Saturday Afternoon Questions:
Goal: to show how Jesus, through his cross and Resurrection, has overcome sin and death by suffering with us. Through this session, our hope is to continue to remove barriers and develop an expectant and eager faith in Christ.
Saturday Afternoon Keynote Scripture: Luke 22:39-46 (Agony in the Garden) & John 20:11-18 (Appearance to Mary Magdalene)
Keynote:
- In what ways do you or people you know try to avoid or ignore suffering? Why do we tend to hide from and avoid suffering?
- Which “Garden” do you find yourself in? Why?
- Eden – distant from God, feeling cut off, abandoned, or that you cannot approach God as a Father or friend.
- Gethsemane – life sometimes feels really dark or heavy; there may be a lot going on that’s overwhelming and stressful; lack in trust that God is who he says he is.
- Empty Tomb – there’s joy and a feeling of closeness with Jesus. While issues may exist, they may not feel so intimidating.
- What is preventing you or what hesitations do you have when thinking about entering into and embracing the garden of the empty tomb?
- Just as through the cross suffering and death is transformed into glory and resurrection, what do you hope that Jesus’ cross will ‘transform’ in your life? What areas of darkness do you want him to bring light into?
For the small group leader: briefly share a time when you experienced the transforming power of Jesus’ cross in your life. What was that like? What did you feel or experience? How was life different after?
Silence:
- What stood out to you in praying through the Scripture of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene?
- Was that experience of praying with Scripture new? What did you enjoy/ find difficult?
If time allows, lead your group through a prayerful reading of Scripture (Luke 22:39-46; the Agony in the Garden).