Walk Worthy Press: Second Sunday

Reading Group Questions

The following list of questions is designed to enhance a group or individual's thinking about or discussing some of the issues we hope you will consider after reading this book. This is designed as a starting point only and is not meant to limit the discussion.

Upon the death of Rev. Forbes, the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church found itself with the need for a pastor. The women of the church have become frustrated at attempts to be included in the search process. Should they have held their peace or were they right to plan their own little revolution? How would you argue a woman's right to have a say or the biblical requirement for women to be silent in the church? Read Numbers 30, I Timothy 2:8-15, Numbers 27, Matthew 28:1-10, Galatians 3:26-29
How do the criteria for pastor and the procedure utilized by the search committee of Gethsemane compare to what the Bible suggests? Read I Samuel 16:6-7, 13, Acts 1:14-15, 21-25, Acts 6:5-6, I Timothy 3:1-7
What is your opinion of some of the candidates? Which ones were more suitable and which ones were unqualified? Have finding appropriate pastors and church leaders always been a problem or is it something that has become more of a challenge in modern times? Read Matthew 7:15-20, Acts 13: 6-12, Acts 8:9-24, Philippians 1:12-18
Part A. The American Worship Center represents a now established trend in modern church growth: large, multi-ethnic congregations with leadership that is controlled by one race. Are there reasons why Christians should practice cross-cultural worship? Read Isaiah 11:6-9, Isaiah 56:1-8, Acts 2:1-11, Romans 10:12-13, Romans15:7-13

Part B. Are there reasons why churches should maintain cultural identity? Read Isaiah 60:1-3, Mark 7:24-30, Acts 6:1

Part C. How might Christians promote the kingdom of God in the world in the way they engage in cross-cultural relationships in the church? Read Matthew22:34-40, I John2:7-1
At Gethsemane Sheba had four children without a husband and Bertha was pregnant without a husband. Many black churches have a high percentage of single mothers within the congregation. Historically, women have born the guilt and shame of sexual sin. Why are men relieved of responsibility while women are made to suffer? Read Deuteronomy 22:13-21, Numbers 5:11-31, II Samuel 13:1-20
How should sexual sin be handled in the church? Should it be thought of differently from any other sin? Read Matthew 7:1-5, I Corinthians 5:9-13Romans 3:21-24
Bertha left her church because of guilt and shame. How do women begin to release the burden of guilt and shame produced by sexual sin, whether forced, coerced, or consensual? How do women begin the healing process?

a. Pray --- Psalm 51
b. Remember God forgives --- Psalm 103:1-14
c. Know that nothing can separate you from God --- Romans 8:31-39
d. Love yourself --- Matthew 22:34-40
e. Be self-controlled --- I Corinthians 7:8-9
f. Do not stir up love until it is ready! --- Song of Solomon 3:1-5
Mozelle and Oscar represent a pattern in marriage in which the wife lives in abject submission to her husband. The marriage of Nettie and Bert demonstrates a different model. Second Sunday portrays the happiest marriages as those wherein partnership is practiced. Is this biblical? Read I Corinthians 7:3-5, Philippians 2:1-4, Ephesians 4:1-6, 14-16, Ephesians 5:21-33, Acts 18:12, 18, 24-26
As that final meeting at Gethsemane demonstrates, church meetings can be challenging. Is conflict bad? How can churches carry out their business without resorting to violent or manipulative tactics? Read Amos 3:3, Matthew 5:9, Matthew 18:15-20, Psalm 133, I Thessalonians 5:12-23, Philippians 2;14-15