Question of the Week

Reading I Daniel 7:13-14 - Daniel's vision of one like the Son of man
Reading II Revelation 1:5-8 - Praise to Jesus Christ
Gospel John 18:33b-37 - The blood and water
Key Passage To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation: 1:5b–6)

Adults: In what ways is Jesus the ruler of your life?

Kids: How can you show that you honor Jesus as the king of your life?

Reading I Daniel 12:1-3 - Daniel's conclusion to the apocalypse
Reading II Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 - Christ's eternal sacrifice
Gospel Mark 13:24-32 - The Second Coming
Key Passage Jesus said, “Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:33)

Adults: What would you be doing differently in your life if you truly believed you would meet Christ soon?

Kids: What would you do for others today if you thought you would not have another chance to do it?

Reading I 1 Kings 17:10-16 - Elijah and the widow
Reading II Hebrew 9:24-28 - The sacrifice of Jesus
Gospel Mark 12:38-44 - Hypocrisy of the scribes, and the widow's mite
Key Passage Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43–44)

Adults: What are you willing to give out of love for God thatwould be a hardship for you?

Kids: What would you be willing to give up for someoneelse?

Reading I Deuteronomy 6:2-6 The Great Commandment
Reading II Hebrews 7:23-28 Jesus, the eternal high priest
Gospel Mark 12:28b-34 The Greatest Commandment
Key Passage [The scribe] asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:28–30)

Adults: Why is love of neighbor as important as love of God?

Kids: When do you show that you love God and your neighbor with your whole heart?

Reading I Jeremiah 31:7-9 - The restoration
Reading II Hebrews 5:1-6 - Jesus, the high priest
Gospel Mark 10:46-52 - The blind Bartimaeus
Key Passage Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith hasmade you well.” Immediately he regained his sight andfollowed him on the way. (Mark 10:52)

Adults: What have your eyes of faith helped you see in anew way?

Kids: What do you like most about the story of Bartimaeus?Why?

Reading I Isaiah 53:10-11 - The suffering servant
Reading II Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, compassionatehigh priest
Gospel Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 - Ambition ofJames and John
Key Passage Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to becomegreat among you must be your servant, and whoever wishesto be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:44)

Adults: Why is it hard to do good works if you will not beacknowledged for them?

Kids: Are you willing to do a good deed even if no one knowsthat you did it? Why?

Reading I Wisdom 7:7-11 - Solomon and the riches of wisdom
Reading II Hebrews 4:12-13 - God's living word
Gospel Mark 10:17-30 - The danger of riches— Jesus and the rich man
Key Passage Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Adults: How can the pleasures and comforts of this world become barriers to your relationship with God?

Kids: What favorite toy, game, video, etc., of yours would you be willing to share with someone this week?

Reading I: Genesis 2:18-24 - Second story of creation, the creation of woman
Reading II: Hebrews 2:9-11 - Jesus' exaltation through abasement
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12 - Question of divorce and Jesus blessing the children
Key Passage: Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)

Adults: What could keep you from embracing the kingdom of God like a little child?
Kids: How do you feel when you hear the wonderful stories of God's love for you?

Reading I: Numbers 11:25-29—Sharing the gift of prophecy
Reading II: James 5:1-6 - Saving the right focus
Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 - Sharing our possessions
Key Passage: Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. (James 5:4)

Adults: What are the three most important values motivating your daily decisions?
Kids: Could a poor person who is wise be richer in a way than a foolish person who has many things? Why?

Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-9a - Salvation through the Lord's servant
Reading II: James 2:14-18 - Faith and good works
Gospel: Mark 8:27-35 - First teaching of the Paschal event and the doctrine of the Cross
Key Passage: Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. (James 2:17–18)

Adults: Why should faith always lead to good works?
Kids: What good works can you do to show your faith in Jesus?

Reading I: Isaiah 35:4-7a - Israel's deliverance
Reading II: James 2:1-5 - Against favoritism
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37 - Healing of a deaf-mute
Key Passage: Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)

Adults: When has your faith in Jesus enabled you to speak out on an issue of importance?
Kids: What does your belief in Jesus mean to you?

Reading I: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 - Advantages of fidelity
Reading II: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 - Response to God's gift
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 - Jesus and the Pharisees
Key Passage: Welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (James 1:21–22)

Adults: Which words of Jesus provide the most inspiration for the Christian work that you do?
Kids: How do you welcome the words of Jesus into your heart?