Group Guide | Sunday, April 17, 2022

Easter At Willow

"Hope Has A Name"

Group Reconnect

• Share a favorite Easter memory.
• What’s an Easter tradition you enjoy or would like to try?

Open in Prayer 

Looking for an example of an Opening Prayer? Click here.

Message Recap

Everyone responds differently to the Easter message. For some people, the story of Jesus’ resurrection is life-changing. Some have heard it many times and find it tiring or irrelevant. Others find it surprising or even shocking. As Dave Dummitt shared, it all depends on your perspective.

Pastor Dave retold the familiar story from the unique perspective of Jesus’ fellow prisoner, Barabbas. After Pilate released Barabbas, we don’t know what happened to him. But he—like all of us—had a choice. What will we do with the Good News of Jesus—ignore it, or accept it?

Discussion Questions

• Read Matthew 27:15–26. Did you know that Barabbas’ full name was Jesus Barabbas? What contrasts do you see between the two imprisoned men who shared the name Jesus? (Consider their goals and the ways they set out to accomplish them.)
• Read Romans 6:23. Scripture refers to Barabbas as a notorious prisoner, thief, and insurrectionist. Dave Dummitt pointed out that many of us can relate to a guilty person—someone who didn’t live up to standards or was undeserving of freedom. Do you relate at all to the character of Barabbas?
• Read Luke 24:1–4. We don’t know how Barabbas reacted to the news that Jesus had risen from the dead. He may have ignored it, believed it was too good to be true, or accepted that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. How did you respond to the Good News the first time you heard it? How will you react this Easter season?

Live it Out

• After the excitement and busyness of the Easter holiday have passed, pause to read the biblical Easter story one more time. Talk to God about your reaction to the Good News—ask Him questions, sit quietly in awe, or shout to Him with praise.
• Next week, Willow will begin our Celebration of Hope (COH). Did you know that spending two hours filling seed envelopes can provide thousands of pounds of food and a sustainable source of income to families in South Africa and Zambia? Join us as we help fill one million seed packs! Learn more and register here.
• Is there another way God is calling you to live out the message this week?

Close in Prayer

Looking for an example of a Closing Prayer? Click here.