11/11 Sermon Discussion Questions

Sermon Recap:

• Pastor Tony compared a life lived for self with a bridge to nowhere.
• In contrast, he taught about the importance of investing one’s life in acts of compassion and service to others as Jesus did - caring for their whole person.
• Pastor Tony invited us to consider the feeding of the 4,000. “God, who in Jesus Christ revealed his compassion for human beings, turns to his followers—turns to us in the face of human need—and asks, “How many loaves do you have?  What resources do you have? Don’t you have something to share? Isn’t there something you can do?” 
• He suggested that whenever and wherever acts of compassion take place — within the church or beyond the church — miracles happen.

Questions for Reflection:

• When we look at all the needs of the world, it is easy to become overwhelmed, angry or to draw back in self-protection.  Without the help of Jesus, what are your natural tendencies when faced with hunger and need all around you?
• Pastor Tony suggested that God does not need us AND that God chose to need us. How do you react to those statements? How does this challenge your lived assumptions?
• Think about a person you know who offered their resources to meet your needs or the needs of others.  How did God move? 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see the needs around you this week and the courage to act, even in small ways.  

Continued Reflection