Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
1. The nations had never heard or seen anything like this. When did the reality of who Jesus actually is first startle you or does it silence you to think He will return as conquering King? – has familiarity dulled that astonishment?
2. He was “familiar with suffering” — not a stranger to it. Do you tend to view your own suffering as God’s absence or failure? How does this verse reframe that?
3. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray” — not just the obviously wicked, but all. What is the particular area of your straying? Not in general terms, but specifically — what is your characteristic direction of drift away from God?
4. Jesus was silent before his accusers. Where in your life do you feel the most compelled to defend yourself, vindicate your reputation, or get the last word? What would it look like to entrust that to God as Christ did?
5. He “makes intercession for the transgressors” — even now, he is praying for you. Does your prayer life reflect someone who knows they are prayed for and held, or someone striving to earn God’s attention?
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.