Week 17 - The New Testament

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Fun Small Group Warm Up Question:

What is your favorite Spring activity or childhood memory?

New Testament

Matthew 27 ~ Matthew 28 ~ Mark 15 ~ Luke 23 ~ John 19

1.     Have you ever experienced someone plotting against you? Lying about you? What does that feel like?

2.     Matthew 27:1 “When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.”  What do you think Jesus was feeling when he endured the lies and accusations?  The scourging?  The mocking? The tortuous death? How does that affect you when you consider the depth of His love for you?

3.     Have you ever lost a friend, coworker or family member to suicide? How did that affect you?  What do you think Judas’ friends and family members went through when they learned of his ongoing theft (John 12:4-7), betrayal of Jesus and the disciples (Matthew 26:14-16), and suicide (Matthew 27:3-10)?  More truths on suicide: www.trustworthyword.com/suicide

4.     God references Judas as a “devil” (John 6:70), “thief” (John 12:4-7), indwelt by Satan (John 13:27), says it would have been better for him if he was never born (Matthew 26:20-24), and speaks of him as “lost” and a “son of destruction” (John 17:12).  If you had the chance to speak with someone who was about to enter Hell, how urgently would you warn them?  What would you say?

5.     Why do you suppose the crowd chose Barabbas? (Matthew 27:15-22). Who do the crowds choose today?

6.     Read Jesus’ final words on the cross and discuss their meaning and impact.

•       1st Word from the Cross - Luke 23:34 "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

•       2nd Word from the Cross -Luke 23:43 “Today you will be with me in paradise”

•       3rd Word from the Cross - John 19:26-27 "Jesus saw His own mother, and the disciple standing near whom He loved. He said to His mother, Woman, behold your son.' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother.’”

•       4th Word from the Cross - Mk 15:34 "And at the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Elon, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

•       5th Word from the Cross - John 19:28 "He said, 'I thirst.’”

•       6th Word from the Cross - Luke 23:46 "Speaking in a loud voice, Jesus said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

•       7th Word from the Cross - John 19:30 "Jesus said, 'It is finished."

7.     Read Matthew 27:52.  Have you read this before? Does this surprise you? Should it?  How do you think they and Lazarus lived differently?  How does this get you excited about your own resurrection?

8. Read Matthew 28:18-20. How does this encourage you? Guide you? How are you and your church doing at this mission? How can you improve?