December 7, 1941: Mitsuo Fuchida leads the first wave over Pearl Harbor. Four months later, Jake DeShazer bombs Nagoya, gets captured, and spends forty months as a prisoner, thirty-four of them in solitary. After the war, DeShazer goes back to Japan as a missionary, and his story ends up in Fuchida's hand at a train station in Tokyo.
That's how we open week eight. This weekend Larry Osborne took us to the Last Supper in Matthew 26:17–35, "A Table of Traitors." Jesus is the hero of this story, and we're the traitors at the table. All he asks is that we give what we've received.
Also this week: a walk through every question in the guide, so you can follow along even if you haven't opened it. Why Jesus kept the address of this dinner a secret. Two things you might hear in group: "So I'm supposed to forgive them and act like nothing happened?" and "If my brother keeps asking me for money, love means I keep paying?" And a word for you, if someone in your group has let you down.
In this episode
Things your group can do
- Thanksgiving Blessings: Fill a table this Thanksgiving. Split the shopping list, pack the basket at group, and pray over it before someone drops it off. First drop-off is Wednesday, November 18.
- Baptisms in November: If someone in your group has been thinking about it, this is the month to point them to. Dates by campus are here.
- Social ideas: Holiday calendars fill fast, so pick a date now.
Links
Scripture in this episode
- Matthew 26:17–35 (the passage)
- Luke 23:34 ("Father, forgive them")
- Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10, and Ephesians 2:4–5 (God moves first)
- Colossians 3:13 (this week's Memorize It)
- Matthew 26:16, Mark 14:13–15, Luke 22:15, and John 13:26 (the secret address, and who was at the table)
- Romans 12:18 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (where forgiveness and helping have limits)
Music