1. Watch session on formed.org “The Search” and/or read Chapter from the book “The Search”
2. Answer Study Guide questions below
3. Share answers with a group: Small Church Community, Ministry, family, friends.
4. Watch & participate in “The Search Continues” Webinar w/ Fr. Frank Wednesday, January 13th at 7:00pm (The recorded session is available below)
Session 6 Reflection: “Am I Saved" Reflection: A wealthy young man approached Jesus asked: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Like the young man, who saw salvation as a future event, we often want to be assured that life after death will be good. We sometimes fall into the mentality that getting to Heaven is a matter of punching a particular ticket or checking all the boxes on a list. Jesus' first instructions almost sound like that. "Follow the commandments," He replied (see March 10:19). However, just as the young man thinks he has a handle in his salvation Jesus adds, "Sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow me” (see Mark 10:21). When the young man walked away, even the disciples were surprised. They asked Jesus: "Who then can be saved?" (Mark 10:26). Jesus replied, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Jesus redirects their focus from "what must I do" to "what only God can do."
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is there no need to fear death?
2. What is Jesus' ultimate act of Love? Why did He choose the cross?
3. Why did Dr. Michael Barber say, “I think for a lot of people salvation is just fire insurance...But the reality is
that in the New Testament, salvation isn't just about what will happen to us after we die- it very much pertains to the here and now as well. In fact, what is it that we need to be saved from: we are enslaved by sin." What does this mean to you? 4. Explain "Sin is not just a violation of a rule; it's a violation of reality... Whenever we sin, we are acting not just against God...we are acting against our own best interests."
5. Why did Jim Beckman say, "Make no mistake about this--God is attracted to your poverty. He actually wants to come into that mess." Why?
6. Noelle Garcia says, “The triumph of our faith is not that there is no suffering. The triumph of our faith is that He has defeated it." What does she mean by this? 7. Explain: "Jesus did not just come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.” What does Chris Stefanick mean by this statement?
8. "Have you said yes to God? Love does not force himself on you. Love waits for your yes." What does this statement from Chris Stefanick mean to you?
9. What is the one thing you have learned from this session?
Session 6 Prayer: Dear Jesus, it is said that you were no greater teacher than when you were hanging on the Cross, because it is there we see the window into the very life of the Blessed Trinity---total selfless love. Thank You for making it possible for us to share in this blessed Trinitarian love. Jesus, we trust in You! Amen.
This was previosly recorded on
Wednesday, January 13th at 7:00pm