You are not expected to cover every detail of this Pulpit Curriculum, rather, consider it a resource to help you in guiding your group to a deeper understanding and application of the Word. Lifegroup leaders may find it beneficial to select 3 to 6 questions that will make the time most productive. Remember, there is great benefit to group members whose hunger to grow will stimulate their returning, on their own at a later time, so as to understand and apply it further.
Introduction
We live in a plastic age. Plastic often fails us and we see this in our children’s gifts at Christmas. The toys don’t last. Similarly, our resolve to follow our God doesn’t last. This can change if we remember that Jesus came at Christmas. He came to die. He is faithful. We, the faithless can, with His help, become the faithful.
1. Promise Maker
In reading from Mark 14 we observe Jesus’ focus on the promise of God to His people revealed in the word covenant. What is a covenant? What is God trying to get across to us in each of the covenants with His people? Why was blood part of a covenant? When the covenant was communicated to Abraham in Gen. 12 God was seeking to establish a relationship with His people based upon the truthfulness of His word. What are some other covenants made with the people of God in the Old Testament.
Jesus refers to the New Covenant in Mk. 14:24. This promise was first related in Jer. 31:31-33. What was God promising at that sad time in Israel’s history? What had been the pattern of God’s people up to that point? How long did they have to wait for the promise to be fulfilled? What was the blood sacrifice that would seal this covenant?(see Mk.14:24) Read Heb. 7-11 to understand more about Jesus and the new Covenant.
Do you know the one who is the promise maker? Are you, like Israel, rebelling against His promise? Are you born again? Jesus quotes from Zech. 13:7. This prophecy speaks of the Shepherd being struck. What event does this refer to? What is Zechariah referring to when he says “He will turn His hand against the little ones”. What does that mean? How does this confirm His faithfulness? In Mark 14 he says He will go ahead to Galilee. What is His promise here?
2. Promise Breaker
When Jesus says He will be struck down Peter brags that he will stay by His side. What does Jesus predict and how does Peter fair? How does Peter argue with Jesus? How do we respond similarly? What is the heart issue here that we all struggle with? What do we double down into our own faithless path?
How do young people especially seek this path of foolish rebellion? What should one do that is following a path of disobedience? What does 2Cor.1:9 and Phil. 3:3 say about trusting our own judgments or being confident in ourselves? He is faithful and we are not.
3. Promise Keeper
Peter showed his heart as he denied Jesus three times. He was so sure of himself but this was really his pride. He showed his faithlessness under pressure. Yet, notice in Lk. 22:61, the sequence. Peter fails and Jesus looked at him. What was Jesus’ attitude toward Peter? How was Peter changed and how would God use him to make an impact on the world? What must you do to gain God’s faithfulness that can overcome your faithlessness?
DISCIPLESHIP is what Lifegroups is all about! Helping faithless people become faithful followers.
Mutual Ministry Time: In what way has your faithlessness been revealed to you as you studied this week? What will you do about that? Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. It is very easy to talk big spiritually when you are at church but to live it genuinely every moment is another thing. The disciples ran when the pressure was on but returned to follow Jesus with a faithful heart. How can you express a faithful heart to the Lord? Who can you reach to encourage them to be faithful? January is the new season of Lifegroups so will you reach out to those who are new and not yet involved?
Pray for the main requests that we are bringing bfore the Lord, for a worship Pastor and a worship facility to allow us to be together on a Sunday. Don’t stop praying! Pray for God’s forgiveness and grace to motivate our love for others. Pray for Lifegroups to continue to make the discipleship difference in the lives of our friends.
The “Intercessory Prayer” groups during our worship services 12/30/12:
1st hour – Lemp
2nd hour – Clontz
3rd hour – Johncock
Go deeper in your knowledge of Jesus’ faithfulness.
Pastor Kurt mentioned the book of Hebrews as reading this week. Read this book and chart how the writer communicates the superiority of following Christ and the amazing benefits for those who are faithful.