Question of the Week

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?

Reading I: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b - Reminder of the divine goodness
Reading II: Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32—Christian wives and husbands
Gospel: John 6:60-69 - Effect of the bread of life discourse
Key Passage: This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:32–33)

Adults: In what way has the example of Christian marriage (your own or that of another couple) helped you understand the relationship between Christ and his church?

Kids: What can you do for your family to show them Jesus' love and care?

Reading I: Proverbs 9:1-6 - Forsake foolishness
Reading II: Ephesians 5:15-20 - Sing praise to the Lord
Gospel: John 6:41-51 - Discourse on the bread of life, continued
Key Passage: Jesus said, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day." (John 6:54)

Adults: How does Jesus' promise of eternal life affect the way you live today?
Kids: How often do you think about heaven? Does it make a difference in the choices you make?

Reading I: 1 Kings 19:4-8 - Elijah's flight to Horeb
Reading II: Ephesians 4:30—5:2 - Vices to be avoided
Gospel: John 6:41-51 - Discourse on the bread of life, continued
Key Passage: Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:51)

Adults: When has the bread of life given you the strength you needed to face a difficult situation in your life?

Kids: What will you ask Jesus to help you with when you receive Holy Communion this week?

Reading I: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 - Manna in the desert
Reading II: Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 - Renewal in Christ
Gospel: John 6:24-35 - Discourse on the bread of life
Key Passage: So they said to Jesus, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?" (John 6:30)

Adults: When has your faith helped you believe without "seeing signs" from God?
Kids: Who helps you believe in things you cannot see?