We took a break from our Exodus series this week to celebrate Easter...even though there are some cool Easter ties to the Exodus story! After reading the resurrection story from Matthew, Josh discusses its significance and invites us in to the experience (and reality) of new creation.
the restoration project. Joshua James. 16 April 2017
Small Group Study Questions
(1) Josh begins this talk with an art analogy, namely, the comparison between "Ecco Homo" and "Ecco Mono" (the latter being the botched reconstruction of a portrait of Jesus by a parishioner in Spain). What does your "reconstruction" of Jesus look like? Remember this is a two-parter: What is the story you tell people (how do you define the "good news")? What image does the story of your life produce?
(2) Did you learn anything new about Jewish expectations of the Messiah in the first century? (What were they NOT expecting to happen?!)
(3) Josh talks about first century Jewish eschatology A LOT. (Think about the diagram: _____|______) Why do you think he finds this so important, especially in light of how Jesus turns this expectation upside down?! What does Jesus' death and resurrection have to do with the introduction of the kingdom? Why is it so important for us *now?
(4) What do you think is the goal of Christian hope? Heaven? Presence with Jesus? Bodily resurrection? The Second Coming? The final restoration of the created order?
(5) During your time at TRP, has your view of "the gospel" changed? Discuss.
