Sunday Sermon - Walking the Way - Ordinary Faithfulness

Published: Jan. 1, 2023, 7:01 p.m.

An extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text is Luke 2:21-40 from the New International Version of the Bible.  Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube.  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

DIVE IN QUESTIONS

  1. How are you doing in your relationship and devotion time with God?
  2. In the average week, how many times do you pray? On your own or with others? Make sure to include prayers before meals, morning, nighttime, or bedtime prayers—including prayers with children/parents; include praying at church, opened-eyed prayers during the day, devotional times of prayer before or after a meeting/class.
  3. In the average week, how many times do you read the Bible? On your own or with others? Include any Bible reading or devotionals you do around the dinner table or at other times that include Bible passages (the Today, Wilderness Wanderings, a Bible app), include bible study or other groups where the Bible is read, and include church services too!
  4. In the average month, how many times do you participate in some other faith-connected or churchy activity? Bible studies, any other church activity, group, committee, care team, leadership role; volunteering to serve others in the community, with an organization, or giving financially as a response to your faith; Christian school activities, listening or singing to Christian/worship music.
  5. Add your 2 weekly numbers (from 3. & 4.): =__________
    Multiply that number by 4 (to make it a per-month number): 9=__________
    Add that number to your monthly number (c.): =__________
    Multiply that number by 12 (now it’s a yearly number): =__________
    Multiply that number by the average life expectancy of 81: =__________          
    Multiply that number by the number of people in our church (275ish): =__________
    Even a little bit of Ordinary faithfulness can make for a pretty big impact!
  6. What kind of “authentic” faith do you feel most pulled toward?
  7. How did ordinary faithfulness create the context for Joseph, Mary, Simeon, and Anna’s encounters with God’s work?
  8. What practices of ordinary faithfulness will you commit or continue to commit to this year?