I. Ambiguity, the world, and Christianity

A. If there is one place many Christians do not expect ambiguity…

• …it is within Christianity!

B. Why is this post-resurrection appearance by Jesus so ambiguous?

II. Ambiguity and expectations

A. When our perspective of life no longer matches the reality of life…

B. A reversal of expectations

III. Ambiguity and resurrection life

A. Motivates us to look for God

B. Compels us to reach out in service to others

C. When we look for God and serve others together…

• Some of the ambiguity clears up

For Further Discussion

• Is there a purpose for ambiguity? How would you describe it?

• Why do you think the post-resurrection appearance was so weird and confusing? How does God use the ambiguity we experience every day?

• In what ways does ambiguity affect our expectations of God, life, and others?

• Describe any reversal of expectations you may have experienced once your perspective of life matched the reality of resurrection life.

Good Reads:

by Eugene H. Peterson

I. An unexpected resurrection | John 20

A. Why was the resurrection of Jesus so unexpected, especially by those who were the closest to him?

• 1. Theology, proximity, transcendence, immanence, and wonder

II. An unexpected restoration | John 21

A. The restoration of Peter was completely unexpected by Peter, and therein lie many clues as to why most of us cannot grasp that possibility either.

• 1. Restoration that is personal, corporate, and missiological

III. An unexpected reformation

A. Formation by religion…

B. Formation by resurrection…

• 1. Recovering our resurrection center

• In work, rest, routines, and friends

For Further Discussion

• From the reasons given in the talk for the lack of resurrection expectations among the disciples, which one was most prominent for you? Why?

• In what ways do you think our modern, evangelical beliefs on resurrection hinder our ability to live resurrection life daily?

• What strikes you the most about Peter’s encounter with Jesus at breakfast? In what ways do you see Peter restored? How does his restoration speak to yours?

• What questions do you have regarding the “FORMATION BY RESURRECTION” section?

• What were your key practical take-away thoughts/actions to recover your resurrection center?

Good Reads:

by Eugene H. Peterson

by Eugene H. Peterson

I. Things were different then…

A. A sinner and a lover…

B. Loyalty, tears, and recognition

• Mary Magdalene – the apostle to the apostles?

II. Things are different now…

A. “I have seen the Lord…” (John 20:18)

B. “…and things are different now!”

• “He” is the same, but different!

• The way the world is, the way God is, the way the disciples are

III. Do you want “then” or “now”?

A. “me mou aptou”; “Do not touch me!” versus “Stop clinging to me”

B. The choice before us…

For Further Discussion

• What was your biggest take-away from this week’s talk?

• How did it make you feel to hear of Mary Magdalene’s extremes of sin and love? Why do we feel that her sin somehow makes her worse than the average sinner?

• Why do you think she had a difficult time recognizing Jesus and mistaking him for a gardener?

• After recognizing and embracing him why wasn’t she offended at his “do not touch” statement? What is your interpretation of that statement?

• Why is this such a huge encounter for her? What about for us?

Good Reads:

Surprised by Hope

by N. T. Wright

I. Unexpected Expectations | John 20:19-29

A. From great expectations to no expectations in one day! (20:19)

B. Unexpected expectations (20:19-23)

II. The other doubter | John 20:24-29

A. Seeing with our natural eyes

• What can we really see? What can we really believe?

B. Seeing with the eyes of our imagination

• Seeing truth versus facts

III. The other twin

A. “…that would be ME!”

B. Keeping the eyes of our imaginations peeled for the Spirit

IV. Application

For Further Discussion

• The Sunday after Easter is called “Low Sunday” by many denominations due to low ritual (compared to Easter), and low attendance at church. What about low emotion and expectations? Do you have any sense of a letdown after a huge celebration at Easter?

• How has your faith been challenged by what you see with your natural eyes? How do you handle the doubt that it creates?

• Is there anything inherently wrong with doubt? Why do many people feel “less than” in their faith because of doubt?

• In what ways would you imagine Thomas’s expectations of Christ changed after he “saw” the truth of the Risen Christ?

I. A cataclysmic catastrophe

A. The dimensions of the catastrophe far exceed the human capacity for recovery!

• Nothing is exempt from the catastrophe.

B. The catastrophe was caused by humanity’s attempt to displace God.

• That is what started it and keeps perpetuating it!

II. An epic salvation | Revelation 19:1 – 20:10

A. Salvation is God’s determination to rescue His creation!

• Salvation; to be broad; to become spacious; to enlarge; implies deliverance from a compressed, confined, and cramped existence.

B. The largeness of God’s salvation

• Bread, wine, and the anticipation of a future meal

• A battle won and a battle to fight

Death, burial, and resurrection…Christ’s and ours!

III. Conclusion

• A salvation celebration!

For Further Discussion

• What has been your experience in participating in the communion table over the last six weeks? How has your understanding of communion enlarged?

• What is the relationship between the communion meal we share together in the church and the future marriage meal described in Revelation?

The days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus were terribly confusing and emotionally draining for his disciples. They witnessed everything from cheering, adoring crowds ready to enthrone Him to hate-filled authorities conspiring to end his life.

On the night before his death, Jesus gathered with the disciples to have a meal…the last supper as some would describe for centuries to come. While it was an ordinary supper it was filled with deep, rich meaning. Indeed, at this supper Jesus would do and say many things to help them understand the meaning of His life and death. “Broken and poured out” is how Jesus described what would take place the next day. What they didn’t understand yet was that one day they would describe their own lives in those very words!

I. Justice and the Character of God

A. Retributive vs. Restorative | Matthew 5:43-44

• Genesis 3 – punishment or consequence?

• Isaiah 59:2

II. The Cross and Beyond | Isaiah 42:1-4

A. “Mercy triumphs over judgment”

B. The Cross reunites us to God and his purposes

III. The Call of the Church | Isaiah 42:5-9; Matthew 5:45; Micah 6:8

A. Seeing without judgment

B. A vision of hope

IV. Application | Matthew 5:13-16

A. “Super Bloom”

For Further Discussion

• What has been your understanding of God’s justice prior to today’s talk? Is there anything from today’s talk that might challenge or change that?

• What do you think of the statement “Mercy triumphs over judgment”? How might the world be impacted if the Church lived this out to the fullest?

• How might God specifically be moving and/or equipping you to participate with him in “making things right” in the world?

Good Reads:

by Derek Flood

by Vineyard USA

Pick up your copy in the Lobby today.

I. A Life of Joy All the Time | Philippians 4:4

A. Experimental joy

II. Real Joy

A. Starts with Transformation | Gala2ans 2:20

• A Faith relationship

B. Is Based on Faith and Trust

• Joy is more than an emotion

C. Doesn’t Mean Life is Easy

• Bad things happen

III. We Can Live Differently | Galatians 3:14; Romans 8:15-16, 26-28; Ephesians 5:2

A. We’ve been adopted

IV. I Like Life | Ephesians 5:15-16

A. A spirit-driven life

V. Application

A. A new vision

For Further Discussion

• What kind of experiences in your life have made it difficult to find joy?

• Do you agree with the concept that joy and happiness are distinct from each other? Why or why not?

• How has your life changed as a result of your faith relationship with Jesus?

• What is the main obstacle to experiencing joy and gratitude?

• Try to view your experiences this week through the lens of the Spirit.

Good Reads:

by Brennan Manning

by Vineyard USA

Pick up your copy in the Lobby today.

I. “Guess who’s coming to dinner?”

A. The guests around the table

• Luke, chapters 14 and 15

• Who are these people?

B. The guest of honor…

• The welcoming and hospitable third person of the Trinity

II. Fresh air

A. “…renew right spirit within me.” | Psalm 51:6-12

• A fresh wind in my sails

B. “…strength to the weary.” | Isaiah 40:29-31

• An experience of rescue and help in Ume of need

C. “…in your presence is fullness of joy.” | Psalm 16:11

• An experience of refreshing from the presence of God

III. Just breathe…

A. The source of life is breath!

• A reminder or a reality?

B. Breathing deeply has great benefits

• Natural and divine breath

For Further Discussion

• In what ways has your understanding of communion been changed? How has your experience of sharing communion been affected?

• What issues do you think people might have that would prevent them from coming to the table of communion? Discuss the implications of Luke 14-15 regarding the issue of who is invited to the table.

• Tell some stories from your own experience of being renewed, strengthened and filled with joy from being in the presence of God. Pay attention to the when, where, and how of each story.

Good Reads:

Fresh Air

by Jack Levison

Come to the Table

by Vineyard USA

Pick up your copy in the Lobby today.

Without the death of Christ there would be no hope of redemption. Through the cross, Jesus demonstrated that he came to serve and “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). As we receive Communion, we remember, celebrate, and give thanks for Jesus’ sacrificial death.

“Remembering the death of Christ is foundational to our relationship with God.”

For Further Discussion

• What words would you use to describe Christ’s death?

• Why is Jesus’ death so important to the Christian faith?

• When you take the Lord’s Supper, what stands out to you about Jesus’ death?

• How does remembering Christ’s death make you feel?

Good Reads:

Come to the Table

by Vineyard USA

Pick up your copy in the Lobby today.

One booklet per family please.