Community Group Guide

> Why We Gather

At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.

> Announcements

  • Our next Membership Class is on Monday, February 23rd! Click here to learn more or register.

> Give Thanks

Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.

> Scripture Reading

Have someone read Luke 24:13-35.

> Discussion Questions

Leaving Brokenhearted

These two disciples were leaving Jerusalem after the momentous week of Passover in which Jesus had done some amazing things, but then had been tried, tortured, and killed. These two disciples heard reports that Jesus had risen from the dead, but it seems they did not believe the reports and were headed out brokenhearted. They had put their trust and hopes in Jesus and were processing the loss of that hope. While the rest of the disciples were still gathered to discern what was happening, these men had given up and were walking away with their pain. Jesus comes to them incognito and asks them to share about their experiences. This shows how God is close to us in our pain and our confusion.

Reflection Question: How do you often relate to God when you are experiencing great pain, turmoil, or frustration? How do you think God wants you to approach him during such times?

Why was Jesus incognito?

Pastor Alberto asked in the sermon why Jesus would come to these disciples without letting them recognize him. His claim was that the disciples needed the chance to articulate their pain and disappointment so that Jesus could heal it. This points to an important distinction between abstract ideas of Jesus’ healing and the specific work of renewing our hearts. We may believe in general that Jesus forgives all sins and will make all things right in the future. This is quite different than knowing how God is at work in our present circumstances and how he will heal us from our specific sin and our brokenness. Jesus’ work on the cross declares the general truth that we can be forgiven and made right with God. Often the work of healing our sin and helping us experience his resurrection is much slower and more complex. Pastor Alberto argued that Jesus hid his identity from these disciples so they could confess their pain and let him speak directly to it. Jesus wanted to connect the promises of scripture about himself to their specific disappointment and hopelessness. They had heard Jesus promise that he would die and rise again, but they had not understood it. We often need God to connect scripture to our pains to help us experience the healing he promises.

Reflection Question: When recently has scripture connected powerfully to your life to bring healing or refreshment? What promises from scripture do you need God to remind you of so you can trust them more fully?

Confession is key to healing

For these two disciples, confessing their broken heartedness and disbelief was crucial for Jesus to be able to help and heal them. We too need to confess our sins, fears, and disbelief and hear how God’s promises in scripture connect to our circumstances. Toward these ends, Pastor Alberto challenged us with the following four responses:

  1. Be honest with God.

  2. Be honest with God’s people.

  3. Let God speak through his Word.

  4. Let God speak through Christian community.

Reflection Question: Which of these four responses feels most difficult for you right now, and why?

> Confession and Prayer

Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.