Dear Trinity Family & Friends:

I am excited to begin this Lenten season with each of you. Lent invites us to a time of deep reflection, prayer, and penance, offering us a sacred space to repent of our sins, engage in acts of service, and embrace self-denial. It’s a season that prepares our hearts for the joy and hope of Easter Sunday, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ.

This week, we also begin our Lenten Sermon Series, “Signs and Wonders,” where we will be exploring some of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. We turn to Mark 2:1-12 (CEB), a passage that not only reveals the miraculous power of Jesus but also offers profound insights into the very heart of his ministry. In this story, we encounter a man paralyzed, lying on a mat. His friends, determined to bring him to Jesus, uncover the roof above where Jesus was speaking and lower the man down. It’s a scene that captures the essence of faith, community, and divine intervention. Jesus, seeing their faith, responds not only by healing the man physically but also by addressing something far deeper—his spiritual life.

As we explore this passage, we’ll ask ourselves: What roofs do we need to tear open? What barriers are we facing that prevent us from accessing the transformative presence of Jesus? This story challenges us to reflect on the nature of true faith and the barriers we are willing to break through to bring ourselves and others into the presence of Christ. Simply put, being positioned for the miraculous!

As we prepare for this week, here are a few questions to consider:

1. How do you perceive the relationship between faith and the miracles of Jesus in your life? Discuss how faith has played a role in experiencing or witnessing moments that you would describe as miraculous.
2. Reflect on the obstacles in our lives that may prevent us from experiencing the miracles of Jesus. How can we overcome these obstacles, and what role does perseverance and creativity play in our journey of faith?
3. In our pursuit of miracles and divine intervention, how can we balance our desires for physical healing or solutions with the need for spiritual healing? Discuss how recognizing and experiencing spiritual healing can be transformative in our everyday lives, even when physical or external circumstances may not change immediately.

As we explore the signs and wonders of Jesus’ ministry, let this week be a testimony to our faith in his unending grace.

Blessings,

Pastor Dedric