<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Sermon discussion guide Archives - Roland Park Presbyterian Church</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/tag/sermon-discussion-guide/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/tag/sermon-discussion-guide/</link>
	<description>A warm, welcoming community of faith in Northern Baltimore City</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:12:15 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	
	<item>
		<title>Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:12:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disputing with God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus 33:1–23]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus 34:4–9]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith and Doubt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God’s love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[idolatry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progressive Christian sermon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[repairing relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roland Park Presbyterian Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon Transcript]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9646</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this sermon on Exodus 33 and 34, Pastor Mark reflects on idolatry, certainty, and the living God who refuses to fit neatly into our boxes. Through Moses’ honest dispute with God, we are invited to consider a faith rooted not in formulas or fear, but in relationship, mystery, love, and repair.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/">Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Sermon Transcript: June 14, 2026</strong></p>
<p>Our reading this morning comes from Exodus chapters 33 and 34. This is the follow-up to what we read two weeks ago, where Moses was up on the mountain talking with God. The people were down waiting for Moses to return with a word from God. And it was taking longer than they expected. So they turned to Aaron, Moses&#8217; brother, and said, “Moses and God seem to have abandoned us. Please fashion for us another God that we can worship.”</p>
<p>Aaron said, “Give me all your jewelry” and melted it down, made a golden calf, and the people worshiped. God looked down and saw what the people were doing and said to Moses… <em>This really upsets me. And I think I&#8217;m just done with these people, and I&#8217;m going to just wipe them out like we did with the flood.</em> And Moses reminds God of God&#8217;s promises and faithfulness to God&#8217;s people. At the end of the passage, we find out that Moses has changed God&#8217;s mind. God decides not to visit destruction upon the people again. But this is what happens next:</p>
<p><strong>Exodus 33:1–23; 34:4–9                                                                                                                   </strong></p>
<p><em>The Lord said to Moses, “Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey, but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”</em></p>
<p><em>When the people heard these harsh words, they mourned, and no one put on ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.’ ” Therefore the Israelites stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.</em></p>
<p><em>Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand, each of them, at the entrance of their tents and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down, all of them, at the entrance of their tent. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp, but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.</em></p>
<p><em>Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”</em></p>
<p><em>The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The Lord,’ and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live.” And the Lord continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”</em></p>
<p><em>So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone. The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name, “The Lord.” The Lord passed before him and proclaimed,</em></p>
<p><em>“The Lord, the Lord,<br />
</em><em>a God merciful and gracious,<br />
</em><em>slow to anger,<br />
</em><em>and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,<br />
</em><em>keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation,<br />
</em><em>forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,<br />
</em><em>yet by no means clearing the guilty,<br />
</em><em>but visiting the iniquity of the parents<br />
</em><em>upon the children<br />
</em><em>and the children’s children<br />
</em><em>to the third and the fourth generation.”</em><em> </em></p>
<p><em>And Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped. He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, my Lord, I pray, let my Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”</em></p>
<p>For the Word of God in scripture,<br />
For the Word of God among us,<br />
For the Word of God within us,<br />
<strong>Thanks be to God.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
***</p>
<p>The older I get, and the longer I have been in this gig of talking about God for a living, the more and more I am convinced that those that speak of God the loudest, those that speak with the most certainty and authority of eternal matters, those that claim the mantle of faithful and true, are actually most likely to be worshiping an idol of their own creation.</p>
<p>The god they proclaim is so often small and unworthy of the title. This god only cares for some people, not everyone. The god they proclaim is bound by formulas that make little sense and force God into making decisions that are cruel and capricious. The god they proclaim offers salvation by syllables: if you say the right words in the right order, forgiveness and mercy and salvation are yours, no matter what you have done or said previously. That magic incantation is like an eternal get-out-of-jail-free card.</p>
<p>This god is available to those who are willing to turn off their ability to think critically and freely, and just believe certain things to be true. If you call on the name of this god or pray in a certain way, this god will always answer.</p>
<p>Just listen to them and ask, “How big is this God, really?” And does this sound like the God we encounter in scripture? Barbara Brown Taylor makes it plain that it is not. She writes, “Only an idol always answers.”</p>
<p>The God that we encounter in the Bible is no idol. And let me be very clear, I am not talking about idols like the Hebrews built with Aaron, a statue made of their gold jewelry. I am talking about the kind of idol that we make with our minds, false gods of our own making.</p>
<p>Now, to be sure, we all make God in our own image to one degree or another. Recognizing the human proclivity to idolatry is, perhaps, the first step to a more authentic and robust faith. That is why the Bible talks about it early and often. There is little that makes God angrier than idolatry. But again, not for the reasons we may have been led to believe. It is not because God has such a fragile ego that God must be worshiped alone and given credit for everything. Again, what a small god that is. Rather, it is because making God in our own image is the first step into us believing that God is in our corner and on our side, which can be used to justify all sorts of atrocities. Anne Lamott reminds us, “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”</p>
<p>Passages like the one we just read remind us of the dangers of such idolatry, not only because they explicitly tell us so, but because they present us with a God which does not fit neatly into any of our boxes or preconceived notions. The God of Exodus is not a divine therapist sent to make everything in our lives better. The God Moses encounters is wild, free, and not subject to any limits we might set on the divine.</p>
<p>In today’s passage, Moses continues to argue with God over what should be done with the Hebrew people in the wilderness. Let me offer a quick recap up to this point. The people found themselves captive in Egypt, slaves to Pharaoh. Sent by God who heard their cry, Moses frees the people and leads them into the wilderness, where they wander for generations, guided by their hope in the promise of a better life.</p>
<p>But when things take longer than they expect, when they are hungry and tired, when they start to lose faith in Moses and question what kind of God would bring them out into the wilderness just to let them starve to death, they begin to hedge their bets. They start to crave a god who will do what they want them to do.</p>
<p>The biblical witness tells us that when people start to take matters into their own hands, when they start to remake God in their image, God gets angry with them. And not just angry, but furious. So much so that in the passage we read two weeks ago, Moses has to convince God not to wipe the people out. You may remember that Moses won the argument, and the text tells us that God changes God’s mind about the fate of the people. But the story goes on.</p>
<p>In today’s passage, God is still mad, and so while God has decided not to destroy the people, neither does God want anything more to do with them. God tells Moses, “Fine, they can find their own way to the promised land. I am done with them.” Again, Moses intervenes—this time listening to both sides, like a mediator.</p>
<p>Here is how one commentator summarizes what happens: “By the end, God and Israel seem to accept one another as they are. The people confess they are stiff-necked, but God commits to being with them in spite of their shortcomings. Likewise, God reveals a divine Self that is anger as well as compassion. This relationship is messier than we might like, but God and the people remain together in the messiness, committed to a future together.”</p>
<p>That’s all well and good, but what are we to do with this mess? How does it help us in our faith today?</p>
<p>Rabbi, professor, and leader of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Abraham Joseph Heschel, distinguishes between the God of wrath and the wrath of God. He writes, “When I consider the violence my own country, my elected officials, and my tax dollars now inflict on the world, I think of divine wrath. Divine wrath is the cry of the mother whose child has gone to war, to prison, to poverty, to hatred. It is the ache in the heart of the universe—when love is mocked, when power crushes the weak, when truth is twisted into a weapon, when life is thrown away like trash.</p>
<p>“I am told that wrath is not the final story, that God does not give up on us. That beneath the fury, there remains love—fierce and aching. A love that grieves what could have been and should have been, and works toward what still can be, even amid the tragedy. But we must taste the wrath in order to know the hope. We must feel the burn of divine pain before we can feel the balm of promise.”</p>
<p>Passages like those we are reading in our Disputing with God series, like the one we have read today with Moses and God, show us that our relationship with God is not a one-way street, but God invites our whole selves, including our brains and our experiences, into the relationship. Look again at our passage. God is displeased with the people who think of God as a far-off dictator. God is pleased with Moses, who feels free to disagree with God. As Richard Rohr reminds us, “The people who know God well—mystics, hermits, prayerful people—always meet a lover, not a dictator.”</p>
<p>Friends, this summer I invite you to shed the image of God as a taskmaster in the sky, the god who cares more for formulas of sin and righteousness, the god who needs you to change before you can be loved and accepted.</p>
<p>Moses shows us that the God we find in the Bible is a God of relationship. It is the God who loves us. All of us. Period. No qualifications and explanations. That is the beginning and end of everything. In between, there is a whole lot that matters too. God does not want us causing harm to one another. God does not want us taking creation for granted or damaging the world we inhabit and on which we depend. God cares about these things not because God cares about some arbitrary rules, but because God cares about us, about how we live together and treat one another.</p>
<p>This type of faith may be messier than we would like. It does not offer the comfort of certainty. True faith humbles itself before a mystery. To paraphrase Paul, “It is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way.”</p>
<p>What I think we will notice as we continue this series of Disputing with God is that it is the image of God that we carry with us that needs to change. It is not God, but our version of God, that is the problem. The move, counterintuitively, may be toward more doubt and less certainty. After all, which takes more faith?</p>
<p>As Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us, “Only an idol always answers.” The God of Moses, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Jesus Christ, the God of you and me, is not an idol, but a partner. This God invites us into a relationship that is messy, yes, but is full of love and truth. <strong>Amen.</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/">Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:57:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disputing with God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus 33:1–23]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus 34:4–9]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith and Doubt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God’s love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[idolatry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progressive Christian sermon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[repairing relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roland Park Presbyterian Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon Transcript]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9642</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This discussion guide invites reflection on Pastor Mark’s sermon “Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships.” Use these questions to explore idolatry, honest faith, divine compassion, and what it means to follow a God who meets us in the messiness of relationship.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> <strong>Exodus 33:1–23; 34:4–9</strong><br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Idolatry, the mystery of God, honest faith, divine anger and compassion, repairing relationships, doubt and trust, God’s unconditional love.</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Recognizing Our Images of God:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark says, “The god they proclaim is so often small and unworthy of the title.” What are some ways people, including ourselves, can make God too small?</li>
<li>How can we tell the difference between the living God we encounter in scripture and an idol we have created in our own image?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Idolatry and Certainty:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon reflects on Barbara Brown Taylor’s line, “Only an idol always answers.” How does this challenge the desire for certainty in faith?</li>
<li>Have you ever experienced a season when God felt silent, mysterious, or hard to understand? What did that season teach you?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Moses and Honest Relationship with God:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>In Exodus 33:1–23; 34:4–9, Moses argues with God and acts as a mediator for the people. What does this suggest about the kind of relationship God invites us into?</li>
<li>Pastor Mark says, “God is pleased with Moses, who feels free to disagree with God.” How might disagreement, questioning, or wrestling become part of a faithful life?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Wrath, Compassion, and Repair:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon describes God’s anger not as fragile ego, but as grief over harm, injustice, and broken relationship. How does this change the way you understand divine wrath?</li>
<li>What does it mean to say that God remains committed to relationship, even in the messiness?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Faith Beyond Formulas:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark invites us to shed “the image of God as a taskmaster in the sky.” What images of God do you need to release in order to trust more deeply in God’s love?</li>
<li>How does the idea that God loves us “period” — with no qualifications or explanations — shape the way we treat ourselves and others?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>This week, where might you practice a faith that is more honest, humble, and open to mystery?</li>
<li>How can RPPC continue to be a community where people are free to ask questions, repair relationships, pursue justice, practice hospitality, and engage curious faith?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-repairing-relationships/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God: Repairing Relationships</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God ~ Appealing to God&#8217;s Mercy</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-appealing-to-gods-mercy/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:23:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Discussion Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Engaging Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus Bible Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith Discussion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golden Calf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mercy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moses and God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Group Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual reflection]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9613</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This discussion guide invites individuals and groups to reflect more deeply on themes from Pastor Mark’s sermon, including divine mercy, human freedom, faithful questioning, and our partnership with God. Through scripture reflection and practical questions, participants are encouraged to explore how love, compassion, and responsibility shape our faith journey today.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-appealing-to-gods-mercy/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God ~ Appealing to God&#8217;s Mercy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> <strong>Exodus 32:1-20 &amp; 30-35</strong><br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Divine mercy, human freedom, faithful questioning, partnership with God, compassion over judgment, spiritual responsibility.</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Waiting, Fear, and the Golden Calf:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The Israelites became anxious when Moses delayed coming down from the mountain. Why do you think uncertainty and waiting can make people turn toward false comforts or quick solutions?</li>
<li>What “golden calves” do people today sometimes rely on for security, certainty, or control?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> God’s Mercy and Anger:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon explores the ancient rabbinic question: “Does God pray?” and suggests that God prays for mercy to outweigh anger. What do you think about this image of God?</li>
<li>How does this passage challenge or deepen your understanding of God’s character?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Freedom and Love:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon suggests that God gives humanity freedom because love cannot be forced or coerced. How do you respond to that idea?</li>
<li>In what ways have you experienced both the beauty and difficulty of human freedom?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Arguing with God:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Moses disputes with God and reminds God of compassion and mercy. The sermon suggests that arguing with God can actually be an act of faith. How does that idea sit with you?</li>
<li>Have you ever wrestled honestly with God through anger, doubt, grief, or disappointment? What did that experience teach you?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Partnership with God:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon claims that “God chooses not to be God without us.” What do you think this means?</li>
<li>How might this understanding change the way we think about prayer, justice, compassion, or responsibility in the world?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon challenges the idea that “God will fix everything” while we remain passive. Where do you feel called to participate more actively in God’s work of healing and compassion?</li>
<li>This week, how can you practice loving God and loving others in ways that reflect the mercy and compassion described in the sermon?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-disputing-with-god-appealing-to-gods-mercy/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Disputing with God ~ Appealing to God&#8217;s Mercy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Like-Hearted, Not Like-Minded</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-like-hearted-not-like-minded/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 16:31:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Discussion Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Engaging Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith Formation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Presbyterian Church USA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roland Park Presbyterian Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Group Study]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9583</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This discussion guide for “Like-Hearted, Not Like-Minded” invites individuals and groups to reflect on Christian community, humility, faithful disagreement, and what it means to walk in sync with Jesus. Thoughtful questions help connect Paul’s words in Philippians 2 to everyday life and discipleship.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-like-hearted-not-like-minded/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Like-Hearted, Not Like-Minded</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> Philippians 2: 1-13<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Christian community, humility, unity through love, diversity of thought, Christian nationalism, walking with Jesus, compassion over coercion.</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Like-Hearted vs. Like-Minded</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark suggests that Paul’s call to “be of one mind” may be better understood as being “like-hearted” rather than “like-minded.” What differences do you see between those two ideas?</li>
<li>Have you ever experienced a community where people didn’t agree on everything, but still deeply loved and supported one another? What made that possible?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Walking in Sync with Jesus</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark shares the image of the older couple walking perfectly in sync. What stood out to you about that story?</li>
<li>In what ways does following Jesus require practice, patience, and walking together with others rather than striving for perfection alone?</li>
<li>How might spiritual growth happen through companionship and shared experience rather than uniformity?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Power, Humility, and the Way of Jesus</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon contrasts worldly power based on domination and force with the power revealed through Jesus’ humility and self-emptying love. Where do you see these competing visions of power in today’s world?</li>
<li>Why do you think humility is often misunderstood as weakness? How does Jesus challenge that assumption?</li>
<li>What does it mean to trust that “God does not work by force, but by attraction”?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Diversity and Faithful Disagreement</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark highlights the Presbyterian belief that “people of good conscience can disagree.” Why is that idea important in communities of faith?</li>
<li>How can Christians remain united in love while holding different political, theological, or personal views?</li>
<li>What practices help create healthy disagreement without division?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Living the Sermon</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark asks: “How little faith in God does it take to force our way on others?” What emotions or thoughts did that question stir in you?</li>
<li>How can we become a community where “love and generosity and compassion rule, not power and force”?</li>
</ul>
<p>What is one practical way you can walk more intentionally in the way of Jesus this week?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-like-hearted-not-like-minded/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Like-Hearted, Not Like-Minded</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Partners in the Gospel</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-partners-in-the-gospel/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 16:39:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beloved community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian hospitality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[church discussion questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philippians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC faith discussion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[welcoming church]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9557</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This discussion guide for “Partners in the Gospel” invites individuals and groups to reflect on Christian community, vulnerability, hospitality, and belonging. Through thoughtful questions rooted in Philippians 1, participants are encouraged to consider how churches can embody deeper compassion, welcome, and mutual affection.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-partners-in-the-gospel/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Partners in the Gospel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> Philippians 1: 1-18<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Christian community, partnership in the gospel, vulnerability, hospitality, belonging, mutual affection, beloved community, welcoming the outsider</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Partnership in the Gospel</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark reflects on Paul’s deep affection for the church in Philippi despite the hardships he experienced there. What do you think made that relationship so meaningful to Paul?</li>
<li>Paul describes the Philippians as his “partners in the gospel.” What does true partnership in faith look like today?</li>
<li>Have you ever experienced a community that supported you spiritually, emotionally, or materially during a difficult season? What made that support meaningful?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Vulnerability and Christian Community</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon quotes Brené Brown’s observation that vulnerability is connected to joy, gratitude, and grace. Why do you think vulnerability is necessary for authentic community?</li>
<li>What risks are involved in loving others deeply or allowing yourself to be known by a community?</li>
<li>How can churches create spaces where people feel safe bringing their whole selves — including doubts, grief, questions, and struggles?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Hospitality and Welcoming Others</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark describes the importance of making room for guests, newcomers, and introverts within the life of the church. Why can this sometimes be difficult for established communities?</li>
<li>The sermon contrasts two ways of entering a room: “Here I am” versus “Ah, there you are.” What is the difference between those two postures?</li>
<li>When have you experienced radical welcome or hospitality in a faith community? How did it affect you?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Remembering the Outsider</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Paul never forgot what it meant to be an outsider before encountering the love of Christ. Why is it important for churches to remember the perspective of newcomers and outsiders?</li>
<li>Pastor Mark says that making room for people with different experiences and perspectives does not impoverish a community — it enriches it. How have you seen diversity of experience strengthen a church or community?</li>
<li>Are there ways churches unintentionally make people feel excluded or unseen? What changes can help create deeper belonging?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Beloved Community and Honest Faith</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon reminds us that confession is necessary because “without confession, forgiveness and repair cannot occur.” Why is honesty about our failures important for spiritual growth?</li>
<li>As RPPC celebrates 125 years, Pastor Mark encourages both gratitude for the past and honesty about the parts of history we might rather avoid. Why is this balance important for communities of faith?</li>
<li>What does it mean to you to help build “the beloved community” in today’s divided world?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>What is one concrete way you can practice hospitality or make room for someone this week?</li>
<li>How can we become the kind of church community that says, “Ah, there you are” to those who walk through our doors?</li>
<li>What part of this sermon challenged or encouraged you most personally?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-partners-in-the-gospel/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Partners in the Gospel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Something New and Something Old</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-something-new-and-something-old/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 23:26:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Acts 17 discussion questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian reflection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[church legacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith Formation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growing faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paul in Athens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roland Park Presbyterian Church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Group Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Something New and Something Old]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9522</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This discussion guide invites deeper reflection on Pastor Mark’s sermon “Something New and Something Old.” Explore questions about Paul in Athens, growing faith, church history, beloved community, and the grace that connects us across generations. Use it for personal reflection, small groups, or conversation with others.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-something-new-and-something-old/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Something New and Something Old</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> Acts 17:16–34<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Living faith, transformation, interfaith dialogue, church history, memory and legacy, grace, gratitude, and community.</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Paul in Athens:</strong><br />
o Paul is troubled by the idols in Athens, but instead of reacting with anger, he enters into conversation. What does his approach teach us about engaging people whose beliefs or practices differ from our own?<br />
o Pastor Mark describes this as almost “a master class in interfaith dialogue.” Where do you see opportunities in your own life to be curious, respectful, and honest in conversation?</li>
<li><strong> A Faith That Grows:</strong><br />
o Pastor Mark says, “Faith is not static. It grows, it evolves, it changes.” How has your faith changed over the course of your life?<br />
o What parts of the faith you learned earlier in life still serve as a foundation for you? What have you had to rethink, expand, or let go?</li>
<li><strong> Something Old and Something New:</strong><br />
o The sermon reflects on how old and new can come together to create something that has never been before. Where do you see that happening in your own spiritual life?<br />
o How can a church honor its history while also remaining open to transformation, new questions, and new ways of serving?</li>
<li><strong> Remembering Those Who Came Before Us:</strong><br />
o Pastor Mark tells the story of Joe Day and the lasting impact of his generosity, love, and faithfulness. Who is someone whose memory is a blessing in your life or in the life of the church?<br />
o Joe’s gift helped the congregation understand that even a small church could do great things. What gifts—financial, relational, spiritual, or practical—help sustain a community of faith?</li>
<li><strong> Grace, Gratitude, and the Table:</strong><br />
o Pastor Mark invites us to come to the table remembering all those who gathered before us and all those who will gather after us. How does that image shape your understanding of communion and community?<br />
o Frederick Buechner’s words remind us, “Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are.” How does this understanding of grace speak to you today?</li>
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon:</strong><br />
o What is one way you can practice a living, growing faith this week?<br />
o How can RPPC continue to be a place where people experience grace, belonging, and transformation across generations?</li>
</ol>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-something-new-and-something-old/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Something New and Something Old</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Co-Workers with God</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-co-workers-with-god/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:56:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible study questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-workers with God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Come and See]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healing and faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John 4]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progressive Christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual reflection]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=9067</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This week’s guide invites deeper reflection on healing, advocacy, and divine partnership from John 4:46–54. Use these thoughtful questions to explore what it means to be beloved children of God and co-workers for justice in today’s world.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-co-workers-with-god/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Co-Workers with God</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> John 4: 46-54<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Healing, advocacy, divine-human partnership, intercession, belovedness, justice, and holy disruption.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Seeing the Signs</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>John’s Gospel refers to miracles as <em>signs</em>. What do you think is the difference between a sign and a miracle?</li>
<li>How does viewing healing as a gift, rather than something we earn, change how you think about suffering and God&#8217;s presence?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Faith, Intercession, and Advocacy</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>In this story, the father pleads with Jesus on behalf of his son. Have you ever advocated or prayed for someone else’s healing or well-being? What was that experience like?</li>
<li>How does this story encourage us to be advocates for others—in prayer, in our community, and in the world?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> God Chooses Partnership</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark highlighted that “God chooses not to be God without us.” What does that mean to you?</li>
<li>How might viewing ourselves as “co-workers with God” influence how we live out our faith day to day?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Holy Trouble and Speaking the Truth</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon confronts the misuse of Christianity in public life and challenges us to discern what truly reflects the Jesus of the Gospels. When have you felt called to speak the truth in love? What made that easy or difficult?</li>
<li>What does “holy trouble” mean in today’s world? Where do you see the need for compassionate disruption?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Living as Beloved Children of God</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark says, “We are all sons, daughters, children of God—even Caesar.” What does this statement ask of us in how we treat others, especially those we disagree with?</li>
<li>How does being God’s beloved help you face injustice, division, or brokenness in the world?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>What specific action can you take this week to live as a co-worker with God for healing and justice?</li>
<li>How can our church community continue to build up a beloved community in this time and place?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-co-workers-with-god/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Co-Workers with God</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: Rest on Every Side</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-rest-on-every-side/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:46:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1 Kings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[church reflection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solomon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=8790</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This week’s sermon discussion guide invites you to reflect on sacred space, personal transformation, and God’s presence in the everyday. Whether in a group or on your own, these questions will deepen your engagement with Solomon’s story—and your own.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-rest-on-every-side/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Rest on Every Side</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Sacred space, control vs. surrender, transformation over time, God&#8217;s presence in the human heart</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Building and Becoming:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The temple took seven years to build. In that time, how have you seen yourself spiritually or emotionally grow over long stretches of time?</li>
<li>Solomon&#8217;s identity evolved through the project—from self-serving ambition to spiritual insight. How do you relate to the idea of becoming someone new through extended effort or transformation?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Where God Dwells:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon emphasizes that God never asked for a temple, preferring to dwell among the people. What does that say about our modern ideas of “sacred space”?</li>
<li>How can we make space for God to “dwell” in our lives today—at work, at home, in community?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Control and Containment:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark said, “We want God to stay put. To be tame.” In what ways do we try to limit God to fit our preferences or agendas?</li>
<li>When have you experienced God surprising you—breaking out of boxes you tried to place God in?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Legacy and Purpose:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Solomon may have been building a temple to secure his legacy. What legacy are you hoping to leave? How does your faith guide that vision?</li>
<li>How can we, like Solomon eventually did, shift from building monuments to fostering movements rooted in God’s love?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> The True Temple:</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon ends with a powerful reminder: “The only dwelling place God wants&#8230; is the sanctuary of the human heart.” What practices help you become more aware of God’s presence within?</li>
<li>What would it look like for our church to be more focused on building the “temple of the heart” than the physical building?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-rest-on-every-side/">Sermon Discussion Guide: Rest on Every Side</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: A Part to Play</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-a-part-to-play/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1 Samuel reflection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[divine surprises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God’s calling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inclusive Bible study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pastor Mark Hanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC small groups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual discernment]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=8775</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This companion guide to Pastor Mark’s sermon offers thoughtful, reflective questions for small groups or personal meditation. Explore themes of calling, trust, and surprise through the lens of 1 Samuel 16, and discover how God might be inviting you to step into your unique role.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-a-part-to-play/">Sermon Discussion Guide: A Part to Play</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture:</strong> 1 Samuel 16:1–13<br />
<strong>Main Themes:</strong> Calling and purpose, God&#8217;s unexpected choices, trust in uncertainty, spiritual discernment, being open to surprise</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Trusting God in Uncertainty</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Samuel is grieving the failure of Saul, yet God calls him to trust again and go anoint a new king. Have you ever experienced a time when you struggled to move forward because of past disappointment?</li>
<li>Like Dudley in the sermon, we sometimes find ourselves fearful even when God has proven trustworthy. Why do you think it’s so hard to trust, even when we know God has come through before?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> God’s Unexpected Choices</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>In the story, God does not choose the oldest or most impressive son of Jesse, but the youngest and least expected. What does this say about how God sees people differently than we do?</li>
<li>How might this challenge the way we see others…or even how we see ourselves?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Your Unique Role in God’s Work</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon reminds us that everyone has a part to play in God’s plan, even when it’s not what we expected. Have you ever discovered a gift or calling that surprised you?</li>
<li>What is one way you feel called to serve, love, or grow right now even if it feels like a “small” role?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Being Open to Divine Surprise</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The late Rev. Dr. John Buchanan often prayed, “Surprise us, O God.” How might regularly praying that way shift your spiritual expectations?</li>
<li>Can you name a time when God surprised you through a person, opportunity, or unexpected outcome?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Living Into the Message This Week</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>What would it look like for you to say “yes” to God’s invitation this week, even if you feel unsure or unqualified?</li>
<li>As a community, how can we encourage one another to listen for God&#8217;s voice and step into our unique roles?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-a-part-to-play/">Sermon Discussion Guide: A Part to Play</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sermon Discussion Guide: You&#8217;re Not You When You&#8217;re Hungry</title>
		<link>https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-youre-not-you-when-youre-hungry/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Roland Park]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:15:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curious Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Bread Reflection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exodus Bible Study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith in uncertainty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practicing Hospitality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progressive Christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RPPC Baltimore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sermon discussion guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Group Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual Growth]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/?p=8734</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Want to go deeper with this week’s message? Our sermon discussion guide explores questions of faith, trust, and daily provision. Perfect for small groups or personal reflection. Whether you’re in a literal wilderness or just feeling a bit hangry, these questions are for you.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-youre-not-you-when-youre-hungry/">Sermon Discussion Guide: You&#8217;re Not You When You&#8217;re Hungry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Scripture: </strong><em>Exodus 16:1-18<br />
</em><strong>Main Themes:</strong> Spiritual wilderness, God’s daily provision, faith and trust, community care, spiritual hunger, and grace in uncertainty.</p>
<p><strong>Discussion Questions</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Experiencing the Wilderness</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The sermon compared our modern lives to the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. What does “wilderness” look like for you today?</li>
<li>Pastor Mark shared Barbara Brown Taylor’s idea that we don’t choose the wilderness—it happens to us. Have you ever felt thrown into a wilderness season? What was that like?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> Hangry Faith</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The Israelites’ physical hunger made them forget God&#8217;s faithfulness. Pastor Mark joked about being “hangry” and reminded us we’re not ourselves when we’re hungry. How do your spiritual or emotional needs impact your faith and relationships?</li>
<li>When have you, like the Israelites, forgotten past blessings during present stress? What helped you remember again?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Daily Bread vs. Long-Term Security</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>God offers <em>daily</em> bread—not monthly or yearly—and invites us to trust. Why do you think it’s difficult to live with “just enough”?</li>
<li>How does this challenge or reshape your understanding of God’s provision in your own life?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> Recognizing God’s Gifts</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The Israelites received manna and asked, <em>“What is it?”</em> Have you ever missed or misjudged an answered prayer because it didn’t look how you expected?</li>
<li>How can we become more aware of the “manna” God places in our lives today?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> Serving One Another</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pastor Mark invited us to serve one another communion in a “holy exchange.” How can we better serve and recognize God&#8217;s presence in our neighbors?</li>
<li>In your life this week, who might be hungry—spiritually or emotionally—and how can you offer “bread”?</li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong> Applying the Sermon</strong></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>What is one tangible way you can trust God’s provision this week?</li>
<li>How can RPPC—as a community—create space for others to receive “daily bread,” both spiritually and materially?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org/sermon-discussion-guide-youre-not-you-when-youre-hungry/">Sermon Discussion Guide: You&#8217;re Not You When You&#8217;re Hungry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.rolandparkchurch.org">Roland Park Presbyterian Church</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
