Worship Resources 01-28-24

January 28, 2024

Assigned Scripture

Matthew 12:46-50

⁴⁶As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”^[a]

⁴⁸Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. ⁵⁰Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Group Response

Following the weekly gathering, you’re invited to respond to the service by engaging in group discussion.

Discussion Questions

SUMMARY:

Much of the Christian tradition is being deconstructed today, not because it’s too radical, but because it’s not radical enough. In the Christian faith, and particularly in the Church, Jesus is attempting to redefine family. Who are our brothers and sisters really? And what does it mean to belong to them? What about our relationship with the Church would change if we treated it as our family?

1. What’s a good metaphor for the way most people think of the Church (ie Planet Fitness; Recharging Station; social club, etc)? What’s about you? How do you think of the Church?

2. What role does individualism play in the way we come to Church?

3. If the Church is a family, what implications does that have for our lives? How does it change the way we attend? Support? Invite?

4. What might you do to become more engaged with the Family that is your Church?