Week 1: Was Jesus Ever Lonely?

This is the opportunity for your group will discover what God might be saying to you out of the weekend experience, and how you can respond through a group discussion.

Questions for discussion:

1. We’re exploring the question, “Was Jesus Ever Lonely?’ …but first let’s talk about us.

When and where have you experienced the most loneliness? Was it a season, an event or even ongoing? Anyone can begin.

2. Jesus knew what it was like to have people walk away and he know what it was like to have to stand alone in times of difficulty. How do you think Jesus handled the moments when people walked away or left him in these moments?

As you listen to this picture of the first century church in Acts 2, what stands out to you:

Host – read This Acts 2 Paraphrase from Dr Gilbert Bilezikian:

There was once a community of believers who were so totally devoted to god that their life together was charged with the spirit’s power. In that band of Christ-followers, believers loved each other with a radical kind of love. They took off their masks and shared their lives with one another. They laughed and cried and prayed and sang and served together in authentic Christian fellowship. Those who had more, shared freely with those who had less, until socioeconomic barriers melted away. People related together in ways that bridged gender and racial chasms and celebrated cultural differences. This community of believers, this church, offered unbelievers a vision of life that was so beautiful it took their breath away. It was so bold, so creative, so dynamic that they couldn’t resist it. And the lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

3. What words, phrases or descriptions jumped out to you?

4. What do you most long for in this description?

This weekend, Curt gave 3 things we need to combat loneliness and experience togetherness:

1) Praying for one another

2) Friends that strengthen and encourage us in our following of Jesus

3) Carrying other’s burdens

5. If you’ve experienced any of these, take a moment and share how this been beneficial and how have you experienced it?

6. Which of these do you desire more of in your life? What’s your next step in pursuing it?

Week 3: Was Jesus Ever Stressed?

This is the opportunity for your group will discover what God might be saying to you out of the weekend experience, and how you can respond through a group discussion.

Questions for discussion:

1. We all experience stress. Right now, on a scale of 1-10 (one being zilch and ten being unbearable), how would you currently rate your stress level and would you say it is trending one way or the other or static? Anyone can begin.

2. What are three of your most typical ways of handling stress, whether good or bad, let’s be honest here because we can probably all relate. Anyone can begin.

Jesus knew stress. In fact, he was so stressed at one point the night before his death that he started sweating drops of blood that only physiologically happens when the there’s so much pressure that the blood vessels burst and the blood excretes through the pores (we know, a little gross, but just want to make sure we get the picture).

Good news, Jesus had a remedy. Here is this episode in Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is

possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Three times Jesus expressed to God his anguish at what He was going through and three times he asked if there was another way, but notice what Jesus also said after he expressed his fear, “…but, may your will be done”.

3. When’s the last time you prayed “but, may your will be done” after making your request to God? What did you experience as a result?

4. Ultimately, Jesus pathway through stress was to “relinquish control” to his Heavenly Father with the present situation and the future. What is this for you right now? What current situation are you facing where you want or need to relinquish control?”

5. Follow-up: How can this group support you in this?

*Close with Prayer – pray and encourage those in the group