Read Mark 16:1-8

1) Jesus’ disciples lost their hope and worried about their future because they were overwhelmed with disappointment and because they were overcome with fear. Can you remember a time in your life where your faith was shaken? What events, situations, or choices caused that or are causing that to happen?

2) Read 1 Corinthians 15:14. Why is the truth of the resurrection of Christ so important to our faith?

3) How have the circumstances we all are living through allowed the hope of the resurrection to speak louder than ever in your life or the lives of those around you?

4) In the sermon, Josh said that God doesn’t prove Himself by the absence of difficult times, but in what He does through difficult times. How has he grown you, comforted you, loved you, and sustained you through these difficult times?

5) Since we celebrate, serve, and align ourselves with a King who can conquer death, then why do we still have fears in life and think that our situations and circumstances are so big that our Heavenly Father can’t handle it?

6) Read 1 Peter 1:3-5. What assurances does Peter give us as a result of the resurrection?

1) Read Luke 19:28-31. How would you feel if you were one of these unknown disciples who had to do something of seemingly little significance for Jesus? Is anything Jesus asks us to do ever insignificant?

2) Are there any small acts of obedience that you’ve been neglecting because they seem to be small or insignificant?

3) In Sunday’s sermon, we discussed how Jesus' use of a donkey on the way into Jerusalem was a sign of peace in the 1st century. Read Colossians 1:19-20 and consider how Jesus' death could lead to our peace with God.

4) 500 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Zechariah prophesied that a righteous and victorious king would come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). What can this fulfilled prophecy show us about how God is in control even, even during difficult times?

5) In Luke 19:36-40, we see the crowds cheering for Jesus because of who they wanted Him to be (political leader/earthly king), but Jesus came for things much bigger than that. Do you feel that people today still worship Jesus because of what they can get out of Him or what He's willing to do for them?

6) In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus weeps because people have missed who He really is and what He came to do. With Easter upon us, what can you do to focus more on Christ in order to fully appreciate His death, the power of His resurrection, and what it means for your life?

1) The book of Ecclesiastes is considered a book of wisdom. How would you define wisdom? Are there any areas of life where you feel like you aren’t living with wisdom?

2) Read Psalm 78:7-8. Why do you think the Psalmist urges us to think back about God's past faithfulness in our lives? How can that help us in our present troubles?

3) It goes without being said that we are living in a very...unique season, but how do you want to be remembered during this season of life - as someone who lives by faith or by fear? How might you need to change your thinking and/or behavior to be proud of how you handled these times?

4) Read James 1:2-4. How can a troubling time grow our faith? How has this season of life changed your faith?

5) Author C.S. Lewis was once asked, “Why do the righteous suffer?”, to which he replied, “Why not? They’re the only ones who can take it!” How has your faith helped you navigate life during in a pandemic?

6) Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Is there an area of your life where you’re depending on your own perspective, opinion, or understanding? Commit that to prayer this week and allow God to lead you.

1) Death is a natural and normal part of life. Why do you think so many people reluctant to talk about it?

2) Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Romans 8:28. How can you see God at work in the bad or difficult times of life? Give an example of how he made something beautiful out of your bad experience or situation.

3) Read Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11, and John 18:36. How should recognizing that this world is not our home affect and impact the way that we live our lives daily?

4) Why should Christians view death differently than people who are not following Jesus? What are some of the ways we do so?

5) Life affords us the opportunity for learning - so does death. What are some things that you have learned as you have walked through or processed the death of a friend or loved one?

6) How can you use the things you know about death and life to provide comfort and give hope to someone dealing with death?

1) Read King Solomon’s words found in Ecclesiastes 3:16, 4:1-3, 8:9-10, and 8:14. Do you agree or disagree with how Solomon feels? What injustices of oppression do you see often throughout our world?

2) Read Romans 8:22. How do you see the world “groaning” at the present time? What can you do to alleviate those pains?

3) Read Genesis 1:27. On Sunday, we discussed how we were created in the image of God, specifically as it pertains to our soul and our righteousness/desire for justice. Is there a time that you experienced that desire and connection to God through an injustice you witnessed? What happened? Why did you feel the way you did?

4) On Sunday, we discussed how “God hates injustice”. What does it mean to you knowing that God hates injustices in the world more than you do? Does that change your opinion of Him?

5) Read Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1:17. In both of these verses, God is calling His people to be an extension of His righteousness and to be people who seek justice. What kind of injustices do you believe that God is calling you to fight against right now?

1) Read Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 & 2:22-23. Do you feel like you identify with the words of King Solomon - that work can seem meaningless?

2) Read Ephesians 6:5-7. How can working for the Lord cause you to work differently than if your work was solely for your employer? Give some examples of this.

3) On Sunday, we discussed how we may feel like our work doesn’t matter, but the people we work with do matter! What are some practical ways that you can show love to your coworkers?

4) Read Ephesians 6:8-9. To what extent should your reward in Heaven motivate you? What challenges could this create?

5) Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What role can prayer play in your work life?

1) How would you answer this question: What gives your life meaning?

2) Read James 1:5. When asked by God what he wanted, King Solomon responded by choosing wisdom. Why is wisdom such an important part of our lives as believers? Why do we often fail to ask for something that is so important and something that God promises to give?

3) King Solomon had everything he could ever want - fame, power, wealth, status - but that still wasn’t enough to keep him from pursuing sinful passions that all but destroyed his joy. What measures do you take in your life to make sure you don’t give in to sin so easily?

4) On Sunday, we discussed how “when you start depending more on God, you naturally start to depend less on people.” Have you found yourself misplacing your purpose, meaning, or worth in people as opposed to God? Why is it so easy for us to put our hope in creation as opposed to the Creator?

5) Read Romans 8:31-39. How do these words encourage us to find our meaning through Christ? How does that contrast to what the world can provide for us?

1) On Sunday, we discussed how Jesus' first followers were a very imperfect bunch. What does that reflect about the nature of Christ and who he asks to further his message? What does that mean for you?

2) Read Matthew 28:18-20. We call this “The Great Commission.” How well do you feel you have done in helping to fulfill this commission? Why do you feel the way that you do?

3) What do you need to change in order to make The Great Commission a greater priority in your life?

4) Read Romans 10:13-14. Who is someone you’ve always wanted to talk to about Christ, but never had the courage to?

5) On Sunday, we discussed the role of prophets - specifically Ezekiel and how he was used by God as a public witness, a visual aid, for a Faithful God. How does technology; screens; or specifically, social media allow us to play that same role today?

6) As we conclude this series, what is one of the ways that it has impacted you?

1) Idolatry can be defined as “excessive devotion to some person or thing.” Based on this definition, do you feel that screens have become an idol in today’s world? Why or why not?

2) How would you define your relationship with screens? Is it one that you are devoted to? If so, is this concerning for you? If not, how have you kept your screen from becoming an idol in a tech-heavy world?

3) Read 2 Timothy 4:10. Paul is writing about how a ministry partner, Demas, deserted him because of his love for things of the world. How can our devotion to screens distract us from the work we are called to (loving God and loving others)?

4) Read Matthew 5:27-30. Why does Jesus speak so drastically against something naturally neutral (like an eye or a hand), because of how we may be using it? What impact should his words have on the relationship we have with screens?

5) Read Ephesians 5:1-2. How can you use your screen to continually “live a life of love” while being present and engaged with those around you?

1) In your opinion, how has the use of screens and technology affected how we treat one another?

2) Read 1 John 4:7-8. All throughout scripture, we see this truth revealed: Those who love God will love others. Why are these two affections closely linked?

3) Read Luke 10:25-37. What do the actions of the Samaritan towards the Jew teach us about how we should treat those we disagree with or consider our enemy?

4) Read 2 Corinthians 5:11, 16, 18, & 20. What does it mean to be “ambassadors of reconciliation” in a digital age?

5) When it comes to having conflict with others, why is it important to “weigh” our words before speaking (or writing) them?

6) Read James 1:19, Proverbs 10:19, and Proverbs 13:16. What do these verses teach us about the importance of waiting to respond in our conflict with others?