Third Sunday in Lent
Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
1. God prefaces the Ten Commandments by saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (v.2) How does God’s saving and delivering work impact our understanding of each of the commandments? How does that same principle apply to our understanding of Christ’s saving work?
2. The Ten Commandments have both a vertical (relationship with God) and horizontal (relationship with others) dimension. How does this compare to Jesus’ teaching of the “greatest commandments” in Matthew 22:36-40? What do you think he meant by saying about loving God and loving others that “on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets?”
3. As you read through the commandments, are there any through which God might be speaking to right now for this season in life? What might he be saying, and how might you respond in prayer and action?
1. How do the “heavens tell the glory of God?” (v.1) In what ways have you experienced the glory of God in his creation? What about that experience seemed particularly inspiring or meaningful?
2. The second half of this psalm is all about the perfection of God’s word, saying that it:
revives our souls
makes us wise
causes our hearts to rejoice
enlightens our eyes
In what ways have these been true in your life? Spend some time in prayer giving thanks to God for his word.
3. Verse 14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” How might we be more intentional about honoring God with our words? With our thoughts?
1. What about the cross is “foolishness” to those who don’t believe? (v.1) How does that same truth become “the power of God” for those who do? How have you experienced the cross as “the power of God?”
2. Have you ever struggled with “demanding signs” or “desiring wisdom” above knowledge of Christ crucified? (v.22) How can we allow the Holy Spirit more freedom in our lives to keep us from those distractions?
3. What do you think Paul meant by referring to the cross as a “stumbling block?” (v.23) Have you ever experienced the cross in that way? In what good ways might the cross cause us to lose our footing from time to time?
1. How do you respond to this image of an angry Jesus? Is there something in his response to the money-changers that we can learn about “righteous anger?”
2. Do you ever think the church today is in danger of becoming a marketplace? (v.16) How can we respond when that happens? Are there similar attitudes that can take root in us personally that we need to ask the Holy Spirit to guard us against?
3. The Jews ask Jesus for a sign as a proof that he has the authority to do what he is doing. (v.18) How do you understand the authority of Christ, in the church and in your life personally? Can you identify at all with the resistance they showed to his cleansing and purifying work? If so, offer that resistance to God in prayer.
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As you finish, choose one of these four texts and let it guide you into a time of prayer.