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.

First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).

• 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.

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 3:1-16; 14:1-2, 10-11; 15:1-4, 16-39
Big Idea from Message: Jesus reigns to free our hearts from the destruction of sin and self.

The Sabbath laws were given to Israel for two reasons: 1. To remind them that their flourishing rested on God’s loving kindness for them, not their own labors and, 2. To mark them out as a unique, different kind of people who lived a different story of the world among and for the other nations of the earth. How do Jesus’ actions in his encounter with the Pharisees point toward these two reasons? How do the actions of the Pharisees betray God’s purposes in giving the Sabbath laws (and the Law in general) to his people?

We may not be conspiring with others to figure out a way to “kill Jesus,” but we are often tempted to say “no” to the uncomfortable ways of Jesus to follow our own plans, desires, or rulesets for life. How have you experienced this in your own life?

There is good reason to believe that Judas’ actions were the result of a seed of doubt, distrust, and sin planted in his heart earlier on in his time with Jesus. What sin might be growing in your heart right now? What would it look like for you to give that to King Jesus before it takes root and blossoms into destruction in your life?

Here, Jesus finally faces down the might of Rome (embodied in Pontius Pilate) and lets this would-be ruler of God’s people pronounce the title that was rightly Jesus’ own since before the beginning of the world, “King of the Jews.” What does this tell you about the power and authority of King Jesus and the Kingdom of God over the kingdoms of this world?

Crucifixion was saved for traitors and political revolutionaries and was meant to both humiliate those being executed and proclaim the might of Rome in the world. How does Jesus’ choice to willingly take this on, not uttering a word in his defence, demonstrate the fullness of the love of God for broken humanity and show us how Jesus’ kingdom is different and better than the other kingdoms of this world?

The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.

This week, circle back to Tyler’s Big Question for the series, “What would it take for you to submit your life to a different kind of King?” Spend some time considering what your vision of King Jesus and his Kingdom was before the series and what it is now. What has changed about how you think about Jesus and what it means to follow him as King? What action steps do you need to take to submit your life to the rule and reign of King Jesus this week?

Also, as we prepare to celebrate Easter next Sunday, be sure to spend time in prayer this week, thanking God for the good news of King Jesus and preparing your heart to receive the joy of the empty tomb that comes only on the other side of the agony of the Cross.