Look - Margins

LOOK

There is a saying:  “nature abhors a vacuum” – which means if there’s empty space (or “margin”), somehow it’s going to get filled up.  An empty room in the house seems to magically collect items until it’s filled to the brim.  The free hour you have in the morning gets sucked up by watching the morning news – and so on!

1.         Can you recall a time when you consciously felt you had extra margin in your life?  What caused that space in your schedule? 

2.         How long did it take for that space in your schedule to get filled up – or did it actually stay free space?

3.         Do you consciously try to keep some free time (or “margin”) in your daily schedule?  Why?

Took - Day One

TOOK

We have begun another First Day in our church year and at St. Nicholas! 

1.   (Other than the rain), What stood out for you on the First Day at St. Nick’s new location?

2.   Have you started working on your wish list?  What have you done so far?

3.   Thinking as big as you can, what wish list item can you give to others in the world around you? 

Book - Day One

BOOK – Matthew 24:36-44

Jesus answers the disciples’ questions regarding the end of the age.

1.      Do you think the disciples were hoping for a different type of answer?

2.      What do you find most challenging about this answer?   Why?

3.      How does Jesus expect us to “be ready”?

Matthew 24:36-44

Jesus said to the disciples, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Look - Day One

The first day:  Of school!  Of a new job!  Of a new house!  And on and on – first days can be very exciting, can turn out to be really bad, and can take loads of preparation to get ready for.

1.         What first days have you experienced that stand out for you?  Why? 

2.         Do you have a worst first day, or a best first day story?  Share . . .

3.         How did you prepare for those first days?  Could you have used even more time to prepare?

Took - Grace and Love

TOOK

We, the people of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, are about to get back in our canoe and journey to a new place to worship our God, as we do so, we must prepare for some ‘good-byes’ as well.

1.    What is the most important thing we take with us?

2.    What are you looking forward to the most about the church’s upcoming changes?

3.    If you are worried about the upcoming changes, can you turn the worry over to Jesus?  

Book - grace and love

BOOK - Luke 21:5-19

Christ tells of the pending destruction of the temple, and the changes we will face in our lives. 

1.    How do you feel about the “opportunity” Jesus mentions in this passage?  

2.    Can you stand the thought of being hated by all?  

3.    We are told not to prepare for He will have the answers for us when we need them.  What is your reaction to this?

Luke 21:5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.
"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."