Word from Wiese

Paul & Sacrifice

Paul & Sacrifice

Colorful Characters Lenten Journey, 2025

Discussion Guide #4

2 April 2025

Dear Faith Friend,

God’s blessings on the first full week of our Lenten journey. Please use the following as a personal devotional or a small group discussion guide.

If you are searching for a Color Crew discussion group, feel free to join those led by Pastor Fritz: Wednesdays at 7 PM in Conference Room after 6.30 devotional. Or Thursday via Zoom. ID: 889-1717-8375. Password:  color.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”  Matthew 18.20

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”  Romans 12.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Get Started!

Let’s warm up. Share your name and what service at COS you attend most frequently. In honor of Jonah, share one time when you were on a boat.

Opening prayer:

Thanks God for gathering us together for these fun and holy 30 minutes. We know our world can feel pretty gray at times. Thanks for helping us feel more colorful when your Spirit gathers us in your Word, promises, and people. Bless this devotional time together that our biblical character’s story might lend color and clarity to our own faith journey with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discuss:

  1. Here’s a light-hearted question to warm up. There are 567 St. Paul Lutheran Churches in the ELCA. Have you ever worshiped or visited one? Where was it?
  2. When we first meet Saul (who eventually changes his name to Paul for reasons scholars’ debate), he’s not preaching Christ crucified and risen. Paul is not building congregations or encouraging them with letters. He’s trying to silence and even kill as many Christians as possible. Are there any other biblical figures you can think of who behaved badly that God is willing to use?
  3. Paul’s education as a Jew is impeccable, training with the renowned Gamaliel. Yet, Paul’s zeal within the branch of his faith leads him to killing others. Are there life situations that come to mind when people let their zeal for faith (or any other worthy movement) go too far or go astray? Enough that their zeal leads to a morphing from something positive to negative?
  4. The Lord certainly captures Paul’s attention by blinding him for three days, initiated by a light of dazzling brilliance on the road to Damascus. How does the Lord capture your attention? How might you pay attention to the Lord’s guidance of you as best you can?
  5. After one of history’s epic U-turns, Paul wants to spread the Jesus movement instead of suppress it. But despite his reformation, his horrible reputation precedes him. The core apostles understandably don’t trust Paul. If not for Barnabas speaking up for Paul, introducing him to key leaders, and mentoring him during his first missionary journey, it’s fair to wonder if Paul would have accomplished any of his life-giving ministry. Who has been a Barnabas to you, someone who has stood up for you?
  6. To whom are you a Barnabas, advocating for their opportunities because you see special potential in them?
  7. For a million bonus points, can you sing the little tune Pastor Fritz taught the congregation in his Sunday sermon? The lyrics are Philippians 4.4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice! (Rejoice, rejoice, again, I say rejoice!)”. What might Paul mean that we can and should rejoice in “always”? How is this possible or appropriate?
  8. Check out this testimony from Allison McCumber about the role of sacrifice in faith and life.
  9. In her video testimony, Allison McCumber shares how she and her husband Ben re-arranged their professions in order for her to spend more time as a mother. Allison shares “sacrifice is moving things around so that the most important things can happen.” What were your thoughts while listening to Allison’s story?
  10. Unfortunately, Paul endured many hardships throughout his ministry: beatings, continual threats, shipwrecks, earthquakes, stoning, and ultimately beheading. It’s ironic that the one who persecuted Christians for the faith now is persecuted for the faith. But Paul wrote that he was happy to endure all of this so that he could share the joy of Christ with others. Should Christians embrace sacrifice or discomfort in order to share their faith through word and deed? What are examples?
  11. This is a topic that should have been the first question! How do you react to Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2.8-9? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” How do you explain the grace offered through Christ?
  12. How do you explain how “good works” are grateful responses to the gift of grace and not requirements for God’s love?
  13. Pastor Fritz admitted that the compilation of Paul’s quotes that we read in worship was way too long! But each verse is a wonderful promise of hope and faith. What are some of your favorite quotes from Paul’s letters? (Here is a link for some of Paul’s best quotes).
  14. Bonus question: What hasn’t been explored in this discussion that you would like to share?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thanks again for these holy moments, either by myself or with this small group of friends. Through Paul’s life, thanks for the reminder that we can always do a life U-turn and head in new directions toward you. Remind us that we can rejoice in all times through your love. Thanks for the Barnabases in our lives who speak up for us and the chance to do the same for others. Thanks for the amazing news of “justification by grace through faith alone” that Paul gave his life for the world to hear. When our lives feel gray may you infuse them with an awareness of your colorful love and grace. Lead us this holy Lenten journey to your Son and his cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks everyone!

See you next week.

P.S. Here is a printer-friendly discussion guide that may be easier for groups to use!