“Jesus Never Gives Up On Us. “
Scripture Reading: (Luke 22:1-6) (Luke 22:47-48) (Luke 22:54-62) (John 21:15-17) (Psalm 32) (Please read and discuss with the questions)
Introduction
If you’ve ever gone hiking before, especially in the winter, you know that “breaking trail” is something you do when you encounter deep snow that’s tough to navigate. When that happens, one hiker usually goes ahead of their group and clears the way so others can follow behind more easily. A trail-breaker is someone who goes ahead, who makes a new way, and who invites others to follow along behind them. In so many ways, that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He broke a new trail just by existing, but he did so much more than that too. He made a way for us to forever change the way we saw God and others.
Discussion
The way Jesus responded to His friends-turned-traitors was pretty trail-blazing. (Luke 22:1-6)(Luke 22:47-48) (Luke 22:54-62)
- What are some of the ways you’ve seen people let each other down?
- How does it feel when someone lets you down? What about when you let someone else down?
- What do you think Jesus was thinking or feeling when Judas and Peter betrayed Him?
Jesus showed Peter a new path he could take. (John 21:15-17)
- How did Jesus respond to Judas and Peter letting Him down?
- What are some of the ways you and I sometimes let God down?
- When we let God down, what do you think Jesus would want us to know?
- Is it ever difficult for you to believe any of those things when you let God down? Which ones and why?
Jesus broke a new trail by forgiving us so we can follow in His footsteps and forgive others. (Psalm 32)
- What do you need forgiveness for? Who do you need to forgive?
- What would it look like for you to forgive yourself or someone else, just like God has forgiven you?
- If it’s true Jesus never gives up on you, what’s one thing you can do this week to respond to that truth?
Conclusion
Like Peter and Judas, maybe you’ve felt like you’ve let Jesus down. Maybe you’ve felt like you were never good enough for Jesus to care about you to begin with. But if there’s anything we can learn from Peter and Judas, it’s that there’s nothing you could do to cause Jesus to love you less. Jesus didn’t give up on his friends, even when they gave up on themselves. And the same is true for you. No matter what we’ve done or what we may think about ourselves, Jesus never gives up on us.
Prayer
- Take some time to forgive anyone you need to forgive or even to forgive yourself for something you’ve done.
- Pray that we would react to failure like Peter, receiving Jesus’ forgiveness.
- Thank God for the answered prayers and for what He is doing at Joy Fountain Church.
- Pray for one another as needed.
Announcements
- Final Small Groups April 27 2022