Easter Sunday - April 4, 2021

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re
mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between (1
Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes
● How are you doing?
● What can you thank God for this week?
● When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least
aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
● Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed
for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17,
Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes

Primary Passages: See below.

● Read through the following passages with your life group Matthew 4:16 and John
1:4-5
○ As a Prov family we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus this
week. Jesus came to pierce the darkness in our lives through his life,
death, and resurrection. He not only pierced the darkness he entered into
it.

● As a Life Group take a few minutes and individually or as a group quiet
yourselves and choose one of the following passages to focus on and put
yourself in the place of one of the disciples.
○ Mark 14:32-38, Luke 22:39-46 (loneliness,sorrow)
○ Mark 14:43-45 (betrayal)
○ Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:16-20 (pain, humiliation, isolation, death)
○ Mark 15:33-37 (spiritual separation from the father, death)
● Share with one another in your Life Group what you learned from this
experience.
○ Which passage spoke to your heart?
○ Does understanding the pain that Jesus went through for you offer you
hope in your darkness? Why? Or Why not?

○ Remind everyone in your group that His resurrection reminds us that the
pain and sorrow of this world does not get the final say. Jesus broke the
darkness to give us his living hope.

● Read 1 Peter 1:3.
○ Jesus entered the darkest places to lead us into his marvelous light. Do
you believe he will lead you out of your brokenness? Out of your despair?
What holds you back from following him out of your darkness? What do
you go to instead of him? Only Jesus can lead us out of our darkness.

● Read John 8:12.
○ End your time together by encouraging one another with the reminder that
because of his love for us he entered the deep dark despair of humanity to
lead us into his marvelous light in which he is now making all things new

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s
Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans
3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes
● How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer?
● What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus
with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin,
make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends
us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever
we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes
● People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look
like during this season?
● Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite
these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them
soon?
● Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to
connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take
next steps toward Jesus.