THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Ever feel anxious or tongue-tied about SHARING YOUR FAITH with others? Join us at the East Paris Campus, Thursday, May 29, from 7-8:30 p.m., to learn simple tools that equip and encourage you to share the Good News of Jesus. For more information and to sign up, click HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This May, we are focusing on SERVING. Consider how you can serve someone in a way that meets both their practical needs and makes room for meaningful spiritual conversations. What opportunities might God be placing before you to demonstrate his love through actions that open doors for deeper connection?
GROW AS A LEADER. Summer is approaching, which means your small group schedule may shift. It is a great time to discuss with your group what your summer rhythm will look like. Will you meet less frequently? Stay weekly? Take time to create a game plan for the next few months. It is also a great time to contact your Group Life staff for a meeting. Connect with your staff contact for guidance on the summer months and debrief the past year of small group ministry.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the fourth week of our sermon series, YOU ASKED FOR IT, where we tackle tough questions submitted by our church family. This week, we explore the question: Why is Jesus confusing?
ICEBREAKER
Describe a time when you were told to keep something good a secret. How hard was it to stay quiet?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Mark 1:40-45, Mark 3:9-12 and Mark 3:22-30 aloud.
What patterns do you notice in how Jesus responds to those he heals?
How does the delegation from Jerusalem explain Jesus’s power, and how does Jesus respond?
What do you think Jesus means by “a house divided against itself cannot stand”?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Jeff Manion continued our sermon series, YOU ASKED FOR IT, by exploring why Jesus can seem confusing with several examples. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
Why do you think people today might prioritize physical needs over spiritual teaching, similar to the crowds in Jesus’s time?
When have you found yourself initially confused by something Jesus said, only to understand it better after reflection?
How can our small group create space for wrestling with challenging teachings rather than expecting immediate understanding?
The delegation from Jerusalem accused Jesus of working through demonic power. What are some ways people today might dismiss or explain away the work of God?
How can you guard against dismissing or explaining away what God might be doing in your life or the lives of others around you?
Pastor Jeff noted that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit involves persistently attributing God’s work to evil, rejecting the one who came to rescue us. How does this understanding help address fears about having committed an unforgivable sin?
What’s one parable or teaching of Jesus you’d like to understand better? How can you eliminate distractions so you can study it this week?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed why Jesus can seem confusing and how his methods actually invite us into deeper engagement with truth. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?