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The easter experience PARTICIPANT'S GUIDE

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Introduction......................................................7Session 1: My Life Has a Purpose..................................9Session 2: My Life Can Change.....................................19Session 3: My Pain Is Understood..................................29Session 4: My Life Has a Plan.....................................39Session 5: I Have the Promise of Eternal Life.....................47Session 6: My Hope Is Secure......................................55

Chapter One

my life has a purpose

OPENING QUESTIONS

If people were asked to give a one- or two-word description of you, what might it be? Fun loving? Hardworking? Family oriented? Good-looking?

Watch DVD episode.

DISCUSSION

l. What are your thoughts or reactions after watching this episode?

2. This episode challenged us to make our purpose in life to be a servant of others. But why would anyone choose to be a servant?

3. Would you say you are a servant? Why or why not?

4. What is it like for you when you serve others? How does it feel?

What is it like for you when you don't serve?

Which experience is better, and why?

5. Have you found it to be true that when we really know our purpose in life, and that purpose is something beyond ourselves, then we experience the greatest fulfillment?

What life purposes have you found to be most fulfilling?

What does that fulfillment feel like?

6. Read Mark 10:35-45.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." as "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 44 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

What stands out to you from this passage?

REFLECTION

Read this passage from John 13 every day this week, first asking Jesus to open your eyes to what He wants you to see. Circle, underline, or write in the margins whatever words, phrases, or thoughts stand out to you.

1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Chapter Two

OPENING QUESTIONS

Last week we focused on the fact that Jesus lived His earthly life as a servant. We also looked at His teachings that tell us that our purpose in life is to be servants as well. Did that lesson have any impact on how you lived out your week? If so, how?

Watch DVD episode.

DISCUSSION

l. What was your favorite part of this episode?

2. How do you see other people typically dealing with their regrets?

What have you learned from how they handled their remorse?

3. Bring to mind one of your regrets in life. You don't have to tell the group what it is, but how did you deal with it once you saw your mistake and felt the regret?

4. Kyle said the difference between remorse and repentance is that mere remorse leads one to turn to self in an attempt to make up for the mistake while repentance leads one to turn to Jesus for mercy. How would you describe the phrase "turning to Jesus" to someone who didn't know what that meant?

5. Why don't people take their regrets to Jesus first rather than try to handle those regrets by themselves?

6. When you fail or fall short, where do you tend to turn first-to yourself to fix it or to Jesus to forgive it?

How does each route usually work out over time?

7. Do you have any regrets affecting your spirit these days? Is there anything you feel badly about? Maybe it's something having to do with your marriage and how you treat your spouse. Or maybe it's something having to do with your kids. Maybe it's something having to do with money or work. Have you made some bad decisions you now regret? Try to be specific. What are you currently regretting in life?

Bring one regret to mind. If you have several, just choose one. As you think of this regret, consider where you are turning with the disappointment. Is it to self, to try to fix it? Are you trying to make up for this failure?

Imagine taking this regret to Jesus right now, as Peter did. Can you imagine saying to Him, "Lord, I...