Easter as Example (Part 2): Dark Places

TO START:

This week, just as Jesus invited us to follow him to the cross, he also invites us to the tomb. But just as God did with Jesus, God does some amazing things in dark places.

  • When you were a kid, were you scared of the dark? As an adult are you still scared of the dark? Do you avoid dark places? What do you think makes us avoid dark places the most?

TO WATCH

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

TO READ & DISCUSS

First, if it makes sense in your group, ask this: do you already have a burial plot, perhaps even your name on a tombstone waiting for the date? What’s that like??

Now, read John 19:38-42; one of the accounts of Jesus’s burial...

  • What stands out to you in this passage?

  • Why do we tend to rush passed this part to the resurrection? What do we miss when we hurry passed the tomb?

This week, Tim drew us to this moment in Jesus’s life that is often passed over. We all acknowledge that Jesus died but we also must pause and think about what it means for Christ to be buried and for us to enter that experience too. 

Read Rom. 6:1-4 together. 

  • Why does it seem strange that being dunked in water would be the way God would usher us into the kingdom?

  • What realities does baptism capture?

Additionally, Tim points us to the reality that for us as Christians, baptism is the place we enter into Christ’s burial...He encourages us to recognize that life emerges through death. Light flows into the dark places! Jesus speaks to this reality in John 12:24 -- read this as a group. 

  • So, do you believe that God does his best work in dark places? How have you seen this in your life?

Lastly, Read Romans 8:35-39 together.

  • How does this passage, the reality that Paul speaks of, encourage you when you are in dark places?

TO PRAY

Is there anyone in your group considering baptism? Pray for them. 

If not, pray for people attending our church who are considering this step. Pray that God would convict and compel someone to come home!! 

Even more, on Saturday, April 10th, 10:00am-11:00am -- our Interim Preaching Minister, Tim Curtis is going to lead a baptism class. An opportunity for anyone who wants to study baptism. It will be mask optional with social distancing. Email him at timcurtis@rrcoc.org if you’d like to join or have questions.

Matt DeLano