Week 4: Scoffers on a Hill

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In groups of two or three, have participants respond to the question, “What might it look like to allow Jesus to fully ‘reign’ in someone’s life?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read: Luke 23:33-43.

Working as a group or in small micro-groups, summarize the different responses to Jesus’ crucifixion: crowd, leaders, soldiers, criminals, and anyone else.
Whom does Jesus address in verse 34? What does this address reveal about Jesus? What does it reveal about God?
What might Jesus’ response (verses 34, 43) say about the nature of God’s kingdom/reign? [God’s kingdom values forgiveness, reconciliation, and compassion; it is full of promises, hope, and redemption.]
What might the criminals’ responses reveal about how we can respond to Jesus?
As a group, make two lists. For the first list, have the group write as many values of the culture as they can in a defined period of time (approximately five minutes). For the second list, have the group write as many values of Jesus (especially drawing on the passages from the last few weeks) as they can in the same amount of time. [The second list might include sacrifice, compassion, humility; the greatest are those who serve the most; and so on.] What might this contrast mean for how Christians should live today? That is, Christians whose primary citizenship is that of the coming kingdom/reign of God?
What difference does it make to believe that Jesus is the Messiah? Why is it important that your church invite others to experience Jesus as the Lord, Savior, Deliverer, and the One who Reigns over all of heaven and earth?
Why is it still shocking that the one we call King, Messiah, Christ, is also the one who died for the world?
Having briefly explored God’s kingdom/reign further, what new insights do you have about God’s kingdom/reign? What questions do you still have?
If your group is willing and has a good enough bond, consider having a dialogue about the following question: “Why might it be appropriate or inappropriate to display the flag of a country during a worship service?”

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of Heaven and Earth, your reign extends over all the earth. You reign in places where your will is done and even in places where people are experiencing pain and unjust conditions; we can still declare, “You reign.” Help that all that we say and do will become more and more a witness and declaration that you reign in our lives so that others will experience the abundance and true life that comes from you. Amen.