BY: Nathanael Ballew 
DATE: Sunday 17 March 2024

‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Read online
John – Chapter 18, verses 15-27

EXCERPT:

Every now and again you hear a truly tragic story about a person being abandoned by those who are meant to look after them. Most of us will never face such tragedy. But on a much smaller scale, at various times in life, we can all feel a bit abandoned. Whether it be our friends, family, spouses or employers, many of us identify with feeling abandoned, forgotten or ignored.

As he approached the cross, Jesus went from being heralded by the crowds to being all alone. Even those closest to him abandoned him. But, as if that wasn’t enough, we remember the words he cried on the cross, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.’ To feel forsaken not just by your closet friends, but by the God of the universe. That is abandonment! But, what if that completely changes how we see our own feeling so being abandoned, forgotten or ignored.

‘And when you suffer, you may be completely in the dark about the reason for your own suffering… But the cross tells you what the reason isn’t. It can’t be that God doesn’t love you; it can’t be that he has no plan for you. It can’t be that he has abandoned you. Jesus was abandoned, and paid for our sins, so that God the Father would never abandon you.’ (Timothy Keller)

TRANSCRIPT:

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YOUTH RESOURCES:
Sorry, no youth resouces are available for this series. However, please do check out our Youth Page to see how you can connect and get involved. 

KIDS RESOURCES:
Details about all our church activities and resources for anyone aged under 11 can be found on our Kids Page. On this page you can also find the contact details for Sarah Thomson, our Head Of Children’s Ministry.

Each week there are TWO different sets of questions for you to use, whether you are exploring the Bible within your Life Group, in other group settings, or simply using them on your own.

A | DISCUSSION STARTERS
These are simple questions to provoke discussion together out of the talk (ideal if you are watching our Sunday Service online with others in your group):

1 | Was there anything that particularly helped you during the talk?

2 | Was there anything that you didn’t necessarily agree with, or found difficult to understand in the talk?

3 | As a result of the talk, what:

3a. Changes do you want to see?

3b. Truths do you need to remember?

3c. Actions do you need to take?

B | QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
These are questions that are based on the talk and the surrounding themes:

Read:
John – Chapter 18, verses 15-27

1 | Have you ever felt abandoned? What did it feel like?

2 | Read John 18:15-27. How do you interpret Peter’s actions in denying Jesus three times? Can you relate to feeling pressure to distance yourself from something or someone you believe in?

3 | Are there any clues in the passage as to why Peter abandoned and denied Jesus? Can you think of any temptations we might face to do similar?

4 | Despite Peter’s denial, Jesus doesn’t abandon him. How does this display of unconditional love challenge common responses to abandonment in our society?

5 | In his talk on Sunday, Nathanael quoted the following, ‘All of us will be Peters in our bragging tongue, and most of us will be Peters in our base denial; but few of us will be Peters in our quick repentance.’ What do you make of this quote?

6 | How does the theme of abandonment in Peter’s denial link with the experience of Jesus being forsaken on the cross (Matthew 27:46)? Why is this comforting?

7 | Nathanael quoted Timothy Keller, ‘And when you suffer, you may be completely in the dark about the reason for your own suffering… But the cross tells you what the reason isn’t. It can’t be that God doesn’t love you; it can’t be that he has no plan for you. It can’t be that he has abandoned you. Jesus was abandoned, and paid for our sins, so that God the Father would never abandon you.’ How does Jesus’ abandonment encourage you?

8 | In light of this passage, and reflecting on the broader theme of abandonment in human relationships and society, what are some practical ways we can show compassion and support to those who feel abandoned or marginalised? And what might be our response to those who have abandoned others?

9 | Take some time to pray, asking that God would change how you see abandonment, in light of what you have learnt.

As you explore these questions pray for one another to deepen and develop your relationship with Jesus.

Coming Soon