Ascension

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

When I look to the sky,

I am limited to what I see.

I can only imagine what is beyond.

Teach me,

guide me in Your WORD,

so I have the faith to believe

and understand what I cannot see.

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 1:12-14 

• What can you learn from the disciples about letting go of someone you love?
• What is the importance of prayer and community in these times?

1 Peter 4:13-16 

• Explain how sharing in Jesus’ suffering brings us closer to him.
• When have you felt the Spirit of God rest upon you? Share the details.

John 17:1-11a

• What is revealed to you through Jesus’ suffering? 
• What is revealed to you through Jesus’ crucifixion?  
• What is revealed to you through Jesus’ resurrection? 
• What is revealed to you through Jesus’ ascension?

General Questions for Journaling

• Share a time when you were disappointed. How were you able to overcome?
• When have you had to let go of something you love? How did you deal with the loss?
• What can you do to bring comfort to someone who is suffering from a loss of a job, loss of a friend or family member, or a loss of faith/hope?
• Describe heaven.
• What changes in you, when you hear that Jesus has a place for you in heaven?
• How does Jesus’ ascension to heaven affect your faith?
• How does Jesus’ ascension to heaven affect your understanding of heaven?
• How does Jesus’ ascension to heaven affect your understanding of death/dying?
• Is it possible to avoid suffering? Why or why not?
• Does good or bad come from avoiding difficult situations? Share examples of both.
• Jesus said he gave us everything. What does this mean to you?
• Do you tell people you will pray for them? Do you follow through?
• What assurance do you have that Jesus will follow through with his promise to pray for you?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, I hear you call me,

ALL:  when I listen with my heart.

Leader:  Lord, I open myself to you,

ALL:  when I feel with my heart.

Leader:  Lord, I gain understanding from your Word,

ALL:  when I study with my heart.

Leader:  Lord, I comfort others and am comforted,

ALL:  when I embrace with my heart.

Leader:  Lord, I spread the Good News,

ALL:  when I love with my heart.

Leader:  Lord, I turn my eyes to heaven,

ALL:  when I believe with my heart.

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time this week looking back on when Lent began twelve weeks ago with Ash Wednesday.  Since then you have walked with Jesus through several experiences.  You have been there when He fought off the devil, raised Lazarus from the dead, washed the Disciples’ feet, was arrested, and crucified.  That was all just before Easter when He escaped death and came back for an encore to share with the Disciples that He will always be there with them until the end of time.  What has been revealed to you through this journey?  How has walking through Jesus’ last days, His suffering, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension brought you understanding or comfort?  What has been revealed to you through these experiences?

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