Nov 30th Small Group News!

Happy Post-Thanksgiving Ladies & welcome back to another night of Small Group!

Tonight's guest is 'The Widow with Two Coins'.

Though extremely poor, she is one of the most great-hearted people in the Bible. Just after warning his disciples to watch out for teachers of the law, who devour widow's houses, Jesus caught sight of her in the temple. He may have called attention to her as a case in point.

Her story can be found in Mark 12:41-44  |  Luke 21:1-4

Our questions for the night are...

1. Why would Jesus watch people putting money into the offering? What do you think he was looking for?
2. What did Jesus see about the woman that others in the crowd missed? What might Jesus see about you that others around you might miss?
3. What was significant about the widow's offering? Why do you think Jesus pointed the widow's offering out to his disciples? What did he want them to think, to understand?
4. How does the widow's offering compare to the offering Jesus was about to make? What was similar about it? What was different?

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Nov 23rd Small Group News!

Hello Ladies!

As most of you know we moved this weekend to our final apartment.  In the midst of all the unpacking I plumb forgot to send this as an email update!  

Tonight at 8 pm we will be discussing...

Please see your books for the scripture and the questions.

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

Nov 16th Small Group News!

Well, hello there! I am so very glad to know that we will be spending another Monday together! We meet Monday, November 16th at 8 pm.

Before I post the Monday night update, I wanted to take a moment to ask that we all spend some time in prayer for the families and nations that were attacked this last week.  Both Paris and Lebanon have been dealt a horrible tragedy with the recent terrorist attacks, many lives were lost, and so many more were altered in the face of such despicable actions.

Thank you for your prayers!

Tonight's lady we will be discussing is Mary of Bethany.

Mary appears to have been a single woman, totally devoted to Jesus. The gospel portrays her, by way of contrast with her sister, Martha, as a woman of few words. As Jesus neared the time of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to Passover, she performed a gesture of great prophetic significance, one that offended Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

Her story can be found in: Matthew 26:6-13  |  Mark 14:3-9  |  Luke 10:38-42  |  John 11:1-12:11

Our questions for the night are...

1. Do you hear verse 32 as an accusation, a statement of fact, or what? Why? (John 11:32)
2. Put yourself in Mary’s place. Your brother, who lives with you and supports you, has died. Then Jesus raises him. How do you react?
3. Why do you think Mary made such an extravagant gesture, using perfume worth a year’s wages?
4. Could Mary or anybody else at this dinner have predicted that Jesus might be arrested in less than a week? What makes you say that?
5. How can you express your love for Jesus? Where does money fit in, if at all?

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

Nov 9th Small Group News!

Welcome to another night of great Bible study and amazing fellowship!

Join us Monday, November 9 at 8 pm as we discuss Martha.

Active and pragmatic, she seemed never at a loss for words. Though Jesus chastised her for allowing herself to become worried and upset by small things, she remained his close friend and follower.

Her story can be found in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:1-12:3

Our questions for the night are...

1. What do the words "opened her home" (10:38) tell you about Martha?
2. Often, this story puts Martha in a negative light and Mary in a positive one. Do you think that's fair? Why or why not?
3. Martha was frank with Jesus. What does that tell you about her relationship with him? Why do you think she complained to Jesus instead of going directly to Mary?
4. If Jesus were to come visit you today, would you busy yourself with preparations, as Martha did, or sit at his feet, like Mary? Which position would you be most comfortable with?

Food for thought:

Read John 11:27

We often study Martha and her shortcomings. However, this statement, made after her brother, Lazarus, had died, reveals another side of Martha. What does her declaration here tell you about who Martha really was?

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.

Nov 2nd Small Group News!

I'm so happy to announce another night of wonderful Bible Study with an awesome group of Ladies! 

I can hardly believe it's already November!  This month is all about thankfulness, and as we take a few moments to ponder what we are truly thankful for, I would like to say that I am so thankful that Christmas is only 7 Fridays away!  ;)

Join Authentic Living Ministries tomorrow night, Monday, Nov 2nd, at 8 pm as we discuss the Syrophoenician Woman.

Though a Gentile, she addressed Jesus as "Lord, Son of David." Her great faith resulted in her daughter's deliverance.  Her story can be found in Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30

Our questions for the night are...

1. This woman was not an Israelite. What might have been her response to Jesus' statement that he had come "only to the lost sheep of Israel"? Why do you think she didn't give up?
2. How persistent are you in prayer?  Do you give up easily? Or do you keep praying until you get a definite answer? 
3. What was meant by the "crumbs" in verse 27? What was this woman saying?
4. When have you asked for little and received much? Were you surprised? How often do we settle for the "crumbs" when Jesus really wants to give us the whole loaf?

Food for Thought:

When a needy person approaches you, do you respond like Jesus or like his disciples? How do you respond if the person is emotionally needy-continually sticking close to you, interrupting your conversations with others, asking questions you can't answer, and generally wanting more than you wish to give?

If you’re reading this on the Blog and not in your email box, and would like to join Small Group, follow these instructions…

• REGISTER your email to get Small Group updates!  Look to the top right of the Blog, put your email in, and don’t forget to ‘activate’ your registration through the link that will be emailed to you by Feedburner.
• JOIN SMALL GROUP by going to the Join Small Group tab and follow the instructions found there.