week of 11/26

 Unit 27  Session 4

THE CONQUERING KING

COLOSSIANS 1 ; HEBREWS 1 ; REVELATION 22

Jesus fulfills the office of king, ruling over all of creation and guiding and directing His people, the church.

We have been looking the last few weeks at Jesus as King, accused, crucified, and risen. And to sum up, He is the conquering King. He oversees the universe, guides the church, and rewards the faithful when He returns. He is sovereign over all and sovereign over us. As King, He is victorious over all. Therefore, Christians should respond to His mighty sovereignty and majestic grace through faith-filled obedience.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus is the eternal King, ruling the cosmos.

     * What are some ways we should worship 

        Jesus?

     * What characteristics make Jesus the 

        greatest King?

✞   Jesus is the resurrected King, directing the church.

     * If Jesus is the Head of the church and first place 

        in everything, how should we submit our lives 

        to Him?

    * Where in your life are you experiencing peace 

        because of Jesus?

✞   Jesus is the returning King, rewarding the faithful.

     * How do we live our lives knowing Jesus is 

        returning soon and will reward those according 

        to their work?

     * How is Jesus the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning 

        and the End?

week of 11/19

Unit 27  Session 3

THE RISEN KING

MATTHEW 27-28

Jesus' resurrection from the dead on the third day is the linchpin of the Christian faith and is news to be shared with the world.

After a grueling trial and gruesome crucifixion, the beaten, lifeless body of Jesus hung on the cross. With Friday sundown and the approaching Sabbath, there was rush to dispose of the deceased. Determined to honor their Rabbi, some of Jesus' followers arranged to provide Jesus with a proper burial. But they didn't know that the borrowed tomb would only be needed for a very short time. Jesus would not be dead for long. God was about to make His most powerful move yet to fulfill His promise to rescue His people.

Points to consider:

✞   Resisting the Possibility of Jesus' Resurrection

     * How can you put Jesus in a place of honor in 

        your life?

     * How can someone try to explain why he or she 

        believes in Jesus' resurrection?

✞   Encouraging the Reality of Jesus' Resurrection

     * What other times has God used Heavenly 

        messengers to give authoritative, Divine news?

     * How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection 

        impact your life?

✞   Sharing the News of Jesus' Resurrection

     * How can I keep myself accountable on 

        prioritizing telling others the good news 

        of Jesus?

     * How might the reality that every person 

        will live on for eternity - either with Christ

        or without - change our everyday moments?

week of 11/12

Unit 27  Session 2

THE CRUCIFIED KING

LUKE 23

Jesus gave up His life to provide salvation to all who repent of their sin.

Only a handful of hours into His last day before death, Jesus had already been falsely accused and wrongly condemned to death. He was flogged by officials, forsaken by His followers, and left so weak that He could not even carry His cross as He marched to the place of His execution. Yet the emotional anguish and physical pain He bore could not keep Him from obediently fulfilling God's purpose. Christ came to be a ransom for sinners so that those who believed could become part of the forever family of God.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus, the crucified King, extends forgiveness 

     to the executioners.

     * When in the midst of suffering and persecution, 

        what are your prayers typically geared toward?

     * Why is it difficult to forgive others?

✞   Jesus, the crucified King, promises salvation 

     to the repentant.

     * Which of these three truths do you think our 

        culture struggles with the most, and why?

✞   Jesus, the crucified King, entrusts Himself 

     to the Father.

     * What are the benefits of having direct access 

        to the Father?

     * What are ways we can fill our thoughts and 

        words with Scripture?

week of 11/5

Unit 27  Session 1

THE ACCUSED KING

LUKE 22-23

Jesus was arrested, tried, and condemned to die, even though He did no wrong.

After three full years of ministry, the time had come for the promised Messiah - the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King who had been anticipated for millennia - to finish what He had started. His mission was clear and His resolve strong. Through the enabling strength of the Spirit by the unshakable will of the Father, the Son of God set His face to the cross. Much suffering awaited Jesus, some of which would be physical, but it would also be emotional as He watched His followers and friends abandon Him, betray Him, and become a part of condemning Him to death.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus, the King of the Jews, is wrongly tried.

     * What are some examples of Christians using 

        wrong methods when trying to share the truth?

     * What reasons did the religious leaders have 

        for wanting Jesus condemned?

✞   Jesus, the King of the Jews, is wrongly accused.

     * What are some things Christians are wrongly 

        accused of at times?

     * How does knowing Jesus lived a holy and 

        innocent life but still dealt with persecution 

        and injustice encourage you when you face 

        similar troubles?

✞   Jesus, the King of the Jews, is wrongly condemned.

     * Why is mob rule so effective?

     * What can we do to sin less?