The 7 Final Sayings of Jesus: Behold Your Family

 

In one of the most tender moments of the cross, Jesus looks at His desperate, heartbroken mother and shows genuine care. This moment shows us that Jesus isn’t just a loving Savior who is only preoccupied with the enormity of our sin problem, but also a sympathetic Savior who immensely cares about our smallest hurts and reigns supreme over the affairs of this world.

Open: Have you ever felt as if you couldn’t see clearly what was happening in your life? Have you ever felt that God was distant or disengaged? Describe both situations:

Read: John 19; Luke 2:22-35; Matthew 12:46-50; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Galatians 6

Discuss:

1. It seems that suffering, brokenness, and strife are growing in our culture today. Why do you believe that is? How do these moments lead us to question the character of God?

2. While Jesus was suffering on the cross, He noticed his mother and four others. What were the circumstances that most likely stirred His thoughts toward His mother? How do we see Jesus demonstrating care even in His own death? How should this build our confidence that God does take notice of even the small hurts of our lives?

3. Notice the word “Behold” is mentioned twice (once to Mary and again to John). What does this word mean? How does it exhibit Christ as a sympathetic sufferer? Why did Jesus call His mother “Woman”? Is this respectful? How does this show His supremacy over her hurt? In what ways do we see Jesus as sympathetic but not as supreme? Why is it a “both and” when it comes to Jesus’ character in the midst of our suffering?

4. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. How does a big view of God cause us to trust in Christ whether we understand what is happening or not?

5. How do Jesus’ statements to His mother and John reshape their family lines? How important is it to have other people help carry your burdens? What role does this church play in this? Who helps you carry your struggles? Who do you help?

Pray: Ask God to give you greater awareness of His sympathy, sufficiency, and supremacy in your difficult moments. Ask God to not only give you someone you can trust with your burdens but also someone you can aid with their burdens.

Memorize/Meditate: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 O

The 7 Final Sayings of Jesus: Father Forgive them

The first words of Jesus on the cross were centered on forgiveness. Radical injustice against Christ came face to face with radical forgiveness from Christ. The same is true for us. We will never look more like Jesus than when we experience injustice and breath out forgiveness. That’s when we know the gospel has taken root in our lives. - Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever had difficulty forgiving someone? Explain the situation: What made forgiveness so difficult?

Read: Luke 23; Matthew 6:9-15; Isaiah 53:12; 1 John 1; Hebrews 7:25 1.

Discuss:

1. Forgiveness is a beautiful word but a difficult concept. Describe your experience with forgiveness (both from God and others): What makes forgiveness so difficult for people, including Christians?

2. Jesus’ first words on the cross were a prayer of forgiveness. What does this tell us about Christ’s purpose on earth? How do you see forgiveness at the core of His teachings? How do you see forgiveness foreign to human nature yet an absolute characteristic of God’s nature?

3. Why would it be considered unique that Jesus asked the Father to forgive? Who is “them”? How does the context surrounding the crucifixion make this statement more powerful and profound? How do we normally deal with our sin and guilt? How should this moment on the cross motivate confession?

4. What does it mean, “they know not what they do?” How is ignorance not a reasonable excuse for guilt? How is all sin ignorant? How is forgiveness, by its very definition, undeserved? How have you experienced this in your own life with others you have had to forgive?

5. What are some of the misconceptions we have about forgiving others? How has God’s forgiveness affected your life and your willingness to forgive? How can the realization ofhow much we have been forgiven by God help fuel our ability and willingness to forgive someone?

Pray: Thank God for your forgiveness. If there are areas you need God’s forgiveness, spend some time confessing. Ask God to give you the strength to forgive others in your life that may have hurt you.

Memorize/Meditate: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 O

Is It Yours?: The People Principle

If we understand that Christ has surpassed our expectations by saving us, then we can live with the expectancy that the gospel of Christ will be effective as we share it. As stewards of the gospel, God calls us to be more than bystanders of His great work; He calls us to be active participants who proclaim freedom to captive people. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe a time you had a sense of expectancy and urgency about something:

 Read: Acts 16; Philippians 1; Matthew 9:35-38; 28:16-20

Discuss:

1. Describe the difference between expectations and expectancy: In what ways do we steward people as a project, instead of a ministry? How have you seen poor expectations lead to entitlement and cynicism in Christianity? What hinders our expectancy that people will come to Christ?

2. Describe the three conversations Paul has in Philippi: What is unique about each person? What do you make of the difference between the socio-economic, racial, and gender differences? What does this tell us about the scope of the gospel? In what ways do these things limit us in our view of the gospel?

3. How does Paul’s response to each of the characters in Acts 16 demonstrate the uniqueness of gospel conversations with different people? Describe the types of people you have attempted to have gospel conversations with: In what ways were the conversations difficult? How did these experiences stretch your faith? What fears do you have about sharing your faith?

4.  Why do so many Christians lack a sense of urgency in regards to the eternity of people? How do the characters in Acts 16 become part of gospel multiplication in the city of Philippi?  

5. Matthew 9 says that when Jesus saw the crowds He had compassion on them. What was it about them that grabbed His attention and compassion? How are we part of the solution to Christ’s call? How do you see the “fields” of our community ripe for harvest?

Pray: Pray for one person that you can share the gospel with this year. Pray for wisdom and boldness in your call to gospel stewardship.

Memorize/Meditate: Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Matthew 9:37-38

Is It Yours?: Divine Ownership

Open: Describe a time you were generous: How did it make you feel? How did it encourage your faith?

Read:  2 Corinthians 8-9; Psalm 24:1; Ecclesiastes 5; Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5-6

Discuss:

1. Why do you think discussions surrounding generosity and giving in the church make us so nervous? What misunderstandings and assumptions do we have about generosity and giving that make us fearful of the topic?

2. How does our misunderstanding about ownership and greed affect our generosity? What is the difference between giving and generosity? In what ways are we as Americans great at giving but not very generous?

3. In what ways does Divine ownership (God as the owner of everything) help free us to be generous? How does sowing and reaping relate to Divine ownership? Describe the concepts of sowing sparingly and bountifully; what are the differences?

4. What does it mean to tithe (give 10%)? How is generosity the greater command of the New Testament? In what ways is a tithe meant to be the basis of giving and generosity the faith of giving?

5. How does generosity bring greater contentment? How have you seen contentment grow a heart of generosity in your own life? What are the areas of life that you lack contentment?

6. How does generosity multiply impact in your life personally and expand ministry regionally? How would you rate your generosity?

Pray: That you would grow in generosity. Pray specifically for the person you will serve through the Crossroads Generosity Challenge.

Memorize/Meditate: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 O

Is It Yours?: Running Out of Time

Time is a resource that is nonrenewable and nontransferable. You cannot store it up, slow it up, divide it up or give it up. When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection. Everyday we have to choose whether we are going to spend our time surviving life or serving Christ, whether we will waste time on earth or invest time for the Kingdom. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe your time management and usage: In what ways do you struggle with the stewardship of time?

Read: Luke 10:38-42; Mark 1:32-38; Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 90

Discussion:

1. How do you see time as the greatest and most important commodity? Why do so many people struggle with the stewardship of time? What cultural factors contribute to the difficulties we face with time?

2. Define margin: How does margin determine the load vs. the limit we experience with our time?

3. How does Jesus confront the use of time between Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)? Does this mean that God doesn’t want us working hard? How do good things get in the way of the most important things?

4. What type of things does time-induced stress cause? How have you seen this played out in your life? Can you think of any Biblical characters that struggled with time-induced stress? Did Jesus face time-induced stress? How did He deal with stressful moments and deal correctly with his stewardship of time (Mark 1:32-38)?

5. What does it look like to walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17) with regards to our time? What are the areas you might be walking in foolishness instead of wisdom? Take a moment to consider a time-audit (where do you spend your time?)

Pray: that you would make the best use of your time and consider the plans of Christ in your life.

Memorize/Meditate: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Is It Yours?: Yours, Mine, and Ours

The work of Christ through His Church is the hope of the world. As such, the church has more in uence, more power, and can make more impact than any other organization on the planet. This can only happen when we see ourselves as stewards of the church and live with a clear understanding that as part of the body of Christ, we hold the keys to unlock the unparalleled work of Christ. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe a time you had responsibility for something you didn’t own.

Read: Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Corinthians 3; 1 Peter 2, 4:7-11

Discuss:

1. Describe different views people have about the local church: Why do these views exist? In what ways are these views insuf cient or faulty? Do you agree or disagree with any of these views? Why?

2. How have consumerism and personal views of ownership affected the Biblical perspective of the church? In Matthew 16, how does Jesus describe the church? How is this connected to Peter’s confession of Jesus identity? Based upon Jesus’ words, who owns the church?

3. Jesus says that the “keys to the Kingdom of heaven” have been given to His followers. What does this mean? In what ways is this statement a description of Biblical stewardship? How is stewardship different than ownership, yet still about possession? What does binding and loosing mean in the context of the keys of the Kingdom?

4. In what ways are we stewards of the church? How does Peter describe our roles as stewards of the church (1 Peter 4:7-11)? How does a correct view of stewardship open the doors of love, hospitality and service in the church?

5. What hinders our love, hospitality and service? How can living as a steward of God’s church help change the perspective of the church to those outside the church?

Pray: Pray that you would steward the church well in love, hospitality and service.

Memorize/Meditate: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:8-10 

Messy Christmas Part 3: Messy First Christmas

The events of the Christmas story in Bethlehem weren’t an accident but a message. A message that placed Jesus at the center of a mess, not a masterpiece. The nativity mess reminds us that life isn’t the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ. That God desires to in ltrate our greatest messes and fears, with His peace. - Pastor Dave

Open: Describe a personal mess in your life that is rooted in fear:

Read: Luke 2:1-20; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Isaiah 26:3, 53

Discuss:

1. In what ways do you notice that Christmas seems to heighten our fears, frustrations and anxieties? Do you agree with this statement, “Christmas is a season of overt anxiety and fear?” Why or why not? How could the Christmas story be considered emblematic of life?

2. Luke takes great care to describe the details of the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. What details stand out to you? Why? Describe the society/cultural mess of the day: What would you consider the societal issues of our day? How did God enter the cultural mess of that day and how would it be considered counter-cultural?

3. As you read Luke 2:4-7, notice how the nuisances and inconveniences continued to mound for Mary and Joseph. However, in what ways did God show up in the midst of their circumstances without changing or altering them? Describe a time God showed up in your circumstances with actually changing them: What was the result?

4. Describe the societal view of the shepherds. Why do you believe God uses them to be the rst witnesses of the identity of Christ? How does knowing Jesus, and understanding God’s glory, cause His peace to overwhelm our fears? What are the areas of your life where you need peace over fears right now?

Pray: Pray that you would see God’s presence and work in and through our messes. Ask God to drive out the fears that cause many of our messes.

Memorize/Meditate: And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11