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WE ARE CONCERNED! Praying for a Celebration

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Rev. Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, March 29, 2015.  To get the most from these questions, view the service at o http://www.graceplace.us and click on “Streaming.”  From there you can watch or listen to the service first.

These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us.

Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week)

Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic)
What does Good Friday mean to you?
How does your family celebrate Easter?
What special preparations are you making?

Scripture: (Read the word together – use different readers, different versions, just read it)
John 12:1-19

Lesson: (Delve deeper into the Word and into the sermon using open-ended questions)
It is so natural that Jesus spent his last “normal” days at a dinner party given by His good friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  Can’t you see them eating, talking and laughing as they recline around the table?  Lazarus is doing what he does best – leading others.  Martha is doing what she does best – serving others.  Mary is doing what she does best – loving others.  Each one is celebrating their friend in their own way.  They had no way of knowing how special this time was to Jesus.

What would you have been doing at the dinner party?
How would you have felt about Mary’s act?  Sacrifice or waste?
Why do you think Lazarus was targeted by the chief priests?
How would you have been celebrating Jesus’ entry?  Clapping, waving, dancing?
Who was in the crowd cheering Jesus?
How do you think we will celebrate Jesus in Heaven?
How will you be celebrating Jesus this week?

Prayer:  (Share each other’s burdens, become a community of believers)


As we countdown to Easter, pray for specific people who need to find Jesus.
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