Key Thought: Achieving God’s purposes often requires a trip through a dark valley
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
What comes to mind when you think of a dark valley?
What are some things that people do where they willingly get hurt, yet receive a bigger prize for their pain?
Is there a movie or book you really enjoy but upon rewatching or rereading noticed something for the first time?
Why do people often think they are exempt from getting hurt in life?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
How has a trip through a dark “gloomy” valley made you stronger?
How can you use past pains to share Christ?
Why is it so important to let go of offenses?
Why do people get hung up on how they’ve betrayed God? How could this stop someone from fulfilling their calling?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
What sins or mistakes are you holding onto that you haven’t thrown in the Kidron Valley? Why are you holding onto them?
Share a time when a bad situation made you reflect on what matters most?
When was a time you went through a crushing season and were tempted to give up and not press forward?
What do you believe your purpose is? How are you uniquely designed to point others to Jesus?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being such an amazing example of loving sacrifice. You went in the valley, but focused on your purpose, which was to rescue us. Help us to follow in your example, even when life gets bloody, because at the end of the day, we want to know you and make you known. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
God surrounded you with people who need a relationship with Jesus Christ on purpose. Commit to sharing your testimony with others, and invite them to attend an Easter service with you.
Forgive someone that did you wrong and let go of their betrayal.
“At the end of the day” we are here to know Jesus and make him known. Pray for God to tell you who to invite to the Easter services this year and then invite them.
Memorize Pastor Bil’s salvation prayer from the end of service and share it with at least 10 people between now and Easter
Scriptures
“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane…” Matthew 26:36-37 NLT
“After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees.” John 18:1 NLT
“Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight…He banished the male and femaleshrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made…and burned it in the Kidron Valley.” 1 Kings 15:11-13 NLT
“The king removed the Asherah pole from the Lord’s Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it.” 2 Kings 23:6 NLT
“Everyone cried loudly as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.” 2 Samuel 15:23 NLT
“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’”John 13:18 NLT
“Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.” Psalm 41:9 NLT
“After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees.” John 18:1 NLT
“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.” John 18:1 NIV84
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” Psalm 23:4 ESV“I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News…” Acts 20:24 GW
