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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Luke 24:1
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
- 1. Grieve
Luke 24:2-7
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
- 2. Hold unto God’s promises
Luke 24:8-12
And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
- 3. Go and do God’s will
Discussion Time:
- The women in this story would have been dealing with unmet expectations. Think about your typical ways of dealing with unmet expectations. Give yourself a rating from 1-10 on how well you typically deal with unmet expectations. Why did you give yourself that rating?
- Luke 23:55-24:1. These women were grieving the best way knew how. How well do you grieve? Do you struggle with grieving? Why or why not?
- Read Luke 24:2-7. The angels reminded the women of Jesus’ promise, that He would rise from the dead after 3 days. When we are grieving, or have unmet expectations, we too can benefit greatly from holding unto God’s promises. How can you, the next time you are grieving or have unmet expectations, remind yourself of God’s promises?
- Read Luke 24:8-12. The women, after hearing that Jesus had risen from the grave, didn’t keep to themselves. Instead, they went off and told the other disciples what had happened. In doing so, they accomplished God’s will for them. Many times, grief can keep us paralyzed. How can you, the next time you are grieving or have unmet expectations, go and do God’s will, instead of remaining paralyzed by grief?
- What is your biggest take away about how this passage affects your life? How can your small group keep you accountable to accomplishing this?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?