Theme:The readings this Sunday speaks of trusting God when we do the right thing.
Questions:
Day 1: The first reading shows Jeremiah complaining to God of the treatment he got for speaking his word. Jeremiah was beaten and arrested for prophesying destruction on Jerusalem. The next day he was released and so he speaks what we have in the first reading.
Read carefully what Jeremiah said to the Lord. Considering that a prophet said this prayer, why do you think this is an appropriate prayer to God?
Based on the reading, what was Jeremiah feeling at that time?
What were his enemies planning to do to Jeremiah?
Have you ever felt the same way as Jeremiah did? What did you do? How would you pray to God?
Day 2: The later half of the prayer turns from complaint to trust in God.
Verse 11 is the turning point of the prayer. It speaks of God being a warrior. What did Jeremiah say about his persecutors?
While Jeremiah complained to God, he turned his complaint to a prayer of praise and confidence in God. How should you do then when you are being persecuted for doing the right thing?
What will you want to tell the Lord about the persecutions and difficulties you are experiencing now?
Day 3: The psalm shows a persecuted man. Notice his prayer and compare it with Jeremiah's prayer.
How did the psalmist describe how he was treated?
What was his prayer to God?
How did the psalm end?
How can you pattern your prayer to this prayer?
Day 4: In the second reading, St. Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus.
St. Paul says that sin came to the world through Adam. What was Adam's sin?
What was the consequence of his sin?
St. Paul says that all have sinned. Do you believe that you have sinned and still are a sinner? If you do not believe so, how can you reconcile what you believe with scripture?
If you consider yourself a sinner, what should you do? What will you tell Jesus?
Day 5: St. Paul continues to discuss about sin and the grace of God.
St. Paul speaks of a free gift. How would you define a free gift?
According to St. Paul, this free gift abounded for many. What does an abundance of the gift mean?
What is this free gift from God?
Do you believe that you have received this free gift from God? What would you want to tell the Lord?
Day 6: Jesus speaks to the disciples that he sent out to preach the good news.
Why should the disciples not be afraid when the preach the good news? This command is also for you. How does this apply to you?
Jesus says that nothing covered will not be uncovered and no secret will not be known. What did he mean by this?
Who should we fear? Why?
How is this relevant to you?
Day 7: From verse 26 to 31, a total of 6 verses, the words Fear not or do not be afraid is repeated three times. When a phrase is repeated several times in scripture, this is something very important.
What is Jesus telling his disciples when he told them not the be afraid? How does this apply to your current situation?
What did Jesus mean when he said that all the hairs of your head are counted? What does this show about God? How is this relevant to you?
How can you acknowledge Jesus? How can one deny Jesus?
Which one would you prefer to be?
