Seeing Beyond the Darkness--Lesson 5--Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Discussion Questions:

1. What kinds of events have caused you to question God’s promises coming true, or God’s presence being in your life?

2. What has giving things time taught you about God working out a plan? Describe how Job learned this lesson.

3. How is Jesus’ feeling abandoned or forsaken on the cross the ultimate revelation that God is with us in the darkness?

4. Are there times when you might feel forsaken but totally be within the arms of God? Do you think this was the case for Jesus as He bore our sin upon the cross?

5. What does seeing Jesus as He speeds Judas along on his mission of betrayal do to your faith in God and His Kingdom plans?

Seeing Beyond the Darkness--Lesson 4--Behold Your Son; Behold Your Mother

Discussion Questions:

1. What challenges have you had dealing with the world while associating yourself with the cross of Jesus? What helps you have courage to stand boldly with Him?

2. How does it help you to deal with trials and challenges when you see that the mother of Jesus faced so many experiences of anxiety and difficulty?

3. What does it say to you that Jesus did not call upon His own brothers to provide care for His mother? How is His blood thicker than family ties?

4. What does the creation of Jesus’ new family mean to you? What responsibilities do you see are yours because of Jesus’ example from the cross?

5. How well do you see the church (Jesus’ new family) providing for the needs and offering hope to others who come before Him at the foot of the cross? What are some things that could be done differently or better?

Seeing Beyond the Darkness--Lesson 3--Today You Will Be With Me

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some ways in which God demonstrates His sovereignty and love in the midst of the crucifixion? How important is it for you that God makes sure Jesus does not die alone?

2. From this story of Jesus hanging between two thieves, how far is God willing to reach into your life to rescue you?

3. In what ways have you treated Jesus like a spare tire? What can you do to avoid falling into this?

4. What fear do you have of standing up for Jesus against the crowd? What kinds of things helped the thief to develop the courage that he did?

5. How has following Jesus provided more than you thought you would receive when you first called upon Him?

6. How did Jesus and the thief who called upon Him both see beyond the darkness?