Lent Discussion Guide March 2015

Small Group Study Guide for Lent & Easter March 1 Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:17–20 and Nehemiah 1:1–11 CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Who is Nehemiah and what kind of influence would he have to be able to ask for something from the king?

2. What are Nehemiah’s fears as he goes to the king to ask for a favor?

3. What are the issues the Nehemiah faces as he tries to lead the people?

4. What principles do you learn about leadership from Nehemiah?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

5. Why is it so important that we give God the first and the best of all we have?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

6. How important is God’s word in the story?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Nehemiah 1:10-11 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Oh Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

The extraordinary thing about this man Nehemiah is that he did absolutely nothing without first consulting the Lord in prayer. ALWAYS. What would our lives look like if we practiced it as Nehemiah did? Take the time to read this book you might be inspired and encouraged by a man who prayed in such a way. Nehemiah had many obstacles in his life, however with the Lord’s direction through prayer he was successful in completing the Lord’s will.

March 8 “Tempted: Current Comfort or Future Faith?”

Deut 6:1-9 Mark 10:13-16

Revised 3/6

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. How do you think God’s people generally viewed children – both in Moses’ time, and in Jesus’ time?

2. What is God’s view of children?

3. How did the disciples’ view of children differ from Jesus’ view?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4.

How do you tend to view the children in your life? In our church family? How well does this line up with God’s view?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5.

What is your responsibility to pass along faith to the next generation? Your children? Grandchildren? Extended family? Church family? Neighborhood or community?

6.

Where is God already at work, and how can you join Him?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Deuteronomy 6:4-6 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children.

Spend some time praying for the children in your life. Ask the Lord how you can be more intentional in living out your faith, and passing it along to them.

March 15 “The Temptation of Approval” Matthew 4:1-11

Revised 3/6

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Whose idea was it that Jesus should go to the wilderness to be tested?

2. What does it mean to you that Jesus had to be tested?

3. What are the things you look to in order to get approval?

4. We all need to have our ego supported how does our relationship with God support your ego?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

What changes do you need to make to turn to God rather than humans for approval?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. Share with your group how your faith can be shared with others who are struggling with self-esteem?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Matthew 4:1-11 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” As Jesus responds to the ensuing temptations he relies and responds with verses spoken by God in the Bible. We encounter temptations of our own and can rely on the words of the Lord to help us choose the correct direction for our lives. Pray thanks to God for his amazing love and faithfulness. Ask the Lord to bring to mind a verse in the Bible that would guide you in your situation.

This type of prayer sometimes takes practice. However, you will be joyous when you receive the perfect response in the Bible designed especially for your situation.” An example for “the temptation of approval” might be Ephesians 3:16.

March 22 “The Temptation of Appetite” Matthew 4:1-11

Revised 3/6

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Share a time I your life when you were really hungry?

2. What is it about hunger takes control your life?

3. What is the temptation that Jesus faces in verses 3 & 4?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. Rather than putting your trust in God what temptations do you face regarding your appetite?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. How does your Christian faith help you deal with temptation?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Matthew 4:3-4 “The Temptation of Appetite” Jesus had intended to fast in the desert. It wasn’t in his character to take the easy way out once he had committed to something. The passage says, yes he was hungry however he didn’t hesitate to deny the food offered. We might pray that we would be more like Jesus. Have more of the character of Christ. That a commitment made would naturally be honored always.

March 29 “The Temptation of Ambition” Matthew 4:1–11

Revised 3/6

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. One would think that being ambitious is a good trait however what is it that makes ambition dangerous?

2. What exactly is the temptation that Jesus faces regarding ambition?

3. How does Jesus answer this temptation given by the devil?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. What is it in your own life that pulls you away from God? PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. What have you found in your life that pulls you back into a proper relationship to your Creator?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Matthew 4:8-10 “The Temptation of Ambition” For us today to be offered all the kingdoms of the world would be tempting to most people in America since we are so materialistic. However, we know that worshiping anything before God is not acceptable to him. We might pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the provision he has made for us and his promise never to leave or forsake us.

We might then consider never leaving or forsaking God.

EXTRA STUDY “The King on a Donkey” Revised 3/6 Matthew 21, Luke 19, John 12, Mark 11.

CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem on a donkey what might be the variety of opinions about this event?

2. What do you think the disciples thought about Jesus coming into Jerusalem?

Fears? Expectations?

3. What is it that the religious leaders fear about Jesus?

4. What is Jesus’ view about this event?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

5. What changes do you need to make in your view of Jesus as king?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

6. What does it mean to you that Jesus is Savior and Lord?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Matthew 21 “The King on a Donkey” The Lord does speak of fulfilling the scriptures by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

“See your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” A gentle king is an interesting concept for those times. As we pray in much humility concerning Palm Sunday it is difficult really to imagine Christ’s thoughts.

However, as we read through the chapter we see him continuing to teach us. This is not a man filled with despair. So we might pray a prayer proclaiming our amazing love for Jesus who was love. He was the king of peace who continued to follow God’s directions and goals for his life through unbelievable times. Hallelujah!

April 5 “The King over Death” Luke 24 CONTEXT Questions (what did the text say to the original audience?)

1. What role does the resurrection play in your faith?

2. What is so exciting about the resurrection why is there so much celebration involved?

3. Compare the cross and the resurrection what is the meaning of each for our faith?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

REPENT questions (where does our thinking need to change?)

4. Why does it matter that the resurrection really happened in history?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what are You saying to me?”

BELIEVE questions (where does our behavior need to change?)

5. What is it about the resurrection motivates a change in behavior?

PRAY: Stop here and pray silently, “God, what do You want me to do?”

PRAYER: Luke 24 “The King over Death” The spiritual aspect of Christ is very evident in this chapter. You might give thanks to Christ for his great physical sacrifice for the world as well as giving to us the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) for our comfort and spiritual nurturing today. Our praise for Christ who gave his life so we might be free is never ending.