EE Study Group Discussion Notes Ep. 4

1 Discussion Notes Session 4: My Life Has a Plan Begin by watching the intro video with Kyle Idleman that accompanies session four. (1:11) Connecting to One Another Answer the following questions before watching the DVD. • What did you want to be when you grew up? What were your plans when you graduated high school? Are you doing those things today? Changing into the Likeness of Christ In Session Four: My Life Has a Plan, we journey alongside Mary, the mother of Jesus. We experience her story from before Jesus’ birth—a time filled with wonder, hope and fear—to the suffering and the death of her son on the cross. Before watching the video, open your Bibles to Luke 2:21-39, and read the passage aloud. This scene will provide a context for Mary’s early expectations and hopes for Jesus’ life. What impact did Simeon say that Jesus would have on other people (including Mary)? Watch Easter Experience: Session Four – My Life Has a Plan (22:16) • How did you feel when you saw Jesus crawling to place himself on the cross? What do you think we are to learn from that scene? Why is Jesus’ willingness to suffer so important? • Mary’s plan for Jesus’ life probably did not work out as she had thought it would. What do you suppose Mary expected for her son’s future before his arrest and crucifixion? • Our plans are not always God’s plan. While we want deliverance from a bad economy, a health care system with holes in it, a world at unrest, God’s plan is spiritual deliverance. Do you find it hard to imagine that God’s plan might involve difficulty and suffering? Prayer Idea After taking prayer requests pray for patience and understanding in light of God’s wisdom. We all have plans that seem right to us that for one reason or another do not work out. Take time to surrender the plans and expectations of your group over to the will and plan of God. Remember the words of Paul in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” the easter experience2 Cultivating a Missional Life-Taking Your Experience Home During the coming week read and memorize Romans 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We all have plans that seem right to us that for one reason or another do not work out. “When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you’re right in the centre of His will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss.” Charles Swindoll • Pray for patience and understanding in light of God’s wisdom. • Remember the promise from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” • Meditate on Mary’s response of faith when called to be the mother of Christ; she willingly accepted the Lord’s will even when it meant extreme personal suffering and a brutal death for her Son, the promised Messiah. Since life rarely goes as we plan: • Plan and execute a planned act of kindness to touch someone’s life for the sake of Jesus. • In your season of pain and suffering: Pain is never permanent; “and this too shall pass.” Notes ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you need more tips and materials for running a successful Easter Experience group, be sure to come back to www.easterexperience.com for additional helpful materials!