The Way Of The Cross.
Week #2: The Joy Of Absolute Surrender.
Opening Reflection.
Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.
Matthew 26:36-42
1 John 4:18-19
1. What is the hardest thing God has ever asked you to do?
2. How do you trust God when he asks you to take the lower path (the one that doesn’t look like the fast-track to success)?
3. We all struggle to see the big picture. As Philip Yancey put it, “God will sometimes seem unfair from the perspective of a person trapped in time… Not until history has run its course will we understand how ‘all things work together for good.’ Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.”
What have you experienced as a follower of Christ, that you have struggled to make sense of? Does it make any sense now?
4. C. S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Is there anything you know you are (or think you may be) avoiding – something which is holding you back from God’s best purpose? What is it you are you afraid of?
5. There is a technique for catching monkeys which involves putting nuts or fruit – a banana apparently works well – into a large jar with a narrow neck. The monkey can put its hand in easily, but cannot take it out without letting go of the treasure. Monkeys typically refuse to let go, and so are captured, yet all they need to do to be free is LET GO OF THE BANANA!
What are you hanging on to? Or, in other words, “What is your banana?”
Have you learned to surrender to Love and let God take your weight, or does floating in God’s river feel more like drowning?
Pray for one another.
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion? What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
