Scripture: Luke 22
Main Verse: And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 22:15-16
This week, we will walk through the events focused on in the Gospels and the New Testament more than any other in Jesus’ life—His death and resurrection! This is the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation of who we are as Christ followers.
Marc walks us through why the arrest, mock trial, beating, and crucifixion of Jesus unfold the way they did, helping us understand what was happening in the culture of the day.
But unlike the thousands who were crucified before Him, Jesus walks out of the tomb. God accepts Jesus’ obedient sacrifice; and as proof of that, raises Him from the dead. The proclamation of the New Testament is that because Jesus walked out of the tomb, and as we are faithful to God, we, too, do not have to fear death. We, too, will rise from the dead. This is our story. This is who we are.
Question: Why is Jesus’ death and resurrection so foundational for our faith today? For your faith today?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, thank You for ________.
Family Chat: As a family, discuss who in your circle needs to know about Jesus. How can you share the good news of Jesus with them?
Take Action: Tell someone why you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Ask someone if they know Jesus personally.
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Scripture: Luke 22:7-23
Main Verse: In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
– Luke 22:20
Today, Pastor Darren DeLaune walks us through the moments of the Last Supper, the last conversation Jesus has with His disciples prior to His arrest, trial, death, and ultimately resurrection. God’s greatest revelation of Himself was and is Jesus; and in light of that incredible reality, our challenge throughout this study has been to wrestle with what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus.
John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Himself is the source of all life and fruitfulness in our lives, and the Word reminds us of Jesus’ obedience all the way to death, even death on the cross.
Pastor Darren challenges us to remember Jesus, remember His death, and remember His resurrection. It is only as we call upon His mercy and grace for the forgiveness of our sins that we can truly walk out the life He has called us to live—through Jesus Christ and Him alone.
Question: Looking back over this semester, how has your perspective changed regarding what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, thank You for ________. Today, I turn from ________, and I choose ________.
Family Chat: Rephrase today’s question so your kids can understand it. Discuss it with your whole family.
Take Action: Discuss with your life group how your thoughts, your choices, your words, and your actions have changed over the course of this semester; and, talk about how you see your life as a follower of Jesus moving forward.
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Scripture
They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. – Luke 22:23-27
Main Verse: For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.—Luke 22:27
Today, Marc walks us through Jesus’ final lesson to His disciples at the Passover meal prior to His crucifixion. As they are sitting at the table, Jesus’ disciples argue about who of them will be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. But He explains to them that the Roman way of “might makes right” is not the way of His disciples.
Jesus challenges them that day—and us today—to not strive to be the greatest or to hold onto power. Rather, He calls us to pursue our Master and be servants, and not only servants of most high God, but servants of others, as well.
Question: Is there an area of your life that you need to release control to God, (even if you’re the one in charge)?
Family Chat: Play a quick game of charades, acting out different things that might come up as you get older that you need to release to God. Explain to your kids things that you have held onto but wish you would have released sooner to God.
Take Action: Invite your accountability partner to help you work through today’s question.
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Scripture: Luke 22:39-53
Main Verse: He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:41-42
Today, Pastor Marcus Brown continues in Luke 22 discussing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, pouring His heart out to the Father with: “If it’s possible, if it be Your will, take this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours be done,” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus knew that, for the first time ever, He would drink in the judgment, fury, and wrath of God—and He did so for our sakes. Pastor Marcus reminds us that Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves.
Jesus came to show you what God was like, but He also came because you could never be good enough to be in a right relationship with Him. But His sacrifice will do you no good if you don’t receive the pardon, the gift of salvation, and the life that Jesus is offering you today.
Question: Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you received the gift of salvation from death and eternal judgment that He has for you?
Prayer Starter: God, because of the sacrifice of Your Son on the Cross for me, I turn around from pursuing my own life my own way and I turn my back on sin. Instead, I turn my heart to You in repentance and faith, putting my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Today, I choose to follow You for the rest of my life. Wherever You lead me, I will follow. I submit to Your rule and reign in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Family Chat: Draw a picture of yourself, then add a picture of God giving you the gift of salvation. How would that change the look on your face or the way you feel as you receive this FREE gift? Parents, share with your kids about the time you made Jesus the boss of your heart and how you felt that day.
Take Action: If you prayed that prayer today, whether for the first time or as a renewal of another time, we want to know about it! Text CONNECT to 88000 and tell us about your decision!
Additional Resources:
Scripture: Luke 23:26-56
Main Verse: Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! – Psalm 22:30-31
The day Jesus is crucified is a dark day, one that many who hoped He would redeem Israel see their hopes dashed as He dies on the Cross. Marc explains that when Jesus quotes Psalm 22, He is not lamenting that His Father had forsaken Him; but even on the Cross He is pointing the Jews to the rest of this Psalm, which ends in God’s deliverance.
Jesus never lost sight of God and never lost hope. And the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God that we serve. No matter what moment of hopelessness and despair you may find yourself in, never forget God does not abandon us.
God is with us, God will deliver us, and God will redeem us.
Question: If you are in a moment of despair today, open your Bible and read Psalm 22 out loud. Can you make all of this Psalm your prayer today?
Family Chat: As one parent reads Psalm 22, ask everyone else to close their eyes. Say to them, “Ask God to show you through your imagination what He wants to say to you through this Psalm.”
Take Action:If today is a hard day for you, pick up the phone, call a friend, let them know, and ask them to pray for you. If today is not hard for you, pray and ask the Holy Spirit who He wants you to call and encourage. Then call the first name that drops in your thoughts.
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Scripture Passage: Luke 24:1-53
Main Verse: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal Life, for God did not send His Son into the World to condemn the world, but that the world would be saved through Him.” – John 3:16-17
Today, Pastor Richard Eberle walks us through understanding Scripture’s instructions to take the first step in trusting Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Question: Have you ever trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If you want to be confident that you have trusted in Jesus to take your sin away forever and give you a new life with His Spirit living inside of you, pray this prayer with us today.
Prayer Starter: Dear Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner, and I need You to forgive me. I know that You died on the Cross for my sins so that I could be forgiven and be washed clean; and, I believe that You rose again from the grave, conquering sin and death. I want to make you Lord of my life. I will trust and follow You, and everything that I have is Yours. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen!
Family Chat: If you prayed this prayer, whether for the first time or another time, tell your family and friends that you trust in Jesus, that He has forgiven you and given you a new life!
Take Action: If you prayed this prayer today, we want to know about it! Text CONNECT to 88000 and let us know. We want to celebrate with you and continue to encourage you in your next step with Jesus and in the community of faith. God bless you!
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