Opening Discussion

• What’s your favorite work of art and why?

Shortened Version

Read John 20:11-18

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

• What does this Bible passage show us about Mary’s relationship with Jesus?
  • Why does their relationship matter enough for John to include it in this pivotal moment in the life of Christ?
• Why do both the angels and Jesus ask why Mary is crying?
• How should Jesus rising from the dead give you a different outlook on life?
• What is one way you could live out the full life that Jesus offers us?

Read Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

• What does this passage tell us about why Jesus had to come to earth as a human?
• What does it mean to make atonement for the sins of the people?
  • Why could only Jesus do that?
• When you are tempted, what are some ways you could turn to Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some people in your life that can help you with temptation?
• Why is it important to confess our sins to the Lord and a trusted person or small group of people?
• If you don’t have a regular time of confession to a group of trusted people, what do you need to do this week to start doing that?
  • What excuses might you make for not doing this?

Extended Edition

Read John 20:11-18

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

• What does this Bible passage show us about Mary’s relationship with Jesus?
  • Why does their relationship matter enough for John to include it in this pivotal moment in the life of Christ?
• Why do both the angels and Jesus ask why Mary is crying?
• How should Jesus rising from the dead give you a different outlook on life?
• What does Jesus mean by “don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father?”
• Why does Jesus say “my Father and your Father?”
  • How did this show how the relationship between God and humanity had changed?
• How do you pursue Jesus with your life?
• What is one way you could live out the full life that Jesus offers us?

Read Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

• What does this passage tell us about why Jesus had to come to earth as a human?
• What does it mean to make atonement for the sins of the people?
  • Why could only Jesus do that?
• Why does it matter that Jesus was fully human?
• What are some ways people are held in slavery metaphorically?
• How does Jesus break the bonds of slavery to sin?
• When you are tempted, what are some ways you could turn to Jesus?

Discipleship Questions

• Who are some people in your life that can help you with temptation?
• Why is it important to confess our sins to the Lord and a trusted person or small group of people?
• If you don’t have a regular time of confession to a group of trusted people, what do you need to do this week to start doing that?
  • What excuses might you make for not doing this?

Memorize it!

Hebrews 2:18- For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

PRAYER TACOS!

Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for knowing our name

Adoration- Worship the Lord because He is the defeater of death

Confess- Is the Lord laying anything on your heart to confess to the group?

Others- Ask the Lord for someone you can talk to this week to confess sin and grow in your faith

Self- Pray that God would direct you in every area of your life