Tuesday 18th May
Ascension Sunday
Opening Prayer & Discussion
Opening prayer: for our hearts to be open and responsive to God's word & work in our lives as we look at the doctrine of the ascension.
Recap the sermon: what did Ben say the ascension was?
Bible Study
Read Luke 24:36-53.
Jesus greets his disciples with the words: "Peace be with you". Why is this significant to the disciples at this point in the story?
Jesus is very insistent about his physical body - he's not just a ghost! Why is this important?
Christianity is an embodied faith: our physical bodies matter - God took on a physical body in Jesus Christ, as was physically resurrected! How does this change the way that we live our lives?
In v51 Jesus is taken up to heaven. Read Romans 8:34 together. Where do you need to know the power of God & help of Jesus in your life this week?
Prayer & Community
Pray for each other - particularly for any points of prayer that emerge from q. 3 + 4. You may wish to end with this prayer:
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
