Making straight

The Way is not only where we walk, it is HOW we walk.

Sermon Summary

Summary: This sermon focuses on the significance of waiting, continuing, and repenting as believers embrace and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. It explores the book of Mark and how it reveals Jesus as the Messiah and the importance of repentance. John the Baptist serves as an example of humility, boldness, and commitment in proclaiming the Gospel. Believers are encouraged to wait eagerly for Christ’s second coming, actively live out their faith, and constantly engage in personal repentance and examination of their lives. The sermon emphasizes the responsibility to share the Good News and learn from the steadfastness of early Christian communities.

Ice Breaker 🧊

Explore the different ideas of interpreting “Way.” Is it the path or is it our actions on the path? How can we make straight the path if we spend all our times on trivial and hurtful actions?

Discussion Questions 💬

1. How can we practice patient anticipation and readiness while waiting for Christ’s second coming?
   • 2 Peter 3:14-15 encourages believers to wait eagerly for Christ’s return but also to actively live out our faith.
   • What specific actions can you take to be more prepared and engaged in your faith while waiting?
2. What lessons can we learn from John the Baptist’s life that can help us in proclaiming and living out the Good News?
   • John the Baptist exemplified humility, boldness, and unwavering commitment to God’s mission.
   • Which of these qualities do you feel you could strengthen in your own life, and how can you work on them?
3. Why is ongoing repentance important for believers and how does it change our relationship with Christ?
   • Mark 1:4 reminds us that repentance is a transformative process that helps us align our lives with Christ’s teachings.
   • In what areas of your life do you need repentance, and how can you work on improving in those areas?
4. With the urgency to continue proclaiming the Good News, how can we be inspired by the early Christian communities in our own faith?
   • The early Christian communities displayed unwavering steadfastness and perseverance in their faith.
   • What are some specific ways you could emulate their steadfastness and perseverance in your own faith journey?
5. How can we actively engage in personal repentance and examination of our lives to better align them with Christ’s teachings?
   • The sermon emphasized the ongoing need for personal repentance and self-evaluation.
   • What practices or habits can you implement to regularly examine your life and seek personal repentance?

🙏 Prayers

Take time to reflect on the past week. To help centre your thoughts, light a candle and pray “Jesus is the light of the world. Help me as I endeavour to shine as a light in the world, baptised in the Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.”

Some people may find it helpful to have a pen and paper handy. Writing down your thoughts and reflections in prayers is sometimes easier with at pen at hand.

At what times did I stray either from the Way, or in the Way I was walking?

Consider this in terms of thoughts, words and deeds, and what I have failed to do.

At our baptism, we are asked to repent and turn to Christ. How do we ‘turn around’ and begin again?

For all of the above, and for what we have to change, I say to God, to myself and to the community: ‘Sorry’.

Allow quiet time for God’s guidance to putting the path straight, and to send the Holy Spirit into our lives to begin again.