Breaking Ground
Have you ever experienced something that stopped you in your tracks (out of fear or awe)? Share about the experience!
The Dig
This Sunday, we explored what it was like for the disciples immediately after Jesus’ resurrection. In her sermon, Jadah laid out three primary responses that humans have when they’re confronted with the unknown: fight, flight, or freeze.
Think about moments of uncertainty or fear from your own life. Which of these three responses do you turn to the most? Why? How does that impact your experiences with the unknown?
Despite being natural responses, how might each of these responses prove ineffective in helping us navigate new, unknown realities? Have you experienced one of these responses failing you in such an experience before?
Next, read Acts 1:1-11. Here, we find the disciples immediately after the events of Holy Week. Over the course of just 7 days, they had:
- Arrived triumphantly in Jerusalem with Jesus entering as King & the crowds shouting for him to save Israel.
- Watch as Jesus confronted & outwitted Israel’s religious leaders during multiple debates in the Temple.
- Experienced the confusion of Judas’ betrayal & Jesus’ refusal to resist his arrest.
- Witnessed Jesus’ public torture & execution.
- Sat alone for 3 days until Jesus was miraculously resurrected from death.
With that in mind, take time to reflect on this passage.
What would have been going through your mind in this moment? How would this experience have turned your world upside-down?
Notice how the disciples immediately freeze & stand their looking up at the sky instead of doing what Jesus has told them to do. Why do you think they respond this way (both to what’s happened already & to the unknown future ahead of them)? Do you relate?
Take a moment to identify an unknown that you’re navigating right now. What is it? How are you navigating it? Where are you struggling to move forward in this part of your life?
Now, recall the 3 steps that Jadah laid out for navigating the unknown:
- Accept reality as it is & change your mindset.
- Rely on God.
- Move forward one-step-at-a-time.
Why are each of these necessary for navigating the unknown in a healthy way? How might they help you move forward in the present, unknown that you’ve identified?
Coming Out of the Hole
Take time to reflect on the Sunday sermon & how this week’s teaching might speak into your daily life.
- Read Acts 1:1-11. What stands out to you about the disciples’ reaction?
- Do you relate to the disciples’ reaction? How would you have responded if you were in their shoes?
- Where are you currently navigating an unknown in your life? How might this story help you do so in a healthy way?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, April 14th: Join us next Sunday as we kick off Apocalypse Now, our new series on how Jesus turns our world-upside down!
* Please see mye3.org for details.