Jesus in Gethsemane, Is There No Other Way?

If God is the great and all-powerful God of the universe then why did He make His only Son suffer and die? That wasn't very nice! Couldn't there have been an easier and better way to save us?

Matthew 26:36-46,1:27
Hebrews 4:15-16,2:17,1:3,10:4
Romans 8:7,1:18,3:24-26
1 Timothy 2:5-6
Acts 4:12
Isaiah 64:6
Colossians 2:23
1 John 4:10
John 13:31-32,6:40

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Describe Jesus' circumstances in the text.
• Explain why He would ask, Is there no other way?
• The Father said no to the Son for several reasons. What is the Bible's teaching in Hebrews 2:14-18,4:14-16 about why the Father said no?
• In His garden brokenness, what does Jesus reveal to us about the Father?
• What parties were at war in the garden of Gethsemane?
• Who brought an end to the war, and how did He accomplish it?
• Why couldn't we drink the cup of God's wrath for ourselves?
• Why could only Jesus drink it, and what did His drinking it accomplish?
• What was the cosmic contradiction that needed to be set right?
• How did God set it right?
• What is the ultimate reason the Father said no?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Watch and Pray

Concluding our discussion of the Gethsemane scene from Mark, Jesus commands the disciples to watch and pray... then He models it for them as a wonderful High Priest.

Mark 14:27-32,13:33-37,13:50
Romans 8:31-39
Hebrews 7:24-25
1 Corinthians 16:13
1 Thessalonians 5:6
1 Peter 5:8-9
Colossians 4:2
Psalm 103:8,103:14

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What did Jesus encourage His disciples to do in light of the coming trial they would face?
• How did He model this for them?
• What do we learn about Him as our High Priest?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Not My Will... Yours (Part II)

In order to say "Not My will but Yours" in this emotional passage from Mark, Jesus had to act in a radical obedience and trust. In this we should be moved to love Him and to imitate Him.

Mark 14:32-42
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
John 6:38,4:34,10:17-18
Philippians 2:8
Job 1:20-22,2:9-10
1 John 4:9-10
Romans 8:31-32

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does this text show us about Jesus' obedience?
• What can we learn from His example?
• What does it show about His trust?
• What can we learn from His example in this, as well?
• Have you ever been faced with trusting God when you didn't understand what He was doing?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Not My Will... Yours (Part I)

As we continue in Mark, Jesus shows His humanity and His supreme love to His Father as He wrestles in Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-42
2 Corinthians 5:21
Matthew 20:28
John 15:13
Luke 12:4-5
Galatians 2:20

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the scene in Gethsemane highlight Jesus' humanity?
• Why was He so upset when others have faced death so bravely?
• What does it mean to face the wrath of God?
• Why was it so important for us, that He submitted to God's will?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA