Going Further:

Introductory Comments:

•	The Going Further section contains five extra questions in addition to the questions raised in each study.

•	Supporting material such as Biblical references and Prayer Book References are included in some cases.

•	The aim of these questions is to assist the group in going deeper into some of the themes and further explore the material. 

Study One – Matthew 4:1-11

1.	The temptation of Christ can be found in Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13.  Luke and Matthew are similar, whereas Mark is short and to the point without the details of the temptations. Which of the three passages speaks to you? Why?  

The concluding verse in Matthew and Luke is different.  Matthew, “Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him” (Mt 4:11).  Whereas, Luke’s final verse is, “When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13). The Matthew text is much more comforting.  The Luke text reminds us that the devil is always around. 

What are the challenges we face in knowing that while the angels of God minister to us, the devil is “just around the corner”? 

What do these two verses say to us about living our day to day Christian life? 

2.	It has been said that time is a gift from God.  However, I often hear people including Christians, saying that they do not have enough time.  In what ways can we as Christians be wise stewards of the time God has blessed us with?  What may need to change for you?  

3.	In the Synoptic Gospels (see p. 11 of Easter Journey) various biblical passages appear more than once with slight variations, as highlighted in question one.  The Divinity School where I studied had an oral test that students had to pass before graduating. It consisted of 400 questions from the Old Testament and 200 questions from the New Testament,.  The reason for the quiz was to assure the Church that graduates knew the Scriptures.  The practice was to answer quiz questions around topic such as the resurrection or Paul’s missionary journeys.  I recall my quiz concerning the resurrection.  I had to make sure I knew the individual nature of the four Gospel accounts.  (As an aside I can still tell you the ones I got wrong.  I can not remember the ones I got right!) 
 
	It has been said that the sin of “bibliotary” is that people know about the Scriptures, but do not live them.  Share whether you believe it is important to people to both know and live the Scriptures. Explain why.  

4.	The word disciple basically means “leaner”. We use the same term when referring to the discipline of medicine or discipline of law.  The expectation is that people in these professions will continue their learning.  I hope my doctor continues to update his knowledge and skills. 

Christians are disciples or learners.  Share why it important to continue our learning and how you continue your growth in faith. 

5.	One of the Baptism and Confirmation promises is: “I renounce all that is evil.”  What does this promise mean to you in 2008?  How would you explain this promise to parents seeking baptism for their child?  The parents mention that they are concerned about the amount of evil in the world and whether God really exists?  How would your answer the parents who say that the world God created has ceased to be good? 

Study Two – John 3: 1-17 

1.	On page 12 of Easter Journey I quote from the musical Godspell: “we seek to know Christ more clearly, love Christ more dearly and to follow Christ more nearly.”  When these words were sung in May 1972, life was different, the Church was in a different place and the current state of technology had no been achieved. Godspell was a relevant way of presenting the gospel in that era. The musical is over thirty years old, but it message is just as relevant.  The message is the same but do we have to change our methods of informing people of Christ?  Share your insights. 

It is important that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is made relevant in each generation.  What are some of the ways we can make the Gospel more relevant today?  Share how you seek to know Christ more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more dearly day by day in today’s world.  

2.	Also on page 12, I mention that we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The way we do this will vary for each of us.  

When I was in youth ministry young people asked me why should they read their Bible and why they should pray and so on.  It took me a long time to realise that what they were asking me was why do I read the Bible and how do I pray etc. In other words they were asking about the importance of these disciplines to me.  

What are the some of the key points you would make in answering the question “Why you should read the Bible, pray and worship as a Christian?”

3.	On page 56 of APBA we have a Baptismal and Confirmation promise that was not included in AAPB; “Do you reject selfish living and all that is unjust”.  I believe this is a very good and relevant promise. 

Do you believe that you should have made this promise when we renew our baptismal vows at Easter?  Explain your reasoning. 

4.	Share your understanding of the Kingdom of God and what it means to you.   

5.	The Prayer on page 17 is a good description of how we should live the Christian life. Just as God is rich in mercy, slow to anger, full of tenderness and  compassion, and always ready to forgive; so too must we.  Share how you have addressed some of these attributes of the Christian life. 

Study Three John 4:5-42

1.	In the New Testament there are many references to water.  Some of the references from Matthew’s Gospel are:

a)	Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus was baptised with water in Jordan River
b)	Matthew 8:25-34 heals two men with demons and the pigs were drowned
c)	Matthew 10: 40-42Giving a glass of cold water to a person will be rewarded
d)	Matthew 14:22-32 Peter walks on the water and then lacks faith and Jesus holds out his hand
e)	Matthew 27:15-26 Pontius Pilate washes his hands of Jesus. 

As a group and decide on a particular passage and examine the implications for living out our faith. 

2.	The ministry of pastoral care is one of the hallmarks of Anglicanism.  Comments are often made about its effectiveness or otherwise. In fact within the Church pastoral care can be a real source of joy and blessing or disappointment.  

Several years ago I participated in a Lab 1 and  2 course.  The aim of the course is to bring the lapsed back to faith and the Church.  During the course the leader said that to be effective you have to make twenty-one (21) meaningful contacts with people.  At the time I thought this was ridiculous.  However, I now appreciate that I assisted in bringing people back to faith after 21 meaningful contacts.  I am now a great supporter of this concept. 

Do we spend enough time in making meaningful contact with people?  Jesus knew the unnamed lady, but used his knowledge to lead her to a new point of understanding.  What can we as a Church learn from the encounter between Jesus and the unnamed lady?

3.	Jesus and the lady had a discussion about what and where they worshipped.  When someone asks you to define worship and why we should worship, how would you answer? Why?  

There are many people who are unsure about how to worship. As a    group establish a quick ‘Beginners Guide”. What points would you include in the guide and why? 

4.	God has blessed us with different skills and he expects us to use them and to work together in building up the Body of Christ.  (Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:1-16)  As a group how can you use your differing skills to build up the body of Christ in your area? 

5.	Building up the Body of Christ, the community of faith in the Church is hard work.  At times it can be very frustrating.  That is why it is important that we have the support of others.  The Parable of the Sower and the Seed has much to teach us (Mark 4:1-20).  Share your insights especially in regard to seed falling on rocky ground, among bushes and in the good soil. Also consider what happens when the harvest is not always 100%. 

Study Four – John 9:1-41

1.	This passage highlights that some things in life are not easily explained.  In 2 Kings 5:1-17 Naaman was expecting God to provide a complicated set of tasks for him to do to be healed. 

Have there been times in your life where you have “complicated” the things of God?  If so, what insights did you gain that you can share with the group? 

Recall the healing of the ten lepers, (Luke 17:11-19) when only one came back and gave thanks.  I am sure all ten were pleased they were healed, but they didn’t actually say thank you.  As Christians describe how can we show our thankfulness to God for the blessings of life.

2.	Some people have trouble in understanding how God’s works in the life of other people, particularly in regard to healing.  Page 678 of A Prayer Book for Australia contains the following information. 

“Sickness is a reality of human life.   Modern medicine is a gift of God which has alleviated much suffering, and greatly facilitated human health.  The healing and saving work of God continues in many ways, is seen most clearly in the ministry of Jesus, and looks for its fulfilment of the kingdom of God.  Pastoral care as a ministry of the gospel of Christ occurs whenever the love of God sustains and renews people experiencing particular needs and stresses. 

Ministry with the sick draws together the resources of human compassion and skill, as signs of divine grace, and the promises of God.  Of first importance in this ministry is the relationship between those in need and those who care for them.  It is a mutual relationship, in which the vulnerable people minister to one another in and through the grace of Christ.  Those who minister in Jesus’ name bear particular responsibility both to be sensitive to each situation, and also to accept the responsibilities placed on them  as ambassadors of Christ to those in need.”
How do you respond to this statement?  What insights does this passage give you? 

“It is a mutual relationship, in which the vulnerable people minister to one another in and through the grace of Christ.” What does this sentence say to us as individuals and as a Church?  Share your thoughts and the challenges presented by this statement. 

3.	The nature of pastoral ministry has different meanings for people and is not easy.  The other week I heard a person say, that “X” was not that sincere.  I asked why and the answer was “he is looking at the next person he wants to speak to while speaking with you.”  The man healed and his parents are integral to this passage.  What are some of the ways you could have responded pastorally to each to them?

4.	Recently we celebrated Christmas and the Epiphany.  Both of these seasons focus on light.  In verse 5 Jesus says, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”.  In what ways can we be lights for Christ in the world today? 

5.	In this passage the man healed had to retell the story of what happened to him. Some people have to hear the story more than once before they understand it.  What are some of the challenges the Church faces in telling the Gospel story so that people understand it?  After the discussion share your insights and some action you think may be appropriate. 

Study Five – John 11:1-45. 

1.	Page 29 includes references to the seven “I am” statements of our Lord.  As a group, study each of these statements. As you study each statement ask yourself “How can I follow Christ more faithfully?”

2.	In verse eight the disciples remind our Lord of the possible dangers he faced.  Today we may not face physical dangers such as being stoned because of our belief in Christ. Yet, for some, being a Christian is not easy for a wide range of reasons.  In what ways can we support people in difficult situations?  In times of difficulty or crisis, how can we pray meaningfully?  What does it mean to draw on the strength of Christ? 

3.	If you are able, share a time when your faith was renewed or refreshed. 

4.	On Easter Morn many of us will sing the following hymn:

Jesus Christ is risen today,
        alleluia!
our triumphant holy day,
        alleluia!
who so lately on the cross
        alleluia!
suffered to redeem our loss,
        alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing
unto Christ, our heavenly king,
who endured the cross and grave
sinners to redeem and save.

But the pain that he endured
our salvation has procured;
now exalted he is king,
and the angels ever sing:

Anon., Lyra Davidica 1708 alt.
based on a 14th-cent. ms.
TiS 362

Using each stanzas this hymn as a meditation point, ask yourself how you need to use the remainder of this Lenten Season to prepare for a blessed Easter.  

5.	The Resurrection accounts (as listed below) vary in their detail, but all proclaim that God raised Christ from the dead.  

Matthew 28:1-10		Resurrection
Mark 16:1-8		Resurrection
Luke 24:1-12		Resurrection
Luke 24:13-35		The Road to Emmaus
John 20:1-10		The empty tomb
John 20:11-18 		Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
John 20:19-23 		Jesus appears to his disciples
John 20:24-29		Jesus appears to Thomas
John 21:1-14		Jesus appears to the seven disciples
John 21:15-19		Jesus and Peter – Do you love me? 

The group may like to examine in detail one of the resurrection accounts and ask themselves the following question,: “How can I/we more effectively prepare ourselves to proclaim this great and wonderful truth in two weeks time?”