Small Group Questions

Resurrection Sunday Discussion

The King Arises

Transition:

Our passage last week came from The Gospel of John. John’s account of the days immediately preceding Jesus’ death on the cross includes some information that is not included in any of the other gospels. Interestingly, although John has the least information about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, it has more about His thinking and motivation. We kept our focus on what Jesus said about how the King would be glorified.

Context:

Our passage this week also comes from John’s gospel. As with last week’s passage, John’s gospel presents a different perspective (from the other gospels) of what happened on the day when Jesus arose from the grave. For instance, John alone focuses on Jesus’ personal interaction with Mary Magdalene. His personal care for her in the midst of her profound grief and confusion continues to be a source of hope for all true believers today.

Opening Questions:
• Have you ever been in a situation where you believed that all hope was lost, but then something happened that turned it all around? If so, share the story. How did it turn around? What did you learn from it?
• Have you ever had a conversation about Jesus’ resurrection with someone who did not believe in it? If so, share the story. Why is the resurrection of Jesus an essential element of the gospel?

Scripture/Storying: John 20:1-18

Discipleship Questions:
• What is your immediate reaction to this passage? What are you feeling, and why?
• How do verses 1-10 set up Jesus’ interaction with Mary?How do they set up the rest of the story? Why does God sometimes reveal truth/Himself in stages rather than all at once? When has this happened in your life? What did you learn from it?
• Why do you think Mary did not initially recognize Jesus? Why might a believer today not notice the presence of Jesus? What do you do personally to maintain an awareness of the Lord’s presence in your life?
• What part (if any) did Jesus calling Mary by her name help reveal to her that it was Him? If you audibly heard Jesus call you by name, how do you think it would affect you?
• Why do you think Jesus tells Mary, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (v17a)? Is clinging to Jesus still possible today? If so, what might it look like in someone’s life and what should be done?
• Why do you think Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene before He appeared to the apostles? What impact do you think it had on them? Does it influence you still today? If so, how?
• How is the resurrection of Jesus continuing to impact you today?

Prayer time:

Pray for Bridges Refugee, a ministry Providence Church supports.
• Pray for more churches and groups to partner with us in a new in-kind initiative that is about to launch!
• Pray that we continue to get furniture donations for the families that are coming into Knoxville this month.