Discussion Questions:

1. Waiting, Fear, and the Golden Calf:

• 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?
• What “golden calves” do people today sometimes rely on for security, certainty, or control?

2. God’s Mercy and Anger:

• 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?
• How does this passage challenge or deepen your understanding of God’s character?

3. Freedom and Love:

• The sermon suggests that God gives humanity freedom because love cannot be forced or coerced. How do you respond to that idea?
• In what ways have you experienced both the beauty and difficulty of human freedom?

4. Arguing with God:

• 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?
• Have you ever wrestled honestly with God through anger, doubt, grief, or disappointment? What did that experience teach you?

5. Partnership with God:

• The sermon claims that “God chooses not to be God without us.” What do you think this means?
• How might this understanding change the way we think about prayer, justice, compassion, or responsibility in the world?

6. Applying the Sermon:

• 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?
• This week, how can you practice loving God and loving others in ways that reflect the mercy and compassion described in the sermon?

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Discussion Questions:

1. Like-Hearted vs. Like-Minded

• 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?
• 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?

2. Walking in Sync with Jesus

• Pastor Mark shares the image of the older couple walking perfectly in sync. What stood out to you about that story?
• In what ways does following Jesus require practice, patience, and walking together with others rather than striving for perfection alone?
• How might spiritual growth happen through companionship and shared experience rather than uniformity?

3. Power, Humility, and the Way of Jesus

• 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?
• Why do you think humility is often misunderstood as weakness? How does Jesus challenge that assumption?
• What does it mean to trust that “God does not work by force, but by attraction”?

4. Diversity and Faithful Disagreement

• Pastor Mark highlights the Presbyterian belief that “people of good conscience can disagree.” Why is that idea important in communities of faith?
• How can Christians remain united in love while holding different political, theological, or personal views?
• What practices help create healthy disagreement without division?

5. Living the Sermon

• 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?
• How can we become a community where “love and generosity and compassion rule, not power and force”?

What is one practical way you can walk more intentionally in the way of Jesus this week?

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