Group Discussion Guide
Kingdom of God, Part 2
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).
Scripture References from Message: Mark 2:1-12
Big Idea from Message: The kingdom of God restores everything to Him through the love of Jesus.
What do you think it was about Jesus that caused such a huge crowd to pack into a tiny home just to get near to him?
One of the more identifying acts of faith in this story is the friends who took it upon themselves to carry the paralyze man to Jesus. Do you have people in your life who would do what it took to carry you to Jesus? Are you that person for someone else?
The healing of the paralyzed man highlights the Kingdom of God as a place built on love. Jesus' first response to the man’s need isn’t physical healing, but the forgiveness of his sins—an act that shows God’s love and grace as foundational to His Kingdom. Why do you think Jesus chose to address the young man’s sins before he addressed his physical need? Why is this important for what Mark wants us to know about the kingdom of God?
Jesus' willingness to meet both the man's spiritual and physical needs shows that God's love is holistic, healing not just the body but also the soul. When Jesus finally heals the young man, the people turn to praise God. Why do you think it is important for Mark to record this detail? What does this tell us about the unity of the work of Jesus and God the Father in bringing the Kingdom “on earth as in heaven?”
Scripture References from Message: Mark 2:1-12
Big Idea from Message: The kingdom of God restores everything to Him through the love of Jesus.
What do you think it was about Jesus that caused such a huge crowd to pack into a tiny home just to get near to him?
One of the more identifying acts of faith in this story is the friends who took it upon themselves to carry the paralyze man to Jesus. Do you have people in your life who would do what it took to carry you to Jesus? Are you that person for someone else?
The healing of the paralyzed man highlights the Kingdom of God as a place built on love. Jesus' first response to the man’s need isn’t physical healing, but the forgiveness of his sins—an act that shows God’s love and grace as foundational to His Kingdom. Why do you think Jesus chose to address the young man’s sins before he addressed his physical need? Why is this important for what Mark wants us to know about the kingdom of God?
Jesus' willingness to meet both the man's spiritual and physical needs shows that God's love is holistic, healing not just the body but also the soul. When Jesus finally heals the young man, the people turn to praise God. Why do you think it is important for Mark to record this detail? What does this tell us about the unity of the work of Jesus and God the Father in bringing the Kingdom “on earth as in heaven?”
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, look for ways to step into faith-filled action. This might be standing in prayer for someone else as a way of “bringing them to Jesus.” It might be stepping out in faith and saying “yes” to something God has been putting on your heart. It might even be letting Jesus take of your sin the way he forgave the sin of the young man, welcoming him into the Kingdom of God.
This week, look for ways to step into faith-filled action. This might be standing in prayer for someone else as a way of “bringing them to Jesus.” It might be stepping out in faith and saying “yes” to something God has been putting on your heart. It might even be letting Jesus take of your sin the way he forgave the sin of the young man, welcoming him into the Kingdom of God.