03.23.08
Small Group Plan - March 23, 2008
“Absence & Atonement”
The Road to Grace
Small Group Plan
March 23, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
A close friend and brother in Christ with excellent business skills and a great track record was contacted by a group that knew what his value would be to their company. He was not looking for a job but they wanted to talk and consider their offer anyway. Somewhere in the conversation the topic of faith came up. It was only a statement of faith on his part, the kind that could inspire confidence and show evidence of an honest, strong work ethic. But instead, the interview abruptly stopped, and he was advised to never mention faith in such a setting again. Will he take their advice? Not a chance!
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What has been the greatest challenge to your faith?
· When did an apparent defeat turn out to be a victory for you?
· When have you wished that you could start life or a part of life over?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
What Jesus Did
1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
· Where did Jesus go? Where is this “prison” (Vs. 19)?
· Speculate: Who are these “spirits” and why are they in prison?
· Speculate: What did Jesus preach to then?
What His Followers Did
John 3:1-2
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
· Given the time Nicodemus chose to visit, what was his purpose?
· How would you describe the tension between his belief that Jesus was “from God” and his fear to be seen with Jesus during the day?
John 12:42-43
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
· Why didn’t those who “believe” in Jesus openly follow him?
· What consequences might a Christian face today for openly admitting their faith?
· How does “praise from men” edge out “praise from God”?
John 19:38-39
38 Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews … 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.
· Mark 15:43 says, Joseph went “boldly” to Pilate.
· What is Joseph feeling and thinking that is beginning to crack his secret discipleship wide open?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why do people still seek God even when they are ruled by fear?
· What would a “secret disciple” look like today?
· When have you been afraid to admit your faith in Jesus?
· What situation or circumstance would bring your faith out of hiding?
Close by thanking God for remaining the same as we have moved in and out of fear, faith and discipleship.