We are continuing in our series "LEARNING TO BREATHE: 50 Days in the Holy Spirit" by considering what it means to walk in the Spirit. In this message, Mark shares about two common trappings in the spiritual life, and how we can know if we are walking in the Spirit.

GALATIANS 5:13-25

www.thevineaustin.org/holyspirit


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss last week's experience with breath prayers. What were you take-aways? 
2. Mark shared two trappings of the spiritual life. How would you define the law and the flesh? Though they seem like opposites, what do they have in common?
3. Read Galatians 5:13-25 and consider what it must had been like for this first generation church who did not have church history or theological training. What would have been your take away from these instructions?
4. Consider the list of fruits from the Spirit. Which fruit do you hope to grow in your life?

Learning To Breathe: Walk In The Spirit

As we continue in the second chapter of our series on peacemaking, Mark shares about disarming our words so that we can learn a vocabulary of peacemaking.

Ephesians 4:29-32

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What is one of your favorite words to say?
2. As you reflect on your experience with the journal this week, what has stayed with you?
3. Read Ephesians 4:29-32. What emerges from this passage? What is the “unwholesome talk” that Paul seems to be writing against?
4. Reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:33-37. What stands out to you?
5. In your experience, how do words dehumanize others? How do they form tribalism?
6. What does a blessing mean to you?
7. What has stayed with you from the message- either comforting, confusing, or encouraging?

Blessed Are The Peacemkakers- A Vocabulary Of Peacemaking

This is a special Ash Wednesday episode. Though we are not gathering on Ash Wednesday this year, this podcast provides music, a reflection on Psalm 103, and a guided meditation.

To receive similar daily audio podcasts during the season of Lent, text the word PODCAST to 97000.

SPECIAL- An Ash Wednesday Meditation

In this message, Mark is joined by guest presenter Greg Kwedar as they explore the potential power art has in making peace.

thevineaustin.org

Luke 13:18-21 and Psalm 33:1-9

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What has been your experience with the journal or with the Lenten Audio podcast this week? 
2. What is a work of art that has been formative to you?
3. In your experience, how would describe the Church’s relationship with art and creativity? How has it been nurtured? How has it been devalued?  
4. Read Psalm 33:1-9. How do you see the connection between creativity and God’s character?
5. Greg called film “an empathy machine.” How does art foster empathy?
6. Read Jesus’ stories in Luke 13:18-21. How is art similar to a mustard seed and yeast? 
7. What would you compare the Kingdom of God to?

Blessed Are The Peacemaker- The Peacemaking Power Of Art

Considering the life and legacy of Dr. King and Romans 12, Mark explores the role of peacemaking in the presence of oppression and racial injustice. We do so by first seeing racism for what it is, and secondly, enacting peace through love and justice.

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What have you taken from the journal this week?
2. What is the difference between peacemaking and peacekeeping?
3. Read Romans 12:1-2. There is such wisdom in these verses, not only in what they say, but also in the sequence of the words. What do you notice? 
4. Read Romans 12:9-21 and consider King's dream of the Beloved Community. What instructions stand out to you as you consider the role of peacemaking? 
5. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either encouraging, confusing or challenging?
6. Mark shared three legacies of Dr. King. They were 1) The means is as important as the end. 2) The call for justice must be expansive. 3) Peacemakers need the resilient, essential presence of hope. 
Which speaks to you today, and why?

Racial Justice And The Peacemaking Of Dr. King

As we continue our Peacemaking series, we're looking at what it means to make peace in the world.  This week we talked through what it means to make peace among the marginalized.  
What have you taken from the journal this week?
Who would you consider marginalized in our country?  Our city?  What about in your specific communities? 
Read Matthew 25: 31-45.  What do you notice in this passage? 
What challenges do you see in your own life when it comes to making peace among the marginalized? 
Have you ever seen someone live this out in a way that you find encouraging or inspiring? 
We spent some time on Sunday praying. What is your experience with prayer?  What meaning does it hold in your life?

"Peace Among the Marginalized"

In this message, Mark turns the conversation about peacemaking to creation. Exploring scriptures and quotes from theologians, this sermon seeks to move us into a restorative relationship with Creation.

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What is your favorite landscape?
2. Why is a consumeristic relationship with nature problematic and opposite the way of Jesus?
3. What is something from the sermon that has stayed with you- either as an encouragement, confusion, or frustration? 
4. Read Colossians 1:15-16, 19-20. How do these verses frame our understanding of Jesus and Jesus' mission?
5. Discuss Romans 8:19-23. How do you see mutuality and the calling for peacemakers? 
6. What is a practice you are considering in response to the call to make peace within creation?

Creation Care And Ecological Peacemaking

On this Palm Sunday, Mark shares a sermon about how we can make peace with death as we consider John 12:12-16 and 23-28. 
Credit: Song "No Hard Feelings" by the Avett Brothers	

thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. As we near the end of Lent, how was your experience with the Lenten Audio Devotional or the Peacemaking notebook?
2. What has stayed with you from the sermon- either as an encouragement, confusion, or frustration? 
3. Expand on Mark's points- what are the negative consequences when we ignore the promise of death? 
4. Read John 12:23-28. What wisdom do you find in these words?
5. Read Hebrew 12:1-3. How do these verses give us instruction on how to live well and prepare for death?

Blessed Are The Peacemakers- Making Peace With Death

Happy Easter. This message not only marks the end of the Lenten season, but also marks the end of our series on peacemaking. This sermon explores John 20, the gift of the Spirit, and the call for us to make peace.

John 20:19-23

www.thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What was Easter like for you growing up?
2. As you consider the disciples' reality, what do you imagine the disciples were experiencing, thinking and feeling before Jesus stepped into the room?
3. Read John 20:19-23. What stands out to you today?
4. What significance do you find between the interconnection of the words spirit, wind and breath?
5. Jesus combines breathing peace with being sent into this world. "As the Father sent me, so I send you..." Where do you think Christ is sending you to go and make peace?

Easter and the Resurrected Peacemaker

In this introductory message to the book of Hebrews, Mark begins with opening remarks about this writing and the importance of placing Jesus at the center.

To see the resources for this series, including a daily reading, go to thevineaustin.org/hebrews

RELFECTION QUESTIONS: 
1. Share your experience with the daily devotional reading plan on Hebrews.
2. Read Hebrews 1:1-3. What do you see the author doing in this introduction? 
3. As you consider the three word pictures that Mark highlighted in verse 3 (radiance of God’s glory, exact representation, and sustaining word), discuss the meaning of them all, and share which word picture stands out to you.
4. Reflect on the three ways we look at the world: glance, glare, and gaze. What uniquely holds you back from being able to gaze, especially gaze upon Christ?
5. Read Hebrews 2:9-10. How do you see the paradox between what is found in chapter 1 and these verses? 
6. What else has stayed with you from the sermon- either as encouragement, confusion or a challenge?

HEBREWS- The Paradox Of Jesus

In this second sermon of this series, Mark talks about Hebrews chapters 3-4. In this message, we explore the comparison between the Exodus story and the deliverance we find in Jesus.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3:12-18	

thevineaustin.org

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1.  What sequel is better than the original?
2. Respond to this concept- the journey to the Promise Land wasn’t as important as the journey towards trust. How does that concept relate to your life or experience?
3. How would you describe your relationship with the concept of sin? What role has it played in your religious life in the past?
4. Read Hebrews 3:12-15. What do you notice about the effects of sin in our lives? 
5. Discuss the three effects of sin that Mark shared- hardening, deception, and restlessness. How does sin lead to these experiences?   
6. Read Hebrews 4:6-7. What is the good news found in these verses?

Learning To Breathe: Walk In The Spirit

The Vine Austin

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