Sunday, March 27

Mark 8:27-30

• Pastor Richard explained that Christ is the source of individual ethics and systemic change. 
  • As you look at the current state of our country and our world, which of these two do you think is more acutely needed? 
  • Which of these do you think the church tends to focus on more? Do you agree with this focus? Why or why not?
  • Which of these do you feel like you need in your own life or sphere today?
• How has encountering Jesus changed the way you live?
• Pastor Richard emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in addition to the aspect of community. 
  • Do you tend to lean more on a personal relationship with Christ or on community?
  • How can you spend more time cultivating the one that is weaker of the two this week?
• What systemic issues weigh heavily on your heart and what do you think the church should be doing in response to those issues?
• When we are connected to Christ as our source, we can live out the characteristics that He embodied. Which characteristic of Christ do you find it most difficult to believe you could embody?
• Pastor Richard encouraged us to engage in corporate confession for the sin of systemic issues that hurt marginalized communities. Use this prayer of lament (https://www.missioalliance.org/a-prayer-of-lament-for-these-troubled-times/) as a means of confession. You can have one member read it while the group responds in agreement (i.e. “Lord, hear our prayer.”), have members take turns reading sections, or have the group read in unison.