GROUP LEADER’S GUIDE
“Jesus Himself Stood Among Them” (Luke 24:36-49)
Week of April 5, 2015
2 Goals for Our Winter Series
1. Each week, to encourage everyone to cultivatea habitthat will be helpful for us to connect with God in order to grow to become more like our Lord Jesus.
2. For each small group discussion to briefly recap the theme and then facilitate a discussion with an emphasis on encouraging and praying for one another to take specific steps of action in order to cultivate the habit.
Small Group Leader Resources
To help you prepare to briefly recap the weekly theme and then facilitate a discussion with an emphasis on encouraging and praying for one another to take specific steps of application in obedience to Jesus here are some resources for you to use:
1.Each week the theme, passage and discussion questions will be posted at hopefordenver.com on the Tuesday prior to the Sunday message. Download this material and go over it prior to your group meeting.
2.Within 1 hour after the service the message will be uploaded to the website. If you were not able to hear the message live you can listen to it prior to your group meeting online.
3.If you have questions about the passage or main theme you can look up textual questions at biblegateway.com and/or oneplace.com and/or contact the preacher for that week at any time.
Background for SG Leaders for this Week’s Theme
Title:“Jesus Himself Stood Among Them” (Luke 24:36-49)
Key Words: resurrection, doubt, proof, repentance, forgiveness, mission
Description: We all drift from God at times. After 3 years with Jesus, the events leading up to Jesus’ death caused the disciples to drift away. Yet, when Jesus rose from the grave he came to his disciples in peace to restore them and empower them to rejoin him in his mission to change the world. For all who have wandered from God, the good news for the disciples on that day is also great news for us on this day.
Ways to Prepare for this Week’s Meeting (this is what group members use to prepare)
- Pray for the others in your group and for your upcoming time together.
2.Listen to the message preached on Sunday April 5, 2015. If needed, this message will be available at HopeForDenver.com after it is preached.
3.Read Luke 24:31-49 and imagine being present by considering what you see, hear, smell and feel as the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples.
4.Write down everything you see Jesus do to restore his disciples in this passage.
5.Gather to bless others in your group by arriving on time, listening carefully to others, contributing to the discussion and helping your host in whatever ways are necessary at the end of the meeting.
Discussion Guide:
[Please think of the group time in terms of 5 moves in a conversation rather than just getting through a series of questions. Thesuggested moves are:
A. Connect (food, game, ice breaker, or whatever you all like to do as people arrive)
B. Observations
Possible Questions: Let’s review Matthew Luke 24:36-49. What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there anything in particular that stood out to you from Sunday’s message?
C. God
Possible Questions:What was the condition of the disciples’ minds, hearts & lives after the crucifixion? (see Luke 24:11, 21 and 38)
Let’s use our God-given imaginations for good together. Please close your eyes while I read slowly through this passage pausing periodically for you to see what they saw and hear what they heard and (in your mind) touch what they touched.
D. Apply
Possible Questions:Have you (like the disciples) had any doubts toward God lately? If so, of all the beautiful words and actions Jesus brought to his skeptical disciples which one stands out and impacts you the most & why is that?
E. Pray & WrapUp[As the leader please lead and/or facilitate a time of group prayer based on what has been shared and how God is leading your time.]