CHAPTER 11

Joy Is Soon Coming

  1.   What is something you feel hopeless about right now, something that truly causes you to despair, something that when you look at it, you see no way out, no possibility for change?

  2.   This chapter talks about Mary Magdalene, a central character in the Gospels. How did Mary first meet Jesus? (See Luke 8:1–3.)

  3.   John 19:25 says that Mary Magdalene stood by the cross of Jesus with Jesus’ mother and aunt. What does this indicate about Mary’s relationship with Jesus?

  4.   Read John 20:1–11.

       •   What is the difference between Mary’s reaction to the empty tomb and Simon Peter’s and John’s reactions?

       •   What does this tell us about Mary and how she must have felt in that moment?

  5.   Consider your answer to the first question. What is your reaction to hopelessness? How do you deal with it?

  6.   Romans 5:3–5 is one of the most beloved passages in Scripture about hope. Paul wrote, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (NKJV).

       •   According to these verses, what precedes hope?

       •   The Greek word used for perseverance in this passage is hupomoné. One definition of hupomoné is “enduring, patient, steadfast.”⁵ How could suffering produce patient, steadfast waiting?

       •   How did Mary model a hupomoné type of perseverance after she saw the empty tomb?

  7.   Think back on a time you felt hopeless in another area of your life.

       •   What happened in that scenario?

       •   Do you see any purpose in that suffering?

       •   Did it produce any of the fruit—perseverance, character, or hope—Paul talked about in Romans 5:3–5?

  8.   Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (NLT). Read the rest of the story of Mary at the tomb in John 20:11–18.

       •   How does Mary’s experience at the tomb reflect this truth that joy comes with the morning?

       •   How does this story reflect what we learned about hope in Romans 5:3–5?

  9.   Mary was certain Jesus was dead because she had watched him die. She was certain his body had been stolen from the grave because she had found his tomb empty. However, her despair turned to unbelievable hope as soon as Jesus said her name (John 20:16).

       •   What does this tell you about the circumstance that seems hopeless to you now?

       •   Could Jesus be saying your name even in the midst of this? When have you heard his voice or seen him work during this difficult time?

10.   Max said that the greatest news in the world is not that God made the world. What is the greatest news?

       •   How could knowing that God sees you and loves you give you hope?

       •   Could you find hope in your seemingly hopeless circumstance even if that circumstance doesn’t change?

11.   End this time by reading Psalm 103:8–13. Insert yourself into the passage: “GOD is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love for me. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold me, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve, nor pay me back in full for my wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love for me. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated me from my sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for me” (THE MESSAGE).