Part 1
Part 2
Part 1
Part 1
Jesus took our sin upon Himself, enabling us to be forgiven in the eyes of God. As His disciples, we can bring His true Gospel to the people around us; through the words, works, and ways of Jesus. The words of Jesus are spoken through scriptures and His works are demonstrated in the gospel stories. When we imitate Jesus’ ways, we can be a living example of Him to the world around us.Read [bible]Mark 1:9-15[/bible]
Discuss
- What does it mean for us to identify with Jesus? How can we imitate His ways?
- Read Philippians 2:2-8. What does it mean for you to have the same mindset as Jesus? In your daily life, how would this look?
- Read Mark 1:9-11. How do you capture and understand the image of heaven being torn open? How does this image impact your understanding of the story?
- If we fully embrace the reality of Jesus as a portal between heaven and earth; and he lives in us through the Holy Spirit, how might this change the way we live our lives?
- Jesus demonstrated to us how to live a life worth imitating. What is one discipleship characteristics of Jesus that we can apply in our day to day life?
Respond
When we walk closely with Jesus, we can have the peace of living in the eye of the storm, amidst the chaos swirling around us. What is one step you can take this week to draw closer to Jesus? Who can you invite to journey with you?
Part 2
Part 1
When Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, He was tempted by the devil and His own limitations of being human. The temptations of Jesus were real and struck at the very core of humanity. He was challenged in the areas of His identity, authority, and power. We also face the same temptations in the areas of appetite, ambition, and approval in our everyday lives.
Read [bible]Luke 4:1-21[/bible]
Discuss
- How can you relate to Jesus’ experience in the wilderness when faced with your own temptations? What can you do to resist these temptations?
- Read Luke 4:1,14,18. What is your understanding of the difference between Jesus full of the Holy Spirit before the wilderness and Jesus operating in the power of the Holy Spirit afterwards? What bought about this difference?
- Read Luke 4:3. The devil tested Jesus by questioning His identity as the Son of God. What is the impact upon our identity in Jesus at a point of temptation? Why does this happen?
- Read Luke 4:5-8. When we embrace our identity in Jesus we receive His authority. What is your understanding of this? How did Jesus resist misusing this authority?
- Read Luke 4:9-12. The devil challenged Jesus in his identity, authority, and power by tempting Him to test God. When have you been tempted to put God to the test? What was the outcome?
- Read Luke 4:18-21. In the temple, Jesus was operating in the power of the Holy Spirit when He proclaim the words of Isaiah. How does this relate to His mission? How do we apply these words to our calling as disciples?
Respond
When we embrace our identity as children of God, we receive with it the same authority and power that was upon Jesus. What is one thing that you can do this week to enable the Spirit to work through you as a disciple of Jesus?