, and Barabbas was set free. Jesus has taken our place too, giving up His freedom so that we can be set free from the invisible chains of our sins. Take a piece of playdough and mould it into a symbol that expresses freedom. As you lay it on the tray, thank Jesus for the freedom He has givenYou.

6. Jesus suffers

“Pilate had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

(Matthew 27:26b-31)

i) As you look at the crown of thorns, the nails and the scarlet robe, and touch the sharpness of the thorns in the basket, think about the suffering that Jesus was willing to go through for you. Jesus suffered not because of His own sins, but because of your sins.

ii) Even though Jesus suffered so greatly He never stopped loving the people He came to save. As you light a candle thank Jesus that His love for you is so great.

7. The Cross

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Description automatically generated]“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it…….Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.” (Matthew 27:32-34, 37-38)

After Jesus had hung on the cross for six hours, Jesus gave up his spirit. “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open……

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”” (Matthew 27:51—52a, 54)

i) Jesus died on the cross so that your sins might be forgiven and so that you can have a restored relationship with your holy, Heavenly Father. Take a piece of red wool. Think about the sins that you have committed and now want to turn away from. When you are ready, lay the piece of wool on the cross symbolising the fact that the punishment for your sins has been paid for by Jesus.

ii) Take a piece of white wool from the cross – and receive God’s forgiveness. Hear Jesus say to you: “Your sins are forgiven. Go inpeace”

iii) As Jesus was hanging on the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Sometimes we need to forgive other people when they have sinned against us. Pick up a tack and as you feel its sharpness, let it remind you of someone who has hurt you and who you need to forgive. As you choose to forgive that person, pray a prayer of forgiveness then lay the tack at the foot of the cross.

8.

Dead and Buried “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”

(Matthew 27:57-60)

i) It is hard to imagine how devastated Jesus’ disciples were after Jesushad died. Spend a moment thinking how they must have felt, believing that they would never see Jesus again.

ii) If you would like to, sprinkle a few drops of water (containing myrrh) onto the body and smell the “stench of death.” Use the hand-wipes to clean your fingers.

9. Jesus is alive!

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”” (John 20:1-2)

Peter and John looked inside the tomb and found that Jesus had gone but the strips of linen that had been wrapped around His body were still there. The disciples left but Mary stayed by the tomb weeping. Jesus appeared to Mary and said: “Mary.” After Jesus had spoken with her, Mary went to the disciples and said: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood am-ong them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19-20)

Over 500 people saw the risen Jesus over the next 40 days before He went back to be with His Father in heaven.

i) Death could not hold Jesus. He is alive! Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is who He said He is; the Son of God who came to be our Saviour. Take a chocolate egg and as you eat it, thank your Heavenly Father for His goodness in sending Jesus for you.

ii) Heaven’s door is now unlocked and open wide to all those who believe and trust in Jesus. We are offered the gift of eternal life. Pick up a key and as you hold it, thank Jesus for opening the door to eternal life that begins here and continues when one day He will raise us to be with Him forever.

iii) As you lay your key on the tray, ask Jesus to help you to keep following Him day by day.

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27 March 2022

27 March, 2022 Nathan Robertson

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Bible Reading (NRSV): Acts 12:6-19

6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17 He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. Summarize what happened in your own words.

5. What does the passage tell us about God?

6. What does the passage tell us about followers of Jesus?

7. What does the passage tell us about prayer?

8. What is challenging in this passage?

9. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

10.What am I going to do about it?

11. Who am I going to share it with?

12. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, teach me how to trust and pray in all circumstances. Help me to be more consistent in prayer and to trust you more and more. Lord teach me to pray. Amen

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20 March 2022

20 March, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

20 March 2022 Worship material

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Bible Reading (NRSV): Acts11:19- 26; 2 Cor 9:8-15

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20 But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”

2 Cor 9:6-15

6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What does the Acts passage tell us about Jesus or God?

5. What does Acts passage tell us about people?

6. How do you define generosity?

7. How do you define stewardship?

8. What do you think it means by God loves a cheerful giver?

9. What is challenging in this passage?

10.Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

11.What am I going to do about it?

12. Who am I going to share it with?

13. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve as you deserve, To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To labor and not to seek to rest, To give of my self and not ask for a reward, Except the reward of knowing that I am doing your will.

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13 March 2022

12 March, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

13 March 2022 Worship material

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Bible Reading Acts 10:9-15, 28-29, 34-36

9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What do you think God was trying to say in the vision?

5. What difference did this vision and event make to the early church?

6. What does this passage tell us about Jesus or God?

7. What does this passage tell us about people?

8. What is challenging in this passage?

9. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

10.What am I going to do about it?

11. Who am I going to share it with?

12. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your people Israel through whom the Jesus was born and thank You that there is no partiality with God and that all people may be saved by grace through faith in Christ. Thank You for my own salvation and I pray that many more Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free, old and young, black and white people from every race and nation may come to faith in Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting - in Jesus name. AMEN.

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20 February 2022

19 February, 2022

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Bible Reading Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). 37 He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What did the early Christians do?

5. What gave the people unity?

6. What does this passage tell us about Jesus or God?

7. What does this passage tell us about people?

8. What is challenging in this passage?

9. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

10.What am I going to do about it?

11. Who am I going to share it with?

12. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Dear God, we ask that you would fan into flame the global body of Christ so that its heartbeat for the Great Commission beats strongly. Transform us as we read your Word and pray for the good news of Jesus to be amplified as a song of praise in our lives. Use us in our homes, workplaces, ministries, nations, and world for the sake of loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, loving our neighbours with all the grace and mercy you give.

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13 February 2022

11 February, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

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Reading Acts 2:1-6, 22-24, 37-41

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.

22 “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What was the core of Peter’s message?

5. Where were people meant to do?

6. What does this passage tell us about Jesus or God?

7. What does this passage tell us about people?

8. What is challenging in this passage?

9. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

10.What am I going to do about it?

11. Who am I going to share it with?

12. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Dear God, we ask that you would fan into flame the global body of Christ so that its heartbeat for the Great Commission beats strongly. Transform us as we read your Word and pray for the good news of Jesus to be amplified as a song of praise in our lives. Use us in our homes, workplaces, ministries, nations, and world for the sake of loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, loving our neighbours with all the grace and mercy you give.

Amen

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6 February 2022

6 February, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

READ

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

DISCUSS

1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What did Jesus command his followers to do?

5. Where were they meant to do it?

6. What does this passage tell us about Jesus or God?

7. What is challenging in this passage?

8. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

9. What am I going to do about it?

10. Who am I going to share it with?

11. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Dear God, we ask that you would fan into flame the global body of Christ so that its heartbeat for the Great Commission beats strongly. Transform us as we read your Word and pray for the good news of Jesus to be amplified as a song of praise in our lives. Use us in our homes, workplaces, ministries, nations, and world for the sake of loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, loving our neighbours with all the grace and mercy you give.

Amen.

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30 January 2022

29 January, 2022 Rev Brian Hoole

READ

Luke 4:21-30

21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

DISCUSS

1. 1. How has your week been?

2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?

3. Read the passages again.

4. What is the context of this reading (what happens before and after)?

5. Why do you think Jesus chose this passage to read?

6. Why do you think the people got angry.

7. What do you find challenging in this passage?

- Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?

9. What am I going to do about it?

10. Who am I going to share it with?

11. Be prepared to share back next week.

PRAY

Lord Jesus as we hear your voice, as you challenge our pre-conceptions, may we grow in gentleness, humility and compassion

as we seek to understand and follow you more.

Amen.

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