Raising Your Relational IQ Discussion Guide
Sermon Summary 🎬
Our focus today is on Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower of Jesus, who experienced profound healing and transformation through her encounter with Him. Despite not being named among the twelve disciples, her dedication was such that the church later honored her as a saint and a disciple of the disciples. Her story is pivotal as she was the first to witness the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ.
Pastor Faith shared a personal story of her brokenness, a time when a physical injury led me to question my reliance on my mental faculties. It was during this time of vulnerability that God spoke to me through the image of a kintsugi bowl, a symbol of beauty in brokenness. Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with precious metals, illustrates that it is through our fractures and repairs that our unique stories of healing and redemption are told.
Pastor Faith shared a personal story of her brokenness, a time when a physical injury led me to question my reliance on my mental faculties. It was during this time of vulnerability that God spoke to me through the image of a kintsugi bowl, a symbol of beauty in brokenness. Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with precious metals, illustrates that it is through our fractures and repairs that our unique stories of healing and redemption are told.
Bible Reading 📖
Observation Questions 💬
- In Galatians 5:1, what does it mean that Christ has set us free, and what are we cautioned against returning to?
- Reflecting on Galatians 5:13-15, how does Paul describe the proper use of the freedom we have in Christ?
- Considering Joshua 24:15, what choice is presented to the Israelites, and how does it relate to the concept of freedom and service?
- How does Ephesians 4:16 describe the growth and health of the body of Christ?
Interpretation Questions 💬
- How does the freedom described in Galatians 5 challenge the idea of living under strict religious laws or societal norms?
- What does it mean to serve one another in love, as opposed to indulging in the sinful nature, according to Galatians 5:13-15?
- In what ways does the choice given to the Israelites in Joshua 24:15 reflect the importance of personal agency in spiritual matters?
- How might the imagery of the body in Ephesians 4:16 inform our understanding of community and individual roles within it?
Application Questions 💬
- Identify a rule or norm within your community that may be prioritized over relationships. How can you shift the focus to loving and serving others this week?
- Think of a situation where you have the opportunity to offer someone a choice rather than exert control. What will you do to respect their freedom?
- Recall a recent instance where you might have been quick to judge someone. What steps can you take to approach such situations with forgiveness instead?
- Consider a time when you received constructive feedback that was hard to hear. How can you create a safe space for others to give and receive such feedback in love?
- Reflect on an area of your life where you might be closed off to learning or growth. What is one action you can take this week to open yourself up to new perspectives or experiences?
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