In the Garden
What does faithfulness look like in the face of our temptations and weakness? Along with Jesus’ disciples, we can learn and grow in faithfulness as we follow Jesus to the last supper and into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Read Mark 14:32-42, and if you can make time the expanded passage from verses 12-72.
Imagine that you are present in this story. What can you see, hear, taste, feel, and smell?
Did you hear anything from the message or the passage that sparks interest or excitement, disagreement or challenge?
Can you remember how a severe problem from your life experience actually helped strengthen your relationship with Jesus. What was that like?
Is there an experience or part of your life that you would rather avoid or have removed from you? How can you offer that part of your life up to God for him to use for your good and his glory? What would it look like for you to trust yourself and that part of your life to God?
What might Jesus be saying to you from Jesus’ experience in the garden or the message from Sunday?
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...
Get Back in the Boat
Fear can creep into our lives at any time, especially when our happiness, comfort, or success is threatened. As we’ll see from Peter’s example, following Jesus doesn’t automatically eliminate our fears. However, we can also see how our fears fade into the background...