Discussion Questions

Has there ever been a season in your life where you were frustrated with God? What happened and why were you frustrated?
How would you describe Jesus’ emotions and state of mind in the garden as he prayed this prayer to the Father?
Have you ever tried or considered bringing feelings like these before God in prayer? If so, did that help?
How might praying a prayer of lament help us in our relationship with God and in our spiritual growth?

READ MARK 14:32-42, THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

What does this passage tell me about God and about people?
If I believe today's teaching is from God and that He loved me so much He sent Jesus to die for me, what is the appropriate way to respond in my everyday life?
Who can I talk to more about this or share this with?

Spend time sharing prayer requests as a group, and close your time in prayer together.

This Sunday, we looked at Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane right before He was betrayed by Judas and arrested. He knew the suffering that awaited Him, and He expressed His difficult emotions to the Father in prayer, asking for this cup to be taken from Him. But Jesus’ ultimate prayer was not my will, but your will be done. As Christians, we are not promised blessing or prosperity in this life if we follow Jesus. Sometimes, God will have us go through seasons of great difficulty and struggle, and God often uses those seasons to help refine us to become more like Christ. As Christians, we are called to live like Jesus in this way, where despite our fear, anxiety, or grief, we have a posture to God saying not my will, but yours be done.

Quote of the Week

When you say not my will but yours be done, sometimes you have to sit with the hard truth that the things God invites us into are not always going to be these easier, comfortable things. The cross was not easy or comfortable for Jesus. But stepping into this, and believing with childlike faith that God is allowing us to be crushed and betrayed and lied to so we can become more like Jesus. Sam has developed to be so much more compassionate and understanding of other people’s pain. We have grown so much through this, all for the glory of God for His Kingdom, but that has not made it easy. It has just made it possible - because we firmly believe that God’s will, God’s way, is better than what we would want for ourselves. - Evie Knottnerus

Scripture

Mark 14:32-42 (NLT) - They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say. 41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Mark 14:43-52 (NLT) - And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss. 46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.” 50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
Luke 22:44 (NLT) - He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood
1 Peter 5:6-9 (NLT) - So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) - Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy
Isaiah 53:8-10 (NLT) - Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.