Good Friday Services
March 25th at 12p, 3p, 4:30p, 6p & 7:30p
Before there is the resurrection and new life, there is darkness and death. We want to encourage you and your Life Group to attend a Good Friday service to feel the heaviness and weight of the cross so that you can also experience the joy, celebration and new life of Easter in a deeper and more profound way!
Lean In // 5 minutes
What food did you say no to as a kid and now enjoy?
Sample answers:
- Brussel Sprouts
- Salads
- A type of candy
- Chili
- Fruit
- Smoked BBQ brisket!
Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by highlighting how in the lead up to Easter people have an amazing opportunity to say yes to something they may have said no to for a long time.
Look Down // 20 minutes
Read John 12:37-46
Leader Note: The weekend message covers this entire chapter in story form. Therefore, it may be useful to familiarize yourself with the entire passage and give your group some context to John 12: 37-46. Of particular relevance to this discussion; the contrast between Mary and Judas, in verses 3-6 (one pours out her resources on Jesus’ feet, the other hoards resources for himself); the fact that many in this passage had either seen or heard about Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, as seen in verses 17 and 18 and the way in which people heard a voice from heaven, as seen in verse 28 and 29.
What is the response of the people to Jesus?
Sample answers:
- Most did not believe him (v. 37)
- Many did believe him (v. 42)
- Those that believed did so inwardly but were afraid to “go public” (v. 42)
- They were afraid to believe him because of their fear of their leaders / society (v. 42)
- They would not believe because they loved the praises of people more than the praises of God. (v. 43)
What is the response of Jesus towards the people?
Sample answers:
- Jesus gives them another invitation to trust Him (v. 44)
- Jesus reassures them that He is sent by God (v. 45)
- Jesus does not judge them (v. 47)
- He warns them that there is a future judgement (v. 48)
- He points them towards the eternal life they could have (v. 50)
Look Out // 15 minutes
Leader Note: The hope for the following three sections is that we might be able to see that the Bible is very much applicable today. The world’s responses to Jesus then are similar to the responses we see today. The motivations for our responses are also similar, so to, is Jesus’ response to us.
How do people respond to Jesus today?
Sample answers:
- They accept Him
- They reject Him
- They think He is irrelevant
- They don’t understand Him
- They are afraid to accept Him
Why do they respond this way?
Sample answers:
- They have had a genuine encounter with God (for “Accept”)
- It makes sense to them (for “Accept”)
- Family pressure
- Fear of what saying yes to Jesus may mean for their lifestyle
- Ignorance
- Arrogance
- Fear of the unknown
What is the result of their response?
Sample answers:
- A changed life (for “Accept”)
- A relationship with God (for “Accept”)
- Still in fear
- No apparent earthly consequence
- Nothing changes
- At risk of future judgement (v.48)
Look In // 15 minutes
Leader note: This following section provides a great opportunity for you to see where your group members are at in their walk with God. This may be a great place to give group members an opportunity to say, “I believe”, and start or re-start their relationship with God.
How are we responding to Jesus today?
(Where are you saying yes to Jesus? Where are you saying no to Jesus?)
Sample answers:
- I accept Him
- I reject Him
- I think He is irrelevant
- I don’t understand Him
- I am afraid to accept Him
- I give Him partial control of my life
- I give Him full control of my life
Why are you responding this way?
Sample answers:
- I have had a genuine encounter with God (for “Accept”)
- It makes sense to me (for “Accept”)
- Family pressure
- Fear of what saying yes to Jesus may mean for my lifestyle
- Ignorance
- Arrogance
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of what total surrender may mean for me
How does your no change to a yes?
Leader note: This is a great opportunity for people in the group who have not yet said yes to Jesus to say yes to Him. Take time to pray.
Live It Out // 5 minutes
Who in your life needs to respond to Jesus?
Who needs your invitation to Easter?
Leader note: Point your group to neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. Take time to either pray for these people in the group, or commit to praying for them.
Easter Services
March 26 – 3:30p & 5:30p
March 27 – 8:15a, 9:45a, & 11:30a
Easter Egg Scramble – March 26 2p
Other Announcements:
Dream Event: Who was I created to be? How can I find significance? Can God use me? Chances are, you’ve asked yourself these very questions. We desire to make a difference in our world and spheres of influence, but we don’t always know how. We believe the answers lie in how God has created us, in our life experiences, and in the opportunities we have to influence our families, friends, businesses and communities.
Thu, April 7, Community Center
5-6p Food Trucks
6-8p Guest Speakers: Matt Olthoff and Mariners Church Senior Pastor Kenton Beshore
Register Now | Marinerschurch.org | search dream
Serve Tank: This is an exclusive opportunity for your Life Group to dream of what the Lord could do in and through your group in the community. If finances weren’t an issue, what could your Life Group get behind as you care and serve your communities? What could you dream of doing to serve a ministry you have already been a part of? Has there been something the Lord has laid on one of your group member’s heart’s to serve and need help and guidance and finances to accomplish?
Take time tonight to discuss how your group is going to be a part of Serve Tank. What is the Lord putting on your hearts?
The Application to apply for Serve Tank will open on April 7, for one week only! Get Ready. Be prepared. Start Dreaming.
More Info | marinerschurch.org | search Serve Tank
Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore.