The Last Week

Sunday Recap Questions - The Last Week

Note from Joel: These questions are just scaffolding to hopefully launch you into good conversation. You don't have take them in order, you don't have to "finish" all the questions. The questions are written chronologically from the sermon, therefore, if you only/always choose the first two questions you may miss the gospel tie in's that typically come at the end of a sermon.  A best practice is to make sure you have looked at the questions prior to your group meeting and made a plan about how to facilitate a great discussion.

March 31, 2024 - Seeing Jesus More Clearly

Main Text: John 20:1-18

1. Has anyone had an experience like Mary Magdalene where a personal encounter with Jesus helped you see Him more clearly? If so, share your experience.

2. Have you had a season where you didn’t feel seen and known by Jesus? What’s the way out of a season like that? Bonus question: John’s gospel is all about being seen and known: What are other stories in John where Jesus is revealed to be the One who sees and knows? (Nathaniel Jn. 1:47-48, Woman @ Well, Jn. 4:7-18, The Paralytic, Jn. 5:1-9)

3. Dave invited us to see Jesus more clearly by obeying what he has asked us to do. Is there anything you feel like God is calling you to do right now? (Many of us think that doing comes at the end of a process: Hearing then feeling, then believing, then doing. Is that always how it has to be?)

4. How do we see Jesus more clearly through community? Has anyone had this experience? If so, share with us.

5. Dave mentioned Jesus’ use of familial language in John 20:17. What are the implications of the creation of a new family though the Gospel?


March 24, 2024 - The Cup the Father Has Given Me

Main Texts: John 18:1-11

1. Read the text together. Was there anything new or interesting that stood out to you about this scene in the garden?

2. Are you tempted to lean towards an overly liberal betrayal like Judas or an overly conservative betrayal like Peter?  

3. Austin said being in control makes you prone to betrayal. How does this prove true in your life?

4. Austin talked about the Christian faith boiling down to letting go of our sense of control and trusting in the one who has it all. What areas of your life are challenging you to surrender control and trust your heavenly father?

5. Austin ended with answering the question: "Why trust God in the first place?" Reflect on this question and Austin's answers (why not? and Jesus' life, death, and resurrection)


March 17, 2024 - He's Still Here

Main Texts: John 14:15-17, 16:7-8

1. What has been your tendency? To fail to acknowledge the person and work of the Holy Spirit or to over-emphasize the person and work of the Holy Spirit?

2. What are some of the ways the Holy Spirit was experienced prior to Jesus’ resurrection/ascension? What about after Jesus’ resurrection/ascension?

3. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as Helper, Teacher, Counselor, Consoler, and/or One who comes alongside you in your life?

4. What does it mean to say that the Holy Spirit has always been Temple focused and that has not changed (1 Cor. 3:16)? What are the implications of that reality for the Jesus people? (1 Cor. 6:18-20, 2 Cor. 6:14-18)

5. What would it look like for our small group to slow down and pay attention to evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives? Has anyone seen evidence of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in their life recently?


March 10, 2024 - Foot Washing

Main Text: John 13:1-17

1. What are some modern-day examples equivalent to foot washing?

2. What are some situations in your life when you’ve served someone into order to get something in return?

3. Tell us about at time in your life where you only came to understand some of what God was up to in hindsight. Is there a situation in your life right now you’re finding difficult to navigate because you don’t understand what God is up to?

4. What are some of the things that make it difficult for us to receive grace? (Peter initially rejected Jesus’ offer to wash his feet – Jn. 13:8-10)

5. What are some examples of leadership you’ve seen exhibited in following Jesus faithfully and serving others fully?


March 3, 2024 - Sitting and Doing

Main Text: John 12:1-8

1. Consider the characteristics Judas displayed in the story: contempt, self-righteousness, pride/selfishness, criticism? Which of these characteristics do you struggle with the most? In what situations do they tend to reveal themselves?

2. Consider the characteristics Mary of Bethany displayed in the story: love/devotion, humility, generosity, action. Are there any of these characteristics God is growing in you? If so, how is that happening? Have you had an opportunity to display any of these characteristics extravagantly recently? If so, when?

3. When we think about “sitting” and “doing,” which comes more naturally for you? How can we make sure our lives reflect a healthy amount of both sitting and doing? What ways, can our small group create space for sitting and doing?

4. Bonus question: John 12:8 – “For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me” is often quoted as a reason to not be generous because the poor will always be with us. However, Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy 15:11. Given the original context what do you think Jesus is and isn't saying?