“These onions are delicious!”
“Don’t worry about it!”
“I’m fine, really.”
It’s not that I intend to mislead anyone, but rather that in the quick exchanges of my daily conversation I sometimes say things out of habit or expectation that, upon later reflection, do not in fact line up with what I really felt or thought.
Maybe you can relate. And if you can, maybe you (like me) will find Jesus’ two prayers from the cross in Luke 23 absolutely stunning in their honesty and intent. I pray that one day I could pray like that.
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(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)
Title: Pray Like Jesus 6: From the Cross // Scripture: Luke 23:32–49
ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.
SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
In Luke 23, Jesus’ two prayers from the cross are absolutely stunning in their honesty and intent. In a moment when everything seems wrong and everyone is attacking him, Jesus’ response is confident, powerful prayer. Jesus’ reaction is the result of years of cultivating connection to God through prayer in the face of the certainty of suffering. It empowers him to extend forgiveness to the very ones who are causing his suffering.
We are warned in scripture that suffering will happen and that persecution is inevitable. Jesus’ example shows that the certainty of suffering doesn’t mean we are resigned to it. He gives up his life to provide for the redemption of injustice and suffering. We can count on the power of prayer to fight against the meaningless and inevitable suffering of this broken world, and trust Jesus to brings true redemption through the suffering.
Authentic prayer in the midst of suffering transforms us and restores beauty and hope. Jesus confidently brings the end of suffering by giving his life to ensure that mankind will be redeemed and that everything will be set right—the veil is torn, suffering ends, hope is restored. The promise that God is with us, and will be with us, empowers us to confidently demonstrate forgiveness and redemption through prayer just as Jesus did.
THE MAIN THOUGHTkeep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Forgiveness and redemption can be found and extended through confident prayer in the face of certain suffering.
SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): How did Jesus react to the certainty of suffering? How did Jesus model cultivating a right response to tough times? What does Jesus show is the purpose of suffering? How does Jesus challenge us to bring redemption through suffering? What is the hope of suffering? How does Jesus give us confidence in the hope that suffering will end?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What have you faced or are you facing that felt or feels like suffering? How have you, or are you, responding to those situations? As you consider those trials, how is God inviting you to step into a redemptive role? How does the promise that suffering will end inform the way you enter into those moments of suffering now?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How can we help those around us become aware of the true goodness of God and move from ignorance to understanding? How is God inviting you to enter into the suffering of others to intercede for them and help them find redemption in the midst of suffering? Who is God asking you to help see the hope that all suffering will end?
BE IT – Practice 15 minutes
Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes
Take a few moments to consider the suffering that you or someone in your group is experiencing. Gather around that person or people and intercede with God on their behalf—extending forgiveness and inviting redemption.
Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes
Have each person write down (on small strips of paper) one positive and one negative reaction to suffering that they have personally demonstrated in their life. Put all of the strips of paper in a coffee cup. Take turns knocking the cup over. Select one of the papers that “spills” out and talk about how that reaction relates to what Jesus taught us about responding to suffering. (Share Ash Wednesday together. Go to www.gfc.tv/ash for a video guide.)
Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
As you identify suffering personally or in those around you this week, ask God to show you how he wants you to respond with words of forgiveness and acts of redemption. Confidently speak those prayers over each situation.
CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.