TLC
John 10:11-18
The good “gardener” tenderly loves & cares for his “vine”

Current Series:
Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits

Study & Share Insert
...#6. Christian community is modeled on the connection between Jesus & his Father (v15); listening to his voice gives it unity (v16); they know each other as ones for whom Jesus died (vv11, 15); the love of God is shared through his death (vv17-18). How does this challenge your assumptions about congregational life & “membership”? How is Jesus’ death & God’s love evident in your congregation’s ministries? How does this all make it OK & healthy & good for you when you don’t get your way in the congregation? When your opinion doesn’t hold? When your wants aren’t addressed?

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2021-04-25_Easter4

Nourishment
Acts 3:19
Without Holy Communion to nourish us, our living, growing life is stunted. 

Current Series:
Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits

Study & Share Insert
...#3. Review the Large Catechism’s teaching about Holy Communion, esp. paragraphs 21-30, 40-41, 53, 59-60, 70-79. How does the Lord’s Supper nourish you? How do you know you need its nourishment? LC available <bookofconcord.org>

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2021-04-18_Easter3

Fresh Air
John 20:19-31
The gift of the Holy Spirit delivers the Resurrection’s benefits to us

Current Series:
Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits

Study & Share Insert
...#2. What does St. John write about the purpose of his book (v31)? How is St. Thomas’ exclamation (v28) the climax of the story? See John 5:24, 37-47, 6:26, 35-51, 60-71, 8:12-47, 9:24-41; cf. 20:30, 21:25

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2021-04-11_Easter2

New Life
Mark 16:1-8
Jesus is a living person; he gives his gift of new life to us. 

Current Series:
Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits

Study & Share Insert
...#1. Review the “Passion Predictions” referenced in v7- Mark 8:31, 9:30-31, 10:33-34, 14:27-28 (see also 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). How do they shed light on the following Old Testament passages  which model/prophesy/suggest the Messiah’s resurrection (Genesis 3:15, 22:1-18 (cf. Hebrews 11:17-19); Psalm 2:7 (cf. Acts 13:33), 16:1-11 (cf. Acts 2:25-28, 13:35-37), 22:1-31 esp. vv14-15, 25-27, 40:1-3, 110:1; Job 14:4, 19:25-26; Isaiah 53:8-10; Hosea 6:2; Zechariah 12:10; Jonah 1:17 (cf. Matthew 12:40)). Note: at least some are not immediately obvious.

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2021-04-04_Easter1