From Darkness to Destiny - The Journey of Mary Magdalene

Main Thought

Jesus Christ transformed countless lives through the power of His death on the Cross and His resurrection. The clearest example of His life-changing power in the gospels might be the story of Mary Magdelene. Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary when they met. From that moment on, Mary’s past did not define her. She followed Jesus; she sat at His feet; she annointed Jesus’s feet before His death. She was even present when Jesus was crucified, when most of Jesus’s disciples had run away. Mary received an incredible reward for her faithfulness: she was one of the women who discovered the empty tomb, and she was the first recorded person to speak to Jesus after His resurrection.

Christ wants to transform our lives, just like He transformed Mary’s life. We can go from being bound to being free. We can go from deep despair to joy. We can discover purpose, when we go from being a witness to a messenger. If we want these things to happen in our lives, then we should follow Mary’s example. We can stay close to Jesus; share our stories; and, walk in our God-given identities.

Main Passages

'Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”'

- Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

'Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). '

- John 20:15-16 (ESV)

'Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. '

- John 20:17-18 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What part of Mary’s story resonates with you most? Why?

2. What do you think it means to “stay close to Jesus”?

3. Take a moment to reflect on your own journey with Jesus. Think about…

   1. What your life was like before Christ.

   2. How you were introduced to Jesus, Christianity, etc.

   3. How your life has changed for the better since then.

   Next, do your best to share your story (either with your whole group or in pairs) in two minutes or less. (This is called a two-minute miracle.)

From Passivity to Mission

Main Thought

Joseph of Arimatheia had a lot going for him. He was a good person. He had achieved great success. Yet he was longing for something more. His search for the Kingdom of God inspired him to become a follower of Jesus - even if he was a secret one. Yet Jesus gave his life for us in a public way. Seeing Jesus surrender His life on the Cross inspired Joseph of Arimatheia to fully surrender himself to God. Joseph went from passive faith to passionate action.

What did this look like? Joseph took a mission-driven, faith-filled risk. He asked to bury Jesus even if it wasn’t “his responsibility.” Typically, that responsibility should have fallen to Jesus’s family or disciples - but Joseph rose to the occasion anyway. This risk was a costly one. He could have lost his place as a member of the Sanhedrin, and he identified himself with a Man that the Romans considered a criminal. Joseph took this risk even if it seemed late. Ultimately, Joseph’s faith was honored when the tomb he gave to Jesus became the site of the Resurrection.

Main Passages

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 

- Mark 15:42-46 (ESV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

- Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV)

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

- Matthew 16:25-26 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Why can it be tempting to have a passive faith at times? 

3. What’s one thing you can do to take a mission-driven, faith-filled risk for God?

Convinced by the Cross - From Skeptic to Believer

Main Thought

A Roman Centurion was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. This man probably oversaw dozens of executions. Perhaps he became desensitized to the pain and suffering. But this one was different. Darkness came. Then the earth quaked as the ground split and rocks cracked. All the while, Jesus responded with love to those who lashed out against Him - even praying that His Father would forgive them. Eventually, this Centurion made a profound confession. According to Matthew and Mark, he exclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Like the Centurion, many of us have witnessed things or learned things that have led us to believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God. This confession of faith should lead to commitments we make in faith. These commitments include: 1) moving from passive to active faith; 2) confronting our own hidden skepticism (questioning and examining our doubts); 3) living our confession out daily, and; 4) stepping into bold witness. The Roman Centurion had an opportunity to learn about Jesus - and the Centurion’s proclamation made him known. Through the Cross and His resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to know Him and make Him known too.

Main Passages

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

- Matthew 27:50-54, ESV

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!’”

- Luke 23:44-47, ESV

“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

- Luke 24:45-48, ESV

Discussion Questions

1. Think of the four commitments (mentioned near the end of the Main Thought) we can make when we confess Christ as Lord. Which one stands out most to you, and why?

2. What’s the biggest obstacle you face that keeps you from knowing God more, and following Him? Think about how you can overcome that obstacle.

3. What’s the biggest obstacle you face that keeps you from making God known, and fishing for Men? (Matthew 4:19.) Again, think about how you can overcome that obstacle.

The (Other) Man Who Carried the Cross

Main Thought

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Simon of Cyrene, the (other) man who carried the cross of Christ. But the brief glimpse we get at Simon’s life is enough to remind us that life isn’t fair. Simon was forced to bear a burden that didn’t belong to him - and we don’t know why. In a similar way, we might not know why unfair things happen to us or other people. Yet we can find comfort in the fact that Jesus, who was treated unfairly to a degree that’s impossible for us to comprehend, understands and wants to help us. His death on the cross addressed the root cause of the world’s unfairness - sin - and secures an eternal future in which sin, suffering, and unfair things are eliminated. Until then, He invites us to confidently seek Him for compassion and help.

Jesus can also show us a way forward in spite of the difficulty we face. If we want to follow Him forward, then we’ll need to carry our own crosses too. Carrying our crosses can be summarized by three things: 1) we deny sin, temptation, negative mindsets, harmful impulses; 2) we desire God and pursue new life in Christ; and, 3) we endure by continuing in that direction. If we carry our crosses with endurance, God will carry us. We’ll experience impactful lives on earth on our way to life in eternity.

Main Passages

'And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.'

- Luke 23:26

'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'

- Hebrews 4:15-16

'Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

- Matthew 16:24-25

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Think about the three things that summarize a lifestyle of “carrying our crosses.” Which of those things speak to you most right now? Why?

3. Are there any difficult or unfair situations in your life, or in the life of someone you love, right now? Pray for one another, forming groups in whatever way is most appropriate for you.

The Cross That Cleared the Crowd

Main Thought

Have you ever heard of a Cost Benefit Analysis? A cost benefit analysis is a process of weighing the costs and benefits of a decision or policy against each other, in order to determine whether or not an opportunity should be pursued. This process is often applied in business and political contexts, but people also apply these principles to pursuing Jesus - whether they realize it or not. Thousands of people were following Jesus by the time the events of John 6 occurred. They benefited from excitement, food, miracles, and more. But they left when they began to understand how much following Jesus would cost. It would cost them their convenience, comfort, and potentially their lives. Why would anyone follow Jesus when the cost is so high? Jesus showed us what happens after we pay the cost and pick up our cross. Resurrection power and victory are available to us! Eternal life and earthly impact await, too. The benefits of following Jesus outweigh the costs in an immeasurable way. With that in mind, we should reject the temptation of fickle faith and become faithful followers of Christ. We’ll experience life in a way that is truly satisfying, impactful, and eternal when we do.

Main Passages

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 

- John 6:60-66

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

- John 6:67-69

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

- John 21:15-19

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. In what ways might your faith be fickle at times? Why do you think that might be the case?

3. Are there any changes that you could make (in your words, thoughts, deeds, etc.) to help you follow Jesus more faithfully? How could you being to act on those changes in the next 24-48 hours?

No Discussion Guide This Week

There will be no Discussion Guide this week.

In place of our normal Discussion Guide, we suggest meeting with your Life Group to pray, attending one of our Prayer Nights, or discussing the Every Nation Devotional Guide together.

Let’s thank God for The Cross!