Life Group Homework
For the week of March 18, 2012
Winter Session – January 8 – March 25th
Why Life Groups Matter?
We created Life Groups to connect people to God, the Bible, and other Christians. We believe that spiritual growth happenswhen these threeconnections are made.
My Story
1.The Smell & Taste Research Foundation recently conducted a study on foods we prefer and how they link to our personality. The study looked at six menu items at Qdoba--taco, quesadilla, chips and salsa, burrito, taco salad, and nachos--and described the personality traits of diners who prefer those items. If you had to choose one of the above foods, which one would choose?
*Your Life Group leader will share the personality traits linked with your choice of food item.
Digging Deeper
3.Read Luke 22:14-2414 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
What is Jesus feeling right now? How would you put it into words?
4.17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Jesus told us how he wants us to remember his death: the bread and the cup. What does remembering do for us?
Digging Deeper (con’t)
5.21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest.
Look at how the night ended. Jesus said he had been looking forward to this evening. How do you imagine he felt afterwards?
6.Read Luke 22:31-3831 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Several important things to learn in this verse:
a. What do we learn about Satan and how he wants to interact with us?
b. How did Jesus pray for Peter?
*We should pray the same prayer for ourselves and other Christians. Praying for those in your Life Groups is a great place to start.
c.What does Jesus expect to happen and what does that mean for us?
d.What did Jesus tell Peter do “when he comes back”?
Digging Deeper (con’t)
7.In your mind, what does “strengthening your brothers” look like?
8. 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” 35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’, and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.
vs.33. You have to love Peter’s intense passion for Jesus in this verse. How do we get and maintain this kind of passion?
How does our unique personalities affect our outward passion for Jesus?
Taking Action
9.Read Luke 22:39-46.
Just before the cross, Jesus prayed. Every time the Lord Jesus faced an important decision, He prayed. When He was being tempted to do things by the world’s methods instead of the Father’s, He prayed (Matt. 4). When it was time to choose His disciples, He prayed the entire night (Luke 6:12). Because Jesus was so often surrounded by crowds, He knew He must find a quiet place so He could clearly hear His Father’s voice.
Jesus had many people seeking to influence the direction of His life. His disciples wanted Him to go where the crowds were (Mark 1:37). The crowds wanted to crown Him king (John 6:15). Satan tempted Him to make compromises in order to draw a following (Matt. 4:3, 6, 9). Jesus knew that His mission was not to attract a crowd, but to remain obedient to His Father.
It was prayer that set the agenda for Jesus’ ministry (Luke 6:12). Prayer preceded the miracles (John 11:42–43); prayer brought Him encouragement at critical moments (Luke 9:28–31); prayer enabled Him to go to the cross (Luke 22:41–42); and prayer kept Him there despite excruciating pain (Luke 23:46).
Follow the Savior’s example, and let your time alone with God, in prayer, set the agenda for your life.
—Experiencing God Day by Day: A Devotional and Journal.
10.This week we studied and discussed the events of Jesus’ last days.
What is Jesus telling you to do with this week’s teaching?
On Easter Sunday, April 8th, we are going to do something new. At the end of the service we are going to receive a special Easter Offering and we are going to give it ALL away. We will distribute it in 3 areas:
(1) To support Mooresville Missionaries, Lee & Jen Bigelow.
The Bigelows are leaving for 2 years to serve as medical missionaries in Belize. Jen will be the doctor at a clinic that serves the poor in the area. Lee will serve as the clinic administrator.They serve at great personal financial sacrifice. Life Pointe wants to support them and their call to the people of Belize.
(2) To help SecondChanceChurch of the Nazarene.
This a new church plant in Fishers, Indiana. Pastor Matt Robinson and his family have relocated to Indy from Illinois.They are planting a church from the ground up!
(3) To support our World Evangelism Fund.
This goes to support missionaries, build buildings, print literature and so much more to reach the nations for Christ.
1