Mark 14:26-52
Life Group Discussion Questions
Read Mark 14:26-52
When a pastor stands to share the Word of God there are two aims. To be faithful to Scripture and to move the hearer (and speaker) to reorient their life in light of the truth. Sometimes the response to Scripture is something we should do (hands) but sometimes the response should shape what we value/our affections (hearts) or what/how we think (heads). What is the danger that we face if we only think responding to Scripture is by “doing” something?
A theme that we looked at during Advent was “the type of people Jesus came for.” At the Last Supper, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, are Judas (who betrays Jesus) and the other eleven disciples (who abandon Jesus). How is the hope of the Gospel seen in these twelve being present at the Last Supper where Jesus uses the bread and wine to point toward His work on the cross?
In the garden, we see the humanity of Jesus (if it is possible let this cup pass from me) and yet we also see Jesus' submission to the will of the Father. Where do you find it most difficult to submit your desires to the will of the Father? How does the model of Jesus in His prayer help us?
In our sermon, we looked at two gardens. Eden, where sin and shame were followed by humanity fleeing and hiding. Gethsemane, where sin and shame were followed by humanity fleeing and hiding. And yet in both gardens, we see God standing in the midst. The Father calling Adam and Eve out to Him. And now Jesus in Gethsemane prepared to fulfill what was promised thousands of years ago. Take some time in prayer as a group to thank God for His Son. Take time to praise the Son for His willing obedience to take on our sin and shame and face the cup of the wrath of the Father.