The Beautiful Upset: WK 3 - GROUP GUIDE

The Greatness We Can’t Grasp

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPENING QUESTION
Share with your group about a person in your life that showed you a picture of Jesus by how they lived their lives. How did that person influence how you live your life today?

HEAD

1. Read Mark 10:32-45, together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. It seems like every time the disciples start to think things are moving in the direction they want, Jesus reminds them what his call is…which is to die. Why do you think we find this rhythm in the gospels?
3. Clearly, the disciples don’t hear Jesus’ words about his death because they immediately start to ask about sitting next to him in the kingdom they thought he had come to establish.  How could the disciples watch the way Jesus lived his life, and listen to the words he spoke and the things he taught, and still miss the point of God’s kingdom?
4. James and John were nicknamed sons of thunder. Why do you think they were so quick to ask for the seats of honor next to Jesus?
5. James and John think they will follow Jesus anywhere, but they don’t yet know what’s coming. Imagine what it was like for them to see Jesus on the cross, and remember his words. Discuss.

HEART

1. In verse 32, it says that Jesus was walking ahead of them, which is the position of a disciple. A disciple follows. Are there ways that you and I can run ahead of Jesus? If so, how can we keep that from happening?
2. The disciples clearly struggled to let go of their egos and follow Jesus wherever he led them. How do you see egos getting in the way of Christ’s work and his church today?
3. What must happen to our egos in order for us to be the kinds of disciples Jesus wants us to be…servants not masters? How and when did this happen for the disciples?  How and when does it happen for us?
4. The Jews had been slaves before and they were oppressed by Rome and their local politicians as Jesus speaks now. How must it have been like for them to hear that Jesus was calling them to be servants and slaves?

HANDS
This week, we want to put into practice Jesus’ call to be servants. Who is someone in your world that you can help out in some tangible way this week? Maybe what you do for them is anonymous, maybe you have to partner with them to make it happen, but think through how you can be a blessing.  It could be at your school, your work, your neighborhood, or your church. Think of this person, or group, as if you were doing this for Jesus. Afterwards, reflect on the experience. Was it hard? Easy? How did it make you feel? What or who is next?

WORDS TO LIVE BY
45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45, NLT