He’s Still Got the Whole World in His Hands | Week 1
Sermon Title: Nothing New
Sermon Overview:
As a society, we live in a world of uncertainty. Uncertain social conditions. Uncertain economic times. Uncertain global developments. Yet uncertainty is nothing new. The characters in the Bible experienced wildly fluctuating levels of uncertainty . . . often feeling as if life was moving backward, getting worse.
The questions remain the same.
Where’s God?
Is he going to show up?
Is he still in control?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What has been the brightest moment in your life? What has been the darkest moment in your life?
Does God become bigger during brighter or darker moments in your life? How does your relationship with God change during certain/uncertain times?
Read Mark 14:17-26
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
3. What were some of the different emotions that the disciples might have been experiencing while at dinner?
4. How would you have responded to Jesus’ statements if you were present?
5. What other passages from the Bible depict uncertain times for the characters involved?
6. What does it mean to say that “God is active” or that “God is at work”?
7. How can God still be active when there is no evidence of his activity?
8. How does it help to know that God still has the whole world in his hands when you travel through a dark season of uncertainty?
MOVING FORWARD
Some of the brightest moments in our lives are the result of brokenness. When we can see that God is working through undesirable circumstances—even the ones we bring on ourselves—there is a sense of purpose and peace that emerges. Knowing that God is still active during uncertain times allows us to maintain hope and faith and keeps us from despair. We can rest knowing that God has not abandoned us and that he is still in control.
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Read Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”