Our Resurrection Weekend services begin with our Good Friday Evening Gathering, March 29 at 7:00 pm, and conclude with our regular Sunday activities on Resurrection Sunday Morning, March 31!

Carefully Think

  • Read Matthew 13:53-58.
  • Where does Jesus leave (13:36) and to what town does he go (13:54)? What does he do there?
  • What was the response of those in attendance? Compare this to when Jesus finished the sermon on the mount (7:28, 29). What is similar? What is different?
  • What does the audience find so odd about Jesus' teaching? Why would they think this way?
  • What do we learn about Jesus' family from this passage?
  • What does Jesus mean by his statement in 13:57?
  • What does his refusal to do any miracles suggest about his ministry in that town (13:58)?

Prayerfully Meditate

  • What kind of attitude toward Jesus did familiarity with Jesus and his family create among the people in his hometown?
  • How can we create an atmosphere that expects very little from Jesus? How can we create an expecation and heart approach toward Jesus that is easily and deeply offended by what he teaches?
  • How do we see similar rejections of Jesus in our culture today? Why does our culture reject him so strenuously? How is this similar or different to what we see in this passage?
  • How can you develop an atmosphere of greater zeal, appreciation, and expectation for the truth of Jesus' ministry and a heart sensitive to welcome it rather than be offended by it?

Intentionally Act

  • How could/should this passage be a unique encouragement to your heart this week? What sins or unbiblical attitudes/expectations does this passage reveal in your own heart? Confess them before the Lord now.
  • How could this passage assist you in praying for people around you who do not accept the teaching of Jesus? How could this passage assist you in responding to those who may reject you because of your allegiance to what Jesus teaches? Spend time in prayer about these things now.
  • What is the most important action or adjustment you could make this week to develop a deeper sense of expectation from Christ and shake up any familiarity with him that tends to dull your heart toward him?
  • Pray for non-Christians who will attend this Sunday to be impacted by God's word in a way that brings them to a place of desiring Christ more significantly and savingly.
  • Pray for Christians to be encouraged and appropriately convicted of needed changes and greater affection for Christ.
  • Pray for those who will be leading our gathering on Sunday to lead with effectiveness in edifying the congregation: Dawson Bryant, music; Brandon Ferguson, Elders' Prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
  • Prepare yourself to sing with understanding and zeal by listening to the songs we will sing on Sunday and by thinking about the lyrics carefully.

Songs for Sunday

Lyrics

Morning Gathering - March 16, 2014