Among Your Own People

DOWNLOAD 'Becoming the People of God' Small Group Resources (PDF)

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). Have participants answer: “How can we discern if a prophet or prophetess is speaking in the name of God and not in the name of other gods?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28.

• Why did the Israelites need a prophet? Do we need prophets or prophetesses now?
• Mark 1:22 says, “They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” What does it mean for Jesus to teach as one who has authority?
• Why did the impure spirit recognize the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)? [God has created everything, even the powers and principalities. God calls to their God-given vocation everything that has fallen apart from God.]
• The Preaching Notes say, “Like the prophet who comes from within the people of God, sometimes the demonic does as well. We ought to be as quick to call out what is wrong within us and among us as we are to point out how bad things are ‘out there.’” How can a community of faith discern and unmask the evil that might exist within it?
• Ephesians 4:11 (NIV) says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers.” Have you or has someone in your community been given the gift of prophecy?
• The Preaching Notes say, “The community of faith can be a supportive incubator for those who discern a call to leadership or ministry of various kinds.” How can your faith community be supportive so its members can fulfill their God-given call?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

God of Power, when we face the evil and suffering in the world, help us remember that you are present among us. You continue choosing prophets and prophetesses within our communities to unmask and resist the powers and principalities at work in the world. Please give us the wisdom and strength we need to join in their ministry of resistance. Amen.

Bible verses marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Rev. Dr. Alma Tinoco Ruiz is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Homiletics and Evangelism and Director of the Hispanic House of Studies at Duke University Divinity School. She is a practical theologian whose work centers on the intersection of homiletics, pastoral care, and evangelism.