March 10–11 Alone

Mar 10-11 Alone

Welcome to the second week of our series Road to the Cross. This series focuses on the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross and takes us to Easter. Road to the Cross is a series to help us get acquainted or reacquainted with Jesus so our affection for Jesus grows. This week our conversation is about four scenes of impossible situations for us to experience and connect more deeply with the real Jesus.


SHARE LIFE

Building healthy and life-giving relationships.

Updates

What has been new or challenging in your life since last time the group met? Spend 20–30 minutes checking in with each other.

Share Part of Your Story

As a kid, what was one of your favorite weekend activities and why?

Safe Environment

What is something or someone heavy on your heart that we can be praying for this week?


PURSUE GOD

Taking next steps toward Christ together.

Look over Mark 14:26-72. What are some of the big ideas and main characters?

Put yourself in the house, garden or at the trial. Think about what you might have seen, heard or felt. What sticks out to you about how Jesus would have been feeling?

The Road

Read Mark 14:27-31 aloud. The night before Jesus is to die, he knew his disciples would abandon him but looked past that to something better. Why was it so important for Jesus to look beyond the pain he knew was coming?

We know that our hope is in Christ, and our future is secure. But, sometimes when we are in the beginning or middle of a difficult situation—it can be hard to remember the source of our hope. Why can it be easy to forget that our hope is in Christ and our future is secure? What is one thing we can do in our faith walk now to help our hearts be prepared to weather the storms of life?

Peter was almost offended at Jesus’ warning. He said, “Even if all fall away, I will not!”  Why do you think it is so common for people to think they are immune to certain failings? This week we were reminded that it is very dangerous to say, “I’d never do that,” or, “I can’t believe they did that!” Instead, discuss some ways that you see yourself in the decisions Peter made in this passage.

The Garden

Read Mark 14:32-42Multiple times, Jesus asked for support from his friends, only to have them fall asleep. When Jesus needed them the most, none of them were there for him. How do you think Jesus felt at that moment?

It is possible to be surrounded by people (even those who care about you) and yet still feel alone. How can we be a part of a solution for this loneliness for each other in this group?

Everyone experiences pain or aloneness at some point in their lives. Share about a time you or someone you know was going through a season of pain or isolation but was able to keep a hopeful perspective because of their relationship with God.

What does it mean to you to know that Jesus suffered aloneness for us and can empathize with us when we have this type of experience?

The House

Read Mark 14:29-31Peter hits rock bottom after three times denying he knew who Jesus was. After having declared his willingness to follow Jesus to the death, Peter felt enormous disappointment in himself. Do you think people struggle with being disappointed with themselves today? Where have you seen this in the lives of those close to you?

Peter was overconfident in his dedication to Jesus then paralyzed by fear, which led to his failure. How can you relate to these moving emotions of dedication, fear and then failure?

The Reunion

In Mark 16:5-7, Jesus’ messenger (the angel) makes sure that Peter is told Jesus is back. Jesus seems to be communicating that no matter what Peter has done, Jesus still wants Peter on his team. Have you ever felt like God didn’t want you on the team? How does Jesus’ concern for Peter speak to your heart? What do you think Jesus would say to you about some of the ways you feel as though you have failed?

Today’s conversation revolved around four scenes of emotion: seeing through the pain, immunity to falling on your face, extraordinary aloneness, and disappointment in ourselves. Which of these four areas do you connect with the most? What’s a next step you can take this week to grow your faith in that area?


INVEST IN OTHERS

Valuing people outside the group and outside the faith.

Relational Investment

Last week we prayed for a specific person we can each share God’s rescue plan with. How can the group continue to pray for you and that person?


Download a printable PDF here.