Leave the Grave Jesus is Alive

 

Study Guide for Week of April 17, 2022 

This Week's Scripture:  Luke 24:1-11 (1-50 if you have time)

Crossroads Community Group Guide

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: Behold Him  (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)

D. Video Message                                                                   

       

E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website        

F. Review:

1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):

• What situation in your life seems impossible for you right now?

H. Background Information for this study: 

This study is only 11 verses. These are basic facts. Do not not try to make it deeper but focus on the facts and the implication of the facts for your life today. Focus on what happen and dive deep into how the different people in the incident felt and why. Spend your time discussing many of the implications for your life today of the fact that Jesus is alive. Feel free to study the whole of chapter 24 or as much as you feel is best for your group.

Lets look at 3 basic facts of the ressurection of Jesus  

Fact One: We Do Not See Reality as it Really Is 
Fact Two: Jesus’ Word is Always Fulfilled 
Fact Three: Jesus’ Resurrection Changes Everything

I. Verse Outline: Key Points to Discuss

       1. Fact One: We Do Not See Reality as it Really Is 

• Key Concept: Your expectations will limit your faith.  

• Key Verse: Matthew 16:21-23 (New Living Translation) From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.  But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.

• Community Group Application:  We look at our world, our lives, our struggles, difficulties and disappointments from God’s point of view.

 

2. Fact Two: Jesus’ Word is Always Fulfilled 

• Key Concept: Hope comes as we see all of life from God’s point of view 

• Key Verse:  I Corinthians 13:12 (Amplified version) For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].  

• Community Group Application: We need help to remember what Jesus said in every situation that is why we make regular church and community group participation a priority  

3.    Fact Three: Jesus’ Resurrection Changes Everything 

• Key Concept: Jesus Rose from the Dead Period.

• Key Verse: Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

• Community Group Application: We have been given the most powerful message ever – Jesus has risen from the dead!   

J. Word: Read the scriptures above. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?

5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

 
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application

(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.) 

1. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study? 

M. Prayer Time:  Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex           

1. Pray for your group to multiply.
2. Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
3. Pray for the needs of the members of the group.

N. For Next time: Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.