Behold...the Real Jesus

Connection Group Questions, March 25, 2012

“Behold...the Real Jesus”

Opening 

If your group has new members give enough time for introductions.  Maybe play an icebreaker game, or share about your March Break.  Or get creative: you could put people into pairs, give them a moment to talk, then take turns introducing the other person to the group.

After introductions go over the “Connection Group Commitment.”  Address any questions and go over childcare needs if applicable.    Give folks a week to think about their commitment.  Next week, have participants sign the Commitment if they plan to stick with the group.

Other things to consider:

• Maybe there is a person/couple in the group who want to become group leaders themselves.  Let them be “co-leaders” and take a few turns during the semester to lead the meeting.
• Maybe your group is already pretty big (over 12 adults).  If so, perhaps you need to consider dividing into two smaller groups.
• Perhaps your group is a little slim (less than 10).  Prayerfully think about who you could invite to join your gathering.
• Maybe one person can be the group secretary.  They could send out a weekly reminder, and a list of prayer requests and updates.
• Send around a snack sign-up.  Maybe turn it into a friendly competition:  Who has the best banana bread recipe?  Who can bring the most exotic dish?  Go ahead, get creative!

Discussion:  Read Matthew 11:1-15

Remember, Groups are to foster a time of “Fellowship.”  That means encouraging authentic relationships, praying for one another, and applying the scriptures to our lives.  This is not supposed to be a religious lecture.  Your facilitator’s role is to stimulate thoughtful reflection on the bible, and encourage real-life application.

So really read the bible text.  Think about it.  And feel free to share comments or questions.  For example, maybe something in the passage was very surprising to you, ask the group what they think.  Or maybe something in the passage really speaks to a situation in your life, past or present.  Perhaps talking about that would be of great encouragement to the rest of the group.  

And remember: all honest questions are fair!

Here are some questions to consider in discussing this passage:

John the baptist was one of the greatest men of faith, maybe the greatest.  And yet it seems he had doubts, or at least some hard questions.  Is there room for any doubts, or questions, in our faith?  Have you ever had a season of doubt, and if so, what was that like?  What did you learn and how did you come through it?

When asked if he is the Christ, Jesus points to his actions, and how they fulfill the promise of scripture (see Isaiah 35).  How can our faith balance both words and actions?

Jesus says the gospel is preached, or announced (v. 5).  What does “gospel” mean?  Why is it something you need to hear, rather than something you need to do?  How does that fit with a faith of action, like Jesus describes in v. 5-6?

V. 6 tells us, “blessed is the one who is not offended (scandalized) by Jesus.”  Why is Jesus so scandalous, so controversial?

Jesus talks about an openness in three groups of people: the poor (v. 5), the “least” (v. 11) and the violent (v. 12).  They have “ears to hear.”   (v. 15)

• What does it mean to be poor in spirit, and open to Jesus?  
• What does is mean to make yourself less than Jesus and others?
• What does it mean to forcefully, or violently, take hold of Jesus?  Does it mean we are violent towards others, or allow a kind of violence, and overtaking, of our own lives?

Close with a time of prayer for one another.