Discussion Guide
Sharing the Experience:
 Share with your group something important that you thoughtfully prepared for. [event, meal, trip, etc..]
Looking at your sermon notes was there anything that caught your attention, challenged or confused you? What
was your ‘tweet/Facebook’ moment?
Share the Scripture:
Jesus did a lot of work preparing his disciples for his eventual death. Even with all that preparation they were still
stunned, shocked and in disbelief when it happened...read each account of his preparations and answer the
following questions:
1. In what way did Jesus try to prepare them for his coming death?
2. What was their response to the preparation?
3. How can this help me prepare for this Easter weekend? (heart, mind, actions, etc…)
Read Matthew 16:21-28
Read Matthew 17:22
Read Matthew 20:17-28
Read Matthew 26:36-46
Share the Mission:
 Share what your chosen preparation moment will be this week and can you commit to praying for your Gospel
Community during that moment too.
 Share who you are pursuing this week and how your Gospel Community can support that? (prayer, sitting
together on Sunday, connecting during the week…)
 Rubber meets the road question: How could your Gospel Community make preparing and pursuing a weekly
part of your culture*?
REALLY IMPORTANT!!!!Please firm up what your Gospel Community will do together during the SERVE DIFFERENT
series (April 3 - May 1) to serve the Portland area. It is important to now begin to put structure on what you will be
doing and let Pastor John know ASAP!
*culture defined as a way of thinking, behaving and speaking that exists in a specific group of people.
Sunday March 20, 2016
Matthew 26:17-19
Prepare and Pursue
Pastor Jeremy Taylor
Preparation Principle:
The more important your __DESTINATION_____ the more imperative your ___PREPARATION____.
Your level of preparation for Easter will clearly identify your level of __BELIEF______ that God wants to change
your life and use you to change someone else’s ___ETERNITY___.
Observations from Matthew 26:17
1. They* came expecting Jesus to have a ___PLAN______. (*the disciples)
2. They* came expecting to ___FOLLOW___ Jesus’ plan.
Observations from Matthew 26:18
1. I never know who God has prepared to be one __CONVERSATION__ away from an eternal moment.
2. Jesus’ plan will always include the __PURSUIT__ of people far from God.
Prepare: My preparation moment this week ___________________________________________
Pursue: My someone to pursue for Easter _____________________________________________
What stuck with you today? Write it here then tweet or facebook it!