Rather than offering a video for this week’s Grace Group meetings, we’re providing this discussion guide that digs deeper into Sunday’s message. Download the Jesus Mission Accomplished – Talk It Over Guide or view it below…
Jesus: Mission Accomplished
Talk It Over Guide
At Grace Hills, our small groups are primarily sermon-based, meaning that the small group Bible study digs deeper into the topic of the weekend message. This Talk It Over Guide is intended to guide your group through a discussion of the message from Sunday while also accommodating those who may not have been present on the weekend.
It’s broken down into the five purposes of life so that every time a group meets, you’re growing in all five aspects as individuals and as a group.
FELLOWSHIP TIME
Go around the group and ask relational questions such as:
- How was your week?
- Has anything happened this week that has taught you something about God? About yourself?
- What was your highlight this week? Your low point?
DISCIPLESHIP TIME
I. Weekend message review…
In the weekend message, Pastor Brandon talked about how Jesus finished some things, namely:
1. He finished the story of the coming Messiah.
All of the promises and prophecies as well as all of the types and symbols in the Old Testament designed to point the Jewish people toward a coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus.
QUESTION: What intrigues you most about the prophecies and promises that Jesus fulfilled?
2. He finished the mission to which God called Him.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because He never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God… – Hebrews 12:2-3 (MSG)
QUESTION: How does it make you feel about Jesus to know that He finished EVERYTHING God gave Him to do, right down to His death on the cross for sin?
3. He finished satisfying the justice of God.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)
In other words, the wrath of God toward OUR sin was directed at Jesus when He died on the cross. This is how He “paid for” our sins and “died in our place.”
4. He finished off some old enemies: Satan, sin, and death.
Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (HCSB)
Satan didn’t want our sins forgiven, but when Jesus died on the cross, our forgiveness was secured and Satan was defeated. Death no longer holds an eternal grip on believers because we live forever.
QUESTION: How does it increase your confidence to know that the battle against our greatest enemies is won? How can this truth help us to live differently day-to-day?
5. Jesus also wants to finish YOU!
By this is meant that Jesus wants to “complete” or “mature” or “perfect” you over time to be just like Him in your character. When He has begun this work, He will finish it.
And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6 (TEV)
But His work of finishing us is a partnership. When His power meets our willingness to surrender to His work in us, He can do great things!
II. Going Deeper
(This part of the guide is all discussion-oriented and is intended to build on the message as a group and make application to daily life.)
Let’s talk about the works that Jesus wants to complete in each of us…
QUESTION: What’s your “starting” story? How did you come to know Jesus? Or if you haven’t made that decision yet, what are the questions you find yourself asking about God?
QUESTION: How do you enjoy serving God? How can you see Him growing you in this area?
QUESTION: What does it do for your faith to know that God is faithful to finish whatever He starts to do in your life?
MINISTRY TIME
Is there any way that your group can serve one another in the coming weeks? Does anyone have a specific need for help?
Is there any way that your group can serve the community in the coming weeks?
MISSION TIME
Who do we know that needs to be in a group that we could invite to ours?
How can we invite people to come on Easter Sunday next week?
WORSHIP TIME
What do we have to praise God for?
What needs can we pray for?
When you close in prayer, allow multiple people to pray, but never make anyone uncomfortable who isn’t ready to pray out loud. Say something like “I’ll start us off in prayer and anyone who wishes to pray, feel free to do so. When I sense that no one else is going to pray, I’ll say ‘Amen.'”