Easter as Example (Part 1): Practicing Death

TO START:

This week, we begin a series that will focus on the events leading up to Easter. Our first lesson was on the cross. We hear Jesus as he looked ahead to his death and as he told his disciples that the cross did more than save us!

  • Now ask your group to share what they think of when they hear about the cross…. Consider asking your group, “when was the first time you heard about the cross and can remember it?”

TO WATCH

Before watching a section from Tim’s Sermon, read Luke 23:44-49 together.

Now watch a bit of Tim’s sermon together below:

TO READ & DISCUSS

This week, Tim drew us to a certain moment in Jesus’s life when Jesus shared what we must do to follow him. In particular Tim points out that contrary to our perspective, “from Jesus’s perspective: to deny self is to take on something”, to gain something greater!

 Read Luke 9:21-25 together. 

  • In verse 23, Jesus said that those who want to follow him, must take up their crosses daily. Why do you think that last word is so important?

  • Next, what are your thoughts about verse 24? Why is it so counterintuitive?

  • What other ways does this passage impact you?

Tim quoted a well-known theologian, Henri Nouwen as he talked about the parallel between physical death and spiritual death and how Christ’s death on the cross should lead us to a life-change right now. A life-change and death that is good news!

So read this quote in group and discuss the questions that follow:

“Death is part of a much greater and much deeper event, the fullness of which we cannot comprehend, but of which we know that it is a life-bringing event...What seemed to be the end proved to be the beginning; what seemed to be a cause of fear proved to be a cause of courage; what seemed to be defeat proved to be victory; and what seemed to be the basis for despair proved to be the basis for rhome. Suddenly a wall becomes a gate.” 

  • So what stands out to you in this quote? 

  • How does death being a life-bringing event change your understanding of the life you currently live? How does death becoming a gate instead of a wall change you?

To close church on Sunday, Tim gave out a card to the congregation as a challenge to us as we lean into Easter over these next few weeks! 

He called us to remember that yes, Jesus’s death on the cross paid for our sins but it also brought the good news of what it means for us to die to ourselves spiritually and to truly live! The question he posed was , “How would your life be better if you were less focused on you and more focused on Jesus?” 

  • So, what answers do you have so far to that question? What comes to your mind when you think: less of you and more of Jesus?

    • And, where in your life are you struggling the most with putting yourself first?

    • How might we as a group help each other?

TO PRAY

In just 2 weeks, we will be celebrating Easter together as a church. In particular, our church will be meeting for one service at 10:00am in the parking lot! It will be an optional mask event… And even more this will be an awesome opportunity for us to invite someone to church with us. A perfect time for us to offer an invitation to someone in need of a little resurrection in their life. Someone aching for something to celebrate.

SO challenge your group to show up for Easter and close by praying for God to bring someone into the life and/or mind of your group members to invite to our Easter celebration on April 4th!

Matt DeLano