Morning and Evening: Sunday, March 29

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 118

Questions:

1. What phrase does the psalmist want to make sure we know in the first few verses?  Next he begins to talk about his anguish.  How does remembering this phrase help us in times of trouble?
2. What is better than trusting in people or in the powerful?  Why?
3. What shouts does the psalmist say will ring out from the tents of the righteous?  Why do you think it is only the righteous who will shout this?
4. Which part of this Psalm was most encouraging for you?  The most challenging?  How is it challenging you to change?

Prayer Focus: Pray for our church, that God would use us to be a light for the gospel in our community.

Evening Study:

Evening: Mark 8:31-9:1

Questions:

1. When Jesus began to describe his upcoming suffering, how did Peter react?  How did Jesus respond?  Why do you think a disciple of Jesus would find it hard to believe that redemption could only come by suffering?
2. What did Jesus say anyone who wanted to follow him would have to do?  What does that mean for you?
3. Jesus asks a pretty deep question in verse 36.  What is it?  What things have you been treating as more important than your soul?
4. Jesus says in verse 1 that some of those standing with him would not die until they saw the kingdom of God powerfully arrive in our world.  Obviously he wasn’t taking about the end of time.  How have you seen the kingdom of God come into your world?

Prayer focus: Pray for the other churches in our community.  Pray that God would use all of us to help his kingdom come here and now in our world.