Small Group Questions

  • OPENER: Take a moment to have everyone introduce themselves. What are you most excited about at Fall Retreat? 


    THIS SESSION’S PASSAGE: Mark 5:21-43


    SCRIPTURE READING: Read the passage together as a group. 


    SCRIPTURE STUDY QUESTIONS

    1. How do you typically respond to interruptions? Are you someone who stays focused or someone who’s easily distracted by what’s in front of you?

    2. Jesus was on his way to heal Jairus’s daughter when he came across a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Despite having the important task of helping Jairus in front of him, Jesus immediately stops what he is doing and asks who touched him. What does this response tell us about who Jesus is? How does this change your way of thinking about how he responds to our requests?

    3. The woman believed that if she simply reached out and touched Jesus, she would be healed. What does this say about her faith in Jesus?

    4. As Jesus is helping the woman, Jairus is told that his daughter is dead. But Jesus instructs him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Think about a time you have found yourself worrying that God wouldn’t answer.

    5. Do you ever wrestle with the feeling that God has forgotten you? Why or why not?

    6. Jesus goes to Jarius’s home and heals his daughter, despite the fact that no one thought it was possible. When has God shown up in your own life in a way you never thought was possible?

    7. Both Jarius and the bleeding woman took some heavy interruptions they were facing (death and illness) and brought them to Jesus. What is something heavy in your life right now you can ask Jesus to heal or help you carry?   


    PRAYER PROMPT: What are some heavy things we can be praying for together? How can we ask Jesus to walk with us in the midst of our suffering?

  • OPENER:  Toothless Fruit Game


    Everyone sits in a circle, and everyone chooses a fruit to be. Everyone must choose a different fruit. For this game, one person will be chosen to start. That person says the name of their fruit then they say another person’s fruit that they want to pass it on to. BUT the catch is that you can’t show your teeth at any point (which you do by pulling your lips over your teeth) and you can’t laugh. For example, Person 1 might choose Strawberry and they can say, “Strawberry to Watermelon”, then the person that is Watermelon might say “Watermelon to Kiwi” etc. until it is passed all around the group. You can go in any random order, it does not need to go in a circle.

    THIS SESSION’S PASSAGE: Mark 11:12-25


    SCRIPTURE READING: Read the passage together as a group. 


    1. What stuck out to you from the message this morning?

    2. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11:12-25?

    3. Why did Jesus overturn the tables in Mark 11:15-17?

    4. What do the fig tree and the sellers at the temple courts have in common?

    5. Read Galatians 5:19-25. 

    6. What is the fruit of the Spirit? 

    7. How do we live by the Spirit instead of living by our flesh?

    8. True faithfulness is known by its fruit… not just the appearance of the fruit. Is there any area of your life that seems like it has the appearance of fruit but doesn’t really have fruit? 

    9. Are there any areas of your life (habits, relationships, activities, etc.) that you need to experience true change so that you can bear fruit?


    PRAYER PROMPT: Have one student in the group close out in prayer. 

  • OPENER: Tell about a time when you have been pranked by someone else. (Example- The Tiktok trend: “Give me my money”)


    THIS SESSION’S PASSAGE: Mark 14:37-42


    SCRIPTURE READING: Read the passage together as a group. 


    1. What stuck out to you from the message tonight?

    2. In Mark 14:18, Jesus says at the Last Supper, “One of you will betray me- one who is eating with me.” How do you think Judas felt when Jesus said that? 

    3. Read Mark 14:42-46 to see the moment when Judas betrayed Jesus. 

    4. How have you seen that Jesus is faithful even when we are not?

    5. Read Mark 14:37-40. Jesus’ disciples let Jesus down by falling asleep. What are some ways that we can “fall asleep” to God’s way for us?

    6. What are some ways that we can betray Jesus without even meaning to?

    7. Jesus died for us, even when his followers let him down. How does this apply to us now? 



    PRAYER PROMPT: Have one student in the group close out in prayer. 

  • OPENER: What has been your favorite part about this weekend? Take a moment to share some cool moments, funny stories, etc.


    THIS SESSION’S PASSAGE: Mark 2:1-12


    SCRIPTURE READING:

    1. Read the passage together as a group. 


    SCRIPTURE STUDY QUESTIONS

    1. What is something you have learned this weekend or that has changed the way you think about Jesus?

    2. When we are interrupted, it can be easy to become irritated. Share about a time you’ve been frustrated because of an interruption.

    3. In Mark chapter 2, Jesus is in the middle of teaching when he is interrupted by four men cutting a hole in the roof above him. How do you think most politicians/leaders would have responded to something like this? How does Jesus respond?

    4. The paralyzed man was unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd. What are some obstacles you have seen get in the way of people trying to see Jesus?

    5. The four men were willing to go to extreme lengths to help their friend see Jesus. How does this encourage you? What are some tangible ways you can help others know Jesus?

    6. Jesus lived in the interruptions. How can embracing interruptions help us become more like Jesus? How can we do whatever it takes to help people come face-to-face with him?


    PRAYER PROMPT: Have each student pray specifically for someone they know who doesn’t know Jesus. Once everyone has prayed, close by praying over the weekend and any other prayer requests.