lo
Faith
ve
hope
Exploring the church seasons
Growth groups
Daily Bible Readings
Sunday service
Faith at home
stavanger international church 2014
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SEE WWW.K-STUD.NO FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Daily Bible Readings come from «Bibelleseplan 2014» © Bibelselskapet. Used by
permission. Quotations from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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content
A B OUT
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NEW HOPE
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T H R OU G H A G OO D B R EA K F AS T
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T H E B OO KL E T
S E AS ON
E P I P H AN Y : L I VI N G
OF
W AY S
A L SO
T O F AI T H
I N T H E D AN C E
C A R R IE R S
L IS T EN ,
O F F AI T H
H OL D , KE E P !
N EAR G OD –
S E AS ON
OF LENT:
M ARKED
G R O W IN G
H OP E
T H AN T H E ST R ON G
T H E T U RN I N G
P O IN T
P E RS IST E N T W I D O W
P E N T E C OST : N E W
S E AS ON
OF
BE G IN N IN G S
T RI N IT Y : T H E
P A ST , P R ES EN T
R ES OU R C E S
A
I N LO VE
P A SS O VE R : G I VI N G
OF
THE
N E A R P EO P L E
FOR LIFE
S T R ON G E R
S E AS ON
B Y F AI T H
FOR THE
N EW L IF E
AN D F O R
E T E R N IT Y
W IT N ES S - P A R T
B O O K LET B Y
Gøran Byberg, Oddbjørn Stangeland, Kristine Skree Kristiansen, Morgan Fjelde, Hans Egil
Hansen, Vidar Bakke, Tove Kyllingstad, Arne Mulen, Kjersti G Norheim, Leidulf Øy,
Denise Johnson-Joakimsen and Synøve Roalkvam. A team from Stavanger International
Church has translated the booklet from Norwegian to English.
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About the booklet
This booklet relates to five of the seasons in the Norwegian Church Calendar
(Epiphany, Lent, Passover/Resurrection of Jesus, Pentecost and Trinity). As headlines for these seasons we have chosen ”Living by Faith” (Epiphany), ”Growing in
Love” (Lent) and ”Giving new Hope” (Resurrection/Pentecost/Trinity). The booklet
provides resources for Sunday services and Growth Group meetings connected to
every other Sunday during the first four seasons and the beginning of the fifth, as
well as suggestions for Daily Bible Readings and Faith at Home.
F AIT H
AT HO M E
As a resource for your daily bible readings the booklet gives suggestions from the
Scriptures that are related to the Church Calendar. For those of you who have
children, we encourage you to include them in the use of this booklet. ”AT THE BEDSIDE” we focus on the small children, ”AT THE DINNER TABLE” is some time when the
whole family sits together, and ”IN THE CAR” we try to facilitate a dialogue between
teenagers and parents. Remember as adults to read through the material beforehand to be able to adjust it to your situation. In addition to the usual ”Faith at
Home”-pages, you will also find information and exercises to help you explore the
different seasons in the Church Calendar together with your children.
O U T LIN ES
F O R G R O W T H G R O U PS
The group outlines follow the 4W Structure:
W E LCO ME helps us to ”break the ice” and get to know one another. This is especially important when new people have entered the group.
W O RS HIP is when we focus on God and celebrate what he has done and is doing.
We recommend that someone in the group prepares this part. If you want to explore different creative ways to do worship in groups, get more tips and suggestions
on our website www.menighetsressurs.com
W O RD is time for reading the Bible, share and reflect, pray together and for each
other. Here we make room for an encounter with the Bible, allow it to speak to us
and apply it to our daily lives.
W IT N ES S is the part you shouldn’t miss! Make a difference to someone as individuals and as a group! Find a couple of ”projects” to work on during the semester.
Pray regularly for people outside the fellowship in the church. We also encourage
you to develop a ”Growth Prayer” for your group. Read more about this on page 90
and www.menighetsressurs.com .
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Epiphany— revelation of christ
Living by faith
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Tungt å bære
Living by faith
Who is Jesus - Was Jesus a wise man who lived a long time ago, someone who gave us many good commandments on how to live? Was he God
dressed up like a human being? Or was he only a special man whom God
chose for a particular ministry? Is he still alive?
There are many interesting questions we may ask about Jesus. And the
answers we get are quite important. More than anything else, Jesus
shows us who God is, and what kind of relationship we may have with
him.
Who is Gud, and what does he have to say to us? - This is what the Season of Epiphany (Revelation of Christ) is all about! This is the time of the
year when we will explore some of the great questions about Jesus and
God. In the texts for sermons during the Epiphany, we meet Jesus at different stages of his life, and in different situations explaining more about
who he is. And the Scripture Readings connect the Jesus of the New Testament to the God of the Old Testament. There is no new God revealed
in Jesus. He is the same God who has revealed himself from the beginning, but in new ways. Though human beings had not completely understood who God was before Jesus came, do we understand him better
now? The fact that Jesus came to the world as a little baby, can we learn
from that? Does God reveal his truths about himself still today?
It is exciting that Epiphany comes after Christmas and New Years Eve.
We are given the chance to show our curiosity and ask all kinds of
questions. Maybe we can learn something new, or see God in new ways?
After all, we develop as human beings every year. Our understanding of
God is also developing. To explore more of who God is can be both exciting and challenging.
Is it possible for us to reveal God to someone else? - Yes! This is the invitation all of us have received. There are still many people in this world
who have not heard about Jesus. We have been given a task by Jesus
himself: to show others who he is through our words and our actions.
The message is for everybody, whether they live far away or very close.
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Epiphany
at home
Tungt
å bære
The word ”epiphany” means revelation. How can we explore the Season of
Epiphany at home, in the family? Here are some practical suggestions:
I am
In the Gospel of John Jesus describes himself with many different images:
I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the door. I am the
good shepherd. I am the way, the truth and the life. I am the true vine. I am
the resurrection and the life.
We suggest that you write these sentences on sheets of paper, put them in
a jar and write ”I AM” outside of it. Choose one sheet of paper from the jar
every week during Epiphany and speak about what Jesus meant by using
that expression. Maybe the children could paint or draw a picture related
to each expression? Those who have started to read can go searching for
the places in the Gospel of John where Jesus used these expressions. By the
way, ”I am” is actually a name in The Old Testament. Do you know whose
name it is? Check it out in Exodus 3:14!
Season of Mission
The church as a missionary church is especially emphasized during the Season of Epiphany. Do you support a missions project as a family, in your
Growth Group or through your church? Maybe these weeks could be a time
of getting to know more about the missions project you support? Where do
you go to get more information?
The Sower’s Sunday
The Sundays in the Church Calendar have different focus. One example
from the Season of Epiphany is The Sower’s Sunday, where the text for the
sermon is from Luke 8. At the webpage www.barnogtro.no there is an interesting net game about the Sower. (Recommended age: 12 years).
See: http://www.barnogtro.no/digital-trosopplaering/nettspill/saamannen
Fastelavn
The last Sunday of Epiphany is called ”Fastelavn Sunday”. The word
”fastelavn” comes from the German word ”faseln” which means ”to make
fun”. ”Fastel-abend” was an evening for doing funny things before the Lent.
In Norway many people make ”fastelavnsboller”. Do you?
7
faith
Epiphany—Revelation of Christ (5th January)
MAIN TEXT: MATT 2:1-12
OT TEXT: ISA 60:1-6
NT TEXT: EPH 3:1-7
TEXT FOR CHILDREN:
MATT 2:1-12
Ways to faith
8
Text for Sunday
FOR
CHI LD RE N A ND ADU LT S :
M A T T 2: 1 - 12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from
the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of
the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he
had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them
where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is
what the prophet has written:
6
”But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star
had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the
child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen
when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw
the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they
opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
12
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their
country by another route.
9
Ways to
aith
Tungt
åfbære
A sunset or a child smile. The view from a mountain or ocean that
weaves along the beach. A starry sky on a real dark winter night.
Imagine three teenagers lying in the snow and looking at the starry sky
on such a black winter night. On the way to the outhouse before going to
bed they decide to create their own angels in the snow. Then they remain
there for a few minutes. They see beyond the stars and feel small, so incredibly small but at the same time large. What an incredible feeling!
They are there next to each other and do not care that their winter coats
are too thin. They are looking at something they know that they do not
understand. They are people - too small to understand why the stars are up
there, too small to remember how they came about, or if it was someone
who said, “Let there be light “. They lie there, one winter night and know
that they can look at something that is so much more powerful than themselves . Human life suddenly becomes very short , and the universe is infinitely large. Flickers of awe fill the night.
Three Wise Men also went through the night a while ago. They too perhaps
felt the awe of the mighty sky. They may also have felt both impossibly
small and big at the same time where they strolled along night after night.
The amazing news is that this powerful, immense, unfathomable feeling in
a snap also became very close, concrete and living - as a child in a manger.
The Creator became part of creation.
These three teens run shivering and giggling back to the cabin. It is
the same spirit in the starry sky, that wants to reside in their hearts.
They can recognize it, it is not unknown. But someone needs to tell them
about that night the three Wise Men walked under almost the same sky.
Someone needs to tell about what happened later, when this baby grew
up.
That is perhaps what faith is? To let the events revealed to us in the story of
Jesus bring new light and understanding to things you've already learned,
perhaps as a teenager somewhere in the dark winter night.
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Tungt å bære
growth group outline
W E LC OM E
Browse through the booklet and become familiar with the way it is designed. What expectations do you have this semester?
Find more resources for both the " Welcome" and "Witness" on
www.menighetsressurs.com
W O RS HI P ( F IND
MO R E SU G GES T IO NS O N WWW . ME NIG HE TS RES SU RS . COM ) .
(Some resources may only be available in Norwegian. If needed, ask a member in the group with knowledge of Norwegian to assist with translation.)
Read Psalm 19—Sing along - Listen to a CD.
Talk about a place in the world where you can really experience the grandeur of creation. Let the conversation be your prayer.
W O RD
Watch this video for about 7 min. http://youtu.be/cbTMT6SCn3Y
Read together Matthew 2:1-12 and the introduction on the previous page.
“The amazing news is that this powerful, immense, unfathomable feeling in
a snap also became very close, concrete and living - as a child in a manger.
The Creator became part of creation.”
What do you think about this huge contrast ? Can God make himself known
to people who do not believe in Jesus? In what ways?
Before the next meeting: Read about the Season of Epiphany (Revelation of
Christ), pages 6-7. Try to find a specific thing you want to do with "Epiphany
at home."
W IT N ES S (SEE ALSO PAGE 90 FOR "3 IN PRAYER " AND "4 P’S FOR GROWTH ")
Do you know any people who believe in God but who have difficulty
to believe in Jesus? Maybe a family member, a friend or a colleague?
" 3 in prayer " is about praying for specific individuals. We suggest that
everyone in the group writes down the names of up to three people each
will pray for this semester. ( See page 90 for more information)
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D a i l y b i b lå
e rbære
eadings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 5 TH J A NU A RY
S U ND A Y 1 2 T H J AN UA R Y
(Epiphany Sunday—Revelation of Christ)
(2nd Sunday of Epiphany)
Matt 2:1-12
”They bowed down and worshiped
him”
Matt 3: 13-17
”This is my Son, whom I love.”
M O N D AY 6 TH JA NU A RY
Luke 2: 41-52
”Why were you searching for me? ”
M O N D AY 1 3 T H J AN UA RY
1 Tim 6: 13-16
”God, the blessed and only Ruler”
T U ES DA Y 7 T H JA N UA RY
John 1: 29-34
”John testified”
T U ES DA Y 1 4 T H J AN UA R Y
Eph 1: 15-19
”I heard about your faith”
W E D NES D AY 8 T H J A NU AR Y
2 Cor 4: 1-6
”We preach not ourselves”
W E D NES D AY 1 5 T H J A NU A RY
2 Cor 3: 12-18
”...ever-increasing glory”
T H U RS DA Y 9 T H J A NU A RY
1 Pet 3: 18-22
”For Christ also suffered for sins”
T H U RS DA Y 1 6 T H J A N UA RY
Psalm 149:1-9
”Sing to the Lord a new song”
F R ID AY 1 0 T H J A NU A RY
Col 1: 15-20
”He is the head of the body”
F R ID AY 1 7 T H J A NU A RY
John 1:15-18
”He has made him known”
S A TU R DA Y 1 1 T H J A NU AR Y
Psalm 2: 1-12
”I will proclaim the decree of the
Lord”
S A TU R DA Y 1 8 T H J AN UA R Y
1 Cor 8:1-6
”But for us there is one God, our
Father.”
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Tungt å bære
Faith at home
T HE
WIS E M EN WO RS HIP J ESU S
The three wise men were named Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They
were used to seeing the stars and interpret everything that happened in
the sky. They could name all the stars and maybe they dreamed about traveling into space?
How was it for them to meet baby Jesus? Did they understand that he created the whole universe and chose to become a tiny baby?
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” AT T H E B E DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
God created all throughout nature. There is plenty we can thank God for:

for the flowers,

that we can swim in the water,

that we can light the fire.
Is there more we can thank Jesus for?
” AT T H E D INNE R T A B LE ” ( T HE FE LLOW SH IP )
Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are one God. Many people believe in
God, but they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. How can that be?
” I N T HE C A R ” ( T H E T E ENA GE R )
If you were able to describe your relationship or image of Jesus, how would
it be? What characteristics of Jesus do you like best?
N ET - T IP S
See the movie on YouTube in which Jim Carrey talks about Jesus, possibly
with teenage children: http://youtu.be/wCukpJCjPvl
Talk about what Jim Carrey says: Did Jesus free the world from sin?
13
faith
3rd Sunday of epiphany (19th january)
MAIN TEXT: GEN 1: 26-31
THE GOSPEL TEXT: JOHN 2: 1-11
NT TEXT: REV 21: 1-6
CHILDREN’S TEXT: LUKE 2: 40-52
Also in the dance
14
Text for sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
G E N 1 : 26 - 31
26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may
rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild
animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the
earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seedbearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in
it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in
the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the
breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that
he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—
the sixth day.
FOR
40
CHI LD RE N :
L U K E 2: 4 0 -5 2
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of
God was on him. 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the
Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to
the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the
boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in
their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their
relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to
look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was
amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were
astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father
and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my
Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother
treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in
favor with God and man.
15
Tungt å bære
Also in the dance
”God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” (Gen 1:31).
The 2nd Sunday after Epiphany is a day when we participate in the celebration of God’s creation. It is a day to rejoice that we are created in God’s
image, to communion with God and with each other. A day to celebrate
that Jesus is present in all situations of our lives.
John’s Gospel says that Jesus makes his first miracle during the wedding in
Cana. Here we meet Jesus at a wedding celebration, amidst the joy and
dance. A situation occurs—they run out of wine. On such an occasion, it
does not need more to happen before one grasps that here is a crisis. I remember the despair on our wedding day when the car that would drive us
from the church to the party would not start in the cold winter weather.
Jesus wants to be present in our lives. He cares about our every day crises
too. But not only that, Jesus wishes us joy and delights in our celebrations.
A few years ago I heard a radio devotional with a different version of the
famous story of ”Footprints in the Sand”: A man dreamed one night that he
was walking along the beach with God. Across the sky flashed scenes from
his life. For each image he saw, he discovered that there were two sets of
footprints in the sand, one was his own, and the other was the Lord’s. After
the last scene of his life appeared, he looked back at the footprints in the
sand. He saw that many times in the path of his life, especially at the lowest
and saddest time, there was only one set of footprints. At other times, he
saw footprints moving away from each other, sometimes here and, sometimes there, it seemed a total chaos.
The man did not understand this, so he asked God, ”Lord, I see the
footsteps in the sand and realize that you’ve been with me throughout my
life. Is it so that when my need was greatest, and when life was most
troublesome, then there is only a set of footprints because you carried me
in your arms?” ”That’s right,” the Lord answered, ”it was during your trials
and testings, it was then, that I carried you.”
But what I don’t understand,” continued the man, ”is what happened to
the times when our footsteps are moving in disarray, sometimes here and
sometimes there. Those seem to be the times when my life was good”.
Then the Lord smiled and replied, ”My dear, precious child, those were the
times when we danced!”
16
Tungt å bære
growth group outline
W E LCO ME
Have you organized an event where not everything went according to the
plan? - Share your story!
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 133—Give thanks to God for all the good things in life!
- for friendship, family and kindness.
W O RD
Read together Genesis 1:26-31, John 2:1-11 and the introduction on the
previous page. What have you noticed?
”God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good!”
What gives you immense joy in life?
What are the ingredients for a great party, in your opinion?
Traditionally, there are many rituals in how we celebrate festive holidays
and the important days of our life. It is equally important to have rituals to
celebrate the good things that happen in our everyday life. What are some
of the reasons for celebration? How does a celebration look like, for example, in the family, in the neighborhood, at the workplace? Is God included in it?
Discuss the claims below. Give everyone in the group an opportunity to
share their thoughts. Focus on listening rather than discussing. Dare to be
open and honest in your sharing!

Nothing in life is unimportant to God

I have it too good to think of God in my everyday life

God loves to dance
W IT N ES S —S EE
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO P AG E
90
FOR
”3
I N PR AY ER ” AN D
”4 P ’ S
Read together the section on ”4 P’s for growth”, page 90. Please take a
moment to discuss and shape a ”prayer for growth” that can be used in the
group this semester. The prayer can contain both the three people (ref 3 in
prayer, page 90) whom you will be praying for, as well as other areas of
growth. See www.menighetsressurs.com for more information.
17
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 1 9 T H J A NU AR Y
S U ND A Y 2 6 T H J A NU A RY
(3rd Sunday of Epiphany)
(4th Sunday of Epiphany)
Gen 1:26-31
”Let us make mankind in his own
image.”
Luke 18:35-43
”Have mercy on me”
M O N D AY 2 0 T H J A NU A RY
John 4:21-26
”I, the one speaking to you—I am
he.”
M O N D AY 2 7 T H J A NU A RY
Psalm 142:1-8
”There is no one at my right
hand”
T U ES DA Y 2 1 T H J A NU AR Y
2 Cor 1:8-11
”On him we have set our hope”
T U ES DA Y 2 8 T H J A NUA R Y
Luke 7:36-50
”Your faith has saved you; go in
peace!”
W E D NES D AY 2 2 TH J A N UA RY
2 Cor 4:7-15
”All this is for your benefit”
W E D NES D AY 2 9 T H J A NU AR Y
Psalm 103:1-6
”Praise the Lord, my soul!”
T H U RS DA Y 2 3 RD J A N UA RY
Luke 13:10-17
”He put his hands on her”
T H U RS DA Y 3 0 T H J A N UA RY
Rom 5:8-11
”Since we have now been justified”
F R ID AY 2 4 T H J A NU A RY
1 Cor 15:9-11
”I persecuted the church of God”
S A TU R DA Y 2 5 T H J A NU AR Y
Revelation 5:11-14
”In a loud voice they were saying”
18
F R ID AY 31 ST J A NU A RY
John 5:1-15
”At once the man was cured”
S A TU R DA Y 1 S T F E B RU AR Y
Luke 2:22-40
”For my eyes have seen your salvation”
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
J E SU S ,
A
12 - Y E A R
O L D , I N TH E T EM P LE O F
GOD
Jesus was once a youngster too. Imagine Jesus as old as you are now. As a
12-year-old, Jesus chose to remain in Jerusalem after his family had been
there to celebrate the Jewish holiday, Passover. Jesus wanted to be in the
temple, for him this was like being in the house of God. Perhaps Jesus liked
to celebrate Passover, or perhaps he enjoyed the inviting atmosphere, the
great scrolls and the diverse people in the temple? Why do you think Jesus
wanted to remain in the Temple in Jerusalem?
W H AT
D OE S I T ME A N FO R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( T H E S M A LL C H ILD R E N )
Remember that Jesus was a little boy once and he might have, at times,
argued with his parents. This means that he understands our thoughts and
feelings without our need to express them in too many words. It might be
nice to share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
” AT T H E D INNE R T A B LE ” ( T HE F E LLOW SH IP )
Do we think most about Jesus when we are scared or sad? It is equally important that we give thanks when we are happy. What can we give thanks
for today?
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T H E T EE NA GE R )
Jesus enjoyed a good party. What does a good party mean for you? Describe the perfect party you would like to be at.
N E T - TIP S
See the hidden camera compilation ”Jesus Pranks Just for Laughs”
http://youtu.be/nGlIbEW9wVw
19
faith
5th Sunday of Epiphany (2nd february)
MAIN TEXT: MARK 2:1-12
OT TEXT: GEN 15:1-6
NT TEXT: ROM 4:1-8
CHILDREN’S TEXT: MARK 2:1-12
Carriers of faith
20
Text for sunday
FOR
CHI LD RE N A ND ADU LT S :
M A RK 2 : 1 - 12
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had
come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not
even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing
to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus
because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through
it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said
to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does
this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their
hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to
say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and
walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive
sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got
up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they
praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
21
C a r r i e r såobære
f faith
Tungt
TO
CA R R Y A DR EA M ( T H E F R IEN DS )
”If only our lame friend could meet Jesus! We've seen what he can do. He
gives hope to the hopeless. But are we too late? Surely, there’s no time
and space for this to happen now. Shall we give up? No, we're going to
carry him all the way so he can meet Jesus! There must be another way
in!”
TO
CA R R Y S H AM E ( T H E P AR A LY T IC )
”These feelings fill me with shame: I feel despised. A deep self-disgust
comes over me as I lie here lame and helpless. And to see my friends who
are likely also despising me in their innermost heart. Isn’t that the reason why they are doing this, in order that I should be like them? But
worst of all: I despise God. He has allowed me to be in this state. There is
neither joy nor gratitude in me or in God. Can I love God or others, when
I despise myself and feel undesirable?”
TO
CA R R Y HO PE (J E SU S )
”I see you, faithful carriers of hope. If everyone could have friends with
such faith! I see you, my child, where you lie. I see your shame, your selfloathing and your disdain for God. But you are loved by God. Your sins
are forgiven. Let go of your self-loathing. Let go of your distrust of mankind. Let go of your disdain for God. Be free! If only you might see yourself as I see you, loved and precious, just as you are. And I give you this as
well: Get up, take your mat and walk!”
TO
CA R R Y S CE PT IC IS M ( T HE S CR I BE S )
”Does this man think that he can take the place of God and forgive sinners? Moreover, it is not right to force oneself into a meeting like this.
Such thing has never happened before. And he let it happen! What’s
next? This man heals the paralytic. But what is he doing about all the
others? What about my sister whom we have cared for all these years?
We have also asked for forgiveness and
healing. Why does God not intervene?”
S o m e sa y : W e d o n o t b e liev e u n t il w e s e e it ! B u t it is t h e o p p o s it e : W e d o n o t s e e it u n t il we b e lie v e in it ! T h e w o r ld ne e d s m o r e
c a rr ie r s of fa it h, h op e a nd lo v e !
22
Tungt å bære
growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Tell about a time you did something brave or crazy in front of many others.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 42 —Sing together— Listen to a CD
W O RD
Read together Mark 2:1-12. Then read the introduction to this chapter.
What thoughts do you have when you read of the various characters in the
story? Do you share the same interpretation presented in the introduction?
Do you recognize yourself in one or more of the characters?
”When Jesus saw their faith ...”(v. 5). Talk about what it might mean to carry others in faith.
It can be a heavy burden to carry others in faith.
When you are the only Christian at the work place.
When you are with friends or family members who doubt or who have lost
their faith.
When your children ask difficult questions.
Share your experiences.
Where do you go with the pain, despair and desperation you feel on behalf
of others? What do you do with it?
"We do not see it before we believe it" - Discuss this statement.
W IT N ES S —S EE P A GE 90 F O R ”3 IN PR AY E R ” AN D ”4 P ’ S F O R
GRO WT H ” Is there anyone in the group who can be carriers of faith, hope
and love for the next few days? What can you do? Feel free to be creative
and perhaps do something unthinkable like the friends of the paralytic!
23
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U N D A Y 2 N D F E B R U AR Y
(5th Sunday of Epiphany)
Mark 2:1–12
Get up, take your mat and go home!
M O N D A Y 3 R D F EB R U AR Y
Micha 7:18-20
Who is a God like you?
T U E S D A Y 4 T H F E B R U AR Y
Matt 16:13–17
«You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God.»
S U N D A Y 9 T H F E BR U AR Y
(6th Sunday of Epiphany)
John 6:63–69
The words I have spoken to you—
they are full of the Spirit and life
M O N D A Y 1 0 TH F E BR U A R Y
Acts 4:8-12
Which has become the cornerstone.
T U E S D A Y 1 1 TH F E BR U A R Y
Deut 6:4-9
Impress them on your children!
W E D N E SD A Y 5 T H F EB R U AR Y
John 3:31-36
He testifies to what he has seen and
heard
W E D N E SD A Y 1 2 T H F E BR U AR Y
2 Tim 3:10-17
All Scripture is God-breathed
T H U R SD A Y 6 T H F E B R UA R Y
Matt 5:13–16
You are the light of the world!
T H U R SD A Y 1 3 T H F EB R U AR Y
2 Tim 1:1-7
Fan into flame the gift of God
F R ID A Y 7 T H F EB R U AR Y
Phil 2:12–18
It is God who works in you
F R ID A Y 1 4 T H F E BR U AR Y
James 1:22-27
Do what it says!
S A T U R DA Y 8 T H F E B R U AR Y
1 John 5:6–12
This life is in his Son
S A T U R DA Y 1 5 TH F E BR U A R Y
Acts 13:44-52
A light for the Gentiles, that you
may bring salvation to the ends of
the earth
24
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
G O O DN ES S
A ND MA DN ES S
”The goal justifies the means”, says the proverb. But this is simply not true
in all situations. Nevertheless, sometimes it takes a little madness to do
good. There was once, when a lame man was hoisted down to Jesus,
through a hole in the roof. The owner, whose house was partly destroyed,
was perhaps not so thrilled. But Jesus was happy when he saw the friends’
zeal. Sometimes you have to be slightly crazy in order that God’s goodness
is revealed to many.
R EA D
IN T HE BIB LE
Read together Mark 2: 1-12.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( S MA LL C H ILD R E N )
Tell your kids something crazy you or others have done with goodness in
mind. Together with your children, think of a time in the near future where
you can do something out of the ordinary to show people goodness. What
could it be?
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E F E LLOW SH IP )
The story of Jesus, the paralytic and his friends is a good picture of baptism.
What do they have in common?
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T H E T EE NA GE R )
”These feelings fill me with shame: I feel despised. A deep self-disgust
comes over me as I lie here lame and helpless.” (From the Introduction)
How can being sick or handicapped cause self-loathing?
What is Jesus teaching us about seeing people and their value?
25
faith
The sower’s Sunday (16th february)
MAINTEXT: LUKE 8:4-15
OT TEXT: ISA 55:8-13
NT TEXT: HEB 4:12-13
CHILDREN’S TEXT: MATT 4:1-11
Listen, hold, keep!
26
Text for Sunday
F O R A DU LT S : L U K E 8 :4 -1 5
4
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after
town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering
the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some
fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no
moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
8
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more
than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them
hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of
the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.”
11
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the
path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from
their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground
are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.
They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell
among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked
by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good
soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by
persevering produce a crop.
F O R T HE C H IL DRE N : M AT T 4:1 - 11 (E XT R A CT )
3
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on
every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the
temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
27
Tungt å bære
Listen, hold, keep!
There are good times for the PR industry in Norway. The political, financial and ideal institutions use steadily more resources on «expert help»
to build a better reputation and a pointed message in order to reach the
target group. Many would argue that the church has much to learn here.
And they may be right. God’s most important message to humanity is
Jesus Christ. But is the communication effective enough?
In Jesus' parable of the seed and the various soils, Jesus describes world's
most important communication process between God and man.
But this time it is not about adapting the message or providing expert
help to the transmitter (Sower). Here the receiving device, soil, is in
focus. Verse 15 presents three continuous processes in order to be a
good receiver:
• Listen to the word of God .
• Hold on to it.
• Keep the faith; Wait.
Then the fruit comes. Is perhaps the third point of waiting and
keeping our faith the most difficult in our time? We are looking for quick
results and immediate satisfaction of our needs. Instead, Jesus says that
the fruit comes when the time is right. Patience is having a trusting faith
in God’s work, look forward to that it will happen, water the plant with
thanksgiving, talk honestly about life, wait ...
According to this parable, it is possible to become better receivers. It is
possible to create a fertile soil for the seed, a fine and good heart. The
poor receivers are also described and struggle with “jammers”: temptations, superficiality, concerns and pleasures (birds, rocks and thorns).
How is your receiving aid at the moment? Is it the jammers you
recognize in your own lives? What are they doing to you?
In Romans 10:14, Paul says that one must listen to believe. The greek
verb -form of “hear” used in that passage indicates that this is a continuous process. Faith can only grow when the word of God will speak regularly to a listening heart. And noise emitters become weaker when the
main line is strong and good. The key is to listen, hold, keep ...!
28
Tungt å bære
growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
”I was so distracted by his strange dialect that I couldn’t remember
anything of what he said”.
Share recent experiences of distractions like this when you watched a TVprogram or attended a meeting.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 147 — Sing together - Listen to a CD.
W O RD
Have a group read aloud the parable in Luke 8:4-15, while the others listen,
preferably with closed eyes. Also read together the introduction to the
theme. Share together the thoughts you have about the text and introduction.
Please speak together about the following questions:
- Verse 15 presents three continuous processes of the great receiver:
Listen , hold, keep ... What does this mean concretely in our lives?
- Are we too easy to blame that the message was unclear or uninteresting
and that mediation failed to hit us? Am I more concerned with assessing
the speaker, rather than to ask what the message means to me? In which
ways can the problem lie with us as receivers in the face of God's word?
- What do we do when “the birds” show up? Read together Ephesians 6:1018, with emphasis on v. 16-17. What use do “the shield of faith”, “the helmet of salvation” and “the sword of the Spirit” have for us in practice?
See Listening-tips for busy people, www.menighetsressurs.com
If anyone has access to an audio bible, you can end by listening to Isaiah
55:8-13.
W IT N ES S —S EE
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO P AG E
90
FOR
”3
I N PR AY ER ” AN D
”4 P ’ S
Pray for the Bible Society’ work to spread Bibles in Norway and abroad .
(www.bibel.no )
29
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 1 6 T H F E B RU A RY
S U ND A Y 2 3 RD F EB RU A RY
(The Sower’s Sunday)
(Transfiguration Sunday)
Text for sermon: Luk 8:4–15
The seed is the word of God
Matt 17:1-9
There he was transfigured before
them
M O N D AY 1 7 T H F EB RU A RY
Rom 10:13-17
How can they believe in the one
of whom they have not heard?
M O N D AY 2 4 T H F EB RU A RY
Phil 2:5-11
He made himself nothing
T U ES DA Y 1 8 T H F E B RUA R Y
Gen 3:1-6
Did God really say?
T U ES DA Y 2 5 T H F E B RU AR Y
Isa 52:13-15
His appearance was so disfigured
beyond that of any human being
W E D NES D AY 1 9 T H F E BR UA RY
1 John 2:28—3,3
... children of God!... that is what
we are!
T H U RS DA Y 2 0 T H F E B RU AR Y
Acts 22:1-8
I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom
you are persecuting.
F R ID AY 2 1 TH F EB RU A RY
2 Pet 1:16-18
We ourselves heard this voice
that came from heaven
S A TU R DA Y 2 2 N D F EB RU A RY
Ex 24: 3-11
We will do everything the Lord
has said; we will obey.
30
W E D NES D AY 2 6 T H F E BR UA R Y
John 15:9-17
This is my command: Love each
other.
T H U RS DA Y 2 7 T H F E B RU AR Y
1 Tim 2:1-6
Petitions, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving... for all people
F R ID AY 2 8 T H F EB RU A RY
2 Thess 2:13-17
Stand firm and hold fast to the
teachings we passed on to you
S A TU R DA Y 1 S T M A R CH
Joshua 22:1-6
Hold fast to him and serve him
with all your heart and with all
your soul
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
JE S U S A ND TH E TE M P TE R (M AT T 4:1 -1 1)
It was there suddenly one night, on the chair beside Lisa’s bed: A large
present wrapped nicely. She recognized the wrapping paper. It was like the
wrapping paper at her favorite shop in the big shopping center. On the
package, hang a mysterious card: To a special friend. That was all. With
much excitement she tore off the paper, opened the brown carton and
looked inside. There was an ordinary grey stone. Someone had fooled her
thoroughly. Dad came into the room and apologized. “But I wanted to
show you something: The story we read from the Bible this week, is about
Jesus’ opponent the devil. It's a bit like the devil’s work. He offers us great
things and experiences, and he lies about how good it will be. Then we feel
cheated and disappointed. Thankfully Jesus is stronger than the devil. As
we draw close to Jesus, he helps us to reveal the great liar and keep him at
a distance.”
Read the text from Matthew 4:1-11 together.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N T O U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( S MA LL C H ILD R E N )
Talk together about what has been good and what has been hurtful these
last days . What can we be thankful for? What could we ask for forgiveness? Is there anyone who is hurting that we can pray for?
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E F E LLOW SH IP )
How is the devil trying to gain influence in our life today? What does
it mean to put on the “armor of God “? (Ephesians 6:10-17). Remember
that we do not need to be afraid of the devil because Jesus is the greatest!
“I N T HE C A R ” ( T HE T EE NA GE R )
Have your teen watched movies / read books about the battle between
good and evil? What is just fantasy, and what describes reality?
31
faith
Sunday before lent (2nd march)
MAIN TEXT: JOHN 17:20-26
OT TEXT:
SONG OF SOLOMON 8:6-7
NT TEXT: 1 COR 13:1-7
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 12:1-8
Near god - near people
32
Text for Sunday
FOR
T HE ADU LT S :
J O HN 1 7 :20 - 26
20
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through
their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in
you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I
have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I
in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world
will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my
glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the
world.
25
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know
that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make
you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may
be in them.”
FOR
CHI LD RE N :
J O HN 1 2: 1 - 8
1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus
had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,
while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about
a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his
feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one
of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this
perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did
not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of
the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume
for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not
always have me.”
33
Tungt å bære
N e a r g o d —n e a r p e o p l e
The word ”fastelavn” comes from the German word ”faseln” which
means ”to make fun”. ”Fastel-abend” was an evening for doing funny
things before the Lent. For us it marks the transition from Epiphany to
Lent. We seek Jesus who promises to be among us in the Christian fellowship. In today’s text (John 17) we see that we are not alone - we are
in company with others on our journey. Below is a simple outline of different levels of fellowship. Many people are familiar with small groups
(the personal) and worship (the public). At the same time we should not
forget both the closeness, facing a friend or companion, and the social
environment where we can befriend many or rejoice together in a common activity / interest group.
The closeness
The personal
(1-3 people)
(5-12 people)
The social
The public
(15-70 people)
(70+ people)
At the beginning of Lent, you are encouraged to consider the following:


Can you identify gatherings in the Christian fellowship that you
are a part of? What do these meeting places mean to you – as far
as being "close to God" or "close to people" (both spiritually and
socially)?
Is there one particular level of fellowship you prefer for your own
sake?
Can this outline also help us to focus on including new people?

The closeness: Be a Companion, a prayer partner, or the like.

The personal: Invite someone or challenge someone to join a
small group

The social: Invite someone to participate in one of the activities in
the church

The public: Greet someone new to the worship service, invite someone to worship service, write an article in the local newspaper
about the church , etc.
34
Tungt å bære
growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
True or False? Tell us two things about yourself; one is fictional and the
other is true. Let the group guess what is true. (The group can also be
divided in two, as a competition with points for each correct answer).
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read 1 Corinthian 13 —Sing together – Listen to a music CD
W O RD
Read John 17:20-26 together. Note which verses or words that grasped
your attention. Share with each other. Read the introduction on the previous page.
Take a blank sheet of paper and divide it into four (boxes), one for each
level of fellowship in the introduction. Use two pens of different colors.
Let each member of the group mark a good experience of being "close to
God" in red, and "close to people" in blue (not necessarily related to the
same level of fellowship).
Let everyone put two marks each before you share why you chose to relate
your good experience to that box.
Look at the challenges of including new people in our fellowship (last paragraph in the introduction). Select a challenge each, and pray for God to
go along with you in each of these challenges.
W IT N ES S — S E E
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO PA GE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY ER ” A ND
”4 P ’ S
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe
in me through their message.” (John 17:20)
”After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by
two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”
(Luke 10:1)
Let these two verses in combination with today’s topic inspire you to make
a ”Growth prayer for Lent”, which you can use every day during Lent.
See www.menighetsressurs.com for tips.
35
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 2 N D MA R C H
S U ND A Y 9 T H MA R C H
(Fastelavn Sunday)
(1st Sunday of Lent)
John 17:20–26
I want them to be where I am.
Matt 4:1–11
Away from me, Satan!
M O N D AY 3 RD M A RC H
2 John 4–6
And this is love:
M O N D AY 1 0 T H M AR C H
MATT 26:36–45
The spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak.
T U ES DA Y 4 T H M A RC H
(”Fat Tuesday”)
Luke 18:31–34
”Look, we go up to Jerusalem.”
T U ES DA Y 1 1 T H MA R C H
1 Tim 4:6–11
We have put our hope in
the living God
W E D NES D AY 5 T H MA R C H
(Ash Wednesday)
MATT 6:1–6, 6:16–18
When you are fasting
W E D NES D AY 1 2 T H M A RC H
Gen 3:8–15
«What have you done?»
T H U RS DA Y 6 T H M AR C H
2 PET 1:5–11
Let faith join together with
righteous living.
T H U RS DA Y 1 3 TH M A RC H
Gen 4:1–8
Sin seeks power over you.
(”Blue Monday”)
F R ID AY 7 T H MA R C H
(Women’s International Prayer Day)
Col 1:24–29
It is for Him we preach.
S A TU R DA Y 8 T H M AR C H
1 Sam 25:14–35
”Blessed is the LORD, Israel’s
God.”
36
F R ID AY 1 4 T H M AR C H
Luke 13:22–30
From east and west and from
North and South
people shall come.
S A TU R DA Y 1 5 T H MA R CH
2 Kings 19:14–19
LORD, turn your ear and listen!
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
J ESU S
A NO I NT E D AT BET H ANY
- J O HN 1 2:1 - 8
Read the text together, using a children’s bible is fine. Discuss why Jesus
had to die. Try to do this prior to Sunday school this time, so the child can
be prepared for this theme.
Talk about the meaning of Lent and agree on what you want to do together
as a family.
This is also a good opportunity to share what you would like to do as an
adult during Lent.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
What can we do to help others who are worse off than ourselves? Not
everyone has access to clean water. Not everyone has access to medicine.
Not everyone can attend kindergarten or school. Some children have to
work in a factory when they are seven years old. Should we raise money?
Sell waffles in the streets or at stores to raise money for ”Redd Barna” (”Save the Children”) or similar organizations?
Should we agree to find one thing to be thankful for each night during
Lent? We have to remind each other.
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
Take a look at what is called ”En usynlig middagsgjest” (”An invisible guest
for dinner”) on Page 41 and www.menighetsressurs.com.
Take this opportunity to think about various types of «suffering and injustice» in the world. Discuss what we can do to help.
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T H E T EE NA GE R )
Share some thoughts about your own giving. Explain the principle about
“first seeking God’s Kingdom” as guidance to give (tithing or a fixed percentage) before you tend to your own needs.
A challenge to the teenagers: When do you think youth should start giving? What could you consider giving?
37
38
Season of lent
Growing in love
39
Tungt å bære
Lent — Growing in love
We have chosen ”Growing in Love” as our main theme for Lent. We are
invited to live close to God and let him meet us with his love. The Christian fellowship helps us with our faith and gives us strength. Love is choosing to live together in spite of our differences and dissensions. We are
encouraged to care about the world’s suffering and to care about those
who are struggling in our midst.
Lent lasts 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday in the Passover week. Lent was originally to prepare people for baptism. The baptism
preparation theme has affected the aim of Lent up until our time. During
the first part of Lent we meet Jesus’ struggle and triumph over evil. Towards the end of Lent the focus shifts to the suffering of Jesus. The last
two week period of Lent is called Passiontide.
Ash Wednesday: Repentance and dealing with sin marks the beginning
of Lent. Luther emphasized the daily repentance as an extension to the
baptism. Still today, it is common in many churches to hold a repentance
service, and a cross of ashes can be drawn on the worshipper’s forehead.
Some liturgies use words from Genesis 3:19: “for dust you are and to
dust you will return. Repent so you can have eternal life.”
In early times the commandment to abstain from food and drink, was
taken literally and seriously. In our time, Lent has primarily become a
period of silence and reflection, preparing for Passover. In later years
there has been more attention to the value of fasting, meaning to abstain
from something you otherwise grant yourself. It could be sweets, tobacco or alcohol, shopping or entertainment media. (See next page).
Lent is also a time for setting aside a little extra for the needy. Suggestion: Support the annual Lent drive of Norwegian Church Aid
(www.kirkensnodhjelp.no/en) or your congregation’s missions project.
Source: www.kirken.no
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Faith at home
The Season of Lent offers a variety of possibilities for those who want to
practice and explore faith at home, both children and adults. The challenge
is to be concrete and agree to do something together in the family or with
others. Make this season an opportunity to stretch your limits, make some
clear priorities, know that it costs a bit! Remember that the simple is often
the best. Here are some specific tips you can choose from (you can find
more tips on www.menighetsressurs.com) :
S O ME
SU G GE ST IO N S F O R T HE W HO L E F A MI LY :
 Prepare a space for an ”invisible guest” at the dinner table.This is to
remind us that there is someone who needs our love and generosity.
Along with the invisible guest, you may have a box at the table, for
instance the ”fastebøsse” from Norwegian Church Aid, where you put
money. Be creative when you collect money: For instance, the children
may take a fee for those who want tea or coffee (adults), the children are
challenged to give parts or all of the allowance etc.
 Give children (your own, a niece/nephew, grand children or others) an
amount of money that they shall give to somebody in need. You may
search together for a good project somewhere in the world.
D IG
D EE PER — F O R T EE N AG ERS / ADU LT S
 Bible: Could you strech your limits a bit in your Daily Bible Readings during the Season of Lent? A good idea is to explore the reading plans in
the app ”Bible” (Lifechurch.tv) or start by actually reading the Daily Bible
Readings in this booklet. We recommend that you make an agreement
with someone else who will do the same. Hold one another accountable!
(We will also provide a Norwegian page on Facebook with devotions for
those who are interested, called ”Medvandring i fastetiden”.
 Fasting:
- Choose one day a week or one day during Lent when you fast
from food.
- Consumption Fasting: Clothes, journeys, expensive food, gasoline.
- Digital Fasting—abstain from mobile and PC after work etc. A day
or maybe a week without television. Abstain from newspapers.

Generosity / Kindness:
- Increase your giving during Lent (double your tithing to 20%)
- Make a party for somebody who needs an encouragement
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love
2.nd Sunday oif lent (16th march)
MAIN TEXT: MATT 15:21-28
OT TEXST: GEN 32:24-30
NT TEXT: JAMES 1: 2-8
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 3:1-8
Marked for life
42
Text for sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
M AT T 15 :2 1 -2 8
21
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite
woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on
me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not answer a
word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying
out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman
came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to
take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the
dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her,
“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed
at that moment.
FOR
CH LDR EN :
J O HN 3 : 1 - 8
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish
ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God
were not with him.”
3
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are
born again.”
4
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless
they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives
birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it
comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
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Marked for life
Jesus is on the way from the famous area around the Sea of Galilee and
up toward the cities of Tyre and Sidon, the actual symbol of the Gentile
world. It is here that he encounters the Canaanite woman. As a woman
and as a non-Jew, it is basically unthinkable that she would approach
Jesus and his followers. But the woman is desperate, as desperate as only
parents with a seriously ill child can be. Therefore, she breaks all social
rules and runs toward him as she cries, "Lord , Son of David , have mercy
on me! "
The most surprising part of the story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman
is not the woman's desperate cry for help, but it is Jesus' response. He
didn’t answer her at all. Jesus' first response is silence. Many of us can
relate to this, that our desperate cries to God, are met with a resounding
silence.
To live here on earth, is also living with life's unanswered questions. But
the story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman does not end in silence. Jesus was moved. He does not continue on, he stops and responds to her
desperate cries for help. God's action is always an action toward people.
It is the action that bears the whole story of salvation.
God is a God who comes close. So close that Jacob even got to fight with
him. ( 1 Gen. 32). All night they fought . When the morning light appeared and God saw that he could not win over Jacob, the story tells us that
he caused Jacob’s hip to go out of joint. From that day on Jacob had a
disfunction, but he got a fresh start and a new name: Israel, "the one
who struggles with God". Jacob was forgiven, and he returned home after years on the run.
When God comes near, we will not go on unmarked in life. The Canaanite
woman’s daughter was healed. Jacob became disabled. What about you
and your struggles with God? How have they left marks?
We are also scarred. In baptism we are marked with the sign of the cross.
We are connected to Jesus and his struggle through death and resurrection. No matter what our battles are, we are marked by the fact that God
has come near.
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Are you compliant ? Tell us about a situation where you gave in to pressure from children or others.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Be quiet together for a while. Do you experience God absent or close?
Worship Him anyway.
Read together Psalm 73:1-14 and 7:21-28 . Sing a song or listen to music.
W O RD
Read together Matthew 15:21-28 and the introduction to the topic. Share
each other’s thoughts about what you have read. Share experiences of
God's silence and unanswered questions. How has it affected your faith?
Read about Jacob in Genesis 32:24-30 .
Israel can mean "he who struggles with God." Have you got your own experiences of "fighting with God"?
In the stories of Jacob and the Canaanite woman, it may seem as if God /
Jesus swayed:
- God let Jacob win the match
- Jesus went from rejection to healing
Do you think our struggles with God can change both us and God? Examples?
W IT N ES S —S E E
GRO WT H ”
P AGE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY E R ” AN D
”4 P ’ S
FOR
A question and a prayer we can bring out in everyday life : Are there situations where I might change my plans to make a difference to another human being?
Imagine during the next two weeks that you might talk with with someone
who feels that God is silent or absent. What would you say or do? Have the
expectation that it may actually happen!
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D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 1 6 T H M AR C H
S U ND A Y 2 3 RD M AR C H
(2nd Sunday of Lent)
(Annunciation)
Matt 15:21–28
Woman, great is your faith!
Luk 1:26–38
Behold I am the Lord's servant
M O N D AY 1 7 T H M AR C H
Isa 55:1–7
Come, all thirsty, come to the
water!
T U ES DA Y 1 8 T H MA R C H
Matt 7:12–14
Go in through the narrow
gate!
M O N D AY 2 4 T H M AR C H
1 Sam 1:9–18
I am a woman who carries a
great sorrow.
T U ES DA Y 2 5 T H MA R C H
Luk 1:46–55
My soul magnifies the Lord , and
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
W E D NES D AY 1 9 T H M A R CH
Heb 4:6–11
Today if you hear his voice.
W E D NES D AY 2 6 T H M A R CH
Ephes 6:10–18
Be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power!
T H U RS DA Y 2 0 T H MA R C H
Rom 8:1–4
That which was impossible for
the law
T H U RS DA Y 2 7 T H MA R C H
Matt 13:18–30
The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a man who sowed
good seed in his field .
F R ID AY 2 1 S T MA R C H
Gen 1:26–31
God created man in his own image
F R ID AY 2 8 T H M AR C H
Eph 4:25–32
Don’t lie.
S A TU R DA Y 2 2 N D M AR C H
Isa 11:1–10
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest
upon Him.
S A TU R DA Y 2 9 T H M AR C H
Zechariah 3:1–5
Look, I take away your guilt .
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Faith at home
J ESU S
A ND
N ICO DE MU S - P A RT 1
Lent gives room for wonder and question. Nicodemus came to Jesus late at
night. Was he embarrassed to seek Jesus and thought: What will the other
Jewish leaders say? Or was it a natural thing to do - the evening and the
night were cool after a hot day and just the right time for wonder and conversation? "Born again" can also be translated "born from above".
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
Are there any questions or wonder about God and Jesus?
(The question may be preceded by a retelling of Nicodemus who came to
Jesus with questions.)
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
Have you noticed that some people cross themselves? (when they pray,
when they have been to Communion etc.) What does it mean?
End the meal by crossing yourself : You may want to say a brief confession
while doing sign of the cross from forehead to breast , from right to left
shoulder: "I -am - God’s - child."
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T HE T EE NAG ER )
Is doubt clearly negative or it can also be something positive? If one is unsure, what is it that determines if one calls himself a Christian or not?
Are there questions that you as an adult are struggling with, and that it may
be appropriate to share with your teen?
NET - T IP S
At the webpage www.barnogtro.no, go to “hjemmet” in the menu. There
you find “tips til hverdagene” (tips for daily life). Among other good things
to read, there is an article about the practice of crossing ourselves, reminding us that this is an old common tradition in the Christian Church, not
only among Catholics.
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love
3rd Sunday of lent (30th march)
MAIN TEXT: LUKE 11:14-28
OT TEXT: 1 SAM 18:6-14
NT TEXT: EPH 5:1-2, 8-11
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 3:13-17
Stronger than the strong
48
The text for Sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
L U K E 11: 14 - 28
14
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who
had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested him by asking
for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom
divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan
is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that
I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do
your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out
demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 “When a
strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when
someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the
man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and
whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a
person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will
return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in
order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go
in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”
27
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the
mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those
who hear the word of God and obey it.”
FOR
T HE CHI LD RE N :
J O HN 3: 13 -17
13
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son
of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must
be lifted up,15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
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Stronger than the strong
The battles are ongoing, but the victory is secured
The Battle of Stalingrad is probably one of the most important turning
points of World War II. Hitler’s war machine was, afterall, not invincible.
After the defeat at Stalingrad, there was basically only one direction for
Hitler to go and that was down. Although Hitler’s military still fought
many battles after its defeat at Stalingrad, the outcome of WWII had already been determined. Hitler and his military forces would be defeated.
Likewise, the devil also has had his Stalingrad. Calvary’s Cross delivered
the devil, sin and the forces of death a fatal blow and a stinging defeat.
Although the battle is not over, the outcome has been given. We know
who wins. The war is won, however the battle is ongoing, but victory is
secured.
Jesus and the man who could not speak
Jesus did something good. A man who had been mute and could not
speak received his speech back after Jesus had driven an evil spirit out of
him. But this good deed was met with suspicion that Jesus himself was
allied with evil spiritual forces. Jesus is fighting several fights in the text
for this Sunday. The first battle is against evil spirits. That one he wins.
Jesus is stronger than the strongest unclean spirit. Jesus also fights a battle against suspicion. It can appear to be a hard fight to win. The message
of God’s Kingdom that has reached us today, met resistance.
For our days and times *
“The injustice cries from the Earth towards Heaven, and God has chosen
a side. Where people are down trodden, where lives are destroyed,
where human worth is violated, there God is violated also. The cries are
many from humans who are discriminated against because of their race,
their faith, or their gender. From slave workers to prisoners who are incarcerated without any fair trial or judgement, from the abused and maltreated to those without home or land, from refugees to humans who
are robbed of their daily bread – oppression fuelled by greed is spreading. It takes from the hungry, and gives to the full. It invades us with its
cold laws. Profitability has become the god of our time, and the highest
norm. Through Jesus Christ, God’s kingdom breaks through the darkness.
Where this kingdom spreads, both rich and poor are liberated. God chose
a side and He calls us to choose between justice and injustice”.
*The last paragraph is paraphrased from www.korsvei.no
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Either: Can you tell about an event from the WWII that is about someone
from your family or other relatives?
Or: Tell about a sports moment you can never forget.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Be quiet together for a moment. Become conscious of God’s presence in
the group.
Read together Psalm 145, or sing worship songs together, or listen to worship music.
W O RD
Read together Luke 11:14-28 and the introduction to the topic. Share with
each other thoughts from the text.
Do you recognize that the Christian life is a spiritual battle that we are in? If
so, then how?
In the face of temptation, and in the face of evil, it is about taking on the
fight together. What do you think? Yes/No/Both?
The devil is still harassing people in our time. What is the devil’s fault, and
what do we need to take responsibility for ourselves?
Pray together for each other and for people you are reminded of. Pray also
for missionaries and mission projects that you are especially concerned for,
and who may be experiencing an especially difficult spiritual battle.
W IT N ES S —S EE
GRO WT H ”
P A GE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY E R ” AN D
”4 P ’ S
FOR
Is there a person you know who is experiencing difficulty standing in a spiritual battle, that you can give encouragement or practical help?
How can we get involved as church and as individuals against the evil in our
time? Also look at “For Our Day and Times” in the introduction.
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D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 3 0 T H M AR C H
(3rd Sunday of Lent)
Luke 11:14–28
Then The Kingdom of God has
come to you.
S U ND A Y 6 T H AP R IL
(4TH Sunday of Lent)
Hebr 4:14–16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grce with confidence.
M O N D AY 31 ST M AR C H
1 Pet 5:8–11
Resist him, steadfast in your
faith!
M O N D AY 7 T H AP R IL
Luke 19:41–48
The things that make for peace!
T U ES DA Y 1 ST AP R IL
John 6:5–13
Then Jesus took the loaves, and
when he had given thanks, he
distributed them to those who
were seated.
T U ES DA Y 8 TH A PR IL
Mark 12:1–12
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
W E D NES D AY 2 ND AP R IL
John 6:28–35
I am the bread of life.
W E D NES D AY 9 T H AP R IL
Acts 17:1–9
He reasoned with them from the
scriptures.
T H U RS DA Y 3 R D AP R IL
1 Cor 10:1–6
All were baptized into Moses in
the cloud and in the sea.
F R ID AY 4 T H AP R IL
John 3:11–16
For God so loved the world…
S A TU R DA Y 5 TH A PR IL
Numbers 21:4–9
So Moses made a serpent of
bronze, and put it upon a pole.
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T H U RS DA Y 1 0 T H AP R IL
Matt 21:12–17
My house shall be called a house
of prayer.
F R ID AY 1 1 T H AP R IL
Zechariah 9:9–10
See, your king comes to you.
S A TU R DA Y 1 2 T H AP R IL
John 12:1–8
She bought it so she might keep it
for the day of my burial.
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
J ESU S
A ND
N ICO DE MU S -
PART
2
Last Sunday we heard about the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, about becoming born again. The talk goes on: this time, you can start
from The Little Bible: John 3:16. Discuss with the kids about why we call this
verse The Little Bible. Jesus connects the story about the snake in the desert (Numbers 21) with The Little Bible. You might retell this exciting story.
W H AT
”A T
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
T H E BE DS IDE ” ( S MA L L CHI LDR EN )
Take The Little Bible, and use it as part of the evening prayer for the next 14
days, so that the child learns the text by heart. Talk about what the words
mean. Maybe you can make up your own version of John 3:16 in your own
words?
”A T
T H E DI NN ER T AB LE ”
( T HE
F EL LO W SH IP )
Look up The Little Bible (John 3:16) in several languages, and read or listen
to one version at every dinner for example for one week ( You find audio
Bibles in several languages at www.biblegateway.com).
”I N
T HE CA R ” ( T H E T E EN A GER )
What does it mean that “God has loved the world”, when there is so much
evil here? Is God still active in the battle against evil? If so, then how?
N ET - T IP S
You will find several “magic tricks” and simple stories about John 3:16 by
looking up The Little Bible at youtube. For example,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkeVM72U8vQ)
53
54
Passover — ResurRection of jesus
Giving new hope
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The story behind passover
Passover is the English word for the Hebrew word “Pesach”, which
means to “pass by.” In the time of Jesus and the Disciples, they would
have celebrated “Paskha” (the Greek spelling) yearly. In the “Old Testament”, “Passover” was celebrated to remember when Moses led the
Israelites out of Egypt and out of slavery.
In Exodus Chapter 5, we can read about the Pharaoh in Egypt who
wouldn’t let the Israelites, who were slaves, leave the country. Therefore,
God sent 10 plagues to afflict the Egyptians. The last plague released was
the angel of death, who went through the streets killing all the firstborn
sons of the country.
God had forewarned the Israelites about this through Moses. They
slaughtered a lamb, and stroked the blood on the doorposts and the lintels of the house. The angel passed by the houses that had blood on the
doors. Thereby “Pesach”- the death passed by!
Jews celebrate Passover (with a meal called a “Seder”) by eating lamb
and bread baked without yeast (unleavened bread). They do this to remember their forefathers who (when Pharaoh finally agreed to set them
free) left in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to let the bread rise.
Passover is also called “The Feast of Unleavened Bread.”
In the New Testament, Jesus (being a devout Jew) celebrated “Passover”
the same way as other Jews of his day celebrated. Jesus’ last “Passover”
and last “Supper” was celebrated in Jerusalem. Jesus celebrated
“Passover” with his disciples together at the same time He instituted The
Lord’s Supper (or what is called Holy Communion today). In the New
Testament, Jesus is called the “New Passover Lamb.”
The Jewish “Feast of Unleaven Bread” (“Passover”) helps us to understand what the Christian Paskha and the yearly commemoration of
“Jesus’ Resurrection” means. Jesus blood on the cross, means that death
also passes by our door, the same way as the blood of the lamb means
that the angel of death passed by the Israelite’s doors.
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Passover at home
Here are suggestions to how you can have a quiet time together with Jesus
everyday of Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

Try to find a place where you can be alone for about 30 min.

Pray that Jesus will meet you through His Word and by His Spirit.

Read the text. Try to picture the scenes, and imagine you are right
there in what’s happening.

What does this mean for you? Thank Jesus for what he has done,
and pray about other things you are thinking about.
Palm Sunday: Jesus rides into Jerusalem as King - John 12:1-19
Monday: John 14: 1-31
Tuesday: John 17: 1-26
Wednesday: John 13: 1-17
Maundy Thursday: Jesus institutes The Lord’s Supper - Luke 22:1-62
Good Friday: Jesus dies on the cross - Luke 22:63, 23:56, Isaiah 53
(Tip: Watch a film depicting Jesus’ death and resurrection, for example,
“Passion of The Christ”)
Holy Saturday: Matt 27:62-66
Resurrection Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead - John 20:1-31,
John 21:1-25
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Passover at home
S U GG ES T IO N
F O R A F AMI L Y G AT HER ING O N
M AU NDY T HU R SD AY
Prepare a good meal on Maundy Thursday, where you use lamb meat as
the main course. During this time of year, there are often good recipes
for lamb in the newspapers and on the Internet. Invite several people, or
your closest family members. Along with the meal, it’s nice to have some
music, food, and table decorations inspired by the Jewish Passover celebration. To help remember the Exodus from Egypt, here are some suggestions:

Read together Exodus 12:3-5 and 8:14-15. (You might retell the
story about when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt).

Everyone holds a parsley sprig in their hand, and says: “Blessed
are you, Lord, our God, the King of the universe, who creates everything that grows on earth, and from which we get food!” Everyone dip the parsley sprig in salt water, and eat it. The leader says:
“We dip parsley in salt water and remember the tears in Egypt,
and Jesus Christ’s suffering. Like the Israelites walked through the
Red Sea, Jesus Christ went through sufferings and the depths of
Hell to the Land of Resurrection. When we are baptized with water, we follow Jesus into this good land.”

Everyone get a piece of “Mors Flatbrød “(unleavened and available here in Norway). This reminds us of the unleavened bread
that the Israelites had to eat in all haste before they fled. The
leader says: “This is the bread of trials that our fathers ate in
Egypt, and that Jesus ate the last evening before he suffered. Let
anyone who is hungry come and eat. Let anyone who is in need
come and take part in this celebration of The Lord’s Supper. This
year we are here in this world. The next year, we are in the world
to come, the “New Jerusalem”, the good land.”

Read 1. Cor. 11:23-26 about the institution of the “Communion”
on Maundy Thursday.
(Get more ideas by going online to Israel Mission website at
www.israelsmisjonen.no and click on «ressurser».)
N ET - T IP S
At www.youversion.com you may look up “The story of Easter” (Christ’s
death and resurrection) which is a bible reading plan with devotions for
every day of the Passover week.
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Daily Bible Readings
S U ND A Y 1 3 T H AP R IL
(Palm Sunday)
John 12:12–24
Blessed is He who comes in the
name of the Lord.
S U ND A Y 2 0 T H AP R IL
(Resurrection Sunday)
Luke 24:1–9
He is not here, he has risen.
M O ND AY 1 4 T H AP R IL
John 12:44–50
I have come as light into the
world.
M O ND AY 2 1 S T AP R IL
Luke 24:13–35
Then beginning with Moses and
all the prophets, he interpreted to
them the things about himself in
all the scriptures
T U ES DA Y 1 5 T H AP R IL
Matt 26:30–35
But after I am raised up, I will go
ahead of you to Galilee.
W E D NES D AY 1 6 T H A PR IL
Matt 20:25–28
The Son of Man did not come to
be served, but to serve, and to
give His life as a ransom for
many.
T H U RS DA Y 1 7 T H AP R IL
(Maundy Thursday)
Matt 26:17–30
This is my blood of the covenant.
F R ID AY 1 8 T H AP R IL
(Good Friday)
John 18:1–19:42
Jesus said: It is finished!
S A TU R DA Y 1 9 T H AP R IL
(Holy Saturday)
Psalm 22:1–22
My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?
T U ES DA Y 2 2 ND AP R IL
John 20:1–10
He saw and believed.
W E D NES D AY 2 3 R D AP R IL
John 20:11–18
“Why are you crying, woman?”
T H U RS DA Y 2 4 T H AP R IL
John 20:19–23
Jesus came and stood among
them and said, peace be with you!
F R ID AY 2 5 TH A PR IL
John 20:24–31
Do not doubt, but believe.
S A TU R DA Y 2 6 T H AP R IL
1 Pet 1:3–9
He has given us a new birth into a
living hope.
59
hope
2nd Sunday of passover (27th april)
MAIN TEXT: JOHN 21:1-14
OT TEXT: ISA 43:10-13
NT TEXT: 1 COR 15:12-21
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 21:1-14
Hope through a good breakfast
60
Text for Sunday
T EXT F O R ADU LT S A ND CHI LDR EN :
J O H N 2 1:1 -14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this
way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,”
Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got
into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it
was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon
Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he
had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat,
towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred
yards.9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and
some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So
Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large
fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him,
“Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to
them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to
his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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Hope through a good breakfast
After a long night, the arrival of morning can be a relief.
Morning stands in direct contrast to the night. It is clear and concrete.
Our mornings are often filled with the smells of coffee, breakfast, exhaust from cars and perfumes.
The morning described in the text, however, does not suggest the morning smells of coffee and perfumes, but rather the scents that are associated with a long fishing trip. When the sun began to shine on the nets
of the fishermen, it was only the odor of old fish that filled the air. They
had fished all night, but hadn’t caught any fish.
Sweaty, tired and in despair the fishermen were on their way into land.
Jesus came walking right into this odor of sweat and old fish.
He walks straight into the everyday lives of the fishermen. He meets their
tired and sweaty faces and sees their concrete need: fish in their nets
and a good, hearty breakfast.
We often limit Jesus to an idea or a phenomenon, something which often
has little to do with our everyday lives. On the morning in the text, however, Jesus is not an idea. He meets specific needs right in the midst of the
scent of fish odors. Jesus is arisen; he is alive; and he is personal.
We were not there on that particular beach to meet Jesus that morning.
But are we open to having Jesus meet us in our morning reality, somewhere between our coffee, breakfast and bathroom line? Dare we see
Jesus as the one who can help us with our concerns and challenges?
Jesus is not just an idea or a phenomenon. Nor is he far from us.
He is a part of our everyday lives. He knows about the dirty socks, and
the laundry that should have been folded. We do not need to put on our
mask of make-up before we meet Jesus.
We do not need to leave the house to meet him. He meets us where we
are, right in the middle of socks, towels and overturned glasses of milk.
It is exactly in this place that he can affect our real lives. It is exactly here
that he can bring hope into our everyday.
Then our faith can be alive and well from Monday to Saturday and not
just on Sunday.
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Tell about a time when you experienced God’s nearness in a way that surprised you.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 139 – Sing together – Listen to a CD
W O RD
Read John 21:1-14 together. Read the introduction to theme. Share your
thoughts about the text with each other.
Is it easy to think that Jesus is present in concrete ways in our everyday
lives?
Are there any parts of your life it is difficult to invite Jesus to be a part of?
Imagine that Jesus invites you to breakfast, as he did with the disciples.
What kind of perspective would that give you for the rest of the day?
Read about "Examen" as a spiritual exercise. (www.menighetsressurs.com)
Discuss how this can help you see Jesus in your everyday life.
W IT N ES S — S E E
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO PA GE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY ER ” A ND
”4 P ’ S
The next time you bake, bake a loaf of bread or a cake that you can give to
your neighbor.
63
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 2 7 T H AP R IL
(2ND Sunday after Resurrection)
Text for sermon: John 21:1-14
Come and have breakfast!
M O N D AY 2 8 T H AP R IL
Rom 14: 7-11
None of us lives to himself alone.
T U ES DA Y 2 9 TH A PR IL
Hebr 13: 20-22
May he equip you with everything good.
W E D NES D AY 3 0 T H A PR IL
Psalm 23:1-6
I shall not be in want.
S U ND A Y 4 T H M AY
( 3RD Sunday after Resurrection)
Text for sermon: John 10: 11-18
And there shall be one flock and
one shepherd.
M O N D AY 5 T H M AY
Psalm 100: 1-3
Worship the Lord with gladness.
T U ES DA Y 6 T H M AY
Rom 15: 5-13
All joy and peace as you trust in
him.
W E D NES D AY 7 T H MA Y
Acts 2: 22-28
My body also will live in hope.
T H U RS DA Y 1 ST M AY
Luke 6: 31-36
Love your enemies.
T H U RS DA Y 8 TH M AY
Luke 17: 11-19
He praised God in a loud voice.
F R ID AY 2 ND M AY
Revelation 7: 11-17
God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes.
S A TU R DA Y 3 R D MA Y
John 1: 43-49
Follow me!
F R ID AY 9 TH M AY
John 14:1-11
I am the way and the truth and
the life.
S A TU R DA Y 1 0 T H M A Y
Isa 35: 8-10
It will be called the Way of Holiness
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Faith at home
BY
T HE
SEA
OF
G A LI LE E
P ART
1
The text in John 21:1-14 tells us that the disciples had been out fishing the
whole night. They were tired and exhausted, and they didn’t get any fish.
Then Jesus appeared in the midst of what seemed to be a very difficult and
challenging situation. And Jesus helped them with exactly what they needed the most at that moment. All of the sudden they got fish in their net,
and afterwards he made a good breakfast for them so they could relax and
eat.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
Have you noticed that Jesus has been there with you today? How?
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
Speak about how it would have been if Jesus had entered the room now
and joined you for dinner.
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T HE T EE NAG ER )
What does Jesus mean to you?
What do you want Jesus to do for you?
65
hope
4th Sunday after resurrection (11th may)
MAIN TEXT: JOHN 16: 16-22
OT TEXT: ISA 54:7-10
NT TEXT: PHIL 3:12-14
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 21:1-14
The turning point
66
Text for sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
J O HN 1 6:1 6 -2 2
16
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little
while you will see me.”
17
At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a
little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and
‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking
one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and
then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and
mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is
born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So
with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no
one will take away your joy.
FOR
CHI LD RE N :
J O HN 21: 1 -14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this
way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,”
Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got
into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on
the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them,
“Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the
right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul
the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved
said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he
wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the
water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they
were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of
burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some
of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not
torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask
him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave
it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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The turning point
Most films are built up to a turning point. A turning point that turns the
frustration into inspiration, the anger into encouragement, the sadness
into joy. The movie creates the expectation that when the film is at its
darkest, there will be a turning point in terms of a solution that makes
everything brighter and gives the story a "happy ending".
Unfortunately, it often feels as if the same pattern is difficult to recognize
in real life. Frustrations can build up over many years without any solution being presented. When people go through their darkest moment, it
doesn’t mean that there will soon be a turning point. Actually, many
would regard the idea of ”turning points” to have very little to do with
real life.
But this text points to a real turning point in our lives and in the history of
mankind. That very moment was full of confusion, chaos and grief for the
disciples. But Jesus said: «Your grief will turn to joy». These words were
not only empty words, they did not only represent a turning point in a
fiction story. They pointed at the strongest and greatest turning point of
all times: Jesus died on the cross and rose again to give people hope of
eternal life.
Today this is not only a story we are waiting for and hoping for. It has
already happened! Jesus has risen and conquered mankind’s greatest
problem, death. When people walk with Jesus, they will no longer go
towards death, but towards eternal life.
The turning points that exist on film, are small compared to the turning
point Jesus made in our lives. The age of «happy endings» is not over.
The greatest ”happy ending” of all times is within reach. The question for
us is how we live with and pay heed to this turning point in our lives. Do
we really believe that the world's biggest turning point already has occurred and that it applies to us? How do we communicate it to others?
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Tell about a time you experienced a turning point in your life.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 40—Sing together - Listen to a CD
W O RD
Read together John 16: 16-22 and the introduction. Consider the turning
point as described in the text.
Are these only empty words to you, or are you able to face them as reality?
What consequences do you see of this turning point in your daily life?
Will you only see the consequences of that turning point after death or
does it make a difference in your life here and now?
How do you imagine heaven? Describe your hopes.
W IT N ES S — S E E
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO PA GE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY ER ” A ND
”4 P ’ S
Imagine an evening at your house where the theme is ”Life after death?!”
Who would you like to invite? How would you prepare such an evening?
Are you interested in inviting for an evening like that?
69
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 1 1 T H M A Y
(4TH Sunday after Resurrection)
Text for sermon John 16:16-22
Your grief will turn to joy
M O N D AY 1 2 TH M AY
John 13: 30-35
Love one another
S U ND A Y 1 8 TH M AY
( 5th Sunday after Resurrection)
Text for sermon: John 15: 1-8
Remain in me, as I also remain in
you.
M O N D AY 1 9 T H M A Y
John 17: 6-11
Protect them by the power of your
name
T U ES DA Y 1 3 TH M AY
John 15: 9-17
Now remain in my love!
W E D NES D AY 1 4 T H M AY
Gal 5:16-26
The fruit of the Spirit is love
T H U RS DA Y 1 5 T H MA Y
Matt 5: 3-12
Blessed are the peacemakers
F R ID AY 1 6 T H M AY
1 Kings 8: 12-13, 27-30
Hear the supplication of your
servant
S A TU R DA Y 1 7 T H M AY
Luke 1: 50-53
His mercy extends..., from generation to generation
70
T U ES DA Y 2 0 T H MA Y
Jer 29: 4-7
For if it (the city) prospers, you too
will prosper
W E D NES D AY 2 1 S T MA Y
Exodus 35:30-36:1
He has fillled him with the Spirit
of God.
T H U RS DA Y 2 2 ND M AY
Luke 11: 5-13
To the one who knocks, the door
will be opened.
F R ID AY 2 3 R D MA Y
Matt 6: 7-13
Your kingdom come
S A TU R DA Y 2 4 T H MA Y
Dan 6: 7-12
Three times a day he got down
on his knees and prayed
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
BY
T HE SE A O F
G A LIL EE P ART 2
We've already heard about how Jesus met the disciples on the beach after
he had risen from the dead. They go fishing with their nets, and Jesus made
a good breakfast for them.
This morning was not only special because Jesus gave his disciples what
they needed and helped them. Jesus was raised from the dead. He was
with them again. The story tells us that it was the third time he appeared to
his disciples. Therefore, this morning was also a new beginning, a turning
point. The disciples were to continue to talk about Jesus so that all people
on earth could get to know Jesus. The 153 fish is a picture of the world: At
that time they believed there were 153 nations in the world. Today we
know about 6877 language groups, and there are plenty more.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
Jesus made it possible for all of us to get to heaven. What do you think heaven is like?
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
What is the most important thing Jesus has done for us?
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T HE T EE NAG ER )
Talk about ”turning points” in movies. Have you watched movies with
”turning points” inspired by the resurrection of Jesus?
71
hope
6th Sunday after resurrection (25th may)
MAIN TEXT: LUKE 18:1-8
OT TEXT: JER 29:10-14
NT TEXT: 1 JOHN 5:13-15
CHILDREN’S TEXT: JOHN 20:24-31
The persistent widow
72
Text for sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
L U K E 18 :1 - 8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and
not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor
cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to
him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God
or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that
she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
6
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about
justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting
them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the
Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
FOR
T HE CHI LD RE N :
J O HN 20 : 24 -31
24
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples
when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he
said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails
were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were
in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus
came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop
doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told
him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have believed.”
30
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
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The persistent widow
This is a parable which first and foremost is about the prayers potential,
about our potential to obtain help from God. Jesus tells the story about a
widow. At the time widows were among those who were weakest in the
community, given over to the grace of others.
Now she is knocking on the door of the village judge, who is unfortunately an unjust judge, in the hope of having her case settled in her advantage. What the case is referring to, we do not know, but she is probably not the stronger party. In desperation she turns again and again to
the only authority in the village which has the authority to help. The
judge’s decision can save her.
After much persistence from the widows’ side, the judge cannot be bothered to stand against her anymore. The most natural thing for him to do
is not to care about those people he had been given the authority over.
In order to have peace for himself, he settles the case in favour of the
woman. With the stroke of a pen. It costs him very little, when he only
bothers.
It can appear provocative that we are to be compared with a persistent
widow. But it is the contrasts which are interesting. We are not like this
woman, given over to an unjust judge who only does the good because
he can’t stand the persistence. No, we have a Father in heaven who
knows what we need and will give it to us. God does not want us to
moan, but he wants us to use time together with him. Therefore let us
count on God. Pray and don’t give up.
This story is about how we are often given over to powers in life which
are stronger than ourselves, and that our only hope is that God will help.
“Jesus told them a parable that they should always pray and not give up.”
This is how the story begins. The judge helps the widow even though he
doesn’t care about her. Shouldn’t God, then, who is good, help those he
loves and has chosen?
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Have you ever met a really persistent person, man or woman? Or do you
remember some time as a child when you insisted that your parents give
you something you wanted? Or maybe you yourself have persistent
children at home?
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Read Psalm 130 ”Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.”
- Sing together - Listen to a CD
W O RD
Read Luke 18: 1-8 and the introduction on the last page. Share thoughts
with each other.
Speak about things in life where you are not in control. Things which may
create problems. Think about it, have you ever ”cried to the Lord out of the
depths”?
We may feel powerless when terrible things happen. Why did God allow it?
We call this issue ”the problem of evil”.
The parable does not say anything about why God allows these things to
happen, it only happens. How does it affect us? How does it affect our
prayer life?
Also today there are people who live in desperate situations and cry for
help. But the same people may also express joy of life and gratitude in spite of their poverty. How could we get more of that joy?
W IT N ES S — S E E
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO PA GE
90
FOR
”3
IN PR AY ER ” A ND
”4 P ’ S
”You shall not bear so well, the injustice that doesn’t affect yourself”, the
Norwegian poet Arnulf Øverland said. How can we cry for other people?
Can we do something concrete about this today?
75
D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 2 5 T H MA Y
(6th Sunday after Resurrection)
Luke 18:1–8
Will not God bring about justice
for his chosen ones?
S U ND A Y 1 S T JU N E
(Sunday before Pentecost)
John 15:26–27
When the Advocate comes,... he
will testify about me.
M O N D AY 2 6 T H MA Y
Phil 4:4–9
Do not be anxious about
anything!
M O N D AY 2 ND J U NE
Isa 26:7–9
My soul yearns for you in the
night
T U ES DA Y 2 7 T H MA Y
Dan 9,15–19
For your sake, my God, do not
delay
W E D NES D AY 2 8 T H M AY
Eph 1,20–23
And God placed all things under
his feet
T H U RS DA Y 2 9 TH M AY
(The Ascension of Jesus)
Mark 16:19–20
He was taken up into heaven
F R ID AY 3 0 T H MA Y
Luke 24:44–53
He had led them out to the vicintiy of Bethany
S A TU R DA Y 31 S T M AY
Luke 1: 39–48
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the child you will
bear!
76
T U ES DA Y 3 R D JU N E
Eph 4:1–7
Make every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit
W E D NES D AY 4 T H JU N E
John 16:12–15
But when he, the Spirit of truth,
comes, he will guide you...
T H U RS DA Y 5 T H JU NE
Gen 1:1–5, 20–25
And God saw that it was good
F R ID AY 6 TH J U NE
1 Cor 2:9–16
What no eye has seen
S A TU R DA Y 7 TH J U NE
(Pentecost Eve)
John 7:37–39
Let anyone who is thirsty come
to me and drink!
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
J ESU S
A ND
T HO MA S
Imagine missing the first meeting with Jesus after he was risen again. All
the other disciples talked about it. Thomas felt outside and could not believe it was true. "I have to get concrete evidence!"
Suddenly, Jesus was there. "Come, Thomas, here are the wounds in my
hands and in my stomach." Then Thomas fell down on his knees before
Jesus: "My Lord and my God."
Read the text together, John 20:24-31, and talk together about how it was
for the disciples and Thomas.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
Jesus came to the disciples through locked doors. Suddenly he was just
there. Talk about the fact that Jesus is here even though we can not see
him.
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
What would have happened if Jesus had suddenly come to visit our family?
Would we be afraid? Perhaps embarrassed? Are there some things we
would like to show Jesus, or maybe something we would hide from him?
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T HE T EE NAG ER )
Is it okay to have doubts? What do you think about Thomas who would not
believe unless he saw Jesus? Do we need to see Jesus to believe?
77
pentecost
New beginnings
Pinsetiden
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The story behind pentecost
Pentecost is the third of the main Christian Celebrations. Pentecost originates from the Greek word for fifty, “pentekoste”, because it arrives 50
days after Passover. Pentecost was originally a Jewish harvest festival,
which is described in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 16: 9-12. The
corn harvest festival is one of three Jewish pilgrim feasts. Jews from
every part of the world flooded there to Jerusalem in order to participate
in the Pentecostal celebration at the temple. It is also called the festival
of the first fruits, to commemorate the special sacrifices which took place
in the temple on this day. Today the Jews decorate both their homes and
synagogues with flowers, fruits and green vegetation.
The feasts other main motive is to commemorate the revelation on Sinai,
that the Nation of Israel received the Ten Commandments.
We can draw lines between both the Jewish and Christian Pentecost:

Jesus as the first fruit, the first of those to be resurrected.

Jesus who fulfils the law which was given on Sinai, and who gives
power so to live the new life in the Holy Spirit.
But in practice the Christian Pentecost took on a new meaning. At the
Pentecost the Holy Spirit appeared to the disciples and gave them
strength and words so that they could then go and speak about Jesus. It
was to mark the beginning of the Christian church, and from this point
onwards for the Christian church as a whole. Many refer to Pentecost as
the birthday of the Church. The Tower of Babel is also another backdrop
to the Christian Pentecost. The Old Testament tells us that in the beginning everyone spoke the same language. Man decided for himself to
build a tall tower that could reach all the way up to heaven, but God destroyed that tower and gave each man a different language. From this
time onwards they could not speak to one another and they could no
longer work together in completing the project. At Pentecost a sign took
place when the disciples spoke to people: Everyone could hear about
Jesus in their own language. The division of the nations that the Bible
tells us about, after the mixing up of the languages at Babel, was removed at Pentecost. In this way the story of Pentecost tells us that all
Christians are one nation. When the Holy Spirit is present people can
speak together and understand one another despite everything that
might separate them.
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Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 8 T H J U NE
(Pentecost Sunday)
John 20:19-23
Then he breathed on them and
said “Receive the Holy Spirit”
S U ND A Y 1 5 T H JU NE
(Trinity Sunday)
Matt 28:16–20
Baptise them in the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
M O N D AY 9 TH JU NE
Joh 16:5–11
He will walk in justice with the
World
M O N D AY 1 6 T H JU N E
Isaiah 6:1–7
I saw the Lord sitting on a throne
high and exalted
T U ES DA Y 1 0 T H JU N E
1 Cor 12:1–7
There are different spiritual gifts,
but the Spirit remains the same
T U ES DA Y 1 7 T H JU N E
Isaiah 44:1–5
I pour out my Spirit over your descendants
W E D NES D AY 1 1 T H J U NE
2 Cor 3:1–6
You are the messengers of Christ
W E D NES D AY 1 8 T H JU N E
Rom 6:1–11
We have been buried with him
through baptism and through this
baptism to death
T H U RS DA Y 1 2 T H JU N E
Ephes 2:14–22
Through him we all have access
to the Father in one Spirit.
F R ID AY 1 3 T H JU N E
Luke 10:21–24
Everything my Father has given
to me.
S A TU R DA Y 1 4 T H JU NE
Gen 18:1–8
The Lord showed himself to Abraham near the great trees of
Mamre
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T H U RS DA Y 1 9 T H J U NE
Acts 22:6–16
And you shall be his witness for all
that you have seen and heard
F R ID AY 2 0 T H J U NE
John 3:1–13
Those who are not born of water
and Spirit
S A TU R DA Y 2 1 ST J U NE
Acts 11:5–18
You will be baptised in the Holy
Spirit.
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Season of trinity
Pinsetiden
the
new life
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Season of trinity
The season of Trinity is the longest one in the churches calendar year. It
begins with Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost, and continues right through to the first Sunday in Advent. There are three main
focal points: Gods intention with life through his creation, including work,
family and justice. We read scriptures regarding church, colleagues and
spiritual gifts, about love and serving and regarding wholeness of heart.
There are also scriptures regarding life in the kingdom of God and that the
future is in Gods hand. In the centre stands the faith in the triune God.
God is one, however, three, all at the same time:
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit brings God alive and makes Him real for humankind at all
times and in all places. Acts 2 tells us about The Holy Spirit, who came
upon the disciples that very first Pentecost. Filled with the Spirit the disciples talked about Jesus, his death and his resurrection so that people
from every part of the world understood it. By the Holy Spirit we too can
speak about God in a way which makes the message relevant for people
today.
Jesus Christ
Through Jesus God came down to earth and became a man. He was born,
lived and died, as every human being does. That means that no one at any
other time can come to a place where God hasn’t already been. However,
Jesus did not remain in death. He broke the power of death, and life was
given the last word.
God the Father
God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. God is the Almighty Father. He has not only created the world once, He also sustains it every
day. The prayer “Our Father” teaches us that God cares about life in general.
The Holy Trinity in the Bible
After Jesus is baptised the Holy Spirit came upon him as a dove, and a
voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased.” In the command to baptise, Jesus sends the disciples out into
the world so that they can baptise people in the name of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit. We meet the Holy Trinity in the creation. God
creates the world and the universe through His Word. (Jesus in John 1:1)
whilst Gods Spirit “floats about the waters”.
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2nd Sunday of trinity (22nd june)
love
Faith
hope
MAIN TEXT: MATT 3:11-12
OT TEXT: EXODUS 14:15-22
NT TEXT: TITUS 3:4-7
CHILDREN’S TEXT: ACTS 9:1-19
past, present
and for eternity
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Text for sunday
FOR
ADU LT S :
M A T T 3: 11 - 12
11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with [the Holy
Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
FOR
CHI LD RE N :
A CT S 9 :1 -19
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.
He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so
that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might
take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly
a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to
him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and
you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but
when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,
“Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on
Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision
he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his
sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all
the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with
authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said
to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands
on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as
you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the
Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see
again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his
strength.
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Past, present and for eternity
B A PT IS M
F R EE S U S F R O M T HE P A ST
John the Baptist's message was that baptism was a boundary between
the old and the new. Baptism in water was an escape from the shadows
of the past. What is liberation in our time? What is freedom?
Pablo Picasso once said that the fewer tools he was given, the better the
result. The fewer the choices, the greater the creativity and the
greater the freedom. We often think the opposite: the more choices we
have, more freedom there is.
What if Picasso was right? That there will be real freedom only where
there are certain boundaries.
The Christian baptism frees us. It frees us to a life with certain boundaries.
B A PT IS M
C H AN G E S U S T O DAY
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance and change of mind. People
turned their backs on the old shadows and turned towards the future.
What is repentance in our time? A mind switch?
James F. Engel believes repentance no longer happens overnight. The
further away you are from God, the more stages you have to go through
to reach the Christian faith. Also after you have received Jesus and been
baptized the Christian life is a process which continues in stages.
What if Engel is right? That development as a Christian happens as a
process? What stage am I in this process?
Christian baptism changes our everyday. We can turn to Jesus every day.
B A PT IS M
C R E AT E S SO MET HIN G NE W F O R ET ERN IT Y
John said there was a difference between his baptism and that of Jesus.
Jesus created something new for eternity.
What is the meaning of eternity in our time? Eternal life?
Shelby Marshall wrote in 1991 about his son, Toby, who died shortly after
birth: "Did God create man to let him live for just two minutes? No, he
did not, he made Toby for eternity ... "
What if Shelby is right? That we are not created just for this world alone,
but for eternity?
Christian baptism is the gateway to eternity with God. We are born as
our parents' children. In baptism we are created new as God's children.
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growth group outline
W E LCO ME ( F IN D
MO RE T IP S O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Divide the group into 2 teams. Each person will be given their own A4
sheet of paper. By using only your hands, you should make the paper as
long as possible. Add the strips to each other and the goal is which team
makes the longest strip.
W O RS HI P ( F IN D MO R E
T IPS O N WWW . M E NIG H ET SR ESS UR S . C O M )
Be silent all together. Imagine a baptism you have participated in. What do
you see? Thank God for the miracle He makes happen at every baptism.
Read together Tit 3: 4-7 . Sing a song or listen to music.
W O RD
Read all of chapter 3 of Matthew and the introduction to the topic.
Share thoughts about what you have read.
What characterizes a Baptist Baptism?
What is special about Jesus' own baptism?
Share experiences and thoughts on issues from the introduction :



What is freedom, as you see it?
What is your understanding of the word repentance?
What kind of image do you have of eternity?
W IT N ES S — S E E
F O R GRO WT H ”
A LSO PA GE
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FOR
”3
IN PR AY ER ” A ND
”4 P ’ S
Do you talk with others about their baptism? Imagine that you in the next
14 days are going to talk to a person about their faith. What do you know
about that person's baptism? Who are their godparents? Who carried him/
her if baptized as a child?
Can you say anything about what baptism means for your own life?
Have an expectation that God can contribute something in the conversation!
Try to join in when someone in the neighborhood has baptism in the
church. What can you as a group contribute for the occasion?
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D a i l y B i b lå
e bære
Readings
Tungt
S U ND A Y 2 2 N D JU N E
S U ND A Y 2 9 T H J UN E
(2nd Sunday of Trinity)
(3rd Sunday of Trinity)
Matt 3: 11-12
He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and fire
Isaiah 25: 6-9
Let us rejoice and be glad in his
salvation
M O N D AY 2 3 R D JU N E
1 John 5: 5-12
He did not come by water only,
but by water and blood.
M O N D AY 3 0 T H JU N E
2 Cor 5:14-21
”Be reconciled to God !”
T U ES DA Y 2 4 R D JU N E
Luke 1: 5-17
He will go on before the Lord
W E D NES D AY 2 5 T H J U NE
John 2:1-11
”Fill the jars with water.”
T U ES DA Y 1 ST JU LY
Ephes 2: 1-10
But God is rich in mercy.
W E D NES D AY 2 ND J U LY
Matt 16: 24-27
For whosoever will save his life
shall lose it .
T H U RS DA Y 2 6 TH JU NE
Acts 13: 44-52
”I have made you a light for the
Gentiles.”
F R ID AY 2 7 T H J U NE
Revelation 21: 1-7
”I am the Alpha and the Omega.”
S A TU R DA Y 2 8 T H JU NE
Ruth 2: 8-16
”Come over here. Have some
bread.”
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T H U RS DA Y 3 R D J U LY
John 20: 24-29
" Come with your hand and put it
into my page. "
F R ID AY 4 T H JU LY
Joshua 24:19-24
"Separate yourselves of the foreign the gods."
S A TU R DA Y 5 TH JU LY
Phil 1: 21-26
To live is Christ for me
Tungt å bære
Faith at home
S AU L
BY
D AM A SCU S
Please read this story (Acts 9:1-19) together, either from the Bible or
a children's Bible. The story is strong and will awaken the wonder of imaginative children.
Join the children and put the word amaze in amazement.
W H AT
DO ES IT ME A N F O R U S ?
” A T T H E BE DS IDE ” ( SM A LL C H ILD R E N )
Saul was blind when he met Jesus. Many children wonder why we can not
see Jesus. Perhaps this could be an answer, we can not bear to see God
with our mortal eyes …
” A T T H E D INNE R TA B LE ” ( T H E FE LLOW SH IP )
Take a round of "x-amen" (see www.menighetsressurs.com)
Name one thing you can be thankful for and one thing that is a challenge.
Remind each other that Jesus walks with us.
” I N T H E CA R ” ( T HE T EE NAG ER )
Ananias met Jesus "in a vision," i.e., when he was in prayer. The task
Ananias received was very specific.
Marvel together that we can expect God to be present when we pray. Is
this something you have experienced yourself? Is this something your teenager has experienced?ro på
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Resources for the witness-part
"4 P's for Growth " and "3 in prayer" may be helpful for the “Witness”part of the group discussions .
Do we have expectations for how the church should grow?
• Upwards in a deeper relationship to God
• Inwards to warm relationships and an inclusive community
• Outwards so that new people can get to know Jesus
4 P’ S
FOR GROWTH
Prayer for Growth. Write your own Growth Prayer as a group that
you will use on your meetings throughout this semester.
Presence in our community. Are we in touch with the larger community around us on different levels? (Neighbors, sports activities, school etc.) Through activities in our church? (Choir,
Youth work, Babysong or other?) How do people in the community get to know the church through us?
Proclamation —relevant preaching and teaching. Show that the
Bible is relevant in people's everyday lives. Children’s education? Discipleship Training? Where are our strengths and
weaknesses?
Persuasion – people must feel free to decide for themselves, but
when do we invite or challenge people to take one more step
towards faith, especially when we feel that people are ”open”
for it?
3 IN
PR AY E R
Write down the names of up to three people who do not call themselves Christians, or who are not in the church community. Pray for
them throughout this spring, so that you and others can “cheer them
on” to believe and to join in actively with church life. Then ask the people in the group regularly how your relationship with them is progressing. Are there things God is showing you etc.?
See www.menighetsressurs.com for more information and examples.
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WWW.MENIGHETSRESSURS.COM
This booklet is published in cooperation between six churches and is recommended
by Stavanger Diocesan Office for use in congregations in Rogaland
Bymenigheten—Sandnes
DEN NORSKE KIRKE
Ålgård menighet
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