Finding God in the Darkness
ASL Interpretation – Message Only
The last week of Jesus’ life began with a parade of celebration and hope. He would be dead by the end of that week. What happened? Even in darkness, God is at work; it just doesn’t feel like it sometimes. And even though there is no darkness in God, He’s never opposed to entering the darkness. God does profound things there. So, don’t instinctively run from the darkness. You might be running from God.
Discussion Questions
In uncertain times, we can be prone to anxiety and fear. What do those emotions look like in your life?
In what ways does God use the appearance of defeat on the path to victory? (Note the triumphal entry to Jerusalem and Jesus’ subsequent crucifixion. John 12:2-13, Isaiah 53:7)
How do you reconcile that God is “light” but also present in darkness? (1 John1:5. Exodus 20:21, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 18:11, Psalm 139:12)
How can your personal darkness create receptivity to God’s presence and purposes?
Just as the rhythm of a day includes the night, so too, our spiritual rhythm includes darkness. How has God used darkness as a spiritual rhythm in your life? How have you grown spiritually from hardship and challenge?
When you run from darkness, how might you be running from God?
We look for immunity from disease but sometimes we look for immunity from life’s problems. In what sense is the Christian life not a life of immunity from problems?
What can you count on God to do when you’re living through difficulties?
Further Reading
Doubting Doubt
Doubt is the presence of uncertainty. This uncertainty can present itself at anytime, for both believers and skeptics alike. The aim for both is to consider their own positions of doubt and consider these beliefs in view of a risen Jesus. Whether a believer or a...
When Jesus Restores…
Receiving forgiveness and experiencing restoration can become pivotal moments that shape our character. Peter received a course correction for life as Jesus gently but powerfully restored their relationship and Peter’s role. Together, we can grow deeper into Jesus’...
Overcoming Failure
Failing is a common but disappointing life experience that always seems to catch us by surprise. When our failures are placed into the hand of Jesus, he can use even our shortcomings to fuel our growth. Let’s discover the part failure played in Peter’s life and how we...
Forgiveness
As God has forgiven us, we are to forgive each other. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us by extension, that forgiveness should be in like proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he...
Peter’s Confession and Jesus’ Church
Jesus accomplishes his mission through his Church, but our part in a local church can be challenging as well as rewarding. In Matthew 16, we discover part of the foundation for God’s work through his Church and our part in it. How might God be calling you to be part...
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