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Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

Read Luke 8:42b-48.

1. So far in this \\u201c8:46\\u201d sermon series, we\\u2019ve looked at passages that involve conflict. I Kings addressed the impending split of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms and John addressed the conflict between Jesus and the leaders of the Jewish tradition. How is today\\u2019s passage from Luke similar? (Hint:think about clean/unclean) How is it different? (Hint:think about healing)

2. In today\\u2019s passage, the woman with the hemorrhage had tried everything (many doctors and all her money) to find a cure for her bleeding, but none of it worked. Only when she turned to Jesus in faith was she healed. When have you acted like this woman, turning to Jesus only after all human endeavors proved unsuccessful?

3. The parallel story in Mark\\u2019s gospel not only says the woman\\u2019s bleeding stopped when she touched the hem of Jesus\\u2019 garment, but it says \\u201cshe was freed from her suffering.\\u201d How might this healing have been more than just physical? (Hint:think clean/unclean again)

4. What did you think about 526 being another way of saying 8:46 (8 minutes and 46 seconds = 526 seconds)? Is this simply a weird coincidence, or is God using this to get our attention and point us toward his healing?

5. By Googling \\u201c526,\\u201d Pastor Mick learned about the political experiment \\u201cAmerica In One Room.\\u201d This program helped many hard-core folks see things from a different perspective. How might the world benefit from more discussions like this?

6. Pastor Mick said, \\u201cI think the Church could learn a lot from the America In One Room experiment.\\u201d What do you think he meant by that? Do you agree? Why/why not?

7. Pastor Mick shared some song lyrics from \\u201cCity on the Hill\\u201d by Casting Crowns. How did that song make you feel? What happens when we let our differences divide us?

8. How might a new perspective enable us to allow God to use us like leaven in the loaf so we can be that city on the hill?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and Loving God, forgive us for the times we allow ourselves to conform to the sinful patterns of this world. Help us to do better. Give us a new perspective so we can recognize and confess areas of our lives that are incongruent with your will. Help us to humbly approach your throne of grace in search of your healing presence. May our lives be holy and pleasing to you as we become the leaven in the loaf. We pray all of this in the strong name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.