He Chose the Nails: “He Chose to Give Us Victory”
based on Max Lucado’s Bible Study
God took tokens of tragedy – the cross, the grave, the crown of thorns – and turn them into symbols of victory and triumph. Scripture promises us that through hardships which we all face, God is always at work to bring the win and new life: even from the rags of death!
This 6-week study will work like this: each day, there will be daily readings (instructions below) for you to work through personally and reflect upon with your family/small group, labeled “Personal Lenten Practice”. There are also additional exercises for you to work through with your small group, labeled “Going Deep”. If you do not have a small group that you meet in, please contact the office so that we can help you find one. 651-300-2642
Going Deep Small Group Exercises
Read: Exodus 12:13-23, John 1:29, and 1 Corinthians 5:7
Exercise: A lamb used in the Passover celebration was sacrificed each year in celebration of the angel of death “passing over” the Hebrews (in Exodus). Why is it significant, then, that Jesus is called the “Lamb of God”?
Read: John 12:24-25
Exercise: Think about a seed. There is life on both sides of death (planting), but each life is very different. Write out 3 words that you would use to describe the life of the seed before death (planting), and three that describe life that follows death. What parallels do you recognize between life on either side of death for the seed and the human experience with before-and-after death? What does this suggest about the “victory” over death given to us by Christ through His death on the cross and resurrection?
Read: Romans 8:28-37 and 1 John 5:4
Ask: “Overwhelming victory”. What does that mean to you? The word for victory in the Greek should be a familiar one to you: nike. Not familiar? Think of a swoosh logo on sports shoes! Based on how these 2 authors (Paul and John) describe the victory that is ours, how would you describe “defeat,” then? Look again at Romans 8:28. Take out the word “everything” and replace it with whatever word symbolizes a trouble or hardship for you right now. Pray through this verse, in light of your “everything”.
Personal Lenten Practice
Each day this week, set 15-20 minutes aside to read the scriptures below (taken from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office). As you read, reflect on the questions below. Ask the Lord to speak to you through these readings. Find one word in the readings each day that connects your reading to your daily life. Use a journal to record your word and why you think the Lord revealed that word to you that day. End your time in prayer.
To think about while reading: Jesus invites us to “cast all of our cares on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Each day, ask what anxiety you can leave at the cross.
Mar 19: Psalm 31; 1 Cor 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41; Psalm 35
Mar 20: Psalm 121-126; 1 Cor 14:20-40; Mark 9:42-50
Mar 21: Psalm 119:145-176; 2 Cor 2:14-3:6; Mark 10:1-16; Psalm 128-130
Mar 22: Psalm 131-132; 2 Cor 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31; Psalm 140, 142
Mar 23: Psalm 95, 22; 2 Cor 4:1-12; Mark 10:32-45; Psalm 141, 143
Mar 24: Psalm 137, 144; 2 Cor 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52; Psalm 42-43