Don Pearson // Northview Campus // April 13, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 23

REMINDERS

Leader Appreciation Gathering

Each year in May we want to slow down and take time to connect and celebrate our group leaders.

Please join us for our annual Leader Appreciation Dinner on May 7, 6-8pm at The Barn (5330 Kies Rd, Rockford, MI 49341).

We’ll enjoy a great meal, good conversation, and pray for and with one another. It’s always a good time shared with great people!

SIGN UP HERE

Questions? Reach out to Kim at [email protected]

 

Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies
Sign ups are open now for Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies. Visit the Events section on the website to learn more.

 

Easter Drama – Flames of Hope (April 17–19)
In our world where wars, disasters, political struggles, and desperate people surround us, the amazing Easter story comes to life on stage before us. Experience the passion of Jesus and the events that follow. Hunted by both religious leaders and irate Romans wanting to silence them, believers face fierce persecution, imprisonment, disasters, and even martyrdom under emperor Nero. What hope do they have? What hope does our world have? Be encouraged with the good news embedded in this immersive drama with an incredible cast, orchestra, live animals, authentic sets and costumes, creative choreography, and special effects.

FIND OUT MORE INFO HERE: https://magnifychurch.org/event/easter-drama-flames-of-hope/

TOGETHER IN LIFE

This week we celebrate the beginning of Holy Week – Palm Sunday. In church history, Easter has always been the “highest holy day” – the biggest deal of them all. What has Easter celebration looked like for you over the years? What are you currently doing to make preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 23

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

KEY QUESTION:

• In your suffering, what do you long for most? What does God want for you as you suffer?

GOING DEEPER:

Suffer:  To submit to or be forced to endure. To endure death, pain, or distress. To sustain loss or damage. To be subject to disability or handicap.

Jesus’ Suffering

From the Scripture we learn of the horrendous night and morning Jesus had with his arrest, illegal trials, appearances before Herod and Pilate, and the cruel physical treatment at the hands of the Roman soldiers, all leading to the crucifixion.

Consider these quotes from the commentator F. Scott Spencer:

“By realization and representation of the human condition, Jesus paves the way for restoration

 of broken humanity and reconciliation of estranged humanity from God, one another, and the

world.”

“The dying Jesus bridges the divide between the human and divine realms, the guilty and

 innocent, the beaten and Father-loved, earth and heaven, Skull Place and Paradise.”

 

QUESTION: What is the power of Jesus’ suffering? Is there scripture to explain or illustrate?

 

When we suffer

Consider some quotes from fellow believers:

• “Suffering and desperation go hand in hand for me. The more I suffer, the more desperate I become.”
• “I am often surprised when suffering interrupts my plan. And being fairly defensive in nature, I feel like I need to control the situation, to eliminate the threat.”
• “When I am caught in unanticipated suffering, the example of the Son of Man—my suffering Messiah submitting to a Holy Father—informs my soul to trust His sovereign plan as He walks me through what He has chosen.”
• “Suffering purifies our motives.”
• “So, our suffering is the desperate place where we need Him and see His work most clearly.”

 

QUESTION: What is the power in our suffering? Consider Romans 5: 3-5 and James 1:2-4

 

In Philippians 3:10-11 Paul actually yearns to suffer!

 

QUESTION: How do you respond to suffering?

 

TOGETHER IN ACTION & PRAYER

Take time to read and pray each day through the reading plan below about the various events that went on during Jesus’ last pre-resurrection week.

Here’s one produced by our team for our Holy Week Experience.

And here’s another produced by  “The Disciple Making Parent” for chronological reading: Holy Week Chronological Reading List