Glencairn Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend, or on your own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like.

1. Pray for each other, our church, and leaders, for the not-yet believers in your life, and for opportunities to disciple others.

2. Introduction – Easter Sunday is the pinnacle of the Christian Calendar. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” 1 Cor 15:17. This event changes everything. It alters our values and realigns our priorities. It changes how we interact with others. It defines our purpose. It even provides the means for us to handle anything that life throws us, including suffering and our eventual death. The author of Hebrews encourages his readers that even when you face torture, God has planned something better for us, an even better resurrection! (Heb 11:35, 40). It’s a bold claim, but it comes from an even greater event – where Jesus permitted his own creation to torture and kill the Holy Son of God. Jesus is acquainted with suffering, but his resurrection proves that he has defeated sin and death and will one day bring us a better resurrection.

3. Discussion – What Easter traditions do you have with your family, and what do you enjoy the most?

4. Read Heb 11:32-35a. This is a triumphant list of people who had overcome impossible odds and received what God had promised them. In every case, it appears they had faced death, but survived and even greatly succeeded. Pick one or two scenarios from this list and read parts of the story in Scripture (eg. Dan 3, 6, 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4, etc). We all love stories like this. Share some stories of how you have seen God intervene, do a miraculous work, heal, or lifted you up in some significant way. How did this impact your faith?

5. When God doesn’t intervene. Have you ever earnestly prayed for something and believed in God’s promises, only to have your prayers unanswered, or the situation turns out much differently than you had hoped? How did that impact your faith? Perhaps you, or someone else, has said, “If you just have enough faith… God will come through.” How do you respond to that challenge? How did Jesus respond when his own Father was silent to his prayers? (Luke 22:41-46

6. Read Heb 35b-38 This list of names focuses on those that did not experience a triumph, but instead, great suffering and death. How did they face this suffering? How could these individuals, who lived before Christ have hope for “a better life after the resurrection”? How important is it that we include these verses in our understanding of faith (i.e. what is the danger in stopping at v35a)?

7. The disciples were crushed when Jesus was crucified, even though he continually told them what would happen. What did the disciples hope for? What kind of faith did they have? How do you know when your faith is in your agenda for God, and not faith in God?

8. Read Heb 11:39-40. What does God have in mind for us? How will it happen? How should we look at our own suffering and impending death as a result?

9. Read Heb 13:11-16. What is the significance of Jesus suffering outside the city gate? What is the invitation to us? What is our response?

10. Spend some time praising God for His great sacrifice and resurrection. What does it mean to you? How will you respond? Will you give your life to Him?