Day 33: The Darkest Night of All (14:32-42)
Discussion Questions
(1) Are you exercising trust in God’s omnipotence with faith in action?
(2) Jesus is unbelievably honest in prayer. How can we model Jesus’ honesty and trust in our prayers?
(3) How can we take the mindset of Jesus’ prayer, “Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will,” into our daily fight for holiness?
(4) Have you thought Jesus was afraid to die? How does Pastor Cook’s enlightenment of this event change your thoughts/opinions? (134)
(5) How does the imagery of Jesus approaching God as Father in the darkness of death rather than on a mountain top resonate with you? (134)
(6) How often do you find yourself flesh-dominated, knowing the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? Do you turn to God in prayer for help? (135)
(7) In your dark night do you go to God in prayer?
(8) In what areas of your life are you trusting in God’s power?
(9) Jesus the Comforter is with us in hours of darkness. Do you overcome sin with prayer and accountability?
Whoever has been making up these questions…….thank you!! They are so thought provoking and challenging to our faith!! Much appreciated!!
Thanks for sharing! You are both a blessing to NAOBC.
Question 3: This past year has been rough for several reasons. For me, I have had 3 heart procedures trying to get my afib under control. Before the procedures, a simple climbing of a flight of stairs could leave me struggling to catch my breath for 20 minutes. The procedures kept my heart in rhythm until January. Since then, I again have been having periodic issues with my heart. I struggle with “not my will but yours” and to be like Job saying, “Though He slay me, I will praise Him.” Knowing the theology and living through it are two separate things. Now my prayers are frequently asking God to give me strength to accept whatever He has before me because in and of myself there is no hope.
I had been a believer for several years when my relationship with God suddenly grew in an unexpected way. God removed a person from my life who wasn’t good for me, but I was very angry and hurt about the loss. I cried out to God honestly in my anger and frustration with Him. I’m not sure what I expected, but I recall being surprised that I wasn’t struck down immediately. That may seem a little humorous to a more mature person than I was at the time, but it was eye-opening to me. I learned that part of being in relationship with God was being honest and expressing my emotions (respectfully), but then turning to faith in His goodness and knowledge of what’s best for me. There have been other, even darker, nights for me since that time, but I always know where and to Whom to run.